Despite Covid-19 lingering around, the situation looks better for festivals all across the Ark-La-Tex to start up again this spring. Below is what we found for the Spring Festival Guide.
Always follow local CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. Since the Spring Festival Guide runs through the end of May, policies and mask mandates may change. Click on the festival to be taken to their web page for the latest information. Festivals may be cancelled or postponed so check their websites and Facebook pages as well. If you know of a change or want to add a festival, please Contact Us.
Click on the festival name for more information.
MAY 2021
Twice as Fine Texarkana Wine Festival
Saturday, May 1 11:00am-7:00pm
It’s a one-of-a-kind wine, art and music festival. Wineries from across Texas will let you sample their product. Gourmet treats, great music, and fantastic art will be on hand as well.
Location – Spring Lake Park, Texarkana, Tex
CORK (Sold Out)
May 1 2:00pm-5:00pm
Over 100 wines will be served as well as a lot of tasty treats. Meet and talk wine with experts and enjoy live music and participate in the raffle drawings.
Location – Festival Plaza, 101 Crockett St., Shreveport
River City Fest 2021
May 14-15
There’s a lot to do along the river front. Parade, firework display, pageant, games/contests, car show, carnival, food, music, and arts/crafts duck derby race, during the festival in a clean, safe environment.
Location – River Front, Logansport, La
Historic Jefferson Train Show
May 15-16
Check out the impressive model trains, layouts and the Railroad Museum. Ride the Historic Jefferson Railway and the Lonesome Dove Safari Train.
Location – 305 E. Austin St., Jefferson, Tex
Running of the Hogs
May 16 1:00pm-7:00pm
This brand new street festival combines music, beer, BBQ and mechanical bulls! Proceeds go towards families facing pediatric brain cancer. Sure to be a lot of fun.
Location – 724 Azalea Dr., Shreveport
Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival
May 21-22
The riverbank will come alive with R&B, Jazz and a whole lot more.
Location – Natchitoches Riverbank
Mudbug Madness
May 28-30
Eat crawfish. Do a little shopping. Eat more mudbugs. Listen to the great music. Eat even more crawfish. You get the idea. It’s a fun way to start Memorial Day Weekend.
Location – Festival Plaza, 101 Crockett St., Shreveport
3rd Annual Paddlefish Festival
Saturday, March 6 9:00am-3:00pm
Since 2017, the Shreveport Aquarium and the Caddo Lake Institute teamed up to reintroduce the fish back into the lake. Now they celebrate the release of the paddlefish as part of the festival. Enjoy a lot of fun at the aquarium.
Location – Shreveport Aquarium, 601 Clyde Fant Pkwy.
Bloomin’ on the Bricks
Saturday, March 13 9:00am-2:00pm
Downtown Natchitoches comes alive with color with thousands of flowers. Shop lawn and garden vendors and listen to music from Northwestern State University bands.
Location – Downtown Natchitoches
Cane River Film Festival
March 19-20
The festival looks to share Louisiana stories with a world wide audience. Highlights include student and independent filmmakers.
Locations – Northwestern State University and Natchitoches Country Club
Greens on the Red
Sunday, March 21 2:00pm-4:00pm (rain date will be Sunday, March 28)
Discover all the wonderful things about greens like cabbage, collards, microgreens and more! Enjoy garden yoga, seed planting and health screenings. Read more about it here.
Location – Noel United Methodist Church, 520 Herndon St., Shreveport
APRIL 2021
2nd Annual Blues Fool
April 1 8:00pm
Get dressed up for this celebration of life, laugh and love! Enjoy comedy and southern blues at its finest.
Location – Holiday Inn Texarkana Arkansas Convention Center, 5200 Convention Plaza Dr., Texarkana, Ark
76th Annual Four States Fair & Rodeo
April 2-11 (Closed April 6)
The fair returns after being delayed in October. The rides, food and fun are back along with the Demolition Derby and the Four States Fair Rodeo.
Location – 3700 E. 50th St., Texarkana, Ark.
14th Annual Shreveport Blues Festival
POSTPONED
Six acts take the stage: Pokey Bear, Jeter Jones, O.B. Buchana, Melvia “Chick” Rodgers, Calvin Richardson, and Tucka.
Location – Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, 705 Grand Ave., Shreveport
28th Annual Dogwood Days Festival
April 2-3
It will be a safe and exciting time with food, live music, games, a pageant and more. Enter the VFW Cornhole Tournament or the Tyson Chicken cookoff.
Location – Downtown Idabel, Okla
157th Anniversary Battle of Pleasant Hill Reenactment and Festival
April 9-11
It was the biggest battles of the Civil War west of the Mississippi. The Battle of Pleasant Hill is remembered every year with a reenactment. Learn about what happened during and after the battle. There will be a parade in Pleasant Hill on the 10th.
Location – 23271 Hwy. 175, Pelican, La
Scottish Tartan Festival
Saturday, April 10 10:00am-6:00pm
Minden honors Scottish culture. Music this year from Smithfield Fair, Cleghorn and Emerald Accent. Visit the clans, enjoy the Children’s Area, see the dog show Highland Coos and do a little shopping.
Location – 224 LA-518, Minden, La
13th Annual Aseana Spring Festival
Saturday, April 10, 2021 11:00am-4:00pm
This year’s honored country is Japan and it’s happening in the daytime. Try some street food while watching the entertainment and listening to good music.
Location – Asian Gardens of Shreveport, 800 Texas Ave., Shreveport
Bourbon and Barbecue
April 10, 2021 3:00pm-9:00pm
This is the first time the event is taking place! Sample whisky, eight bourbon samples and eight barbecue samples from local chefs and grill masters. Music by Rebirth Brass Band.
Location – Red River District, 450 Clyde Fant Pkwy., Shreveport
Mary K Herron Memorial Kite Festival
Tuesday, April 13, 2021 10:00am-3:00pm
Bring your own kite, make your own before hand with instructions here or make one at the museum for free. Kite Fest is sponsored by the Museum of the Red River and the Idabel Minority Action Committee (IMAC).
Location – Booker T Washington Community Center, 100 NW Jamaica Ave., Idabel, Okla
Port City Fest
April 15-17
The Grambling State University – Southern University football Bayou Classic is coming to Shreveport! The party’s going to be big and fun with a business expo, party at Festival Plaza and a Fan Fest at Independence Stadium.
Location – Downtown Shreveport and Louisiana State Fair Grounds
47th Annual Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival
April 17-18
It’s all about local arts and crafts from photography, jewelry, paintings, stained glass, woodworking, pottery and more! All set on an historic plantation.
Location – Melrose Plantation, 3533 LA-119, Melrose, La
Choctaw Apache Tribe of Ebarb Annual Powwow
April 23-24
Celebrate the Native American culture and the 2,500+ member tribe roots. enjoy traditional dancing, unique craft items, jewelry, and Indian Fellowship.
Location – 217 Gene Knight Rd., Noble, La
Tatum Pecan Pie Festival
Saturday, April 24, 2021 10:00am-4:00pm
This Southern delicacy gets its own festival. See lots of arts, crafts and eat lots of food including Pecan Pie to help support free or low cost mammograms for women that might need them.
Location – Tatum High School, 600 Crystal Farms Rd., Tatum, Tex
74th Jefferson Historical Pilgrimage
April 29-May 2
Explore four historic homes and four enchanting gardens: The Grove-The Stilley-Young House, The Sagamore, Twin Oaks Plantation and The Terry House. Witness a re-enactment of the infamous trial of Diamond Bessie. Plus a salad luncheon at The Excelsior House hotel, quilt exhibit and craft fair.
Location – Jefferson, Tex
State Fair of Louisiana
April 29-May 9
Covid-19 caused the push back of the state fair from October to April and May this year. The carnival, food, rodeo and more will be up and running!
Location – 3701 Hudson Ave., Shreveport