Spring-Summer 2024 Visitor Guide

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Abita Springs Busker Festival
Abita's Lively Busker Festival
George Long

St. Tammany Major Annual Events

Here's just a sampling of the fairs and festivals on the Northshore. Click on the photos below for more information about some of our Major Annual Events. For a complete list of the many events that infuse St. Tammany Parish with its joie de vivre, click the Events tab above and search by month. 

Krewe Queen - Mardi Gras

JANUARY-MARCH: Mardi Gras Parades

Carnival season begins January 6 with Kings Day/Twelfth Night and Mardi Gras can occur as late as March 9 with the day changing each year. The Northshore's Mardi Gras celebrations are quirky, unforgettable, and full of positive energy. If small-town, safe family celebrations are what you’re after, St. Tammany Parish will definitely fill your bag. And, we’re only 40 minutes from the French Quarter with affordable accommodations.

Abita Springs Whole Town Garage Sale

MARCH: Abita Springs Whole Town Garage Sale

Every March in Abita, the whole town comes together and hosts a garage sale and flea market. It's a yard sale, on steroids.

 

Slidell Antique District Street Fair

MARCH & OCTOBER: Slidell Antique District Street Fair

Visitors crowd the streets of Slidell's historic "Olde Towne" on the last weekends of March and October searching for antiques, china and vintage collectibles. Hundreds of antiques dealers from around the country set up their wares in the streets of Olde Towne.

Louisiana Food Truck Festival at The Harbor Center in Slidell

MARCH & OCTOBER: Louisiana Food Truck Festival

Louisiana's largest food truck festival features a wide variety of cuisines from across the region. Held twice per year in March and October, the festival includes live music, a Kid's Zone, vendors and more.

Bicycle Festival

APRIL: Louisiana Bicycle Festival

A treat for bicycle enthusiasts in April that includes antique bicycle exhibits, bicycle flea market, Tammany Trace cruise, unique bike contest, FAT tire clinic, prizes, high-wheeler demonstration and more.

Slidell's All-You-Can-Eat Crawfish Cook-off at Fritchie Park

APRIL: All You Can Eat Crawfish Cook-off in Slidell

Held in Slidell's Fritchie Park each April, the crawfish is hot and so is the music. Eat all the crawfish you can from 50+ competing teams and listen to multiple music acts. Benefits Hospice House/Hospice Foundation of the South. 

Abita Springs Busker Festival

APRIL: Abita Springs Busker Festival

One of the Northshore's fastest-growing festivals, the Abita Springs Busker Festival in March pays homage to Louisiana roots music and features some of the best buskers (street musicians who play for tips) in the Greater New Orleans area.

Del Porto chefs at A Taste of Covington

JUNE: A Taste of Covington

The food, wine, art and music event each June in historic Covington includes Vintner's Dinners at top local restaurants with wine pairings, the Grand Tasting at Acquistapace's Wine Cellar, Festa del Vino wine tasting, Spring for Art and a Sunday champagne jazz brunch. Tickets presold. 

Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. and The Zydeco Twisters at Slidell Heritage Festival 2017

JULY: Slidell Heritage Festival

Celebrate America's birthday each July with the family, in Heritage Park at the Annual Slidell Heritage Festival! Enjoy lots of good food, music, game, and inflatables for the kids, arts and crafts booths, specialty vendors, and fireworks display at 9 pm. 

Wooden Boat

OCTOBER: Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival

Hundreds of wooden boats line the shore of the Tchefuncte River each October for the largest gathering of watercraft on the Gulf Coast. Activities and live music entertain the crowds, including the Quick & Dirty Boat Building Contest and Race.

Bluesberry Festival

OCTOBER: Bluesberry Festival

Bogue Falaya Wayside Park in Covington is the verdant backdrop for this October festival where all things blue are celebrated. Fresh blueberries from local farms, an emphasis on the arts with over 40 artisan booths, cold Blueberry Harvest beer from Abita, and a hot musical lineup make for an unforgettable event.

St. Tammany Parish Fair Midway - Ferris Wheel

OCTOBER: St. Tammany Parish Fair

Livestock shows, mini farms, a rodeo, pageants, carnival rides, and music concerts can all be found at the St. Tammany Parish Fair, held the first full weekend in October since 1910.

 

Covington Three Rivers Art Festival

NOVEMBER: Covington Three Rivers Art Festival

This juried arts festival held in November in Historic Downtown Covington attracts a talented group of artists and fine craftsmen from around the country. With more than 150 exhibiting artists, art lovers can choose from a wide selection in various media. Come see arts and fine crafts demonstrations. There are lots of activities just for kids.

Santa

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER: Holiday Happenings

Spread some cheer for the holiday season at Christmas and holiday events all around St. Tammany Parish from the end of November through December. Enjoy Mandeville's annual Christmas Past Festival, spectacular light displays in Slidell, Northshore Christmas concerts and holiday plays, and plenty of places to shop till you drop.