March 2026 Events in New Orleans, Baton Rouge & Northshore | Spring Festivals Guide

Your Guide to Spring Festivals in South Louisiana

Mardi Gras season may have wrapped up for 2026, but in South Louisiana, the celebrations are far from over. Spring festivals are just getting started, and if you’re planning to spend time in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, or the Northshore, this is your sign to start filling up your weekends.

This time of year brings that perfect in-between weather, mild, bright, and comfortably cool with just enough sunshine to keep you outdoors. It’s the season for light layers, comfortable shoes, sunglasses in your bag… and maybe a rain jacket, just in case. Around here, we celebrate in any forecast.

Here’s your guide to what’s happening across our communities this March.

New Orleans March 2026 Events

Mardi Gras may be over, but in New Orleans, the parades never really stop.

Get your green ready for the Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Parade,  a neighborhood favorite filled with festive throws, pub crawls, block parties, and plenty of Irish cheer. Whether you go all out with your outfit or keep it classic, this is one of those celebrations that brings the whole city together.

If high-energy entertainment is more your style, Banana Ball returns March 14–15, bringing its fast-paced, fan-first twist on baseball to town. Expect big plays, bigger personalities, and nonstop fun.

The celebrations continue on March 15 with the return of Mardi Gras Indians Uptown Super Sunday. Near A.L. Davis Park, tribes in intricate, hand-sewn suits parade through the streets in a powerful tradition dating back to the 19th century. It’s history, artistry, and culture woven into every detail.

Music, of course, is always part of the rhythm here. The Danny Barker Banjo & Guitar Festival (March 24–29) honors the legendary musician through performances, workshops, and discussions dedicated to preserving New Orleans’ rich musical legacy.

And for lovers of literature and theater, the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival celebrates 40 years this year. Playwrights, authors, actors, and speakers gather for conversations and performances, including the famously spirited “Stella!” shouting contest.

Because in New Orleans, culture isn’t seasonal,  it’s constant.

Baton Rouge March 2026 Events 

Head west and the momentum continues.

In Baton Rouge, St. Patrick’s Day is more than a single event,  it’s a full-day celebration. The Shamrock Run kicks off the morning with a spirited 5K, setting the tone before the 41st Annual Wearin’ of the Green St. Patrick’s Day Parade rolls through town. It’s a tradition locals anticipate year after year, filled with music, floats, and unmistakable community pride.

Car enthusiasts can look forward to the 48th Annual R.O.D.S. Run, a two-day showcase of classic and vintage vehicles that also supports Hospice of Baton Rouge and Mary Bird Cancer Center.

If your ideal Saturday includes fresh air and movement, the Comite River Run offers a scenic five-mile course through the forest, a refreshing way to connect with nature while staying active. And crossing the finish line comes with a reward: a well-earned lunch to wrap up the morning.

Taste of Mid City brings the focus back to food, with local restaurants serving their best dishes while supporting Kids’ Orchestra and its mission to empower children through music education. It’s an evening that blends flavor and purpose beautifully.

And with LSU Baseball in full swing and multiple home games throughout the month, March is also prime time for Tigers fans to fill the stadium.

In Baton Rouge, community spirit shows up in every run, parade, plate, and pitch.

Northshore March 2026 Events 

Across the lake, festival season arrives with its own charm.

The Louisiana Food Truck Festival on March 7 sets the tone, gathering more than 25 vendors serving everything from smoky BBQ to sweet snowballs. It’s free, family-friendly, and the perfect excuse to spend the day outside.

St. Patrick’s Day stretch across the Northshore, beginning with the Slidell St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 8, featuring over 50 floats. A St. Patrick’s Day Concert with Four Unplugged  follows on March 12, and the Covington St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration rounds out the festivities on March 14. No matter where you are on the Northshore, there’s a way to join the celebration.

Tour de Lis Louisiana adds meaning to movement, offering cycling routes along with one- and four-mile nature hikes, all supporting the Cancer Association of Louisiana (CALA). Their motto says it best: “We ride for those who can’t.”

And then, crawfish season takes center stage.

Not Your Mama’s Gumbo Cook-Off on March 14 invites guests to sample, vote, and crown a People’s Choice winner while browsing local vendors.  Later in the month, the 6th Annual Olde Towne Slidell Crawfish & Music Festival on March 29, brings three stages of live music and plenty of crawfish to go around.

On the Northshore, spring feels like open-air markets, live music drifting through the streets, and neighbors gathering simply because it’s a beautiful day.

Celebrate Spring 2026 Across South Louisiana

March is here. Spring is here. And South Louisiana never misses a reason to gather.

From parades and festivals to races, concerts, cook-offs, and baseball games, each community brings its own energy, but the common thread is connection. It’s about showing up, celebrating local traditions, supporting meaningful causes, and spending time together.

So whether you find yourself in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, or the Northshore, consider this your invitation to step outside, explore something new, and enjoy the season.

We’ll see you out there!