Louisiana State Holidays

Official Louisiana State Holidays and local observances vary across the year, making it essential to have a reliable local calendar. While federal closures apply across the United States, Louisiana officially recognizes unique state legal holidays and community observances deeply rooted in its rich Creole and Cajun heritage, distinct French and Spanish colonial history, and world-famous festival culture.

Select a section below to explore official closure dates, discover top state parks, browse annual cultural festivals, and dive into fascinating state facts!

Louisiana State Flag

Bank Closures & Schedules

• Commercial Banking Schedules – While national banks follow the standard Federal Reserve calendar, local bank branches and state-chartered credit unions across the state typically mirror official state government holiday closures. Always call your local branch ahead of time to verify specific drive-thru and lobby hours on state-specific holidays.

Louisiana State Holidays

Here is the summary of the official Louisiana State Holidays closures that differ from the standard U.S. Federal Holiday schedule:

• February 9, 2027: Mardi Gras (Rule: Observed annually in legal state law as a paid public holiday closing state government offices and courts on Shrove Tuesday, predominantly across designated southern parishes)

• March 26, 2027: Good Friday (Rule: Observed annually by state statute as a paid public holiday closing all state government offices on the Friday immediately before Easter Sunday)

• November 3, 2026: General Election Day (Rule: Observed on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November during even-numbered years to close state offices for voting access; not observed as a state closure in 2027)

• November 27, 2026 and November 26, 2027: Day After Thanksgiving (Rule: Granted annually by executive proclamation of the Governor as a paid holiday closing state agencies on the Friday following Thanksgiving Day)

Local Louisiana Observance Days

These are designated commemorative periods across the state that are officially recognized by Louisiana state statutes to honor historical figures, cultural heritage, and community milestones:

• April 30, 2027: Louisiana Statehood Day (Rule: Fixed annual historical date celebrating April 30, 1812, when Louisiana was admitted to the Union as the 18th state)

Weather & Environment-Related Louisiana Observances:

These designated climate, wildlife, and natural hazard awareness periods serve as critical dates for emergency response, municipal safety drills, and seasonal resource tracking: (2027 Dates TBA)

• October 11–17, 2026: Severe Weather Awareness Week (Rule: Coordinated annually in mid-October by emergency management divisions and the NWS to prepare coastal and inland communities ahead of severe autumn weather cycles)

Map of Louisiana

Louisiana Trivia

• The Capital of Crawfish Production: Louisiana supplies over 90 percent of the world's domestic crawfish, harvesting millions of pounds annually from local freshwater bayous and flooded rice fields for traditional Cajun boils.

• The Tallest State Capitol in America: Standing at 450 feet high with 34 stories, the Louisiana State Capitol building in Baton Rouge is the tallest state capitol building in the United States, built out of limestone and marble.

• The World's Longest Bridge Over Water: The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway connects Metairie with Mandeville, stretching a massive 23.8 miles continuously over open water and earning a permanent spot in the Guinness World Records.

State Facts, History & Symbols

Explore the core identity and rich heritage of the region with our comprehensive guide to its official state history, symbols, and unique characteristics:

• Louisiana became the 18th State on April 30, 1812

• Louisiana State Abbreviation: LA

• Louisiana State Capital: Baton Rouge

• Louisiana State Amphibian: Green Tree Frog

• Louisiana State Bird: Brown Pelican

• Louisiana State Crustacean: Crawfish

• Louisiana State Dog: Catahoula Leopard Dog

• Louisiana State Fish: White Crappie

• Louisiana State Flower: Magnolia

• Louisiana State Fossil: Petrified Palmwood

• Louisiana State Gemstone: Louisiana Agate

• Louisiana State Insect: Honeybee

• Louisiana State Mammal: Black Bear

• Louisiana State Musical Instrument: Accordion

• Louisiana State Nickname: The Pelican State

• Louisiana State Reptile: American Alligator

• Louisiana State Song: "You Are My Sunshine"

• Louisiana State Tree: Bald Cypress

• Louisiana State Wildflower: Louisiana Iris

Overview of Louisiana

Louisiana, proudly known as the Pelican State, is a culturally vibrant Southern destination defined by the winding paths of the Mississippi River and the expansive waters of the Gulf of America.

Renowned for its deep French and Spanish colonial roots, legendary Mardi Gras celebrations, and festive jazz and zydeco musical traditions, the Sportsman's Paradise seamlessly blends mysterious moss-draped bayous with historic plantation landmarks and world-famous culinary hubs.

Watch the tourism showcase below to explore the historic French Quarter streets, misty coastal swamplands, and majestic river scenery across Louisiana:

Louisiana Festival and Events

Explore the absolute biggest celebrations across the region with our curated list of the top 10 festivals and events, featuring their verified dates and annual scheduling rules.

• February 9, 2027: Mardi Gras Carnival across the city streets of New Orleans, Louisiana. (Date Rule: Celebrated annually on Fat Tuesday, which falls exactly forty-seven days before Easter Sunday, serving as the massive culmination of a multi-week winter carnival season featuring elaborate parades and street balls)

• April 10–12, 2027: French Quarter Festival across the historic riverfront park and French Quarter streets in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Date Rule: Held annually over a multi-day weekend block in early-to-mid April, standing as one of the largest completely free open-air showcases of local food and regional music)

• April 23–May 2, 2027: New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds Racecourse in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Date Rule: Held annually over two consecutive multi-day weekends starting on the last weekend of April, standing as a world-famous celebration of music, culture, and gospel heritage)

• May 28–30, 2027: Mudbug Madness Festival at Festival Plaza in Shreveport, Louisiana. (Date Rule: Celebrated every year over the three-day Memorial Day weekend, honoring North Louisiana heritage with massive crawfish eating contests, Cajun and Zydeco music stages, and folk art vendors)

• July 2–4, 2027: Essence Festival of Culture at the Superdome and various convention centers in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Date Rule: Held annually over a multi-day block centered on the Fourth of July weekend, celebrating contemporary Black culture, global music headliners, empowerment seminars, and fashion)

• July 15–18, 2027: Tales of the Cocktail at various historic hotels and venues in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Date Rule: Held annually over a multi-day summer block in mid-July, serving as the world's premier festival and educational convention for the spirits industry, bartenders, and cocktail enthusiasts)

• August 13–15, 2027: Delcambre Shrimp Festival at the festival grounds in Delcambre, Louisiana. (Date Rule: Held annually over the third full weekend of August, celebrating the local shrimping industry with boat blessings, shrimp cook-offs, carnival rides, and live Cajun music)

• September 3–5, 2027: Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival across the civic park and downtown streets in Morgan City, Louisiana. (Date Rule: Celebrated every year over the three-day Labor Day weekend since 1936, honoring the state's historic working industries with a massive water parade, blessing of the fleet, and local street music)

• October 23–25, 2026 and October 22–24, 2027: Festival International de Louisiane across various open-air plazas in downtown Lafayette, Louisiana. (Date Rule: Held annually over a multi-day block in late April or rescheduled to late October, standing as the largest francophone cultural festival in the nation with international world music acts and global visual art displays)

• October 30–November 1, 2026 and October 29–31, 2027: Voodoo Music and Arts Experience at City Park in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Date Rule: Held annually over a three-day weekend block concluding on Halloween weekend, bringing together massive global rock, pop, and electronic musical acts alongside immersive art installations)

National Parks in Louisiana

Louisiana features a magnificent collection of diverse historic gems, cultural preserves, and ecological wonders managed under the federal National Park Service (NPS) system:

• Cane River Creole National Historical Park: Located in Natchitoches, this unique property preserves the beautiful landscapes, historic architecture, and complex cultural histories of a multi-generational Creole community operating along the scenic Cane River lake region.

• Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve: Spanning multiple distinct facilities across southern Louisiana, this massive cultural sanctuary protects the natural treasures of the Mississippi River Delta alongside the diverse historical backgrounds of the local Acadian and Cajun heritages.

• New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park: Situated in downtown New Orleans, this unique musical park celebrates the global evolution, historical roots, and deep-seated cultural impact of the jazz music traditions born directly in the heart of the Crescent City.

• Poverty Point National Monument: Located in Epps, this ancient ceremonial site preserves a colossal network of earthen mounds and complex monumental earthworks hand-sculpted by indigenous American communities thousands of years ago.

• Vicksburg National Military Park: Extending into northeastern Louisiana across the rolling river bluffs, this vital Civil War battleground honors the strategic military operations and grueling campaign that ultimately decided control of the Mississippi River.

For additional information on National Parks and historic trails across the state, visit the official National Park Service Louisiana Portal.

State Parks in Louisiana

The Louisiana State Park System features an exceptional public network of outdoor destinations across pristine bayous, expansive lakes, and rolling pine hills. Here are the Top 5 most visited or unique state parks:

• Chicot State Park: Boasting a massive lake covered in scenic cypress trees, this premier destination features rolling hills, extensive hiking trails, and a premier arboretum showcasing a vast collection of native Southern plants.

• Fontainbleau State Park: Located on the scenic shores of Lake Pontchartrain, this beautiful park features sandy beaches, historic oak trees, and the brick ruins of an old sugar mill.

• Grand Isle State Park: Serving as a beautiful island paradise directly on the Gulf of Mexico, this popular coastal park features pristine fishing jetties, scenic birding trails, and beautiful beachside camping areas.

• Poverty Point Reservoir State Park: Centered around a massive 2,700-acre reservoir, this modern park is famous for its exceptional waterfowl watching, premier fishing docks, and scenic overwater rental cabins.

• Sam Houston Jones State Park: Nestled along the flowing Calcasieu River, this unique park features pristine lagoons, scenic river walks, and a massive forest sanctuary covered in beautiful bald cypress trees.

You can explore the full interactive public map and check localized entry permits directly through the official Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism Portal.

Louisiana Resources

• Official State Government Portal: louisiana.gov

• Official Louisiana Tourism Website: explorelouisiana.com

• Official U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Louisiana: census.gov

• Official Louisiana State Wikipedia Page: wikipedia.org

Pinterest Board of Louisiana

Holidays and Observances Louisiana Pinterest Board – Follow our dedicated visual board for hand-picked inspiration, regional festival galleries, historical Creole and Cajun traditions, and scenic travel highlights across the Pelican State. Discover everything that makes celebrating life in Louisiana unique!