A Full Itinerary for Louisiana Food & Wine Festival Attendees

 

The Louisiana Food & Wine Festival takes place in Lake Charles, March 12-15, and if you haven’t purchased tickets to this event, let’s hope it doesn’t sell out before you do. You’ll be the first to get an authentic taste of the area’s Cajun/Creole cuisine, as well as regional flavors from other southern chefs, and wash it all down with endless pours of wine, spirits, and other libations.

You can purchase tickets to individual events, the entire weekend, and package deals. Although this food and wine festival is the main event, you can use this four-day itinerary to maximize your time in Louisiana's Playground. This is the best way to explore the city’s unique offerings between the festival’s multi-event schedule: 

DAY ONE - Thursday, March 12 - Luck & Luxury in Southwest Louisiana 

The festival kicks off with "Louisiana's Best Taste Awards" at 6:30 p.m. at L'Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles. This interactive walk-around of delicious creations features some of the state's and region's best chefs! Claim your spot at this professionally judged event before tickets sell out. Live music and beverage tasting stations including wine, beer, spirits, and craft cocktails will make more a memorable evening. 

Before the main event, you can experience luck and luxury at our casino resorts: Delta Downs, Golden Nugget, Horseshoe Casino, and L’Auberge. There’s 24-hour gaming at each location, but if that’s not your thing, explore their amenities at your own pace. They have everything from golf courses, spa services, thoroughbred racing, sports betting lounges, pools, live entertainment, lounges, restaurants, and more. You can stay there, play there, or both. Either way, you win.  

 

 

shelling on holly beach
Gulf Shells on Holly Beach

DAY TWO - Friday, March 13 - Navigate Lake Charles Like a Local 

The Fire on the Lake event takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This quintessential Louisiana celebration of live fire cooking, overlooking the beautiful shores of Lake Charles. The event features a variety of slow-cooked, grilled, and smoked meats, Louisiana seafood and vegetarian creations from some of the south's most celebrated Pitmasters and chefs. Enjoy unlimited tasting bites, wine, beer and spirits while dancing the night away to lively Zydeco music.

Before the festivities begin, make a day of it by exploring the charm of Southwest Louisiana, starting with the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road: This is a 180-mile, self-driving route through rural Southwest Louisiana. It’s where you can see wildlife in abundance, book private fishing excursions, explore walking trails, indulge in back road delicacies, and take in picturesque sceneries, and more. From beachfront waves and unique terrains to bird sightings and vibrant sunrises and sunsets, this is the open-air experience that you want. Lake Charles is about 30-45 minutes from the Gulf, and this trail will lead you straight there.  

After a morning of exploring "Louisiana's Outback," head to Downtown Lake Charles. Browse the unique shops, galleries, and historic architecture, or fuel up at one of our local favorites for breakfast or lunch. Here are a few spots that the locals love: The Bekery, Stellar Beans Coffee & Edibles, Biscuits N Jamz, Leonard’s Food Quarters, and Pujo St. Café.

 

biscuits n jamz brunch French toast breakfast
French Toast Breakfast Sandwich at Biscuits n' Jamz

DAY THREE - Saturday, March 14 - The Lake Charles Aesthetic: Cultural Arts & Eats 

The Louisiana Food & Wine Festival’s Grand Tasting will begin at 1 p.m. and end at 5 p.m. This is the festival’s main event, and you’ll receive endless wine tastings and food samples galore. But there’s a lot you can do before 1 p.m., so I recommend touring the Charpentier Historic District.

You can take a comfortable stroll through historic neighborhoods, get some Instagrammable photos of the district’s street art, peruse through art museums and galleries like Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center, and more. And if you want to keep the party going after the grand tasting, swing any one of the local restaurants or bars that features live music acts weekly. Check out our full events calendar here. 

jazz musicians with guitar, cello, and violin perform during the sunday jazz brunch for the louisiana food and wine festival
LA Food & Wine Festival Jazz Brunch

DAY FOUR - Sunday, March 15 - Sunday Funday Vibes 

Use this morning to sleep in, you deserve it, but be ready to turn up your energy for the festival’s Sunday Jazz Brunch. You’ll probably eat your weight in beignets and bottomless mimosas, as well as sway to the best jazz music in Southwest Louisiana. From 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Your Sunday Funday doesn’t have to end there. You can keep the party vibes going into the evening by taking the stage at Panorama Music House for Open Mic Night.  

Sunset Picnic at Prien Lake Park
Wine Picnic at Prien Lake Park

More Wine? Wine Not? 

The festival may have ended, but that doesn't mean the wine has to stop pouring. Check out our Wine Lover's guide to Lake Charles for our favorite wine spots.