International Rice Festival

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Food & DrinkCrowley
Dates15–18 October 2026Confirmed listing
Duration4 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forRegional food & drinkSince its first edition in 1937 as the
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryFood & DrinkFestival type
The story

International Rice Festival in Crowley

The International Rice Festival in Crowley, Louisiana is the state's oldest agricultural festival, held the third weekend of October since 1937. It celebrates the region's rice industry with two parades, a rice cooking contest for the title of Chef de Riz, a rice eating contest, a farmers' banquet and continuous live entertainment.

Crowley was founded in 1886 along the Louisiana Western Rail Road in what is now Acadia Parish, and rice quickly became the crop that defined the surrounding prairie.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Since its first edition in 1937 as the National Rice Festival, the event has grown into one of Louisiana's largest agricultural celebrations, with more than seven million attendees over its history according to festival records

02

The mystery stays covered

Crowley earned its nickname as the Rice Capital of the World because of its historic rice mills and surrounding farmland, and the festival's Chef de Riz cooking contest gives that industry a genuine competitive showcase rather than a purely decorative one

03

The city starts moving

Its combination of a farmers' banquet, a Queens' Ball and back-to-back parades gives it a formal, civic weight that smaller harvest festivals in the region do not carry

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The Chef de Riz cooking contest crowns a rice-dish champion each year

Water and renewal

Living ritual

judged alongside a competitive rice eating contest and a formal farmers' banquet that honors the parish's agricultural producers

The sacred route

Living ritual

a structure that has remained consistent since the festival's founding

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

15–18 October 2026

Getting around

Plan arrival around the route or course in Crowley; closures can make normal travel slower.

What to wear

Casual autumn clothing suited to south Louisiana's still-warm October weather, with comfortable walking shoes for navigating parade routes and the Main Street craft exhibit.

Safety

International Rice Festival is easier when valuables are secure and the group knows where to meet if separated.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Crowley you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Entry may be free while tastings, meals, or special tables are paid locally.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map32.58 N, 97.36 WOpen in Google Maps

Crowley, LA

Nearest airportDFW — Dallas Fort Worth
TransportPlan arrival around the route or course in Crowley; closures can make normal travel slower.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Crowley you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Crowley via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Crowley, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for October.Compare faresFestival gearCasual autumn clothing suited to south Louisiana's still-warm October weather, with comfortable walking shoes for navigating parade routes and the Main Street craft exhibit.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is International Rice Festival?

International Rice Festival is listed for 15–18 October 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does International Rice Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Crowley, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

4 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Crowley, LA

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLricefestival.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates15–18 October 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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