Best Fall Festivals Near Barksdale AFB

Mention "festival" and "Louisiana" in the same sentence, and the first celebration to come to mind understandably, is Mardi Gras. But you won’t have to wait until early spring for festival fun if you find yourself at Barksdale Air Force Base this fall, nestled just between Shreveport and Bossier City.

Wondering where the best fall festivals are near Barksdale AFB? From live music to fall fun runs, pumpkin patches to corn mazes and Halloween fright nights, brew fests to hot air balloons, and farmer’s markets to fireworks, you won’t have to travel far to experience all the fun this fall season!

Grab your friends, family, and visitors, and get ready to make great memories. And the best part? It’s all within about a two-hour drive!

Bossier Fall Night Market

When: September 12, 2026 and December 12, 2026 (one day each)
Where: Bossier City (three miles from Barksdale AFB)

Located minutes north of Barksdale AFB’s main gate, the Bossier Night Market is ready to welcome visitors at dusk, with dates in September and December. The Night Market is one of the biggest one-day vendor events nationally, with over 225 vendors, 13+ food trucks, 100,000+ decorative lights, live music, and more.

Photo from Bossier Night Market

Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival

• When: September 18-19, 2026
• Where: Downtown Natchitoches 

Louisiana meat pies are a delicious regional treat, with recipes dating back to the 1700s. Seasoned meats are tucked into from-scratch pastry and traditionally fried.

The charming town of Natchitoches is a local favorite and hosts a Meat Pie festival every September, along with a brew fest.

Highland Jazz & Blues Festival

• When: September 19, 2026
• Where: Columbia Park, Shreveport (four miles from Barksdale AFB)

Enjoy local and national jazz and blues artists, great food, and beautiful local artwork less than ten minutes from Barksdale AFB, at Shreveport’s annual Highland Jazz & Blues Festival. Now in its 22nd year, Shreveport knows how to throw a great party in the park!

Red River Revel Arts Festival

• When: October 8–11 and October 15–18, 2026
• Where: Downtown Shreveport Festival Plaza (four miles from Barksdale AFB)

Revelers can enjoy live music, explore works from over 80 artists, including unique artwork, oils, acrylics, jewelry, woodwork, glass and metal sculpturing, and more, all while munching on some of the best festival and regional eats in the area. Natchitoches meat pies, chicken and waffles, seafood macaroni—there’s something for the whole family.

The Red River Revel Arts Festival is a celebration of the arts and the largest outdoor arts festival in North Louisiana, featuring more than 200 performing and visual artists, along with culinary treats and children’s activities.

Making a PCS move to Barksdale AFB? Don't miss MilitaryByOwner's relocation guide to BAFB. 

St. Luke’s UMC Pumpkin Patch

• When: September 28–October 31, 2026
• Where: 6012 Youree Drive, Shreveport (four miles from Barksdale AFB)

Since 1990, St. Luke’s has proudly been supplying the Shreveport community with a beautiful array of pumpkins in all shapes and colors. From porch-perfect tiny white gems and green gourds to jack-o'-lantern-ready pumpkins, grab the family and head to St. Luke’s to pick out the season’s perfect pumpkin.

St. Luke’s also opens its "Bootique," featuring cookbooks, t-shirts, cookies, and gift items, with proceeds benefitting local missions and charities. Although St. Luke’s does not allow professional photography sessions, their pumpkin patch is a perfect opportunity for an afternoon outing and to snap personal photos of your loved ones enjoying the pumpkin patch.

Photo from St. Luke's UMC Pumpkin Patch

Dark Woods Haunted Attraction at Timber Ridge Adventure Park

• When: Fridays and Saturdays, October 2–31, 2026
• Where: Natchitoches (79 miles from Barksdale AFB)

For those looking for heart-pounding Halloween adventures, look no further than Dark Woods in nearby Natchitoches. With two immersive haunted attractions—Deadfall Trail winding through the dark woods of Louisiana and Alice’s Madhouse in 3D—guests will encounter plenty of scream-inducing scares with an immersive themed experience including character actors, detailed costuming, realistic sets, and Hollywood-style special effects.

50th Annual Zwolle Tamale Fiesta

• When: October 8–10, 2026
• Where: Zwolle Festival Grounds (70 miles from Barksdale AFB)

Zwolle heritage is a blend of influences from Native American, French, and Spanish culinary cultures. The area celebrates its lineage every fall with the Zwolle Tamale Festival.

The festival includes a parade, car shows, live music with dancing, Fiesta royalty, a 5k fun run, and a mud bog where adventure seekers compete for cash prizes by traversing a mud pit, which is a beloved festival favorite.

Prize Fest

• When: October 14–18, 2026
• Where: Various venues, downtown Shreveport (four miles from Barksdale AFB)

Prize Fest is the culminating event for five creative competitions — film, food, music, comedy, and photography—held each October in downtown Shreveport. Participants showcase their talents and present their work to live audiences in a vibrant party atmosphere as they compete for cash prizes and awards.

A bonus: if you’re interested in a career in the creative arts, Prize Fest is a great place to mingle!

Photo from Prize Fest Facebook

South Bossier Barksdale Market 

• When: Sundays, October 18–November 22, 2026
• Where: Bossier City (two miles from Barksdale AFB)

The Barksdale Market returns for its fall season. Bring your big purse and your appetite as you shop over 40+ local vendors, including food trucks, farm stands, jewelry, crafts, soaps, candles, clothing, and more.

The outdoor market is located less than five minutes outside Barksdale AFB’s main gate, making it the perfect opportunity for a super-quick but fun fall weekend outing.

Pumpkin Shine On-Line

• When: October 20, 2026
• Where: Betty Virginia Park, Shreveport (four miles from Barksdale AFB)

It’s the Great Pumpkin Shreveport! For one magical night, stroll through Betty Virginia Park on paths decorated with over 1,000 glowing jack-o'-lanterns and painted pumpkin displays.

Southfield School and Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation are hosting this free, family-friendly event to encourage a love of art, showcasing the work of creative young minds from local area schools.

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Chennault Fest

• When: November 6–7, 2026
• Where: Chennault Aviation & Military Museum, Monroe (about 97 miles from Barksdale AFB)

Head to Monroe for Chennault Fest, a two-day family-friendly festival supporting the Chennault Aviation & Military Museum.

The 2026 event features hot-air balloon glows both nights along with live music, arts and crafts, food trucks, local vendors, and activities for all ages. The full festival schedule will be released closer to the event.

Photo from statefairoflouisiana.com

The State Fair of Louisiana

• When: October 29–November 15, 2026 (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
• Where: Louisiana State Fairgrounds, Shreveport (about eight miles from Barksdale AFB)

The 120th annual State Fair of Louisiana has it all, from live music to thrilling carnival rides, rodeo, and some of the best regional fair foods (Boudin po'boys anyone?) in the South.

And it's all located just a quick fifteen-minute drive from Barksdale AFB!

Fleur de Lis Arts Christmas Craft Market

• When: November 28, 2026
• Where: Natchitoches Event Center, 750 Second Street, Natchitoches (79 miles from Barksdale AFB)

Get ready to knock out your Christmas shopping in one place with a trip to the Fleur de Lis Arts and Crafts Festival in Natchitoches, about an hour down the road from Barksdale. Showcasing over 100 vendor booths, you will find the perfect handmade gift and close the fall season with a bang.

Fall holds a special magic, and as the heat of summer slowly lets go of Louisiana, we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how well Shreveport and Bossier City near Barksdale AFB ring in the fall season.

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