Weird Southern Spring Festivals

From flaming desserts to bears and white squirrels, there's fun to be had in the Southeastern United States.

Brennan's New Orleans

National Bananas Foster Day, New Orleans

Brennan's New Orleans is still setting cuisine on fire— figuratively and literally.   

Nothing screams Bananas Foster than Brennan’s New Orleans, which is where the flaming dessert consisting of sweet bananas cooked in rum and served on fire over ice cream originated in 1951. According to third-generation restaurateur Ralph Brennan, his mentor and aunt, Ella Brennan, reached for the rum one day to impress a breakfast patron, Richard Foster, who was soon to be the New Orleans Crime Commissioner. Today, 75 years later, the dish is recreated by chefs and institutions worldwide. Brennan's burns through over 45,000 pounds of bananas annually and 250-300 servings of Bananas Foster each day. It remains the most-ordered dish on the menu.

National Bananas Foster Day on Monday, April 6, 2026, falls in Brennan's 80th Anniversary Year—making 2026 the sweetest, most celebratory year in the restaurant’s history. Brennan’s is marking both milestones with an all-day party, free samples, champagne, banana cocktails, celebrity competition, and enough flambé to light up Royal Street. Check out the schedule:

• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Doors open for breakfast with a five-course menu for $80 presenting the restaurant’s original dishes. Every guest receives a Bananas Foster Bonbon and Recipe Card to recreate the magic at home. Banana Cocktails from Beverage Director Braithe Gill — James Beard Award Semifinalist — flow all day, including Banana Black Manhattan, Banana Carajillo, and Banana Colada.

• 4 p.m.: The first 75 guests receive a Golden Ticket for a complimentary Bananas Foster Tasting in the Courtyard. Councilmember Freddie King III ignites the first ceremonial flame. Champagne corks fly as the Brennan's Bubble Cart roams the courtyard. 

• 4 p.m.+: New Orleans actor and raconteur Bryan Batt, a man who knows his way around a guéridon, leads the festivities as Surprise Celebrity Hosts take the flame to a competitive height—and one may be crowned Banana King. Who has the highest flame and the most delicious rendition? Partygoers may spontaneously cast their vote. 

Bear on the Square Mountain Festival, Dahlonega, Ga.

It’s unlikely you’ll find a live bear on the courthouse square of Dahlonega, an adorble town located in the north Georgia mountains. What you will find at this celebration of Appalachian culture is a weekend of bluegrass music, traditional crafts, storytelling and dancing April 17-19, 2026, around the historic square. The all-volunteer festival kicks off Bear on the Square with the Lonesome River Band on Friday night, April 17.

Beacon of Hope’s 3rd Annual Empty Bowls, Madison, N.C.

Empty Bowls began in 1990 when art teacher John Hartom and his Michigan students created ceramic bowls to serve as vessels for soup and bread to benefit a local charity. At the event, Hartom and his wife, Lisa Blackburn, also an art educator, discussed hunger with the students and teachers and related how many in the community still had empty bowls. Hartom invited those present to keep the empty ceramic bowls as a reminder of those less fortunate.

Since then, this grassroots movement has been adopted by cities and towns around the world as a way to raise money for organizations providing food assistance, including in Madison, N.C.

On April 18, 2026, Beacon of Hope offers its Empty Bowls fundraiser at Marshall High Studios in Madison, returning this year after a hiatus due to Hurricane Helene.

Participants purchase a community bowl, or an artisan bowl to bring home, and enjoy hearty homemade soup, fresh baked bread and dessert. There will be live music and a silent auction as well. It’s all about supporting Beacon’s work to uplift our community and increase food security for local families.

Cabbage, Potato, and Bacon Festival, Hastings, Fla.

This family-friendly agricultural heritage festival returns for its third year to historic Hastings just west of St. Augustine, Fla., April 25-26, 2026. The celebration honors the community’s three food products with live music, ticketed events, vendor market and more.

Cooking demonstrations will be led by Chef Jenn Ashton of Juniper Market, Ned Pollack, formerly of Gypsy Cab Co. and Ned’s Southside Kitchen, Sebastian Sikora of La Cocina at the Cellar Upstairs, Ellie Schultze, Sherry Stoppelbein of Luvin’ Oven Catering, Vicki Skillman of Orange Blossom Catering St. Augustine, Paul Brock of The Feed Mill, and students from First Coast Technical College. All dishes will be inspired by the Festival’s star ingredients: cabbage, potato, and bacon.

Look for the Great Hastings Mow Down Lawn Mower Races on Saturday, where participants compete in various heats and events for ribbons, trophies, and bragging rights, and the Cottage Artisan Vendor Market all weekend.

White Squirrel Weekend, Brevard, N.C.

Yes, there are white squirrels roaming the mountains of western North Carolina—and yes, they are adorable. So why not celebrate the animal with a special festival?

The 22nd Annual White Squirrel Weekend is a three-day celebration May 22-24, 2026, in downtown Brevard that features live music, a street festival, family-friendly activities and local shopping from 100 independent businesses along with 80-plus vendors offering handcrafted goods, jewelry, artisan crafts, food and beverages.

Don’t miss a chance to meet Sammy the Squirrel, the official downtown mascot who will be at the Heart of Brevard tent for photos and community engagement.

Weird, Wacky & Wild South is written by food and travel writer Cheré Coen who never misses a chance to indulge in Bananas Foster at Brennan's in her hometown of New Orleans. As Ralph Brennan says, "Bananas Foster is more than something that can simply be measured or mixed together. At its heart, it has the power to create indelible memories and has continued to preserve my family's history and deep commitment to hospitality in the most endearing way."