NEW ORLEANS — The Louisiana Children’s Museum will host its annual Mud Fest on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mud Fest is the museum’s signature environmental festival, inspired by New Orleans’ iconic festival culture of live music, local food and high-energy community celebrations.
Scaled for the city’s youngest environmental stewards, LCM invites all families and their friends to play with one of nature’s messiest resources: MUD. This year’s Mud Fest will feature two stages of live entertainment, a GIANT dirt pile, expanded mud-themed programming and a variety of activities for all ages.
Why Mud? New Orleans and coastal Louisiana’s ecosystems demonstrate the perfect blend of earth and water. We are surrounded by wetland habitats, interact with water regularly in urban and rural environments and are impacted by unique regional hazards associated with water.
Mud Fest encourages positive associations with the realities of our region, while building resilience and critical thinking skills for the next generation of engineers, educators, urban planners, fishermen, farmers and conservationists. Engaging with nature, including dirt, water and plants, helps build a child’s confidence and fosters a lifelong connection to the Earth.
“Mud Fest is a highlight of our spring season, as we celebrate the power of getting messy and learning exploration for all ages,” said Tifferney White, LCM CEO. “As the Louisiana Children’s Museum celebrates its 40th anniversary, events like Mud Fest reflect our long-standing commitment to hands-on learning that sparks curiosity and connects children to the world around them.”
LCM is expanding the festivities this year with performances from local favorites Sunpie Barnes and the Louisiana Sunspots, Grayhawk Perkins and young musicians from the School of Rock. On the storytelling stage, artists Shannon Atwater and Louis Michot will host a special “Fais Do Do” story time along with additional family-friendly sessions.
Mud Fest offers plenty of other high-energy moments perfect for families including:
- Muducation Station:STEM Nola and multiple community partners will host over a dozen engaging activities for children of all ages.
- Tot Spot: A dedicated area with sensory-rich activities designed for the youngest guests (birth to three years old).
- Mudder Run:Children can run, jump and crawl through a muddy obstacle course.
- Kid Wash:Cool off and clean up after the messy play with sprinklers, pools and bubbles.
Local education partners include Pontchartrain Conservancy, STEM NOLA, Whimscapes and Sugar Roots among others!).
Guests can also enjoy food and refreshments from Acorn, A Dickie Brennan & Co. Café.
Tickets are on sale now. Event tickets are $15 per person for LCM members and $25 per person for non-members. Families eligible for the Museums for All program can purchase tickets for $10 per person (for up to four people). All tickets include admission to the Museum. Reserved tickets are required for all guests including LCM members.
Tickets and more information are available at lcm.org.
About Louisiana Children’s Museum
Louisiana Children’s Museum has long been known for its work in the community through innovative outreach and nationally recognized programs that support children and advance the museum’s mission to contributes to the region’s future prosperity by engaging children’s potential and making that potential visible. Through play, shared explorations, and in dialogue with adults, LCM connects children to each other, their caregivers, their environments, and the community. Keep up with Louisiana Children’s Museum and future announcements at lcm.org and on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About Museums for All
The Louisiana Children’s Museum participates in Museums for All, a signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Association of Children’s Museums. This program offers general admission to the Museum for a minimal fee of $2 per person (for up to four people) with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card and a photo ID. Similar free and reduced admission rates are available to eligible members of the public at more than 700 participating museums across the country.