Enticing Fall Festivals Around Acadiana
Lafayette
‘Tis the season of bountiful harvests and fall festivals celebrating everything from gumbos, gravies and gratons to bourbon, boucheries and blackpot cookoffs with a side of pumpkin pie. Brisk weather invigorates two-stepping fans at Festivals Acadiens et Créoles (October 10-12) in Lafayette’s Girard Park, kicked off by cultural trailblazer Zachary Richard paying homage to the 50th anniversary of his 1975 appearance at the second annual Tribute to Cajun Music. It was the night that Clifton Chenier put on a crown and introduced himself as the King of Zydeco. That concert evolved into Louisiana’s largest Cajun and zydeco festival. The three-day 2025 lineup includes CJ Chenier (Clifton’s son) and the Red Hot Louisiana Band, a set with four generations of the Dopsie family featuring Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., the Lost Bayou Ramblers, Pine Leaf Boys, Leon Chavis and the Zydeco flames, Beau Cheval and Bonsoir, Catin.
Lafayette | Claw Crazy
Gotcha, a Japanese-style arcade, recently opened in Lafayette featuring rows of claw machines, illuminated under glowing neon lights, packed with colorful prizes ranging from small novelties to high-value wins such as premium handbags and backpacks. Machines range from easy-to-win setups to challenging games. More Gotcha locations are slated for Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
Houma | Peppery New Repellent
There’s a buzz going around among hunters on social media about a new insect repellent made in Lake Charles that was launched by year-round hunters who wanted to create a next-generation mosquito repellent that was DEET-free, odorless, baby safe, quick-drying, long-lasting and non-corrosive for guns, metal and plastic. Made from a derivative of black pepper, the EPA approved Hunt Refined Repellent recently gained praise from Governor Jeff Landry who ordered a proclamation for its merits.
Houma | Cozy Cat Connections
Houma’s new Second Chance Cat Café (Louisiana’s first café for felines) offers a laid-back setting for spending time with sociable, fully vaccinated, adoptable cats craving company and their forever homes. You can play with the kitties, enjoy card games, board games, and weekly themed game and movie nights. Drinks and snacks are prepared away from the cat room.
Agenda
October 3-5 | KBON 101.1 Music Festival
The three-day festival in Rayne features over 20 bands playing Cajun, zydeco, swamp pop and country music. Organized in partnership with the Down Syndrome Association of Acadiana.
October 10-12 | Louisiana Gumbo Festival
Head to Chackbay, where thousands of hungry fans gather for the Louisiana Gumbo Festival. Volunteers prepare more than 500 gallons of gumbo in the “Gumbo Capital of Louisiana.”
October 11-12 | World Championship Gumbo Cookoff
Culinary teams prepare more than 100 different gumbos during the “Superbowl of Gumbo.” Categories include amateur chicken and sausage, amateur seafood and amateur mélange.
October 16-19 | International Rice Festival
Head to Crowley and enjoy rice eating contests, a frog derby, live music, classic car show, carnival, two big parades and the celebrated fiddle and accordion contests.
October 17-19 | Boucherie & Balloon Festival
Colorful hot air balloons soar over Sorrento during the jambalaya and cracklin cookoffs, live music, crafts and carnival rides. Festival proceeds go to the Louisiana Lions Camp for special needs children and the Louisiana Lions Eye Foundation.
October 18 | Chuck Fest
Southwest Louisiana’s flourishing music, art and culinary scenes are celebrated with live bands on five stages, inside Luna Bar and Grill and at other downtown locations along with a food court, beer tent, art market and kids’ tent.
October 24-25 | Blackpot Festival and Cookoff
Categories include gravy, gratons, gumbo, jambalaya and desserts. All dishes must be cooked in cast iron pots.
October 24-26 | French Food Festival
Learn about everything from shrimping and trapping to quilting and Cajun cooking in Larose, where attendees sample classic French and Cajun fare prepared by local chefs and volunteers.
November 7-8 | Festival of Words
The 18th annual literary festival in Grand Coteau features three award-winning writers providing community readings and writing workshops.
November 8 | Thibodeauxville Fall Fest
The festival returns to downtown Thibodaux featuring the famous rubber duck race on Bayou Lafourche, three stages with live music, a food court, car show and arts and crafts booths.
November 8 | Mac N’ Cheese Cook-off & Festival
Held in the Terrebone Parish Courthouse Square, this event has a mission to empower people with mental, physical and behavioral challenges. Expect both traditional and creative versions of America’s favorite comfort food.
November 13-16 | Port Barre Cracklin Festival
A youth pageant kicks off the fest featuring carnival rides, a parade, crafts, food, and live music (a fundraiser for the Louisiana Lions Club Eye Foundation and Louisiana Lions Camp).
November 22 | Smoke & Barrel
Enjoy fine Bourbon, BBQ and whiskey in downtown Lake Charles. The weekend of tasting events features over 80 bourbons, whiskeys and BBQ from top pitmasters.
