Fall 2026 in Acadiana: News and Events
New SpaceX-Related Curriculum at Universities + Fall Events in Acadiana
Across the Region
Universities begin fall 2026 with new options for SpaceX-related careers. Louisiana’s first online Ph.D. in Applied Computing and Information Sciences, emphasizing AI, debuts at UL Lafayette; UL’s $5 million Silicon Bayou Semiconductor Training Center also debuts. Fletcher Technical Community College has acquired $5 million for a shipbuilding workforce. A new $2.3 million construction management program debuts at UL’s St. Martinville campus. Tulane University offers a new space and engineering program. McNeese’s first online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in LNG Engineering starts in October.
Houma | Flying High
The Houma-Terrebonne Airport hosts a free Cajun Fly-In Festival (November 7-8) featuring aircraft displays, Coast Guard and military exhibits, local artists, first responders and exciting discovery flights, with opportunities to meet pilots and learn about aviation.
New Iberia • Chackbay • Jennings | Gumbo Gusto
Follow your nose to gumbo central, when New Iberia gathers professional and amateur cooks and youth competing for prizes during the World Championship Gumbo Cookoff (October 10-11), coinciding with the Louisiana Gumbo Festival of Chackbay (October 9-11) featuring over 500 gallons of gumbo, music, rides and an auction benefiting the volunteer fire department. Fall Festival and Gumbo Cookoff has gumbo galore and a petting zoo, Halloween costume contest, trunk-or-treat, pumpkin patch and a potato salad throwdown (October 31).
Lafayette • Eunice | Blackpot Turns Twenty
The 20th annual Blackpot Festival & Cookoff (October 30-31) celebrates with a diverse lineup of entertainment, from Cajun headliners to square dancing in Lafayette. Categories are Gravy (a festival favorite), Gumbo, Jambalaya, Desserts, and Chef’s Choice (anything goes, from rice dressing to sauce piquante). Blackpot Camp (October 26-30) in Eunice is a lively five-day camping event featuring classes (by pros) in music, dancing and cooking, a Cajun program for kids (led by music therapist Izzy Olson), nightly feasting and fais do-dos.
AGENDA
October 1 | Black Jacket Symphony in Lake Charles
The revered symphony brings its note-for-note recreation concept to the Rosa Hart Theatre, performing Def Leppard’s blockbuster “Hysteria.”
October 3-31 | Frightmare on Main Street in New Iberia
The month-long haunted attraction spooks guests on the grounds of the historic Hot Sauce House.
October 3 | Junior Farmers Market
Young entrepreneurs (ages 7-16) are making their debut as vendors for things they have grown, made, baked, designed or created at the new Junior Farmers Market in New Iberia (9 am-noon, Bouligny Plaza).
October 3 | Maw Maw Walker
Houma’s hilarious pub crawl with participants (of all ages and sizes) dressing up in granny costumes to strut (or shuffle) their stuff for a good cause. Costume contests and slow-motion sprints benefit local senior programs.
October 3-4 | Roberts Cove Germanfest
Acadiana swaps accordions for alphorns as the German farming community celebrates the region’s German heritage with authentic German food, live entertainment and a selection of German beer on tap.
October 8-11 | AJGA Junior All-Star Invitational
Broussard’s Le Triomphe Golf & Country Club hosts the 2026 Junior All-Star Invitational, adding to the more than 200 AJGA annual events that help members gain exposure to college golf scholarships.
October 8-11 | Festivals Acadiens et Créoles
Le Village de Temps for Festivals Acadiens et Créoles features local Bayou Food Festival cuisine, crafts, six stages of continuous live music, jam sessions led by pros and cooking demos in Lafayette’s Girard Park.
October 16-17 | Chuck Fest
Downtown Lake Charles’ cultural celebration with bands, food, drinks and art has become one of the city’s most popular fall festivals.
October 31 | Harvest Moon Festival
Historic downtown Franklin closes October with its lively fall street festival along Main Street.
November 7-8 | Giant Omelette Celebration
More than 5,000 eggs go into a giant 12-foot cast iron skillet, becoming a giant crawfish omelette that’s sauced with Tabasco by costumed dancing girls. Live Cajun music, antique cars, a food show, childrens activities and a juried arts-and-crafts show enliven Abbeville.
November 14-15 | Flea Fest
Nearly four covered acres at the Burton Complex Event Barn become a gigantic treasure hunt with antiques, art, jewelry, plants and homemade goods in Lake Charles.
November 28 | Nativity Scene & Lighting of the Oaks
The city illuminates its historic nativity scene and the live oaks surrounding the St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square.
