Holidays in Acadiana

The holidays roll in Acadiana like a slow-moving fog, teasing us with festivities at the beginning of the month until we’re blanketed with the trifecta of Hanukkah, Christmas and KwanzaA.

But the fun doesn’t stop there in Louisiana. After we ring in the New Year, we toss away those pesky resolutions and delve into the unique celebration of Carnival, culminating in Mardi Gras, which is Feb. 13 this year.

Holiday Events

Thousands of lights sparkle throughout LARC’s Acadian Village in Lafayette as the annual Noel Acadien au Village offers holiday fun through Dec. 23. There’s live music, food and children’s activities from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly. Another Cajun historic village, Vermilionville, celebrates with “Old Time Winter Traditions” from Dec. 12-23, highlighted by the event’s “Family Day” on Dec. 16.

Christmas events run the gamut in Acadiana, from the Twinkle Light Night for kids on Dec. 1 at the Children’s Museum of Acadiana to Christmas in the Park with live music, hay rides and more Dec. 15-17 at Lafayette’s Moncus Park.

Downtown Lafayette gets in the spirit of the season with its Unlimited’s Merry & Bright Downtown Holiday Series, beginning with the Lighting of the Tree Concert with Grammy Award-winner Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band on Dec. 1. Other downtown events include Christmas Carnival on Dec. 3 and Movies in the Parc featuring a free screening of Dr. Seuss’ “The Grinch.”

Miracle on Washington Street Christmas Festival takes over downtown Deridder on Dec. 2 with live entertainment, arts and crafts, food, a Christmas parade and the lighting of the annual Christmas lights display.

In Houma, the Terrebonne Historical and Cultural Society (THACS) presents its Winter Wonderland with crafts, train ride and a visit from Santa from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 16 at Southdown Plantation and Museum.

Adults may celebrate New Year’s Eve but in the morning, it’s strictly for kids at the Children’s Museum of Acadiana in Lafayette. There will be dance and musical performances, carnival games, exhibits and a giant confetti blast at New Year’s Noon from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Performances

Prepare to get into the holiday spirit with a number of performances happening in December.  The Eunice Community Concert Band & Choir present their Christmas concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 7-8 at First Baptist Church of Eunice while the Louisiana Choral Foundation Masterworks Chorale Christmas Concert will perform at 7 p.m. on Dec. 8 at First United Methodist Church in Lake Charles and at 3 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Sulphur.

The Lake Area Ballet Theatre in Lake Charles performs “The Nutcracker” Dec. 8-9 and the Lafayette Ballet Theatre performs the traditional Christmas story Dec. 9-10 at Lafayette’s Heymann Performing Arts Center.

Luminate Houma presents a free concert (bring chairs!) on Dec. 11 next to Lumiere Blues and Jazz Bistro and the Colors of Christmas will be performed Dec. 17 at Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles.

The Acadiana Symphony Orchestra presents its Christmas Concert on Dec. 14 at Lafayette’s Heymann Performing Arts Center, a holiday celebration for the whole family that includes Anderson’s Sleigh Ride and a sing-along. 

Ring in the New Year with zydeco extraordinaire Geno Delafose at the traditional New Year’s Eve dance at Vermilionville in Lafayette.

Shopping

Shoppers won’t want to miss Christmas at Coteau holiday market with a special luncheon, photos with Santa and a gumbo cook-off Dec. 1-2 at the Academy of the Sacred Heart and Berchmans Academy in Grand Coteau.

On Dec. 7, Abbeville comes alive with its Christmas Stroll through the decorated downtown historic district from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Vendors will be lining the streets of Washington Dec. 9 in the Christmas in Washington festival that ends with the tree lighting at 7 p.m.

Strolling downtown Lafayette streets is “Merry & Bright” this time of year with a month-long celebration of window displays, decorated trees and photo opportunities, in addition to shopping at the many boutiques.

The public gets a chance to vote on their favorite window display beginning Dec. 1 and on Dec. 9 it’s the Holiday Art Market featuring local artists and artisans in the 400 block of Jefferson Street.

Carnival 2024

Acadiana has the largest Carnival celebration outside New Orleans. Lake Charles hosts a gumbo cook-off and a Royal Gala that brings all the city’s krewes together while Houma and Lafayette go all out with its many parades and Carnival balls. Eunice and Mamou, among other small towns throughout Acadiana, celebrate the Cajun way with unique courirs de Mardi Gras or chicken runs. Even the four-legged residents get in the fun with the many dog parades. 

A few of our favorites include:

The Krewe de Canailles Walking Parade Feb. 2 through downtown Lafayette brings out the creative spirit as “independent subkrewes” dress up in unique ways and pass out sustainable throws.

Dog have their day dressed in Carnival gear for the annual Krewe of Barkus Dog Parade in Lake Charles.

Celebrate two Louisiana traditions on Feb. 12, otherwise known as Lundi Gras, when Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice performs an old-time boucherie or hog butchering. The food will be prepared by Acadiana chefs while Cajun and zydeco bands perform in the resort’s “barn.”