Magic on Main: Destination North Pole

Does the onset of the holiday season have your mind wandering to hollier-jollier times? Well, set your compass for “Destination: North Pole”—but you can keep those snow boots packed away, just follow the Christmas spirit straight to Iberia Parish. There, a bevy of festivities throughout November and December are set to transform the heart of Acadiana into “the South's merriest North Pole”!

Whether it's tickling your taste buds with a cake-decorating workshop or enchanting your ears with concerts and caroling, there are plenty of opportunities to engage all your senses with holiday merriment. Peek into Christmas past with tours of the historic Shadows-on-the-Teche plantation and the Joseph Jefferson Home, decked out in the finery of years gone by, or take a more theatrical view with performances of classics It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol from local thespian groups. Better yet, play a main role in the revelry yourself and attend It's a Wonderful Night on Main gala!

Turn holiday shopping from a dreaded chore into the thrill of finding something special to delight your special someone! Iberia Parish's small businesses offer a personal touch as well as special deals like the Shop Berry Frozen program, and regular and seasonal markets feature local artisans and handmade goods for that one-of-a-kind find. Give the perfect gift while giving back to the business and arts community—now that's the spirit of the season.

For some real Christmas magic, you only have to look as far as December 8, toward New Iberia's Believe in the Berry, with a bonanza of events ringing in the holiday spirit all day, from the Christmas breakfast to the Very Berry Christmas Quest scavenger hunt to the lighting of the community tree and all the merriment in between. The crowning jewel, of course, is the much-anticipated Christmas parade, featuring the big man in red, Santa Claus himself.

Santa's not the only one who can enjoy an Iberia sleigh ride, though. Don't miss your chance to hop on one of the “Southern Sleigh Rides” touring historic New Iberia December 14–16. Load up the whole family (or a cozier trip with just you and your sweetheart) for a magical horse-drawn tour of the recently designated National Register Historic District, taking in the sprawling live oaks twinkling with lights and the Main Street store windows painted with holiday displays. Top it all off with food, drinks, and even more holiday fun!

Iberia Parish is bustling with holiday events all season long, so check out iberiatravel.com for a more complete rundown of parish-wide events and further details.