Where Cajun culture runs deep and Southern hospitality reigns long: Houma is the much beloved home to Louisiana’s Bayou Country, with thousands of square miles of vast, mineral-rich wetlands and murky, mysterious swamps.
And it’s when the air turns crisp and the leaves start to turn that the allure of its bayou legends and scintillating folklore tales shine brightest. So with the fall festival season upon us, it’s time to kick our dancing, running, and walking shoes into high gear –– cause Houma is throwing the ultimate fall fetes and we don’t want to miss a moment of the fun!
Hero Fest: September 20 - 22
Barry P. Bonvillan Civic Center
After a smashing debut last fall, Hero Fest is back for a second year of fun-filled, family-friendly festivities. Kicking off the musical lineup on Friday night is The Kings of Neon, which hails from neighboring New Orleans … followed by a cadre of musical acts including Rodney Atkins, The Canebreakers, and Ryan Foret & Foret Tradition and more over the course of the weekend. But before donning your dancing shoes, it’s time to lace up those running shoes at the 5k on September 21 (register by September 2 to secure a race t-shirt!). The festival also features a live auction, plenty of Cajun food favorites, and local arts and craft vendors.
The three-day event –– launched to support the community’s first responders –– will once again raise funds for these local heroes, in partnership with non-profit organizations and local vendors.
MawMaw Walker: October 5
Downtown Houma at Courthouse Square
It’s time to bring out those vibrant mumus and snazzy tracksuits to celebrate this year’s annual MawMaw Walker event. PawPaw outfits are equally encouraged … dare we say it’s time to dust off (and show off) those vintage monocles and checkered vests. The festive fun begins at noon with a costume contest for the best dressed MawMaw and PawPaw of the lot, with the main event being a walking pub crawl (so wear comfy shoes).
This cheekily-monikered event, inspired in part by the styles of our beloved Cajun grandmas and grandpas, is held to champion and support downtown Houma’s restaurants, pubs, and businesses. Registration for the costume contest is now open (the fee is $20; all for a good cause –– you’ll be supporting efforts to revitalize Downtown Houma!). Winners will get exclusive MawMaw-worthy swag (and bragging rights), and the event features live music by Flesh Karnival.
Bayou Regional Arts Fest: October 11 - 12
Downtown Houma
Shining a spotlight on the spectacular artisan community of Terrebonne Parish, Bayou Arts Fest is a visionary celebration of the community’s folklorists, tradition bearers, artists, musicians, and chefs –– officially deemed The Culture Collective, this groundbreaking initiative makes its highly anticipated debut at this year’s festival.
Artists of every hue will showcase their dynamic cultures –– including Cajun, Creole, Native American, Vietnamese, and so many more –– through a dazzling display of creative talent, from sculpture and dance to painting, music, and beyond.
With over 15,000 attendees at last year’s extravaganza, Bayou Arts Fest will once again be the community celebration to see (and be seen at) with endless amusements and tasty delights throughout. Experience storytelling and sing-along sessions, enjoy Cajun favorites from fried seafood to jambalaya, and stroll through downtown Houma to witness the region’s arts and crafts heritage in all their well-deserved glory.
Rougarou Fest
Bayou Dularge Knights of Columbus Cajun Fair: October 11 - 13
Knights of Columbus Hall in Theriot, LA
The rip-roaring, spine-tingling, thrill-inducing Bayou Dularge Knights of Columbus Cajun Fair of the fall is back –– with dozens of fair rides and games, mouthwatering Cajun food from po’boys to fried catfish, live entertainment, and plenty of amusements (including a raffle, auction, and live music) to be enjoyed by all across the three-day event. Rumor has it that after you come just once to the fair, you’ll come back for life –– cause it’s that good.
(And here’s a fun-fair fact for you: With a community heritage that spans more than 40 years, the Cajun fair has even featured wooden rides made by its members in past years!)
All proceeds from the multi-day fair benefit the Knights of Columbus, whose efforts are dedicated to supporting the recreation centers, schools, and churches of Dularge and its community.
Rougarou Fest: October 18 - 20
Downtown Houma
Folklore is powerful (and spooky) stuff. As any kid who grew up in the Bayou knows all too well, a parent just mentioning the Rougarou, the legendary werewolf-like creature, was enough to snap you back into good behavior. So what better way to keep that generational tradition alive than by celebrating it at the annual Rougarou Fest? There’s live music, plenty of games and activities for the kids, delicious Cajun food, the Krewe Ga Rou parade, arts and crafts, an outdoor movie, scavenger hunt, pumpkin lighting, and more at this three-day extravaganza.
Rougarou Fest benefits the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center, a nonprofit which provides crucial resources in teaching and learning about Louisiana’s fast-disappearing coast. And Rougarou has been called a “best-of” (costume party, festival, event, you name it) by many folks over the years, so it’s clearly high-time to check it out for yourself!
