Christmas in Acadiana

×

Expand

Image courtesy of the Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau

How to spend Christmas in Acadiana

Most of us in Louisiana have read the children's book Cajun Night Before Christmas, and the folks in Acadiana are living it all season long with parades, nativities, craft fairs, and more to spur that Cajun Christmas spirit. 

November 28–30; Saturdays and Sundays in December, plus December 22–23: McGee's Swamp Tours' Atchafalaya Christmas: Join Papa Noel on the Basin for these incredible one-of-a-kind Cajun holiday experiences—where the “Cajun Night Before Christmas” comes alive. After each tour, guests can take photos with Santa, create their own memento ornament, and enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and candy canes. $25. See tour times at mcgeesswamptours.com. 

November 29: Christmas in the Village: Small town Christmas and all its charm epitomized in downtown Loreauville, where the lighting of the town Christmas tree will draw out local food, craft vendors, special surprises, and—yes, Santa himself. 5 pm–9 pm. Free. Details at the Loreauville Community Project Facebook Page. 

November 30: Louisiana Christmas Day Concert: Bayou Teche Music Productions presents a festive evening of music from internationally acclaimed bass-baritone Andre Courville and the Atchafalaya Orchestra with special guests, the Grammy-nominated Sweet Cecilia, Hunter Hayes, and Jourdan Thibodeaux. 6 pm. Tickets start at $51. heymanncenter.com. 

November 30: Sounds of the Season: Make your holiday merry with this free Christmas concert by the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra at St. Peter's Church in New Iberia. Enjoy the familiar Christmas songs you know and love, as well as classical selections to round out the evening. 3 pm–4:30 pm. Free. iberiacultural.org.

December 1–21: Downtown Advent Adventures: Release the magic of the holiday season, one adventure at a time—each day "unlocks' new holiday themed activities for New Iberia residents to take part in, ranging from movie nights to Christmas crafts. Check the New Iberia Advent Activity Event Facebook Page for details. 

December 1–23: Noël Acadien au Village: LARC’s Acadian Village will host its annual Christmas festival fundraiser to benefit persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Noël Acadien au Village will feature half a million lights, themed Acadian home porches, lighted holiday displays, live entertainment, carnival rides, local cuisine, photos with Santa, holiday shopping, and more. Be sure to visit the Gingerbread House and Christmas Carolers. The event will be open nightly from 5:30 pm–9 pm (weather permitting). $10 at the gate. For the full entertainment schedule, nightly promotions, tickets, and other information, visit acadianvillage.org.

December 1–31: Victorian Christmas at the Joseph Jefferson Home & Rip Van Winkle Gardens: Come tour the Joseph Jefferson Home throughout the holiday season to enjoy a historic take on yuletide festivities, all throughout the month of December. 9 am–4 pm. Standard admission applies. ripvanwinklegardens.com. 

December 4: Abbeville's Annual Christmas Stroll: Stroll, shop, dine, and bask in the magic of Christmas in downtown Abbeville, where white lights will meet live music and Santa Claus himself for a night of holiday bliss. 5:30 pm–8 pm. Free. vermilion.org. 

December 4–5: The Eunice Concert Band & Choir Christmas Concert: Two evenings of Christmas cheer will be presented by local musicians at the First Baptist Church in Eunice. The group is made up of a choir concert band, an adult choir, and a children’s choir and sings in a variety of styles. Expect glorious renditions of holiday favorites including “Here Comes Santa Claus,” “A Most Wonderful Christmas,” “Mary's Little Boy Child,” and more. 7 pm. $5; $2 for children younger than twelve. eccbc.org. 

December 4–6: Christmas at Coteau: This annual seasonal celebration is a shopping, dining, and holiday event on the lovely grounds of Grand Coteau's Academy of the Sacred Heart. Christmas at Coteau gets started on Thursday with a cocktail-style preview party featuring live performances by Coteau Grove ($78), then continues through the weekend, with the festival gearing up at 10 am Friday. The experience also includes seated gourmet lunches ($103 per person) and the opportunity to have breakfast with Santa ($31; $41 for children), as well as a chance to judge the annual gumbo cook-off ($20, includes market admission). At the market ($15), expect to find antiques, estate jewelry, Christmas accessories, objets d’art, children’s apparel, and home and garden accessories. All proceeds benefit Schools of the Sacred Heart at Grand Coteau. 10 am–4 pm on Friday; 10 am–3 pm Saturday. ash1821.org.

December 5: Rockin' around the Christmas Tree Concert:  Don't miss the annual Lighting of the Tree Concert in Parc Sans Souci in Downtown Lafayette—which has been transformed into a winter wonderland with a twenty-five-foot-tall Christmas tree. Enjoy performances by Mike Dopsie & Zydeco Entourage on the main stage. Look forward to Coca-Cola's  beloved Polar Bear, snacks provided by local restaurants, and more. 6 pm–9 pm. Free. downtownlafayette.org.

December 5–14: IPAL Presents “Elf the Musical”: Watch a hapless man learn that he is not, in fact, an elf born to live and work in the North Pole. (So that's why he's so tall and can't make toys...) Song and dance are a natural fit. At the Iberia Performing Arts League, with performances running Friday–Sunday. 7 pm; 2 pm on Sundays. $22. ipaltheater.com. 

December 6: Grosse Tete Christmas Parade and Christmas on the Bayou Festival: Festive cheer will roll down the streets of Grosse Tete starting at 1 pm, followed immediately after by the annual Christmas festival at the North Iberville Visitors Center. Enjoy local arts and crafts vendors, live music, Christmas décor and treats, and more. Free. visitiberville.com. 

December 6: Music and Merriment' Christmas Party: In support of UL-Lafayette students majoring in music, Friends of Music Acadiana hosts a Christmas party with student performances, champagne, wine, hors d'oeuvres, and dessert. 6 pm–9 pm. $75. friendsofmusicacadiana.org.

December 6: Christmas in Carencro: It’s a whole day of Christmas cheer, and a lot of it: think choirs, arts and crafts, holiday treats, and an opportunity to donate toys to those less fortunate. It all kicks off with the annual "Dancer, Dasher, Prancer 5K Run" at 8 am, then carries forth with the Carencro Country Christmas vendor village at the Carencro Community Center and the official Christmas Parade at 10 am. In the evening, look forward to the lighting of the city Christmas tree, carols, and cookies with hot chocolate to set the scene—not to mention visits from Santa. 8 am–8 pm. 8 am–8 pm. Free. Details on the Christmas in Carencro Facebook Page. 

December 6: Noël a Broussard: The holiday season leaps to the streets with the annual Broussard Christmas Parade, starting at 3 pm at the corner of Morgan Avenue and Albertson Parkway, and ending at Arceneaux Park. Afterwards, celebrate the festive spirit in front of Broussard City Hall with reindeer games, face painting, balloon artistry, a Christmas Market, and the annual lighting of the city Christmas Tree. Caroling begins at 5:45 pm, tree-lighting at 6:30 pm. Free. lafayettetravel.com.

December 6: Jeanerette Christmas Parade: Jeanerette's Main Street comes alive with Christmas spirit for this annual parade, filled with holiday cheer. 4 pm. Free. iberiatravel.com.

December 7: Sonic Christmas Parade and After Party: Welcome Santa to Lafayette this season and meet him on the parade route, which runs from Jefferson through Downtown all the way to the Oil Center. Afterwards, keep the fun going at the official after party in Parc International, featuring cookie decorating, arts and crafts, inflatables, food, beverages, and much more. Parade starts at 1 pm. Free. downtownlafayette.org.

December 7: Mamou Christmas Parade: At this spirited holiday showcase of the town's organizations and creatives, the "Cajun Music Capital of the World" comes alive for Christmas. Afterwards, children can enjoy cookies and hot chocolate with Santa at the Rec Center. 6:30 pm. evangelineparishtourism.org. 

December 8–21: Creole Christmas: Visit the Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site this holiday season, where you can tour the Olivier Plantation Home (circa 1815) and take in their lovely, all naturally-sourced from the property, period-appropriate Christmas decorations. Visitors will learn how the holiday was celebrated in the mid 1800s. 9 am–5 pm. lastateparks.com. 

December 11: The Opelousas Children’s Christmas Parade: Any joyous occasion in Louisiana calls for a parade, and Christmas is no exception. This one, with kids in mind, includes entertainment, music, marching bands, lighted floats, and most importantly: Santa and his buddies. The parade starts at 6 pm at Academy and Landry Streets, and rolls through downtown Opelousas to the Yambilee Grounds. cityofopelousas.com. 

December 12–14 Christmas in the Park: Celebrate the season in Lafayette's Moncus Park, where local musicians will infuse the air with holiday spirit. On Sunday, come back to see Elf on the big screen. Bring the kids—there will be activities just for them, including a Christmas light tunnel, “Santa’s Workshop” crafts, s’mores stations, and photos with Santa. Food will be available for purchase. 6 pm–9 pm. $20 for on-site parking, or take advantage of free parking at Blackham Coliseum with a shuttle to Moncus Park. moncuspark.org/christmas. 

December 13: Queen City Christmas Parade: A festive parade will meander down Lee Street to Jefferson Street, which has been adorned with more than one hundred thousand lights to dazzle parade-goers and create a festive ambiance for holiday floats. 5:30 pm–7:30 pm. Free. bayoutraditions.com. 

December 13: A Very Berry Christmas Quest: Grab your family and set out on an adventure across New Iberia, completing a list of kid-friendly tasks with stops inside all of your favorite local businesses. Pick up your goody bag—filled with coupons and holiday treats, as well as your quest cards, at the Iberia Chamber office. Each quest task completed earns a sticker, and once participants have earned seven stickers, they can drop off their completed activity card at the office. Every family that turns in a completed card will be entered to win prizes. 9 am–4 pm. $12 for children ages four to seventeen; $5 for adults ages eighteen and older. iberiachamber.org. 

December 13: Pancakes and PJs with Santa: Families are invited to bring their blankets to the Sliman Theatre in New Iberia for a pancakes and sausage picnic with Santa and Mrs. Claus, plus holiday face painting, story time with Mrs. Claus, and photo opportunities with Santa. 8 am–10:30 am. $16. bayoutraditions.com.  

December 13: Christmas in Washington: Shop from vendors from 10 am–5 pm downtown in the historic town of Washington, centered around the Town Pavillion—where you can watch the big tree light up at 7 pm. There'll be a DJ and Kids' Corner with face painting and balloon artistry all throughout the day. 10 am–7 pm. cajuntravel.com. 

December 13: St. Lucy Festival of Lights: Each year, Saint Martin de Tours Catholic Church in St. Martinville hosts the St. Lucy Festival of Lights, a family celebration that begins with mass, followed by a children's parade of box floats. The night will close with photos with Santa, the lighting of the Square, live Cajun music, seasonal movies, and Christmas caroling. Free. saintmartindetours.org. 

December 13: Christmas ArtWalk in Paris a la Breaux Bridge: Stroll the glittering streets of beautiful Breaux Bridge, all holiday-ed up as she is, for this special artwalk. Step into downtown shops, galleries, and restaurants, and meet local artists showcasing their work on the street—all while listening to local musicians to add to the festive feel. 3 pm–8 pm. breauxbridgeartwalk.com. 

December 13–14: Lafayette Ballet Theatre presents, “The Nutcracker”: An Acadiana tradition sets the stage again with the full-length, classical ballet, The Nutcracker, performed by the Lafayette Ballet Theatre professional company dancers. Don't miss this timeless tale by E.T.A. Hoffman set to Tchaikovsky's famous score, presented at the Heymann Performing Arts Center. 7 pm Saturday; 2 pm Sunday. Tickets start at $40. lafayetteballettheatre.org. 

December 13–14 &19–21: “The Winter Wonderettes” at Cité des Arts: Party like it's 1968 in this musical comedy, following a sassy and fabulous girl group as they illuminate Harper’s Hardware with holiday hits. 7:30 pm on Friday & Saturdays; 2 pm Sundays. $25. citedesarts.org.

December 13:–29 Old Time Winter Traditions at Vermilionville: Vermilionville's Historic Village will receive a holiday makeover, transporting visitors back in time to experience the simple beauty of Louisiana Christmases past—drawing on the traditions of the Acadian, Creole, and Native American cultures that lived here. Sing carols, hear stories, decorate cookies, make bousillage ornaments, citrus pomanders, and candles, and more. 10 am–4 pm. bayouvermilionvilledistrict.org. 

December 14:  Delcambre Main Street Christmas Parade:  Delcambre takes the spirit to the streets for the annual Main Street Christmas Parade—Santa joins local marching bands and dance groups to deck the streets in holiday cheer. 2 pm–4 pm. For more information, visit the Delcambre Christmas Parade Facebook event.

December 14: Christmas Market: Louisiana Equine & Sales Event Center hosts its first Christmas market with over thirty vendors selling boutique clothing, home, holiday, and garden decor, jewelry, and food items. For the famished (good shopping is hungry work), there will be lunch from a local food truck, along with mimosas and hot chocolate. 10 am–4 pm. $10 admission. laeqsaleseventcenter.com.

December 18: "Home Alone" in Concert: Watch Kevin McCallister fend off robbers against a winter backdrop—all while serenaded with the film's score performed live by the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra. At the Heymann Performing Arts Center. 7 pm. Tickets start at $43. acadianasymphony.org.