El Festival Español de Nueva Iberia

This popular celebration of New Iberia's Spanish roots returns, offering three days of events and activities all centered around the town's central Bouligny Plaza celebrating Nueva Iberia with food, music, and culture.

The festivities officially begin Wednesday with a Mass of Thanksgiving and the blessing of the Crochet ceiling in Church Alley. Friday evening, things kick off with an arts & crafts show, carnival rides, and a shrimp boil fundraiser—The Eighties Experience and Seasoned Soul will provide the tunes. On Saturday, be sure to catch the "Running of the Bull’s" dog-friendly 5K/1 Mile Fun Run, a paella/tapas/jambalaya cooking contest, carnival rides, and much more. Sunday's for the kids, with a tiny jambalaya cook-off and a "Mom"-calling contest, as well as the Founding Families Parade; the live music continues through the afternoon. Free. newiberiaspanishfestival.com.