The fall season does a few things here in South Louisiana. First, it draws us outside into the gloriously rare just-cooling temperatures of late September through October. Consequentially, the seasonal frissons draw us to gumbo pots and grills, communal meals enjoyed warm and cozy. Outside and hungry, our culture steps out to greet us with the launch of the fall festival season—fais do-dos and fun times galore. See how all of these elements come together at these upcoming festivals in the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou.
September 27–29: C.O.Y.C Hurricane Festival
Cut Off
Despite its name, this fundraiser for Lafourche’s recreational and entertainment hub—the Cut Off Youth Center—is annually built with prayers for a mild hurricane season. When victorious, the event funds the Center’s yearlong schedule of youth sports, bingo, pageants, and weddings; and brings the entire community together to power sponsorships, volunteer efforts, and attracts generations of attendees. It’s your classic small-town carnival, with rides and crafts and a live auction. Classic fair food is available, but so is gumbo, fried shrimp, oysters, gator, and other local delicacies. This year’s musical lineup includes The Band Orange, Meg Rouseau Band, Clustafunk, Waylon Thibodaux, and Benjamin Bruce.
205 West 79th St. Cut Off, LA. Details at the Cut Off Youth Center Facebook Page.
October 4–6: La Fête des Vieux Temps
Raceland
Hosted by the Bayou Lafourche Festival Association, this annual festival honors the region’s traditions and crafts of old. Travel back in time to the days of the community boucherie, when boats had to be built by hand—carved from trees lining the bayou. Watch pirogue races, traditional arts and crafts demonstrations, and live music and dancing. Listen in as experts discuss the history of the area’s bayou culture, and whatever you do, make sure to stick around for the sauce piquante cook-off.
4484 Hw. 1 Raceland LA. Details at the La Fete des Vieux Temps Facebook Page.
October 11–13: Louisiana Gumbo Festival
Chackbay
Celebrating 51 years in 2024, the Louisiana Gumbo Festival is a title you can imagine has been much-vied for. It cannot be disputed though; Chackbay’s celebration was officially proclaimed, by Governor Edwin Edwards in the 1970s, as the “Gumbo Capital of Louisiana”. Proceeds from the celebration support the local volunteer fire department, and the community rallies behind the cause in the name of delicious food, great music, and a drink or two (or three). This is a festival of glorious aromas, with volunteers preparing nearly five hundred gallons of gumbo for the occasion—not to mention pots of jambalaya, white beans, fried fish, sauce piquante, and more. This year’s live music lineup includes Shorts in December, Good Feelin’, the Chee Weez, and Ryan Foret Jr. & Sumtin’ Sneaky. Don’t miss the parade at 10:30 am on Sunday, followed at 1 pm by the live auction.
326 Highway 304 Chackbay, LA. Details at lagumbofest.com.
October 19: Acadia Music Fest
Thibodaux
The biggest outdoor music festival in Thibodaux returns, this year with none other than Nelly headlining. Before it gets too “Hot in Here,” attendees get to enjoy performances by Little John & the Dirty Clarks, Icarus Jones, Joe Haydel, DJ Spin, Austin Williams, and Cowboy Mouth, too. Kids are invited to have a good time at a kids corner featuring activities just for them, including bungee trampolines, face painting, and more. All proceeds will benefit the Ben Meyer Foundation, which donates funds to a rotating lineup of local charities chosen by its board each year.
Noon– 11:30 pm. Acadia Plantation Town Center: Percy Brown Road Thibodaux, LA 70301. $50. Details at acadiamusicfest.net.
October 25–27: French Food Festival
Larose
Come hungry to this festival, which celebrates the French roots at the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou culture—especially when it comes to the kitchen. Enjoy specialty Louisiana dishes including white oyster soup, shrimp boulettes, gratons, boudin balls, crawfish pies, and étouffée. Experience local art in the Les Artistes du Bayou Art Show exhibit, and dance to live music by the Dream Junkies, Amanda Shaw, Shorts in December, Waylon Thibodeaux, Don Rich, and more. Kids are invited to compete in the costume contest, and to take part in trick or treating in the evenings. All proceeds benefit the Larose Civic Center.
307 E. 5th Street Larose, LA. Details at the Larose Regional Park and Civic Center Facebook Page.
November 2: BBQ & Bourbon On the Bayou Festival
Thibodaux
Benefitting Lafourche Parish’s ARC programs for developmentally disabled individuals, the BBQ & Bourbon On the Bayou Festival is any aspiring whiskey connoisseur’s dream. Sip and savor samples of over fifty brands of whiskey and enjoy live music from RKG Band, Martin Folse, Michelle Trahan Caskey, Snapper and the Fish Sticks, and more. Local BBQ vendors will round out the experience, making for a lovely afternoon on the Harang Auditorium’s front lawn.
11 am–8 pm. 310 Canal Blvd. Thibodaux, LA. $10, with VIP options. Details at the BBQ and Bourbon On the Bayou Festival Facebook Page.
November 8: Big Boy’s Main Street Cookoff
Thibodaux
A fixture on Thibodaux Main Street and a stop on the Cajun Bayou Food Trail, this annual competition brings the community together in downtown Thibodaux to settle things once and for all: whose mawmaw’s recipes are the best? With over thirty teams preparing Louisiana-inspired dishes, expect everything from gumbo and jambalaya, to boulettes and fried fish. Live music by Forgetting Last Friday guarantees a fitting backdrop to the festivities; local restaurants serve alcoholic beverages, too. All proceeds benefit the Thibodaux Main Street, Inc.
5 pm–10 pm. Downtown Thibodaux. $15. Details at downtownthibodaux.org/big-boys-main-street-cook-off.
November 9: Thibodeauxville Fall Festival
Thibodaux
This annual gathering in downtown Thibodaux has been going since 1992, bringing the community together to celebrate the heart of the fall season, right in the heart of downtown Thibodaux. Expect all the trappings of a true community-wide fall festival: arts and crafts booths, local businesses stepping out with their best wares and fares, delicious food by area restaurants, a car show, and three stages with live music by beloved local bands and musicians. It all culminates with the much-anticipated rubber duck race down Bayou Lafourche at 4 pm.
8:30 am–5 pm. Downtown Thibodaux. Details at thibodauxchamber.com.
For details on all these events and many more, check out LA Cajun Bayou's full calendar events, HERE.
