Cajun & Creole Christmas

On-going exhibit; M-Th 9 a.m.-4 p.m., F 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Museum, Lafayette

Adults $3, Seniors $2, Children $1 (12 & Under)

337-232-1322, www.saintjohncathedral.org

The 18th century Italian Baroque Presepio displays a nativity tableau to remind people that the true meaning of Christmas centers on the birth of Christ.

 

Open through Dec. 31; 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

203 E. Bridge St., St. Martinville

337-394-6132

Complete Christmas store, trees, decorations, wreaths, swags. Call us for your home, office décor.

 

Nov. 10 & Dec. 8

Downtown Galleries, Lafayette

Free

337-291-5566, www.DowntownLafayette.org

See the Art. Buy the Art during 2nd Saturday ArtWalk at over a dozen galleries in Downtown Lafayette where you never pay state sales tax on original art!

 

Nov. 16; 5-9 p.m. 

Lake Arthur Main St. (Arthur Ave.)

Free

337-774-5101

Holiday shopping event, pictures with Mrs. Claus and refreshments.

 

Nov. 16; 5:30-8:30 p.m. 

Parc International, Downtown Lafayette

Free

337-291-5566, www.DowntownLafayette.org

Outdoor concert featuring Amanda Shaw and the Cute Boys at Parc International.

 

Nov. 16-17; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Jeff Davis Parish Retail Stores

Free

337-824-0933

Pre-Christmas Open House at area gift shops throughout the parish.

 

Nov. 21; 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Parc Sans Souci, Downtown Lafayette

Free

337-291-5566, www.DowntownLafayette.org

Outdoor concert featuring The Pine Leaf Boys and the official lighting of the City Christmas Tree with carriage rides and a fundraiser for Toys for Tots.

 

Nov. 21-25; Nov. 21-24 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 25 at 2 p.m.

Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St., Downtown Lafayette

$12 General Admission, $10 Students & Seniors

337-291-1122, www.citedesarts.org

A comedic play about Tuna, TX the third smallest town in the state. Two actors play multiple roles. An affectionate comment on small-town Southern life.

 

Nov. 22-Jan. 3; 5:30 p.m.-midnight

City Hall, 425 N. Parkerson (93.3 FM)

337-783-0824 ext. 301, www.crowley-la.com

Over 50,000 dazzling animated holiday lights synchronized to music. You can listen to the lights by tuning in on your car radio!

 

Nov. 23-24, Nov. 30-Dec. 30; 5-9 p.m.

Zoo of Acadiana, 5601 US Hwy. 90 E, Broussard

$6 per person 3 & above

337-837-4325, www.ZooOfAcadiana.org

Stroll the pathways of the Zoo as its aglow with thousands of twinkling lights, animated & still animal figurines. Ride the North Pole Express train and enjoy hot cocoa from the Elves Eatery.

 

Nov. 23-Jan. 1; Times vary with events

Throughout Vermilion Parish

Admission Varies

337-898-6600, www.MostCajun.com

Vermilion Parish will come alive this holiday season with events for all ages to get you into the Cajun Christmas spirit!

 

Nov. 24; Dusk

Parc International, Downtown Lafayette

$2 or Free for kids 5 and under

337-291-5566, www.DowntownLafayette.org

Join the Griswolds for a holiday classic at Parc International for National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. The movie starts at dusk and you’re invited to bring blankets, chairs, snacks and whatever else you need to enjoy the movie.

 

Nov. 25; 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Willow Wood Park Recreation Center, 113 Willow Wood Dr., New Iberia

337-229-1982

Several local crafters displaying handcrafted jewelry, beauty products, handmade candles & soap, food products and much more.

 

Nov. 25; 2 p.m. 

Main Street, Breaux Bridge

337-332-8500

Annual Christmas Parade always the Sunday after Thanksgiving, kicks off the Holiday Season.

 

Nov. 25; 2:30-4 p.m.

St. Peters Catholic Church, 108 E St. Peter St., New Iberia

337-364-1603, www.iberiacultural.org

Free Christmas concert by the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra presented by Iberia Cultural Resources Association, featuring Christmas songs as well as classical selections.

 

Nov. 25-Dec. 31; 6-9 p.m.

Kemper Williams Park, 264 Cotton Rd., Patterson

$2 per car

985-395-2298, www.kemperwilliamspark.com

Take a driving tour along a path filled with elaborate displays of Christmas lights while Christmas music enhances the drive through Kemper Williams Park.

 

Nov. 27; 6:30 p.m. 

Main St., New Iberia

337-365-1428

Christmas Parade, with Santa Claus, Marching Bands and Dance Groups.

 

Nov. 29; 6 p.m.

Corner of Jackson & Main Streets, Franklin

337-828-3631

Everyone is invited to walk the route, and those who own golf carts are asked to decorate them and participate in the parade. Bring your flashlights!

 

Nov. 29-Dec. 29; Tu-Sa 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

1122 Lafayette St., Lafayette

$5 Adults, $3 Seniors, $2 Students

337-234-2208

The Alexandre Mouton House will be decorated for Christmas with period decorations.

 

Nov. 30-Dec. 1; 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Academy of the Sacred Heart, 1821 Academy Rd., Grand Coteau

$7

337-662-5275

A holiday celebration including vendors from around the state in addition to a gourmet luncheon all situated on the historic grounds of the Academy of the Sacred Heart.

 

Dec. 1; 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Corner of South Ave. E. and Elm St., Crowley

$1 per person; 12 years and younger Free

337-783-9076

48 booths of crafters throughout the area, unique and interesting items, door prizes every 15 minutes, concession (Gumbo, Brisket, Jambalaya, etc.).

 

Dec. 1; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Carencro Community Center, Carencro

Free

337-280-9570

Family oriented music, choirs, food and arts & craft booths. Carencro Lions Children’s Parade at 2 p.m.

 

Dec. 1; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

305 East La. Ave., Rayne

Donation accepted for Rayne Historical District

337-334-3489

Let’s drink coffee and eat sweet dough pies, share stories. We encourage French speaking. Come visit us, Cher.

 

Dec. 1; 4-6 p.m.

110 Benoit Patin Rd., Scott

Free

337-233-1130

Perfect event to put you in the Christmas Spirit. Free and open to the public. Come out and enjoy live local entertainment and tons of fun activities for the entire family with a visit from Santa Claus.

 

Dec. 1-23; 5:30-9 p.m. nightly

LARC’s Acadian Village, Lafayette

$9 at the gate, $7 in advance

337-981-2364, www.acadianvillage.org

During this Acadiana holiday tradition, enjoy the splendor of over a half million lights, nightly entertainment, local cuisine, photos with Santa and kiddie carnival rides.

 

Dec. 1-31; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

407 Sterling Rd., Franklin

$10 per person, $8 Seniors

337-828-2092, www.grevemberghouse.com

Decorated in a Victorian Style Christmas; displays include a traditional Victorian Christmas tree and displays of traditional foods and fruits.

 

Dec. 1-Jan. 6; Tu-Su 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

3296 Oaklawn Dr., off Irish Bend Rd., Franklin

$15 Adults, $10 Students

337-828-0434, www.oaklawnmanor.com

The monumental plantation home is the residence of Louisiana’s former Governor and his wife, Mike and Alice Foster. Elaborately adorned for Christmas with a different tree in each room.

 

Dec. 1-Jan. 8; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

5505 Rip Van Winkle Rd., New Iberia

$10 per person

337-359-8525

Tours of the Joseph Jefferson Home & Rip Van Winkle Gardens decorated for the Holiday Season.

 

Dec. 1-Feb. 28; Tu-Sa 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Children’s Museum of Acadiana, Lafayette

$5, 12 months and under Free

337-232-8500, www.cmalaf.org

Visitors will be transported to a place full of holiday cheer and imagination where they can play in Santa’s Workshop, dress up as Elves’ & see a holiday village!

 

Dec. 2; 12:30-4:30 p.m. 

Duchamp Opera House, Corner of Main & Port Street

$10

337-251-4623

A tour that showcases homes in Christmas décor that are either historically relevant or have a unique collection of holiday pieces.

 

Dec. 2; 1-3 p.m. 

Downtown to the Oil Center, Lafayette

Free

337-988-5301 ext. 232

One of the oldest Christmas activities in Acadiana. Parade features over 20 floats, High School Marching Bands and the official arrival of Santa Claus to Lafayette.

 

Dec. 2; 4-7 p.m. 

Main Street, New Iberia

Admission

337-369-6446

Experience the magic of the season at Shadows-on-the-Teche Holiday Tour or Homes. Walk or ride the trolley to visit homes on New Iberia’s Historic Main Street.

 

Dec. 3-31; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 

317 E. Main Street, New Iberia

Admission

337-369-6446

Tours of Shadows-on-the-Teche Plantation Home & Gardens decorated for the Holiday Season.

 

Dec. 5; 6-8 p.m.

Historic Downtown, Parkerson Ave., Crowley

Free

337-783-0824, ext. 301, www.crowley-la.com

Choirs, pictures with Santa, live Nativity, children’s activities, local merchants and civic groups, churches & schools participation and much, much more…Up & Down the Avenue.

 

Dec. 6; 5:30-8 p.m.

Downtown Abbeville

337-898-6600

Enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas as local merchants open their businesses for holiday shopping, festivities and more!

 

Dec. 6 & 7; 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Acadiana Center for the Arts, Lafayette

Tickets: $30/$25/$20

337-233-7060, www.AcadianaCenterForTheArts.org

The Boys are back! If you missed LBoG’s Christmas special last year – here’s another chance. Bask in the golden sounds of C.C., Steve, Warren, David, Tommy and the gang in an all-new Christmas program – Louisiana style! You’d swear that all of Acadiana was covered in snow and holiday cheer. From covers like Dolly Parton’s Hard Candy Christmas to Swamp Pop originals, LBoG will leave you swooning and in good Christmas spirit.

 

Dec. 6-8; Hours Vary

Downtown Kaplan

Admission to banquet

337-898-6600, www.kaplanchamber.com

Begin our "Spirit of Christmas" season at the Annual Chamber Banquet featuring the Outstanding Citizenship Award. Then participating merchants open their doors for holiday shopping and door prizes. Also, Santa and the City lighting in Turnley Park.

 

Dec. 7; 5-10 p.m.

Oil Center, Lafayette

Free

337-232-1267, www.theoilcenter.com

Celebrate as the switch is pulled to light the colossal Santa, sleigh and reindeer over Coolidge Blvd. Enjoy music, food and fun, and of course shopping! For children of all ages…Santa will be in hand to take pictures. Behold the living Nativity and enjoy an outdoor snow yard. You do not want to miss Lafayette’s most loved holiday tradition.

 

Dec. 7; 5-8:30 p.m. 

828 E. Landry St., Opelousas

Free

337-948-5227, www.cityofopelousas.com

Enjoy this premiere lighting event that attracts all ages. Enjoy Christmas music, carols sung by a choir, shop with local merchants, refreshments & a horse-drawn buggy ride! Don’t forget Santa! Lights are on every evening thru Dec.

 

Dec. 7-10; 7, 8, 10 at 7 p.m., 8 & 9 at 3 p.m.

First Baptist Lafayette, 1100 Lee Ave., Lafayette

$10 Adults, $5 Students/Children

337-593-3757

Broadway style Christmas show for the entire family with choir singing from a 24 foot tall Christmas tree with over 100,000 lights synchronized to music.

 

Dec. 8; 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Global Wildlife Center, Folsom

Free crafts, tour donations apply

985-796-3585, www.globalwildlife.com

Enjoy free holiday crafts & activities at Global Wildlife Center! Bring your camera & take free photos with Santa, then go visit his “Reindeer” on safari!

 

Dec. 8; 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Boulingy Plaza, 102 W Main St., New Iberia

337-369-2330, www.iberiatravel.com

Gingerbread House Competition among Girl Scouts Pine to the Gulf.

 

Dec. 8; 6 p.m.

Lake Arthur Park

Free

Gumbo cook-off, lighting of Christmas tree, parade, Hall of Trees, visit with Santa, and fireworks to close the night.

 

Dec. 8; 6-9 p.m.

Downtown Gueydan

Free; Photos with Santa and Build A Toy, $2

337-536-6140

Come enjoy this family-style Christmas event with caroling, parade, fun jumps, live nativity, hot chocolate, kids' activities, Santa Workshop with elves, hayride and more!

 

Dec. 8; 6-9 p.m.

Boat docks to bridge, Delcambre

337-898-6600; www.delcambreboatparade.com

Come enjoy the decorated boats that will parade down the Delcambre Canal, gumbo and refreshments will be for sale.

 

Dec. 8 & 9; Sa at 7 p.m., Su at 2 p.m.

Heymann Performing Arts Center, Lafayette

Admission

337-262-0444, www.lafayetteballettheatre.org

Lafayette Ballet Theatre’s presentation of this full-length ballet is a timeless holiday classic.

 

Dec. 9; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 

St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church

Free

337-394-9404, 337-288-2784

Food, arts & crafts, musical entertainment. Christmas parade at 2 p.m. Lighting of the Church Square at 6 p.m.

 

Dec. 9; 2 p.m.

Starts at St. Martinville Senior High – toward Main Street – End at Denier

Free

337-394-9767

Unique and outstanding Christmas parade with a labor of love from everyone.

 

Dec. 9; 2 p.m. 

Main Street, Delcambre

337-519-2541

Delcambre Street Parade. Begins at corner of Main Street & S. Pelloat to Delcambre Shrimp Festival Bldg.

 

Dec. 11-20; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 

300 Fisher Rd., Lafayette

337-233-4077

Experience the simple warmth and beauty of Christmas past as our historic village brings to life the holiday traditions of yesteryear. You can meet Papa Noël, learn how to make wax candles, santons or little saints, citrus pomanders and soap, sing along to Christmas carols, watch popcorn stringing and even get a taste of apple cider while listening to a reading of “A Cajun Night before Christmas.” Perfect for student field trips!

 

Dec. 13; 6 p.m.

From St. Landry Catholic Church on Main St. to the Civic Center on Creswell Ln.

337-948-5227, www.cityofopelousas.com

The annual Opelousas Children’s Christmas Parade consists of colorful floats and marching along with holiday dance groups and local royalty.

 

Dec. 13; 6-7 p.m.

201 Brashear Ave., Morgan City

985-384-2100

MC Bank, along with the American Cancer Society will host and display ornaments to remember and honor those who have been affected by cancer.

 

Dec. 13; 7:30 p.m.

Heymann Performing Arts Center, Lafayette

Admission

Come to your musical home during the Christmas season and celebrate with your Acadiana Symphony, ASO children chorus and special guest artist, Sonny Landreth. Traditional holiday favorites will be mixed with original Louisiana music for a musical feast not to be missed!

 

Dec. 15; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Vermilionville, 300 Fisher Rd., Lafayette

$6 for adults, $4 for students (3-18) and 3 & under enter free

337-233-4077

Get into the holiday spirit early with a Christmas celebration for the whole family at our historic village. There will be plenty to keep the kids busy including hands on family cooking class, decorating workshop where kids use natural and traditional items to make decorations, Christmas caroling in the village and a cookie decorating contest.

 

Dec. 16; 7:30 p.m.

914 St. John Street, Lafayette

Free

337-232-1322

Traditional candlelight service of readings and choral music for the Christmas season in the beautiful ambiance of St. John Cathedral.

 

Dec. 31; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Children’s Museum of Acadiana, Lafayette

$6 per person

337-232-8500, www.cmalaf.org

It’s the countdown to the Noon Year, just for kids with outdoor carnival booths, regular exhibits, confetti, cannons, and prize drops, what else could you ask for?