There is something for everyone in Acadiana for the Christmas Season. LARC’s Acadian Village, Holiday Markets, numerous parades and some new activities to help put you into the Christmas spirit.
Celebrate the holiday season November 29 – December 31 with a Victorian Christmas at the Joseph Jefferson Home. Rip Van Winkle Gardens of Jefferson Island, New Iberia. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission. Tours of the Joseph Jefferson Home and Rip Van Winkle Gardens decorated for the Holiday Season.
This month-long celebration in Downtown Lafayette complete with window displays, Christmas tree extravaganza, holiday decorations, and photo opportunities December 1-31st.
Shadows Holiday Harvest Home and Garden Tour
Tours of Shadows-on-the-Teche Plantation & Gardens decorated for the holiday season December 2-31 – Shadows Holiday Harvest Home & Garden Tour. Shadows-on-the-Teche, 317 E Main St., New Iberia. Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission.
LARC’s Acadian Village in Lafayette will be transformed into a holiday wonderland from December 3 – December 23. Open nightly 5:30-9 p.m. Weather Permitting. $10 at the gate; $8 in advance. This festival fundraiser features half a million lights, displays, food, entertainment, and holiday shopping.
City of Rayne Christmas Parade
The Annual City of Rayne Christmas Parade will be on Tuesday, December 14th. The parade will begin at 6 PM. Lineup will be at Rayne Civic Center area and along Gossen Memorial Park Drive. The parade will finish at the Depot Square where Santa Claus will be waiting to take photos with little ones. There is no fee to enter, but registration is a MUST so you can be notified where your place in lineup will be and where to meet by 5:30pm.
Your favorite Christmas stories come to life in a way that is centered around the true story of Christmas at Crossroads Church December 9-12th in a Broadway-style musical, the show is a lively, interactive event with a powerful message for the whole family. After the show, families are invited to join Santa and Mrs. Claus on stage and have their pictures taken with them and all the elves—free of charge!
Eunice Community Concert Band & Choir Christmas Concert December 9th & 10th at First Baptist Church, 331 Park Ave, Eunice. 7:00 pm. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Eunice Community Concert Band & Choir presents the 2021 Christmas concert and includes a variety of styles. This family-friendly event is designed to get everyone in the holiday mood.
Junior League of Lafayette is excited to host a virtual Children’s Event with your choice of date, either Saturday, December 11 or Saturday, December 18 at 9 a.m. For $35, your child will be able to enjoy a morning with Santa online before he drops down the chimney. Children will be invited to join a video call with Santa where he will read a Christmas book with special guests, Olaf and Rudolph. Boxes are on sale now and quantities are LIMITED.
Find unique gifts and enjoy live performances at Downtown Lafayette’s Holiday Market during ArtWalk on Saturday, December 11 in Parc Sans Souci. There will be over 30 local vendors with one-of-a-kind artworks and crafts, perfect for gifting along Polk Street near the Vermilion parking garage and a great lineup of entertainment.
Warm up with hot cocoa with Santa to enjoy the parade of lights, carriage rides, food, a movie in the park and more in downtown Welsh December 11th from 5-9 p.m.
Celebrate the magic of Christmas, with photos with Santa and shopping hand-made goods from local vendors at Java Square in Opelousas December 11th from 9to 1! Find your gifts, crafts decor, food and more!
The magic of the season is here with Lafayette Ballet Theatre’s performance of The Nutcracker December 11 and 12th at the Heymann Performing Arts Center.
The Town of Lake Arthur welcomes Santa at the annual Christmas parade December 11th with a gumbo cookoff, concessions and pictures at the park following the parade.
Spend a beautiful morning with Santa and Mrs. Claus – enjoy your hot pancakes and sausage provided by New Iberia McDonald’s. There will be Holiday Face Painting and Story Time with Mrs. Claus! Select Holiday Vendors will also be on-site for great gift ideas.
***Location has changed from Bouligny Plaza to the Sliman Theatre (129 E Main St, New Iberia)***
Finish up your Christmas shopping at Shadows-on-the-Teche’s Christmas Market. December 12 – Shadows Christmas Craft Market. Shadows-on-the-Teche, 317 E Main St., New Iberia. 9:00-3:00 p.m.
The 43rd annual Queen City Christmas Parade will be Sat., Dec. 11, 2021 starting at 5:30 p.m. in New Iberia’s National Register Historic District. This year’s event will look a little different as the street parade down Main Street will be followed by fireworks on Bayou Teche. The street parade begins at 5:30 p.m. at Torrido Village (910 E. Main St.) and ends at Cane River Pecan Company (254 W. Main St.). Immediately following the end of the street parade, Santa Claus will be in his workshop (Bouligny Plaza gazebo) for a photo-op with families.
***The Bayou Teche boat parade has been cancelled.
A drive through Christmas Light Experience will be held on December 11th. The Vermilion Boys & Girls Club will have Comeaux Park decorated with 1000’s of lights and amazing displays. You can catch a trolley at Abbeville’s Magdalen Square from 6pm-9pm or drive through in your car!
Join us on Saturday, December 11th for Abbeville’s first Cajun Christmas Celebration put on by community organizations and powered by the Rotary Club of Abbeville from 4-10 p.m. The Christmas Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. from the train tracks on S. State Street and will march north towards Edwards Street and then end back at the tracks by way of S. Washington Street. Enjoy live entertainment in Magdalen Square along with Photos with Santa and a Kid’s Crafting Corner, shop arts & craft vendors and food vendors along Concorde Street.
The very first Christmas Festival in Kaplan will be a fun filled day! The festival will feature events like a gumbo cook off, beauty pageant, kids zone, farmers market and awesome live entertainment! This festival will be fun for everyone in the family!
Delcambre Main Street Christmas Parade. Main Street, Delcambre. 2-4 p.m. Main Street Parade with Santa Claus, marching bands and dance groups.
Rice and Reindeers Christmas Market
Rice and Reindeers Christmas Market in Crowley at the Rice Festival Building from 9-5 on Sunday December 12. We will have concessions for sale, a Santa for the kids to take pictures with (930-1130) as well as over 70 vendors eager to help you fill those last minute Christmas gift ideas. One Crowley.
Experience Vermilionville’s Old Winter Traditions December 14-23 from 10 a.m.-4p.m. Winter Traditions Family Day is on Saturday, December 18th. Bring the whole family and experience holiday traditions at Vermilionville!
A concert featuring the voices of the Sunday evening choir and friends. Features contemporary praise and worship, Advent hymns and Christmas favorites! Join us at St. Mary Magdalen Church!
Create a new family tradition with a Candlelight Christmas in Parc International on Wednesday, December 15. Hear the narrated story of a Savior born in Bethlehem along with the singing of traditional Christmas carols, as led by local choir members and parishioners. Hot chocolate and other sweet treats will be available for purchase. Parc gates open at 5:30pm ft. Christmas Tree Extravaganza with a 6:00pm kickoff of official programming.
Junior League of Lafayette is excited to host a virtual Children’s Event Saturday, December 18 at 9 a.m. For $35, your child will be able to enjoy a morning with Santa online before he drops down the chimney. Children will be invited to join a video call with Santa where he will read a Christmas book with special guests, Olaf and Rudolph. Boxes are on sale now and quantities are LIMITED.
It is Movies in the Parc ft. The Polar Express, the final event of Downtown Lafayette’s Merry & Bright Holiday Series Saturday, December 18th. Parc International gates open at 4:00pm for this FREE event with children’s activities, popcorn, hot chocolate and more. Movie will begin promptly at 5:30pm.
Enjoy 12 nights of seasonal festivities from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m., Thursday, December 16 through Wednesday, December 29, excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Moncus Park. Get a sneak peek of Moncus Park’s progress and development. Patrons can expect live music, a diverse selection of local food and drinks, plenty of kids’ activities, photo opportunities with Santa, and more!
It is the Symphony’s most anticipated concert of the season – its Christmas concert. The locally beloved holiday tradition and musical celebration is back LIVE at the Heymann Performing Arts Center, after going virtual in 2020. Featuring familiar Christmas favorites, masterfully performed by the Symphony, and special guests, the Acadiana Symphony Youth Orchestra.
