As the song goes “it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” in and around Acadiana. Get out this weekend and enjoy some great festivities to get you into the spirit! From Christmas displays to parades, there is something for everyone. Throw on your Santa hat and check out these events:
DEC4 through DEC 23 – Noël Acadien Au Village. Acadian Village, Lafayette. 5:30-9 p.m. $10 at the gate; $8 in advance. Festival fundraiser with half a million lights, displays, food, entertainment and holiday shopping. 337-981-2364. (Don’t miss the 1063 Acoustic Christmas Wednesday Dec 9th!!)
DEC 4 – Festival of Light. Oil Center, Lafayette. 5-10 p.m. 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 on hand to take pictures. Behold the living nativity and enjoy an outdoor snow yard. 337-232-1267, TheOilCenter.com.
DEC 4 – Annual Lighting of Le Vieux Village. 828 East Landry St., Opelousas. Free. The historical village comes alive with lights. Vendors, live reindeer, Santa, choir, balloon artist and more! 337-948-6263, CityOfOpelousas.com.
DEC 4-5 – Christmas at Coteau. Schools of the Sacred Heart, Grand Coteau. This year’s schedule of events includes the Holiday Market, Coteau Café, Cookies at Coteau, Eat Drink & Be Merry Saturday Luncheon and the Friday gourmet luncheon. SSHCoteau.org.
DEC 5 – Carencro Country Christmas. 5115 N. University, Carencro. Parade starts at 2 p.m. followed by arts & crafts, food, choirs and entertainment. 337-280-9570, 337-896-8481.
DEC 5 – Sacre’ Coeur Kaycee Auxiliary Annual Christmas Shopping Extravaganza. Corner of South Ave. E. and Elm St., Crowley. 9 am.-3 p.m. $1 per person, 12 years and younger Free. 46 vendors from throughout area, new & interesting items, door prizes, concession. Shopping and dining under one roof. 337-783-9076.
DEC 5 – Delcambre Holiday Gumbo Cook-Off. Delcambre Shrimp Festival Grounds, 411 S Richard St. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sample all you can eat gumbo and enjoy music and fun booths (caricature, face painting, photo, etc.) Soft drinks, water, hot chocolate, hot dogs, chips and homemade sweets will also be sold. Cooking begins at 9 a.m. Judging and serving at 2:30 p.m. Live entertainment through the day. 337-519-4362, Vermilion.org.
DEC 6 – Sonic Drive-In Christmas Parade. Downtown to the Oil Center, Lafayette. 1 p.m. Free. 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. 337-988-5301.
DEC 6 – Jeanerette Christmas Parade. Main Street. 1-3 p.m. Christmas parade with Santa Claus, marching bands, dance groups and more. 337-579-2153, IberiaTravel.com.
(Info from Lafayette Travel.com)
(Photo Acadian Village )