We all know Acadiana knows how to throw a party - and the holidays are no exception.
We've put together this list of events we know about that are planned over the next couple of months. If you don't see your event here and you'd like it included, send the info to news@katctv.com
Here's the list, broken down by parish:
ACADIA PARISH
Toys for Tots dropoff:
Russ Gunter, a local Edward Jones financial advisor, is supporting the Rotary Club of Rayne Toys for Tots program by using his office as a drop-off location for this year's toy drive. Local residents may help make a difference for children in the area by bringing in a new, unwrapped toy to the office, 1407 The Boulevard Ste. D, during regular business hours beginning December 6th through December 23rd. Monetary gifts, including gift cards, cannot be accepted. Online shoppers may have the items delivered to 1407 The Boulevard Ste. D, Rayne, LA 70508 December 6th- December 23rd. Any contribution - no matter how big or small - is greatly appreciated.
IBERIA PARISH
IPAL's production of A Christmas Story the Musical runs December 6 through 15. Tickets are now on sale for the production, which is directed by Tiffany Hochkeppel. Here's the link: https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/ipaltheater/6446This musical, based on the movie classic that runs round-the-clock on television every Christmas, is set in the 1940s in the fictional town of Hohman, Indiana. The musical follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker and his quest for the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts—an Official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot Range Model air rifle. Rebuffed at every turn with a similar echoing response, Ralphie plots numerous schemes to achieve his desperate desire for the coveted BB gun. All the iconic scenes from the movie are here: Ralphie's friend, Flick, getting his tongue stuck to the flagpole; his brother, Randy, getting dressed in his snowsuit; the bullies, Farkus and Dill; the leg lamp award; the bunny suit; and many others.
Main Street Christmas Parade
RESCHEDULED: On December 15, the Christmas on the Bayou parade with Santa, marching bands and dance groups rolls at 2 p.m. in Downtown Delcambre.
EVANGELINE PARISH
City of Ville Platte Annual Christmas Parade
December 15 at 5:30pm
Parade Lineup @ 4:45pm Behind Evangeline Parish Library (916 W Main St, Ville Platte, LA 70586)
Parade Route: Beginning on W Main St by Mikey's Donuts and Ending on E Main St by Sacred Heart Church
Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office Toy Drive
The Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office is collecting new toys and/or monetary donations for the needy children in our parish. Please drop off the toys or donations at 415 W. Cotton St, Ville Platte, LA 70586. WE ARE OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY! We will collect the toys and donations until December 15th, 2024 at 4PM.
The toys will be given to the children in Evangeline Parish. We need girls, boys, and infant toys. WE ARE PARTNERING WITH PINE PRAIRIE FAMILY HEALTHCARE CLINIC. TOYS MAY BE DROPPED OFF AT PINE PRAIRIE FAMILY HEALTHCARE CLINIC DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS. APPLICATIONS MAY BE PICKED UP AT 415 W COTTON ST. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office at 337-363-2161 if you have any questions. If your application is chosen, you will receive a phone call, based on the availability of toy donations. Please help us give a wonderful Christmas to our children in need.
JEFF DAVIS PARISH
Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery will host a Wreaths Across America event on December 14
The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs plans Wreaths Across America ceremonies at Louisiana’s state-run veterans cemeteries on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m. Wreaths Across America has grown to include more than 4,700 participating locations in all 50 states and beyond for annual ceremonies each December to remember, honor and teach. The Cemetery is located at 1620 Evangeline Road in Jennings. In 2023, three million veterans’ wreaths were placed nationwide with 259,000 of them at Arlington National Cemetery. More than three million volunteers participated at 4,224 locations nationwide, of which more than one-third were children. Drivers delivered 675 truckloads of wreaths across the country by more than 332 transportation companies.
LAFAYETTE PARISH
LARC's Noel Acadian au Village
Will be open every night, weather permitting, from December 1 through December 23, 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Here's what to know:
Children 2 and under DO NOT require a ticket
Tickets are nonrefundable
ONLY service dogs are allowed
Tickets can be purchased at local ShopRite / TP locations for $10, online $11 & at the gate for $12.
Santa photos are available every night
Carnival rides require separate tickets
There are ATMs on the grounds
Concessions are sold every night
Link to online tickets: https://acadianvillage.thundertix.com/events/235548...
ALL proceeds from this critical fundraiser directly benefit LARC
You can follow LARC's Acadian Village new page.
If you're interested in volunteering, you can sign up using this link: https://m.signupgenius.com/...
Christmas at the Bayou
This December, The Bayou Church invites all of Acadiana to experience the joy and wonder of the season at its annual Christmas Concert series, Christmas At The Bayou. This festive event gives families and friends the opportunity to come together and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas through music, community, and memorable moments for all ages.
Christmas Concert Schedule:
- Friday, December 13 | 7:00 PM
- Saturday, December 14 | 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM
- Sunday, December 15 | 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM
- Sunday, December 15 (Online) | 5:00 PM | Stream on Facebook or YouTube
To ensure the best experience for all attendees, FREE tickets are required and can be reserved online at TheBayouChurch.org/Christmas. For those unable to attend in person, the Sunday, December 15, 5:00 PM concert will be live-streamed on the church’s Facebook and YouTube pages. Following the live event, the concert will also be available for on-demand viewing. Please note that The Bayou Church will not hold regular Sunday services on December 15, as everyone is encouraged to participate in the concert. Join The Bayou Church as they transport Acadiana to a Christmas wonderland, sharing the joy, love, and hope of the season. Reserve your tickets today: TheBayouChurch.org/Christmas
An Acadiana Christmas Carol:
Join us at Cité des Arts this holiday season for our annual family holiday tradition, AN ACADIANA CHRISTMAS CAROL, adapted by Alicia Chaisson from Charles Dickens' beloved yuletide story, the cast is comprised of 20 children from across Acadiana and one adult, Christy Leichty, who is playing Scrooge. Set in contemporary south Louisiana, the story follows the transformation of Etta Scrooge from a disconnected, manipulative profiteer to an empathetic, active participant in the world. Fueled by the magic of Christmas, Scrooge is visited by ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future who teach the valuable lesson that it is never too late to give and accept love. One way of showing love is to accept responsibility. This twist on the classic Dickens' tale will appeal to all with its spirit of fun, forgiveness, and generosity. The show will open on Thursday, December 6, with an opening night gala, featuring live Christmas music, themed cocktails and a holiday feast. The show then runs December 7, 8, 13, and 14 at 7:00 p.m. and December 8 and 15 at 2:00 p.m. General admission tickets are $25 and opening night gala tickets are $35. Tickets are on sale now at www.citedesarts.org [citedesarts.org]. AN ACADIANA CHRISTMAS CAROL is sponsored by First Horizon, Superior Contract Cleaning, Cajun Food Tours and a grant from the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission's Lafayette Visitor Enterprise Fund.
Basin Arts & LOUDHOUSE present Window Wanderings: Traditions to Treasure - An evening of Local Art + Live Dance inspired by the unique cultural heritage of the Acadiana region its diverse footprint of holiday traditions! On December 12th & 13th, join us for a unique holiday experience like no other, complete with local art, live dance, & holiday cheer, beginning at the Acadiana Center for the Arts & ending at Wild Child Wines where you'll be invited inside to purchase wine & mingle after the show. Gather a group for a one-of-a-kind holiday night out this season! This show is appropriate for ALL AGES. General Admission $25 / Student Rate $15 (Promo Code STUDENT) Group discounts available! Email hello@basinartslafayette.com for more information. TICKET CHECK-IN BEGINS AT 6:00pm at AcA Grab a drink & take a stroll down Jefferson Street to view all of the beautiful window installations. Vote for your favorite window display & give an artist a chance to win $500 as part of the Window Wonderland competition! LIVE DANCE PERFORMANCE at 7:00pm at AcA *Approximate run time is one hour*
Advent Mission
Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Lafayette invites everyone to join them for their Advent Mission on Monday, December 16 and Tuesday, December 17, from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. each night.
Theme: Is there a Room for Him in the Inn
Presenter: Fr. Marvin Gyasie, SVD, currently Associate Priest at Notre Dame Catholic Church in St. Martinville.
Christmas Under the Stars in Youngsville
This event is set to be held in the Youngsville Amphitheater on December 14th from 4 pm till 9 pm., featuring the Living Bethlehem Nativity Production, a Christmas Market, a fun scavenger hunt, a community Christmas choir, food trucks, a petting zoo, and much more. It's a free, one-night-only event for the entire family.
Arts and Fleas Holiday Art Market
On December 14 in Parc de Lafayette and Parc Sans Souci in downtown Lafayette. 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Holiday events in Scott
The city of Scott has several holiday events planned.
Here are the dates:
The Living Nativity will be presented December 15 at the Cathedral of St. John in downtown Lafayette, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Holiday Open House at the Center for Louisiana Studies is December 19 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Here are the details:
Broussard’s holiday home tour, Bienvenue de Maison Noelle, will be held on Thursday, December 12 in Broussard.
• Self-guided tour from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Attendees will explore the city's many historic homes and properties decorated for the holidays and learn about the history of each house
• Local choirs will sing Christmas carols
• Local shops and restaurants along Main Street will be open late for eating and shopping.
• Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased at Broussard City Hall, JoDel’s, Towne Pharmacy, and Bonjour.
• Tickets include seafood gumbo, hot chocolate, spiced apple cider, and wine.
• The money raised from this event will go towards rehabilitation of the Valsin Broussard Home, the home of the founder of Broussard, 310 E. Main Street, Broussard, Louisiana 70518
Christmas in the Park
Holiday magic returns to Moncus Park with the fourth annual Christmas in the Park, presented by First Horizon Bank. Join us December 13-15 for three nights of FREE family entertainment from 6:00-9:00 PM nightly.
Getting There: Make the shuttle ride part of your holiday adventure! Service Chevrolet Cadillac provides FREE parking and shuttle service from Blackham Coliseum (305 Coliseum Road) from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM each night. For those preferring to park at the event, on-site parking is available for $20 to support the nonprofit park.
FREE Activities:
• Live music at First Horizon Amphitheater presented by Acadiana Bottling Company, Grammy winner Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band (Friday), Gerald Gruenig & Gentilly Zydeco (Saturday)
• "The Grinch" movie night presented by Cajun Carts (Sunday)
• Santa's Workshop presented by Love Our Schools featuring:
o Crafts with Children's Museum of Acadiana
o Letters to Santa
o Bubbles Bus Acadiana
Special Attractions:
• Sneauxville presented by Our Lady of Lourdes Children's Health ($5 per child)
• Santa photos presented by Whataburger (prices vary)
• S'mores Station presented by Rader Solutions ($5 for 2 s'mores)
• Face painting (prices vary)
The event supports over 30 local businesses, including 10+ food vendors each night, showcasing the best of Acadiana's local creators and craftspeople.
Tips for Visitors:
• Utilize the free shuttle service for an easy, fun arrival
• Bring blankets or lawn chairs for movie night
• Dress warmly for Sneauxville
• Follow @MoncusPark on social media for updates
Toys for Tots Drop-Offs
Toys for Tots at Jay & Lionel Hebert Golf Course! 🎁
This holiday season, we’re partnering with Toys for Tots to help bring joy to children in need. We have a donation box set up in the clubhouse at Jay & Lionel Hebert Golf Course, and we’re kindly asking for your support!
Location: Jay & Lionel Hebert Golf Course 1121 Mudd Ave Lafayette, La 70501 | 337-291-5557
🧸Please drop off any new, unwrapped toys you’re willing to donate. Every little bit helps to make this season brighter for children in our community!
✨Thank you for your generosity and for helping make a difference! 🎄❤️⛳️
Marc Galey, a local Edward Jones financial advisor, is supporting the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program by using his office as a drop-off location for this year's toy drive. Local residents may help make a difference for children in the area by bringing in a new, unwrapped toy to the office, 110 Rue Promenade Ste 100, Lafayette, LA 70508, during regular business hours beginning Friday, November 1, 2024 through Friday, December 13, 2024. Monetary gifts, including gift cards, cannot be accepted.
ST. LANDRY PARISH
Cajun Christmas Celebration at Mr. Tony's Country Store
Mr. Tony’s Country Store invites you to celebrate the holiday season with our Cajun Christmas celebration. Mr. Tony’s Country Store is located right outside Tony Chachere’s manufacturing plant at 5604 I-49 N. Service Road in Opelousas, Louisiana and is the perfect place to get in the holiday spirit. Whether you’re looking for seasoning blends, gift items, or just a holiday memory to cherish, we have something for everyone. This year’s Cajun Christmas will offer free tasting of some of Tony Chachere’s Famous Creole Cuisine, holiday music, plus exclusive discounts and giveaways to get you in the holiday spirit. Local author Julie Hooks will be on hand to sign copies of her children’s book, Hannah Bear and Lulu's Festival To Remember. Don’t miss a special visit from Santa himself. Santa Claus will be at the store at approximately 5 p.m., available for photos and holiday cheer. Bring your little ones to share their Christmas wishes and capture a photo with the big guy. Store hours through Christmas Day will be Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Get ready for the annual Opelousas Children’s Christmas Parade this Thursday, December 12, 2024. For over 50 years, this tradition has warmed hearts and brought our community together in the spirit of the holiday season. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. from the eastern entrance of the city at Landry and Academy Streets near Le Vieux Village and will make its way west through downtown, concluding at the intersection of Landry and Bullard Streets. Line-up for the parade is scheduled from 4 – 5:30 p.m. In addition to colorfully lit floats, local marching bands, enthusiastic community organizations, dance groups, parade spectators can expect to see to see lighted bicycles, the Coca Cola Christmas Truck, loveable and popular characters such as The Grinch, Elsa and Olaf, Mickey & Minnie and of course, the star of the parade, Santa Claus! This year’s sponsors include: Santa Float Sponsor, American Bank & Trust and SLEMCO, Gingerbread Float Sponsor, CLECO, Band Sponsor, (OHS) Catalyst Bank and Lighted Float Sponsors: St. Landry Bank & Trust, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Washington State Bank, City of Opelousas and Dupre Carrier Insurance. For questions related to the parade, email tourism@cityofopelousas.com or call Opelousas Tourism at 337-948-6263 or 1-800-424-5442.
The City of Opelousas is proud to sponsor Second Harvest Food Bank's Holiday "Makin' Groceries" Mobile Market, bringing fresh, affordable food and wellness services to the community. This special event will take place on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Opelousas Civic Center, located at 1638 Creswell Lane. The Mobile Market will offer a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and meat at discounted prices, making healthy meals accessible to all. In addition to groceries, attendees can enjoy free jambalaya provided by Tony Chachere's, receive free heart screenings from HeartSense, and learn about nutritious eating habits from health professionals. This Holiday "Makin' Groceries" event will replace the regular monthly mobile market events throughout St. Landry Parish, providing a centralized location for residents to access these valuable resources.
Event Highlights:
Fresh, locally grown produce and healthy foods at discounted prices.
Free jambalaya from Tony Chachere's.
Free heart screenings from HeartSense.
Nutrition advice and wellness services.
SNAP, cash, credit/debit accepted.
Items are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Seniors age 60 and over are invited to the Opelousas Elderly Awareness Christmas Seminar on December 18.
Here are the details:
Love of People's 12th Annual Community Christmas Gumbo and Toy Drive
Love of People is thrilled to announce its 12th Annual Community Christmas Gumbo & Toy Drive, set to take place on December 21 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the historic Train Wreck Inn, located at 211 Chatrian St., Grand Coteau, LA. This beloved holiday tradition is all about spreading joy and supporting families in need. Guests will enjoy delicious homemade gumbo, gifts, and a special appearance from Santa Claus himself. Gifts are reserved for families in need, ensuring that every child experiences the magic of Christmas. To make this event a success, Love of People is calling on the generosity of the community to help provide toys for children. Unwrapped gift donations can be dropped off at the Love of People office, located at 1400 NW Evangeline Thruway, Suite 200, Lafayette, LA, Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, now through
December 20th. For those who prefer to contribute financially, monetary donations can be made through PayPal. Link can be found here.
Christmas In The Point @ Central Park & Church Point Christmas Parade
Mayor Ryan ‘Spanky’ Meche invites everyone to experience the third annual “Christmas in The Point @ Central Park.” Christmas In The Point @ Central Park new light up displays for 2024, a 30-foot lighted Christmas tree, drive-thru candy cane lane and more! Our historic Le Vieux Presbytere Museum and our fishing pond are lit up for the season too! You can drive thru ‘Candy Cane Lane’ to experience our Christmas cheer or take a walk in the park. Christmas In The Point @ Central Park is FREE and open to the public from 5p-11p Sunday – Thursday and 5p til Midnight Friday and Saturday!
Christmas in Washington
On December 14, on Main Street: live music, DJs, kids games, face painting, balloon artists from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Santa arrives at 1 p.m. and the Christmas Tree lighting is at 7 p.m.
ST. MARTIN PARISH
Christmas Artwalk in Paris will be December 14 in Breaux Bridge. Sixty vendors will be offering arts and crafts. There will be live music, drinks, bites and more. 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.
VERMILION PARISH
Cajun Christmas Celebration
December 14 in Downtown Abbeville. Live music, shopping, kids crafts and vendors. 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. Christmas parade rolls at 5:30 p.m.
