Upcoming Events: The What, When and Where for December

4 Things You Should Do

1. Christmas in the Park. Immerse yourself in the festive wonderland featuring live music to fill your heart with holiday cheer, a special screening of The Polar Express, hot chocolate stations courtesy of Roots Pediatric Dentistry, Santa photos with Whataburger, charming hayrides brought to you by Service Chevrolet Cadillac, and to top it off, s’mores stations presented by Rader. Plus, you can help us keep the holiday spirit alive by participating in our $20 on-site parking fundraiser or take advantage of free parking at Blackham Coliseum with a convenient shuttle to Moncus Park. Friday – Sunday, Dec. 15 – 17. Moncus Park, 2913 Johnston St., Lafayette. MoncusPark.org/Christmas.

2. Sonic Christmas Parade. The annual parade marks the official arrival of Santa in Lafayette. Santa is the star of the parade which will also have floats, high school marching bands and dance clubs. Kids should bring any letters for Santa to the parade where they will be collected and mailed to the North Pole. The Sonic Christmas Parade is a perfect opportunity to get into the holiday spirit. Sunday, Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. Oil Center to Downtown Lafayette. LafayetteTravel.com.

3. Noël Acadien Au Village. LARC’s Acadian Village hosts its 23 night Christmas festival fundraiser annually in December to benefit persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This event features half-a-million lights, including the fully lit Chapel, new animations, lighted holiday displays, live entertainment, carnival rides, local cuisine, photos with Santa, holiday shopping in the Christmas Store and much more. Admission is $10 at the gate and $8 in advance. Dec. 1 – 22 from 5:30 – 9 p.m. Acadian Village, 200 Greenleaf Drive, Lafayette. AcadianVillage.org.

4. Old Time Winter Family Day. Vermilionville’s artisans will be on hand to demonstrate winter traditions of the Acadian, Creole and Native American cultures such as open hearth cooking demonstrations and making candles, soap, natural decorations and citrus pomanders. Winners of the Gingerbread House Competition will be announced at noon. There will also be a special performance by Chorale Acadienne, as well as a Santons de Provence Workshop. Children will enjoy writing letters to Papa Noël, and can even meet the French Santa Claus himself, who was actually a trapper that would deliver presents such as candy, money and small toys. Saturday, Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Vermilionville, 300 Fisher Road, Lafayette. BayouVermilionDistrict.org.

Dec. 1

Lighting of the Christmas Tree Concert

What: Downtown Lafayette’s Merry & Bright Holiday Series will officially kick-off amidst a winter wonderland experience as the community gathers for the lighting of Downtown Lafayette’s 25-foot Christmas tree and an evening of live music featuring Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band. Everyone is welcome to join us at this free, family-friendly concert.

Where: Parc International, Downtown Lafayette

When: Friday from 5 – 8 p.m.

Details: Downtownlafayette.org

Dec. 1 – 31

Victorian Christmas at the Joseph Jefferson Home

What: Tours of the Joseph Jefferson Home and Rip Van Winkle Gardens decorated for the Holiday Season.

Where: Rip Van Winkle Gardens of Jefferson Island, New Iberia.

When: Daily from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Details: 337-359-8525 or RipVanWinkleGardens.com

Dec. 1 – 29

Food Truck Fridays

What: Every Friday, Moncus Park hosts local entrepreneurs as they serve up delicious food in a gorgeous atmosphere.

Where: Moncus Park, 2901 Johnston St, Lafayette

When: Fridays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Details: MoncusPark.org/Food-Truck-Fridays

Dec. 1 – 29

Pie Bar Live

What: The first Friday of each month will feature local Cajun music while remaining Fridays will feature a variety of singers, songwriters as well as local legends.

Where: Cane River Pecan’s Pie Bar, 254 W. Main St., New Iberia

When: Fridays from 4 – 7 p.m.

Details: CaneRiverPecan.com/PieBar

Dec. 2 – 30

Beats on the Bayou

What: A live concert under the Isle of Iberia’s pavilion. Come out, meet friends, listen to live music and dance the evening away. Tickets are $10 and admission is open to the public. If you are staying at the Isle, entertainment is included.

Where: Isle of Iberia RV Resort, 911 N.W. Bypass (Hwy. 3212), New Iberia

When: Saturdays from 6 – 9 p.m.

Details: IsleOfIberia.com

Dec. 2 – 30

Lafayette Farmers & Artisans Market

What: Come out to the horse farm every Saturday rain or shine for some of the best homegrown goods in Lafayette.

Where: Moncus Park, 2913 Johnston St., Lafayette

When: Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Details: MarketAtMoncusPark.com

Dec. 2 – 30

Cajun Jam

What: Vermilionville’s weekly Cajun Jam is led by some of the area’s finest musicians. The free jam is held in the Performance Center of Vermilionville Living Museum & Folklife Park and is open to all skill levels-beginner to professional. Admission is free but does not include entry to the park.

Where: Vermilionville, 300 Fisher Road, Lafayette

When: Saturdays from 1 – 3 p.m.

Details: Vermilionville.org or 337-233-4077

Dec. 2 – 30

Agora Open Air Market

What: This market features local vendors and will be taking place every Saturday across from the Lafayette Public Library. If you’re interested in getting involved with Agora Market, please email lafayetteagora@gmail.com.

Where: 720 Lafayette St., Lafayette

When: Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Details: DowntownLafayette.org

Dec. 2 – 30

Teche Area Farmers Market

What: Experience our harvest of delicious, locally grown produce and homemade products by

area farmers, artists and crafters. Also included are handcrafted cypress yard objects, bread

and fresh baked goods, ceramics, honey, jellies, jams, herbs, candies, wooden bowls and

utensils, birdhouses, garden benches and much more.

Where: Bouligny Plaza, 102 W. Main St., New Iberia

When: Every Tuesday 2:30 – 6 p.m. and Saturday 7 – 11 a.m.

Details: 337-369-2330 or Facebook.com/TecheAreaFestivalandFarmersMarket

Admission: Free

Dec. 3

Merry & Bright Christmas Carnival

What: Following the annual Sonic Christmas Parade, head on over to Parc International for the official holiday after party. Admission is free and includes activities such as crafts, entertainment by TMM Project, Educational Reptile Encounter with Schoolhouse Safari, Petting Zoo, Pony Rides, Fun Jumps & Slides, Mobile Arcade & Gaming, Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus and more.

Where: Parc International, Downtown Lafayette

When: Sunday from 2 – 5 p.m.

Details: DowntownLafayette.org

Dec. 3 – 31

Bal du Dimanche

What: Bayou Vermilion District & Vermilionville host the Bal du Dimanche (Sunday Dance) every week. This live music series is held in Vermilionville’s Performance Center and rustic dancehall. Admission includes a self-guided tour of the Vermilionville Living History museum.

Where: Vermilionville’s Performance Center, 300 Fisher Road, Lafayette.

When: Sundays, 1 – 4 p.m.

Details: Vermilionville.org or 337-233-4077

Admission: $10

Dec. 3 – 31

Bourré at The Brewery

What: Each week, the brewery hosts a front porch jam session, a French table, and a friendly game of Bourré. Bourré is a popular card game in South Louisiana. It’s a trick-taking game, similar to Spades. If you don’t know how to play, the locals will be happy to show you.

Where: Bayou Teche Brewing, 1002 Noth Lane, Arnaudville

When: Sundays from 2 – 5 p.m.

Details: BayouTecheBrewing.com or 337-754-5122

Dec. 6 – 27

Yoga in the Park

What: Enjoy yoga with various instructors and techniques.

Where: Moncus Park, 2913 Johnston St., Lafayette

When: Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.

Details: MoncusPark.com

Dec. 7 – 28

Bayou Teche French Table

What: Celebrate the Cajun Culture and improve your French speaking skills regardless of your level of French. Additionally, enjoy conversations with francophones and francophiles who visit New Iberia from all over the world as well as students in the French Immersion setting at North Lewis Elementary. Vive le francais!

Where: Cane River Pecan Company – Pie Bar, 254 W. Main St., New Iberia

McDonald’s, 1501 Center St., New Iberia

When: Thursdays from 8 – 10 a.m.

Details: 337-519-7942

Dec. 9

Holiday Art Market

What: Make your holiday shopping easy during Downtown Lafayette’s December ArtWalk with a special Holiday Art Market in partnership with Cocodrie by Colette. Find holiday gifts, stocking stuffers, unique artwork and other hand-crafted items created by local artists and vendors.

Where: 400 Block of Jefferson Street, Downtown Lafayette

When: Saturday from 5 – 8 p.m.

Details: DowntownLafayette.org

Dec. 9

Queen City Christmas Parade

What: Bayou Traditions Inc. will present the annual Downtown New Iberia Christmas parade. More than 100,000 lights have been installed along the parade route, which runs from Torrido Village to Jefferson Street. There will be Christmas floats, dance schools and band performances along with plenty of Christmas throws.

Where: Historic Downtown Main Street New Iberia

When: Saturday from 5:30 -7:30 p.m.

Details: 337-207-5670 or BayouTraditions.com

Dec. 9

Lafayette Sugar Plum Market

What: Grab the girls and help support small business owners. There will be Women’s and Children’s Boutique Clothing, Home, Holiday and Garden Decor, Gourmet Food items, Handmade and Fashion Jewelry and so much more.

Where: Cajundome, 444 Cajundome Blvd., Lafayette

When: Saturday at 10 a.m.

Details: Cajundome.com

Dec. 9

A Very Berry Christmas Quest

What: The Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with local businesses, will be hosting a family scavenger hunt to celebrate the Christmas season in Iberia Parish. Families will pick up goody bags filled with coupons and holiday treats at the chamber’s office, along with their quest cards which track the activities they participate in throughout the day. Families able to collect stickers on their cards will be entered in a drawing to win prizes.

Where: Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce, 111 W. Main St., New Iberia

When: Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Details: 337-364-1836 or IberiaChamber.org

Dec. 9

Pancakes & PJs with Santa

What: Spend a morning with Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy tons of fun Christmas activities, photo-ops and delicious food.

Where: Sliman Theater, 129 E. Main St., New Iberia

When: Saturday from 8 – 11 a.m.

Details: 337-207-5670 or BayouTraditions.com

Dec. 9

4th Annual Christmas ArtWalk in Parish a la Breaux Bridge

What: The Breaux Bridge community will join in an open-air holiday market event in Downtown Breaux Bridge with more than 60 vendors, live music, food, photos with Santa and more.

Where: 100 – 200 Blocks of Bridge Street, Downtown Breaux Bridge

When: Saturday from 4 – 8 p.m.

Details: DowntownBreauxBridge@gmail.com

Dec. 9

Movies in the Parc: Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch

What: Everyone is invited to enjoy a free screening of Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch along with an array of pre-movie activations and food vendors. Enjoy fun jumps, food trucks, face painting, crafts and more. Movie-goers are encouraged to bring their chairs and picnic blankets and grab a drink. Activities begin at 4:30 p.m. and the movie will begin at sundown.

Where: Parc International, Downtown Lafayette

When: Saturday 4:30 – 8 p.m.

Details: DowntownLafayette.org

Dec. 15

Lost Bayou Ramblers

What: The Grammy award-winning band Lost Bayou Ramblers was founded in 1999 by brothers Andre and Louis Michot. The band has appeared on Jack White’s American Epic and has score contributions to the Oscar-nominated film “Beasts of the Southern Wild.” Their album “Kalenda” won them a Grammy award for the Best Regional Roots Music Album in 2018. They’ve since toured with bands Arcade Fire and Violent Femmes.

Where: The Grouse Room, 417 Jefferson St., Lafayette

When: Friday at 10 p.m.

Details: TheGrouseRoom.com

Dec. 16

Lafayette Comedy Presents Sean Patton

What: Sean Patton is a comedian based in New York, by way of New Orleans.He began doing stand-up in the Crescent City and has since performed in comedy clubs and festivals across the world, including The Melbourne International Comedy Festival, The Glasgow Comedy Fest, the Dublin Comedy Fest and The Edinburgh Fringe.

Where: Club 337, 1521 W. Pinhook Road, Lafayette

When: Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

Details: LafayetteComedy.com

Admission: $20

Dec. 20

Les Cadiens Du Teche Cajun Dance

What: Les Cadiens du Teche (Cajun French Music Association) dance to Cajun music with a meal, door prizes, cake walk, 50/50 and camaraderie, at their monthly public meeting.

Where: La Louisiane Banquet Hall, 5509 Hwy. 14, New Iberia

When: Every third Wednesday of the month from 7 – 9:30 p.m.

Details: Facebook.com/LesCadiensDuTeche or 337-258-1876

Dec. 26

Marine Corps League Monthly Meeting

What: The General W.S. McIlhenny Detachment of the Marine Corps League invites all active Marines and Marine veterans to attend the group’s monthly meeting.

Where: Veterans Memorial Building in New Iberia’s City Park

When: Fourth Tuesday of each month starting at 7 p.m.

Details: 337–967–3650

Dec. 31

New Year’s Eve Dance with Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie

What: Ring in the New Year with Geno Delafose and the French Rockin’ Boogie. Don’t miss the biggest party of the year at Vermilionville with delicious food, drinks, and dancing with Geno Delafose.

Where: Vermilionville, 300 Fisher Road, Lafayette

When: Sunday from 9:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

Details: BayouVermilionDistrict.org