By Wynce Nolley 

One of the many characteristics that makes Acadiana so appealing to the masses is that there is a festival practically every weekend celebrating everything from food, music, wildlife, folklore and heritage. And while the heat may limit the number of festivals held during the summer months in Acadiana, they come back in force during the fall taking full advantage of the cooler climates and shorter days. This is why Acadiana Lifestyle has prepared a quick reference guide to highlight all of the major festivals coming to town this fall. 

Gumbo Cookoff

Date: Oct. 8 – 9

Location: Bouligny Plaza, 100 W. Main St., New Iberia

Admission: Free

Contact: iberiachamber.org/gumbo-cookoff 

Can’t Miss: “It’s the largest and longest-running Gumbo Cookoff in the state. More than 13,000 people come to visit it every year.” 

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Festival in Three Words: Gumbo, Food, Fun 

 Festivals Acadiens et Creoles 

Date: Oct. 13-16

Location: Girard Park, Vermilionville & Acadiana Center for the Arts – Lafayette  

Admission: Girard Park and Vermilionville – Free; AcA – Ticketed 

Contact: FestivalsAcadiens.com 

Can’t Miss: “In addition to the five music stages along with the Chef’s demo stage, two children’s areas, the Bayou Food Festival and the LA Arts & Crafts Fair, there will be a symposium on Cajun Dance Halls and Zydeco Clubs.”

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Festival in Three Words: Cajun Heritage Celebration

 International Rice Festival

Date: Oct. 20 – 23

Location: Downtown Crowley, 100 N.E. Court Circle, Crowley 

Admission: Free

Contact: 337-783-3067 or RiceFestival.com 

Can’t Miss: “The Rice Festival features a bounty of rice-themed festivities including two parades, live music, a state-of-the-art carnival, Rice and Creole Cooking Contest, Poker “Rice” Run and Classic Car Shows, 5k Rice Festival Run, International Rice Eating Contest, Fiddle and Accordion Contest, Senior Citizen’s Ball, Outdoor Arts and Crafts, a live Rice Threshing Demonstration, the Frog Derby and more.”

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Festival in Three Words: Real Rice Recognition 

 Boudin Cook-Off

Date: Oct. 22

Location: Parc Sans Souci, Downtown Lafayette

Admission: Free

Contact: BoudinCookoff.com

Can’t Miss: “Compare boudin samples from across the state along with a daring boudin eating contest, a people’s choice award for the best boudin, live music, free fun jumps, face painting, and contests with prizes.”

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Festival in Three Words: Creative Boudin Flair

 Rougarou Fest  

Date: Oct. 22-23

Location: Downtown Houma

Admission: Free

Contact: 985-580-7289 or RougarouFest.org 

Can’t Miss: “There’s great food, good drinks, carnival rides, live music, kid’s games, a costume contest and the Krewe Ga Rou Parade where zombies dance to the ‘Thriller’ routine down the streets of Houma.”

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Festival in Three Words: Spooky Flair Festival 

 New Iberia Spanish Festival

Date: Nov. 18 – 20

Location: Bouligny Plaza-Steamboat Pavilion, 102 W. Main St., New Iberia

Admission: Some events have admission 

Contact: 337-349-7343 or NewIberiaSpanishFestival.com 

Can’t Miss: “The theme for this year is going to be remembering Francisco Bouligny, because he was the one who brought the Spanish families over and settled in New Iberia.” 

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Festival in Three Words: Family-Oriented Educational Fun