Spectacularly decorated historic homes, twinkling lights, holiday parades, music and dance performances, and mouthwatering cuisine awaits as all of Acadiana celebrates during "A Cajun & Creole Christmas." Dozens of events will get you in the holiday spirit.


2009 Schedule of Events

Hanley-Gueno Neapolitan Presepio Exhibit
On-going exhibit | Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-noon,
1-4 p.m. | Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Museum, Lafayette | (337) 232-1322 | Adults $3, Seniors $2, Children $1
The Italian Baroque "Presepio" collected by Frank Hanley and Jeffrey Gueno is one of the finest and most extensive collections in America.

From Our Artists to You!
Nov. 3-Dec. 18 | Lafayette Art Association, 1008 E. St. Mary Blvd., Lafayette | (337) 269-0363 | Free
Original works of art, perfect for gifts and beautifully gift wrapped. Paintings, jewelry, sculpture, pottery, photography, art glass and more.

Acadiana Festival of Trees
Nov. 18-Nov. 19: Family Nights, 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Nov. 19: Cocktail Brunch | at A La Carte, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Nov. 20: Gala, 7-10 p.m. | (337) 237-1320 | www.acadianafestivaloftrees.org | Family Nights, $8, Cocktail Brunch $50, Gala $75
Enjoy Acadiana's kickoff for the 2009 holiday season featuring beautifully decorated Christmas trees and wreaths auctioned off to benefit the children's shelters of Acadiana Youth.

Holiday Magic Open House
Nov. 20-21 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Jeff Davis Parish Businesses | (337) 824-0933
Pre-Christmas open house at various businesses. Special sales, unique gift items, door prizes, refreshments served to customers and activities in Jennings Downtown Park and museums.

A Christmas to Remember
Nov. 20-Dec. 31 | Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | 311 N. Main St., Jennings | (337) 821-5532 | Adults $3, Students $1
Step back in time to see trees decorated with 1940s ornaments, toys of that era and the clothing that the family wore. Also, see an exhibit of 300+ nutcrackers.

Twas the Light Before Christmas
Nov. 25-Dec. 12 | Downtown Lafayette | (337) 291-5566 |
www.DowntownLafayette.org
Holiday musical performances & activities. Shops, art galleries and restaurants open for your shopping and dining pleasure. 11/25 - Downtown Alive! - Featuring Filé and Official Lighting of the City Christmas Tree - Toys for Tots (Parc Sans Souci, 5:30-8:30 p.m.). 11/28 - Movies in the Parc - Elf (Parc International, Dusk). 12/6 - The Sonic Christmas Parade (Beginning at Jefferson St. & E. Cypress  St. - 3 p.m.). 12/12 - 2nd Saturday Artwalk with Special Musical Performances, Free Santa Photos, Carriage Rides, Children's Activities (Various Downtown Locations - 4-8 p.m.), Christmas Kids Alive! (Main Library 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.), Free Museum Day: Lafayette Science Museum (10 a.m.-6 p.m.), Alexandre Mouton House Museum (10-4 p.m.) - Rudolph Run 5K and Fun Run (Parc Sans Souci 3:30 p.m.

Safari of Lights
Nov. 27-28 | Dec. 4-Dec. 30 | 5-9 p.m. | Zoo of Acadiana,
5601 US Hwy. 90 E., Broussard | (337) 837-4325 | $6 (subject to change)
Stroll the glistening pathways of the zoo as it is aglow with thousands of twinkling lights. Christmas music fills the air. Train ride and concessions available.

Christmas in Vermilion
Nov. 27-Jan. 1 | Times vary | Vermilion Parish | (337) 898-6600 | Admissions vary.
The "most Cajun place on Earth" will come alive this holiday season with events for all ages to get you into the Cajun
Christmas Spirit!

Le Grand Noel
Nov. 28 | 5-8 p.m. | Shops along Martin Luther King Drive, Grand Coteau | (337) 662-1032
The quaint shops of Grand Coteau, all adorned with holiday decorations, will open their doors to the public with refreshments, special offerings or the Christmas season & horse/carriage rides.

Christmas Shoppe
Nov. 29 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Willow Wood Park Recreation Center, New Iberia | (337) 229-1982
Come shop for loved ones at the "Christmas Shoppe", several local crafters displaying handcrafted jewelry, beauty products, handmade candles & soap, food products and much more.

Sounds of the Season with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra
Nov. 29 | 3-4:30 p.m. | St. Peters Church, 108 E. St. Peters St., New Iberia | (337) 364-1603
Free Christmas concert presented by Iberia Cultural Resources Association, featuring familiar Christmas songs as well as a classical section. Concession will be available.

Idlewild Plantation Christmas Lighting
Nov. 29-Dec. 30 | 5:30 p.m. | Kemper Williams Park, Patterson | (985) 395-2298 | $2/vehicle
Kemper Williams Park is the setting for the drive through Christmas lighting displays with music. A beautifully decorated silo fronts the property on Highway 90.

New Iberia Christmas Parade
Dec. 1 | 6 p.m. | Main St., New Iberia | (337) 365-1428
Christmas parade, with Santa Claus, marching bands, and dance groups.

Christmas at Grevemberg House
Dec. 1-31 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | 407 Sterling Rd., Franklin | (337) 828-2092 | www.grevemberghouse.com | Adults $10; Seniors, Students 13-18, Groups of 20+ $8, Children 12 and under $5
Visit historic Grevemberg House during the holidays. View the Victorian Christmas tree, seasonal greenery, 1850s delicacies and the spectacular floorcloth in the children's bedroom. Special family tours in Dec. 1-4 p.m. $1 per person.

Christmas in Scott
Dec. 1 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | 420 Lions Club Rd., Scott | (337) 233-1130
Santa will make an appearance. There will also be singing and dancing.

Christmas at the Alexandre Mouton House
Dec 1-30 | Tues.-Sat. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sun. 1-4 p.m. | Alexandre Mouton House/Lafayette Museum, Lafayette | (337) 234-2208 |Adults $3, Senior Citizens $2, Students $1
Area floral designers enhance this mid-19th century Victorian home with traditional and innovative seasonal decorations. Group/evening tours available. School tours free. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

A Tuna Christmas presented by the Opelousas Little Theatre
Dec. 3-6 & 10-13 | 7 p.m., 2 p.m. Matinees on Dec. 6 & 13 | The Opelousas Little Theatre, Opelousas | (337) 948-4367 | $10/person
This story takes place 24 hours before Christmas day and all comic hell is about to break loose! Bring the entire family and join the holiday fun!

Christmas at Coteau
Dec. 3-5 | 12/3 6-10 p.m., 12/4 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 12/5 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Schools of the Sacred Heart, Grand Coteau | (337) 662-5275 | $5
Get some of your Christmas shopping done at the Holiday Market on Fri. & Sat. featuring over 50 unique vendors. Fri.: gourmet breakfast at 9 a.m., gourmet lunch (seatings at 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.) and desserts from Sweet Sensations! Sat.: Jingle Bell Jog (1 & 5 mile) at 8 a.m., Breakfast with Santa at 10 a.m., Christmas Candyland opens at 10 a.m. pictures with Santa!

8th Annual Christmas Lighting at Le Vieux Village
Dec. 4 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | 828 East Landry St., Opelousas | (337) 948-5227 | Free
At Christmas, family and friends gather to witness a spectacular holiday event. With the pull of a switch, Le Vieux Village becomes a village of lights & a walk into the past. Enjoy a horse & buggy ride or take pictures with Santa. Stroll through the lighted pathways & browse the vendor's shops for unique gifts & stocking stuffers. Indulge in holiday refreshments while live music fills the air with the Spirit of Christmas.

Noel Acadien au Village
Dec. 4-23 | Nightly 5:30-9 p.m. | Acadian Village, Lafayette | (337) 981-2364 | Advance tickets $6, at door $8, Children under 4 free
The village comes alive with over half a million lights, animated displays, live entertainment, carnival rides, and pictures with Santa.

Festival of Light
Dec. 5 | 5-10 p.m. Oil Center, Lafayette | (337) 232-1267 | Free
Celebrate as the switch is pulled to light the colossal Santa, sleigh and reindeer display over Coolidge Blvd. Enjoy music, food, fun for children of all ages and of course shopping! Santa will be on hand to take wishes and pictures. Listen to traditional holiday music and carols.

Carencro Country Christmas
Dec. 5 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Carencro Community Center, Carencro | (337) 896-6686, (337) 291-9445 | Free
Traditional family event with area choirs, singers and musicians providing holiday entertainment. Booths with local arts, crafts and food. Decorate homes and businesses for Holiday Décor. Pictures with Santa at the Bechet house. Carencro Children's Parade at 2 p.m. North Regional Library will host activities during the day.

Delcambre Holiday Gumbo Cook-Off & Boat Parade
Dec. 5 | 11 a.m.-till, Parade 6:30 p.m. | Shrimp Festival Grounds & Boat Docks, Richard St., Delcambre | (337) 349-0229 | www.delcambreboatparade.com
Gumbo cook-off & Christmas boat parade on the bayou with Santa Claus.

Christmas at Shadows-on-the-Teche
Dec. 5-31 | Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Sun. 12-4:30 p.m. |
Dec. 13, Tour of Homes 1-5 p.m. | Shadows-on-the-Teche,
New Iberia | (337) 369-6446 | www.shadowsontheteche.org | Admissions Vary
Learn about Merry-Making Seasons Past in daily tours and come enjoy a special holiday Tour of Homes on Sunday, Dec. 13th.

Jennings Christmas Gumbo Cook-Off & Festival
Dec. 5 | 4:30-9:30 p.m. | Louisiana Oil & Gas Park, I-10 Exit 64 & Hwy. 26 Jennings | (337) 821-5532
Meet local gumbo chefs competing for cash prizes and trophies. Christmas festivities include taking photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, singing carols by the gigantic bon fire and the grand finale fireworks.

Sonic Christmas Parade
Dec. 6 | 3 p.m. | Downtown, Lafayette | (337) 988-5301 ext. 239
One of the oldest Christmas events in Acadiana and it marks the official arrival of Santa Claus to Lafayette. Floats, bands and area dignitaries.

Lafayette Concert Band presents: Christmas Traditions
Dec. 6 |  3:30 p.m. | Ducrest/Gilfry Auditorium at Angelle Hall, Lafayette | (337) 989-1279 | www.lcband.org
The Lafayette Concert Band celebrates the season with the help from the UL Children's Chorus and a special guest appearance by Maestro S. von Claus.

Children's Christmas Parade
Dec. 10 | 6 p.m.-Until | Rolls through Downtown, Opelousas & ends on Creswell Ln. | (337) 948-2589, (337) 948-5227
Beautiful floats, decorative cars, themed trailers, cartoon characters, Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Eunice Community Concert Band and Choir Winter Concert
Dec. 10 & 11 | 7-9 p.m. | Liberty Theater, 200 W. Park Ave., Eunice | (337) 457-1776 | Adults $5, Children (11-under) $2
ECCBC offers a wonderful Christmas concert for the entire family, including the community concert band & choir, children's choir & an art exhibit by FACE!

Yuletide on the Bayou
Dec. 12 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Boulingy Plaza, 102 W. Main St., New Iberia | (337) 369-2330 |  www.cityofnewiberia.org
Gingerbread House competition among Girl Scouts Pine to the Gulf.

St. Lucy Festival of Lights
Dec. 6 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church Square, St. Martinville | (337) 288-2784, (337) 394-6021
Live music, vendors, food, refreshments, arts & crafts booths along Evangeline Boulevard, Knights of Columbus parade (Main St.) at 2 p.m., candlelight mass at 4:30 p.m., lighting of church square at 6 p.m.

The Nutcracker
Dec. 12 & 13 | Sat. 7 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. | Heymann Performing Arts Center, Lafayette | (337) 262-0444, (337) 291-5555 | www.lafayetteballettheatre.org | $20-$37
Lafayette Ballet Theatre with Principal guest artists from the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and the entire dance community, present the Holiday classic, The Nutcracker.

Christmas at Vermilionville
Dec. 13 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Vermilionville, Lafayette | (337) 237-8360 | www.vermilionville.org | $5/Adults, $3/Members & Students (6-18), under 6 free
Come visit Mamma and Poppa Noel as they sit in front of their old-time Christmas tree. Hear their stories and tell them your wish list.

Christmas on the Bayou Parade
Dec. 13 | 2 p.m. | Main St., Delcambre | (337) 519-2541
Christmas parade with Santa Claus, marching bands and dance groups.

Iberia Community Band Christmas Concert
Dec. 13 | 3-6 p.m. | West Gate High School Auditorium, 2305 Jefferson Island Rd., New Iberia | (337) 577-3852
Live Community Band Concert with concessions.

Lessons and Carols
Dec. 13 | 7:30 p.m. | Free | St. John Cathedral, Lafayette | (337) 232-1322
Traditional candlelight service of readings and choral music for the Christmas season in the beautiful ambiance of St. John Cathedral.

It's Christmas Time
Dec. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Heymann Performing Arts Center, Lafayette | (337) 232-4277 | $25-$55
Join the Acadiana Symphony and enjoy the holiday season with traditional Christmas carols, songs of the holiday season and Grammy Award winner, Terrance Simien.

New Year's Noon and Carnival Countdown
Dec. 31 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Children's Museum of Acadiana, Lafayette | (337) 232-8500 | $5/person, Children 12 mths. & under free
Countdown to noon with lots of games and prizes!

Guide Service-Itinerary Planning
Allons À Lafayette, Inc. | (337) 269-9607, (800) 264-5465
Guide service, itinerary planning, accommodations and reservations. Visit beautifully decorated attractions, drive the lights trails, and experience Christmas in Cajun Country. Contact Pat Link-Your Link to Cajun Christmas!

*Schedule subject to change.