A Cajun and Creole Christmas - Ongoing Events

    Lafayette and the surrounding area becomes transformed every year into a sparkling winter wonderland. Events vary, from festivals of light and parades to tours of homes and live performances. Not only is it spectacular, but unique to South Louisiana and our Cajun and Creole culture.
    “A Cajun and Creole Christmas” has been voted a Top 20 December Event by the Southeast Tourism Society and you’ll find out why when you visit. For a complete list of individual events in our area, visit http://www.lafayettetravel.com/play/festivalsevents/cajun-creole-christmas.

    The following are events that are ongoing throughout the holiday season:
     The Hanley-Guéno Neapolitan Presepio Exhibit, showcasing 18th nativity tableau, is available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to noon Fridays at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Museum in Lafayette. By admission. Info: (337) 232-1322.
     Christmas in Crowley Lights to Music Spectacular will be 5:30 p.m. to midnight Nov. 22-Jan. 3 at City Hall, 425 N. Parkerson in Crowley. Over 50,000 dazzling animated holiday lights are synchronized to music and you can listen to the lights by tuning in on your car radio!
     Safari of Lights is a holiday event with lights, animation and the North Pole Express train at the Zoo of Acadiana, held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 23-24 and Nov. 30-Dec. 30 at the Zoo, 5601 US Hwy. 90 East in Broussard. By admission. Info: (337) 837-4325.
     Christmas at the Alexandre Mouton House features holiday decorations at the historic home from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, Nov. 29-Dec. 29, at 1122 Lafayette St. in downtown Lafayette. By admission. Info: (337) 234-2208.
    Noel Acadien au Village (shown) is a holiday extravaganza with thousands of lights, activities and live music from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly, Dec. 1-23, at LARC’s Acadian Village in Lafayette. By admission. Info: (337) 981-2364.
     Victorian Christmas at Grevemberg House will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily Dec. 1-31 at 407 Sterling Road in historic Franklin. By admission. Info: (337) 828-2092. Also in Franklin is Oaklawn Manor, home to former Louisiana Gov. Mike Foster, and the home will be adorned for the holidays and open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, Dec. 1-Jan. 6, at 3296 Oaklawn Drive, off Irish Bend Road in Franklin. By admission. Info: (337) 828-0434.

     Victorian Christmas at the Joseph Jefferson Home & Rip Van Winkle Gardens is offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 1-Jan. 8 at the historic home, gardens and café at 5505 Rip Van Winkle Road in New Iberia. By admission. Info: (337) 359-8525.
    Shadows Merry Making Season in the Shadows-on-the-Teche Plantation Home & Gardens decorated for the holidays will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 3-31 at the historic home at 317 E. Main Street in New Iberia. By admission. Info: (337) 369-6446.
    Old-Time Christmas at Vermilionville will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 11-20 and include Papa Noël, demonstrations on how to make wax candles, citrus pomanders and soap, Christmas singalong and a reading of “A Cajun Night before Christmas.”
    This is only a tip of the holiday iceberg. Be sure and check out the full schedule at http://www.lafayettetravel.com/play/festivalsevents/cajun-creole-christmas.