Christmas Parades start rolling Dec. 1

     The holiday parades begin Sunday, Dec. 1, with the Breaux Bridge Christmas Parade rolling through downtown Main Street beginning at 2 p.m. The annual Christmas parade always occurs the Sunday after Thanksgiving, kicking off the holiday season.

     The New Iberia Christmas Parade rolls along Main Street from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 3, with Santa Claus, marching bands and dance groups. Mayor Curry will start the lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on the steps of City Hall.

     The City of Broussard Christmas Parade begins at 1 p.m. Dec. 7 at the intersection of South Morgan and Albertson Parkway in Broussard. 

     The Franklin Christmas parade and lamp-lighting ceremony begins at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 on the corner of Jackson and Main streets in Franklin.

     The Christmas Children’s Parade rolls through Carencro at 2 p.m. Dec. 7, part of the all-day Carencro Country Christmas at 5115 N. University in Carencro.
     The Sonic Christmas Parade rolls from downtown Lafayette to the Oil Center, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 8. One of the oldest Christmas activities in Acadiana, containing more than 20 floats, high school marching bands and the official arrival of Santa Claus to Lafayette.
     The Kiwanis Christmas Parade begins at 2 p.m. Dec. 8 near St. Martinville Senior High School, following Main Street and ending off Denier Street. 

     The Delcambre Christmas on the Bayou and parade begins at 2 p.m. Dec. 7 at the corner of Main Street and South Pelloat to Delcambre Shrimp Festival Building.
     The St. Lucy Festival of Light and Christmas Parade is Dec. 8 at St. Martin de Tours Church Square in St. Martinville.
     The Jeanerette Christmas Parade begins at 1 p.m. Dec. 8 down Main Street with Santa Claus, marching bands, dance groups and more.
     The Mamou Rotary Cajun Christmas Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at Mamou High School, runs through the business district on Sixth Street and ends back at the school. Parade features visiting queens, marching bands, Cajun music bands and Santa Clause pulled by Egrets – the official bird of Cajun Country.  

     Delcambre Holiday Boat Parade begins at 4 p.m. Dec. 14 at the boat docks, 307 Isadore St. in Delcambre. 

Holiday fun in Lafayette

     Acadiana comes alive every holiday season for the annual “A Cajun and Creole Christmas.” Voted a Top 20 December Event by the Southeast Tourism Society, the celebration includes parades, performances, children’s activities, home tours and Santa — and much, much more.

Geno Delafose

     For a complete list of events for A Cajun and Creole Christmas, including events in towns throughout Acadiana, visit LafayetteTravel.com.

     Here’s a rundown of events happening in Lafayette starting with Thanksgiving Eve.

     Downtown Alive! free music concert series features The Pine Leaf Boys on Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Eve) in Parc Sans Souci and includes the Lighting of the Official City Christmas Tree by Mayor Joey Durel. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., music starts at 6 p.m. Also on Nov. 27 is the Thanksgiving Eve Dance with Geno Delafose at 8:30 p.m. at Vermilionville. Admission is $10. 

     The Safari of Lights at the Zoo of Acadiana begins Nov. 29 and runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly through Dec. 30. Be sure and ride the North Pole Express train! 

     Acadian Village is covered in half a million lights and offers live entertainment, food and holiday shopping from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly from Nov. 30 through Dec. 23. The annual event helps raise funds for the non-profit organization. Tickets $9 at the gate; $7 in advance. 

Acadian Village

     The Acadiana Symphony Orchestra presents “Sounds of the Season” from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at St. Peters Catholic Church, 108 E St. Peter St. in New Iberia. Free.
     Christmas in Scott includes photos with Santa and the official lighting of the Christmas tree at 6 p.m. Dec. 4 at 916 Cayret St. in downtown Scott.

     The annual Festival of Light, one of Lafayette’s largest holiday attractions, happens 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 6 in the Oil Center. Celebrate as the switch is pulled to light the colossal Santa, sleigh and reindeer over Coolidge Boulevard, with music, food and fun, and of course shopping! There’s even snow!

     Christmas at the Alexandre Mouton House, adorned in period decorations, will be Dec. 6-31 at 1122 Lafayette St., downtown Lafayette. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Tickets $5 adults, $3 seniors, $2 students. 

     The City of Broussard Christmas Parade begins at 1 p.m. Dec. 7 at the intersection of South Morgan and Albertson Parkway. 

The Nutcracker

     The Carencro Country Christmas with choirs, singers, arts and crafts, food booths and pictures with Santa takes place 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 5115 N. University in Carencro. Free. The Christmas Children’s Parade begins at 2 p.m.
     The Sonic Christmas Parade rolls from downtown Lafayette to the Oil Center, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 8. Free. One of the oldest Christmas activities in Acadiana, containing more than 20 floats, high school marching bands and the official arrival of Santa Claus to Lafayette. 

     Vermilionville historic village offers an Old-Time Christmas from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 10. Experience the simple warmth and beauty of Christmas past and meet Papa Noël, learn how to make wax candles, sing along to Christmas carols, watch popcorn stringing and even get a taste of apple cider!
     The popular “A Tuna Christmas” stage play returns to Cité des Arts of downtown Lafayette Dec. 12-15, 19-22 and 26-29. The comedy is set in the fictional town of Tuna, Texas, and two actors play the entire cast of more than 20 characters of both genders and various ages. 337-291-1122.
     The Living Bethlehem will be 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 13-15 at Sugar Mill Pond Town Center, 120 Waterview Road in Youngsville. Free. The Living Bethlehem is a live nativity drama featuring a cast of children, live animals and a children’s choir.

Vermilionville

     The Singing Christmas Tree is a Broadway-style Christmas show for the entire family with a choir singing from a massive Christmas tree. This year’s production is “Keep Calm…Christmas is Coming. Performances are 7 p.m. Dec. 13, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 14, 3 p.m. Dec. 15 and 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at the First Baptist Church in Lafayette. 800-965-9324.

     “The Nutcracker” will be performed by Lafayette Ballet Theatre with special guests at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 and 2 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Heymann Performing Arts Center in Lafayette. (337) 262-0444.
     Lessons and Carols, traditional candlelight service of readings and choral music for the Christmas season in the historic St. John Cathedral, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at 914 St. John St. in Lafayette. Free.
     The Children’s Museum of Acadiana offers a New Year’s Noon Countdown & Carnival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 31 at the museum in downtown Lafayette. The cost is $6 per person and includes exhibits, confetti, cannons and prize drops.

     This is only a tip of the holiday iceberg. Be sure and check out the full schedule athttp://www.lafayettetravel.com/play/festivalsevents/cajun-creole-christmas.