Thibodauxville Fall Festival
Thibodaux
For those wanting to enjoy a true celebration of bayou lifestyle, the Thibodauxville Fall Festival is a must. It is held every November in Lafourche Parish, also known as Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou. With the bayou running the length of the parish, it is a “cultural identity that is engrained in who we are,” said Timothy Bush, president of the Bayou Lafourche Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. He described the event as “an arts festival and the biggest block party you’ve ever attended.”
Besides the music, arts fair and duck race featuring more than 2,000 rubber ducks, the highlight of the weekend is the food. Groups should plan to come to town a day early so they can enjoy Big Boy’s Main Street Cook Off, a showcase of Cajun cuisine with more than 45 teams competing to produce the best regional dishes.
The Thibodauxville Fall Festival attracts more than 15,000 people each year and can be easier on the budget than the bigger New Orleans festivals or a fun stop on the way to the Big Easy.
Contraband Days
Lake Charles
Hoist the mainsail at the Contraband Days Louisiana Pirate Festival, 11 days of fun on the shores of Lake Charles. According to local lore, legendary pirate Jean Lafitte came ashore at this spot and buried his treasure. Each May, the festival opens with a re-enactment that includes local citizens trying to defend their town against the marauding pirates.
“The Contraband Days Louisiana Pirate Festival is a tradition in Southwest Louisiana, with the event celebrating its 60th anniversary this year,” said Angie Manning, communications director at the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The storming of the seawall is always great fun for everyone as the pirates sail in while the city’s militia defends the seawall. Ultimately, the pirates make the Lake Charles mayor walk the plank, and that commences the festivities with music, food, carnival rides and multiple events on land and sea.”
Other events on the festival’s busy schedule include a carnival, parades and pirate costume contests, and of course, it wouldn’t be a Louisiana festival without a large selection of local food and live music. A variety of shows and the largest competitive arm-wrestling tournament in the Gulf South are open to visitors, and the festival ends with fireworks display on the final night.
Contraband Days attracts more than 100,000 visitors, so groups are advised to book early at one of the Lake Charles area’s many hotels and resorts.
Christmas Festival
Natchitoches
Jill Leo, director of festivals and events with the Natchitoches Historic District Business Association, said one of her favorite things about the town’s Christmas Festival is that it is a family event with something for everyone. Since its humble beginnings in 1927, the event has grown to attract visitors from across the country, yet it still holds significance for locals.
“This is a local family tradition; people and their families have grown up with this festival,” Leo said.
Festivities kick off the weekend before Thanksgiving, when the more than 300,000 lights are switched on. From then through New Year’s, every Saturday sees live music performances and a fireworks display along the riverbank. Other events such as carol services are dotted through the month, with the main Christmas Festival and parade taking place the first weekend of December. Leo warns this is also the most crowded weekend and suggests that if groups want a less-busy experience, they should plan to come the following weekend.
The event website has links to local hotels and can help groups find accommodations. They also ask that groups call ahead so that they can arrange free bus parking.
