There’s lots to do and see in Louisiana in the weeks before Christmas. We get visitors all the time who use New Orleans as a base and then they make day trips to other parts of the state. Within two hours drive, there are wonderful festivals and events that you may want to include in a mini vacation to our state. Some plan a combined trip. A day or two in North Louisiana, then a few days in the Crescent city. Here is a list of festivals and activities over the next few weeks that are being held around the state, provided by Louisiana Cookin’ magazine:
Bogalusa-One hour
Christmas in the Park
November 26 – 29
Held at Cassidy Park. The festival runs from Thanksgiving through Christmas and is also called the Festival of Holiday Lights. You can drive or walk through the festive display. Santa is there nightly with over a million lights and concessions onsite.
For more information, visit bogalusa.org/Citypgs/calendar
Delcambre- Two hours
Delcambre Holiday Gumbo Cook-off & Boat Parade
December 5
Held at Shrimp Festival Grounds. Gumbo cook-off & Christmas boat parade on the bayou, with Santa Claus.
For more information, visit iberiatravel.com
Grand Cane-Five hours
Pioneer Christmas Parade & Trade Day
December 5, 10:00am
Featuring an all horse/mule vehicle drawn parade, plus vendor booths, entertainment, pioneer demonstrations, food, and more.
For more information, visit shreveportbossierfunguide.com
Houma-One hour, fifteen minutes
Once upon a Cajun Christmas Parade
December 4, 7:00pm
This annual 20-float parade is sponsored by Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, and follows a route from Terrebone High School, down Main Street, and ends at Courtsquare where ”Papa Noel” (Santa Claus to those outside the area) and Mrs. Claus are greeted by crowds and cheers. The event culminates in the singing of traditional carols and the lighting of the town Christmas tree.
Metairie-Twenty minutes
Beaujolais Day, Corks N Canvas Painting & Wine Soiree, and Live Music
November 21, 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Held at Whole Foods Market Veterans. The Whole Foods Market Veterans store will unveil its exclusive Beaujolais Nouveau 2009 label. Guests will sample the Beaujolais as well as other French wine and cheese pairings. Corks N Canvas will be on-hand to facilitate a contest for guests to paint the exclusive 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau label and Some Like It Hot will provide live music.
For more information, call Corks N Canvas to reserve a spot at (504) 832-5536.
New Iberia-Two hours
New Iberia Christmas Parade
November 30, 6:00pm
Located on Main St. This event features a Christmas parade with Santa Claus, marching bands, and dance groups, and much more.
For more information, visit iberiatravel.com
New Orleans-Ten minutes
XXXVI State Farm Bayou Classic
November 28, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Held at the Louisiana Superdome. This is a unique family fellowship that exists within a football game. This has become the greatest and most distinguishable sporting event in all of Black America. It’ll be another terrific game this year as the Grambling State University Tigers and Southern University Jaguars football teams line up on the field to battle it out!
For more information, visit statefarmbayouclassic.com
New Orleans - Ten minutes
Kentucky Colonel
December 3, 6:30pm
Located at Bourbon House. The State of Kentucky is bestowing the honor of “Kentucky Colonel” to Dickie Brennan for all he’s done to promote and foster an appreciation of Bourbon. To celebrate, this is a 5 course dinner paired with bourbon plus cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
For more information, email nobs@bourbonhouse.com
Patterson- One hour, thirty minutes
Idlewild Plantation Christmas Lighting
November 29 – December 31, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Held at Kemper Williams Park. Take a driving tour along a path filled with elaborate displays of Christmas lights, with holiday music enhancing the drive.
Robert-One hour, fifteen minutes
Louisiana Renaissance Festival
November 27 – 29
Located at Village of Albright. Enjoy live jousting, free-flying birds of prey, seven stages of Renaissance entertainment, glassblowing, blacksmithing and pottery demonstrations, along with over 100 merchant booths.
For more information, visit larf.org
Shreveport -Five Hours
Rockets Over the Red
November 28
Located at RiverView Park. Fantastic fireworks show shot from two barges in the Red River and from the Texas Street Bridge kicks off the holiday season in downtown Shreveport. There will be live entertainment, the KCS Holiday Express, Party Central games for the kids, and food and beverage vendors.
St.Francisville-Two Hours
Chamber Music Series
December 4, 7:00pm
Held at Hemingbough. The St. Francisville Symphony Association presents the 2009-2010 Chamber Music Series, featuring the musicians of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra.
For tickets, call 225-383-0500.
The Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast is now accepting reservations for the last week of November through Christmas weekend. Call now for our Papa Noel rates starting at $79 per night weekdays for a traditional queen accommodation with private bathroom.
