Louisiana Christmas Traditions Everyone Needs to Experience

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! There really is nothing quite like the holiday festivities and events we have here in Acadiana, and across Louisiana. We are unique all year, but especially during the 'most wonderful time of the year'.

Only in Louisiana has reminded me of some of my favorite festive social occasions during December, and I wanted to share. Enjoy!

• Noel Acadien au Village. This Lafayette tradition happens every year from November 30 - December 23, and lights up LARC's Acadian Village with over one million sparkling Christmas lights.
• Reading the 'Cajun Night Before Christmas'. Originally published in 1973, this beloved holiday book has been read to generations of little cajuns. It is a true Louisiana treasure.
• Natchitoches Festival of Lights. This incredible Christmas celebration is in their 92nd year, and will be held in 2018 from November 17 - January 6th. It was even commemorated in the 1989 film 'Steel Magnolias'.
• Bonfires on the Levee. Although the bonfires are lit all along the Mississippi river road, they are most famous for the holiday celebration in St James Parish.
• Celebrate Christmas Eve with a Reveillon dinner. This is mainly a New Orleans tradition, but it is also held all across Louisiana. The historic dinner is a huge celebration at old school New Orleans restaurants like Tujaques, Antoines, and Commanders Palace.