5 Upcoming Lafayette Events You Don’t Want to Miss

Here in the Lafayette, Louisiana, area, there are a number of fun events and festivals for you and your family in 2017. With something for everyone, you can plan ahead and attend any or all of these unique happenings in the area.

Cinema on the Bayou Film Festival

This eight-day event starts at the end of January and goes through the first of February. You can attend screenings of various films from local and international filmmakers. 2017 will be the 12^th annual occurrence of this event and includes a showing of the feature film, “Zachary Richard, Cajun Heart.” The film premiered several months ago at the Festival International du Cinema Francophone to a sold-out crowd. It also earned a variety of awards and accolades. The festival will also include other films that are visually beautiful and tell amazing stories.

Mardi Gras Celebrations

The Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association will host its celebration and parade on February 24-28. This can’t-miss event will be at Cajun Field in Lafayette and includes activities for the whole family, including carnival games, rides, live music and entertainment, and delicious Cajun-style food. You can also watch a parade with local floats and participants.

On February 25, you can also visit the 4^th Annual Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Festival in the North Boulevard Town Square. It’s free to the public and includes entertainment from New Orleans’ local Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor, and Normal Bean with the Merry Pranksters. There are other Mardi Gras-themed events held locally throughout much of the end of February as well.

Festival International de Louisiane

If you’re looking for an unforgettable music and arts experience, Festival International is the place to be! Festival International de Louisiane is a non-profit organization that produces the largest international music and arts festival in the United States. The festival places an emphasis on the connection between Acadiana and the Francophone world and culture. With over 300,000 festival goers every year, it’s an event you really don’t want to miss!

The annual festival features artists from over 20 countries along with visual art, theater, and exhibits. You can also participate in the Courir du Festival 5K run/walk, which runs through downtown Lafayette. Have the experience of a lifetime and come celebrate 31 years of Festival International this year from April 26-30^th!

Cajun Music Jam

Rocky’s Cajun Kitchen serves fresh local seafood dishes and tasty burgers every night of the week, and on Wednesday nights, local musicians come together at this spot to jam together and learn from each other. These events are laid-back and open to anyone who has an instrument and wants to participate in making beautiful Cajun-inspired music.  If you aren’t up for playing in the jam session, you can simply come and listen to the sweet tunes. It takes place weekly from 6-9 p.m. and is open to the public.

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

Jazz music plays an important role in the history and culture of Lafayette and New Orleans, so this music and heritage festival allows participants to rock out to music and have a great time. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will take place on April 28 through May 7. Over 400,000 people attended the event last year and organizers expect about that many or even more to come in 2017. The festival doesn’t have a set lineup yet but it should include well-known and up-and-coming performers that put on excellent shows.

Try something new this year by attending one of these unique and fun events in and near Lafayette. You might just find that a Mardi Gras party or music festival will become your new favorite activity to do with your family or friends.

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