It’s no secret that folks in Louisiana like to have a good time and that’s certainly true in Acadia Parish, the heart of the Cajun Prairie. Home to enduring Mardi Gras traditions, authentic food and music, and some of Louisiana’s most popular festivals; the area is ready to show you how to “pass a good time!” For more events happening in and around Acadia Parish, check out their Events Calendar.
The community of Rayne celebrates the powerful legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a remembrance walk and flag raising, following by a wellness fair, civil rights program, and tasty lunch at the Rayne Civic Center. The free event honors Dr. King’s commitment to social harmony.
210 Frog Festival Drive
Rayne, LA 70578
Witness one of the longest-running authentic Cajun Mardi Gras runs, in which local men dress in traditional costumes and chase down a chicken on foot and horseback to throw in the shared gumbo pot. The festive community gathering also includes a parade, Cajun music and dancing, and some of the tastiest chicken and sausage gumbo imaginable.
303 E. Pioth Street
Church Point, LA 70525
Downtown Crowley rings in Mardi Gras each year with a family-friendly celebration that includes a parade, live music, vendors and food. Prepare to catch beads from floats festooned in purple, green, and gold. Hear live bands and fill your belly with Louisiana’s tasty Cajun cuisine. Mmm!
425 N. Parkerson Avenue
Crowley, LA 70526
Rayne Mardi GrasCelebrate Carnival season in the "Frog Capital of the World" during the annual Rayne Mardi Gras celebration, a vibrant and family-friendly event that showcases the very best of Cajun culture and community spirit. The festivities kick off with the glamour of the traditional Mardi Gras Ball, where attendees gather for an elegant evening of royal courts, elaborate costumes, and live music. The excitement moves to the streets with a grand afternoon parade featuring a lively procession of colorful floats, marching bands, and enthusiastic riders tossing throws to the crowds. The celebration culminates at the Rayne Civic Center with the highly anticipated annual Gumbo Cook-Off, where local chefs face off in a flavorful competition, allowing visitors to sample authentic, slow-simmered Louisiana gumbos while enjoying live entertainment.
112 Frog Festival Drive
Rayne, LA 70578
Experience the electrifying fusion of Acadiana culture and international flair at the Church Point Community Development Corporation Annual Mardi Gras Ball. Held at the Church Point Community Center, this highly anticipated annual gala serves as both a vibrant Carnival celebration and a major community fundraiser that supports local development projects. Attendees dress in their finest formal attire to enjoy an unforgettable evening packed with high-energy live bands, dynamic DJs, and a beautifully presented Mardi Gras Royal Court. It stands as a premier social event in Acadia Parish, perfectly capturing the spirit of community fellowship, dancing, and true Southwest Louisiana hospitality.
Courir de Mardi Gras de L’anse, Mermentau CoveThis event is a deeply rooted Cajun tradition organized by the non-profit group Cadien Toujours. This strictly traditional, rural celebration features fully costumed, masked men journeying through the scenic countryside on foot, on horseback, and in decorated trailers to beg for gumbo ingredients and chase chickens and greased pigs. The community-focused run honors centuries-old customs and welcomes the general public to join the festivities later in the afternoon. The day culminates with a lively fais do-do (Cajun dance party) and a massive bowl of authentic communal gumbo, offering an unforgettable and immersive taste of historic Southwest Louisiana culture.
1164 Lafosse Road
Morse, LA 70559
Authentic Prairie Cajun Foods accompanied with the great sounds of local Zydeco and Cajun Bands, crafts, and the opportunity for young musicians to showcase their talents. The
highlights of the day include a Catholic mass, the presentation of our Les Tout Petit Mardi Gras, and the arrival of the Tee-Mamou Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras Day 9am to 5pm.
116 Duson Avenue
Iota, LA 70543
Complete with a 5K color run, live music, a live auction, and a motorcycle “poker” run, Church Point’s Cajun Woodstock is a lively event that also raises money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Come out and experience two tried and true things about Louisiana: its sense of fun and its generous spirit.
104 E. Darbonne
Church Point, LA 70525
Ribbit! Rayne’s signature croakers are calling you to take part in this longstanding festival, founded way back in 1972. Spread over two days, the charming springtime gathering attracts thousands for live bands, a carnival midway, arts and crafts, a parade, and of course, frog leg cookoffs and eating contests. You’ll be feeling froggy in no time.
108 S. Adams
Rayne, LA 70578
Hoist your stein and don your lederhosen! The Roberts Cove Germanfest celebrates Louisiana’s powerful yet undersold German heritage. Nineteenth Century German immigrants were responsible for establishing the state’s successful rice-growing industry here in Acadia Parish. Hear authentic German tunes, see agricultural demonstrations, dine on German fare, and enjoy a cold draft beer in the mild Louisiana fall weather.
7212 Roberts Cove Road
Rayne, LA 70578
International Rice FestivalOne of Louisiana's largest and oldest festivals, the International Rice Festival in downtown Crowley attracts tens of thousands of attendees for a three-day celebration of one of the state’s most important crops. Sample a wide variety of rice-centric dishes, dance in the street to live bands, enjoy thrilling carnival rides, see the parade and pageant, and witness cooking contests in which some of the country’s best local cooks vie for top honors.
425 N. Parkerson Avenue
Crowley, LA 70526
The KBON Music Festival in Rayne, Louisiana is an annual three-day celebration of the region’s rich musical heritage, hosted the first weekend of
October by KBON 101.1 FM at the Frog Festival Pavilion. Drawing thousands of visitors, the festival features more than 20 live performances spanning Cajun, Zydeco, Swamp Pop, Country, and other French-influenced Louisiana music styles, providing ample opportunities for dancing, socializing, and enjoying authentic local culture. Organized in partnership with an area nonprofit, the event blends vibrant live entertainment with community spirit, food vendors, festival merchandise, and a welcoming atmosphere that highlights Acadiana’s unique cultural identity and supports local causes.
206 Frog Festival Drive
Rayne, LA 70578
Beautiful, historic downtown Crowley pulls out all the stops with a family-friendly vintage Christmas celebration that will warm your heart. Downtown’s many merchants roll out special deals on last-minute holiday gifts. Kids enjoy cocoa, cookies, and a visit from Santa, while scores of twinkling lights set a magical, merry vibe.
425 N. Parkerson Avenue
Crowley, LA 70526
Stroll through rows of local vendors at Rayne’s annual Holiday Market in the Rayne Civic Center. From baked goods and preserves to crafts and retail items, there’s no shortage of one-of-a-kind finds at this festival marketplace. Christmas music plays as you shop, and concessions will keep you satisfied as you pick up the perfect goodies for family and friends. Santa is on site, too, ready to hear your Christmas list.
210 Frog Festival Drive
Rayne, LA 70578
