Louisiana
10 must-attend Louisiana fall festivals you can still enjoy this year
WATCH: 2024 Christmas Parade lights up downtown San Angelo
The 2024 Christmas Parade lights up downtown San Angelo.
Louisiana’s fall festival season is in full swing, and there’s still plenty of time to enjoy food, music, arts and culture across the region before the holidays arrive.
From long-running community traditions to niche cultural celebrations, residents can expect a mix of live entertainment, family-friendly activities and regional cuisine as communities showcase the best of Louisiana.
Whether you love zydeco music, crave a plate straight off the pit or want to stock up on handmade gifts before the holidays, there’s a festival for every interest. Many events also highlight fundraisers for schools, churches and nonprofits, bringing families and community members together.
Here are 10 festivals still ahead on the calendar this fall across Acadiana, with opportunities to dance, dine and discover the region’s heritage before the season winds down.
10 Louisiana fall festivals you can still catch
- Port Barre Cracklin Festival
Nov. 13‐16, 2025. A festive four‑day event featuring cracklin’ cooking competitions, carnival rides, parades, and live music. Address: 129 Park St., Port Barre, LA 70577
- Christmas on the Bayou Festival
Nov. 7, 2025. A holiday‑themed fest with lights, vendors and seasonal treats. Address: Bryan Street, Cottonport, LA 71327
- Bayou Teche Brewing Fall Fest Nov. 15 – Dec. 25. Craft beer, wood-fired pizza and local music set the mood for a relaxing autumn weekend. Address: 1002 North Ln., Arnaudville, LA 70512
- Christmas in the Park
Nov. 30, 2025. Holiday lights and community gatherings to wrap up the fall season. Address: Moncus Park, 2913 Johnston St., Lafayette, LA 70503
- Holiday Lights at Baton Rouge General
Nov. 20‑22, 2025. Multi‑day celebration of lights and holiday activities (still within fall‑to‑holiday transition). Address: 8585 Picardy Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70809
- Reindeer Trails
Nov. 20‑22, 2025. A local holiday‑themed festival with family activities and trails of lights. Address: 629 Spring St., Shreveport, LA 7110
- Holiday Light Safari
Nov. 27‑28, 2025. A night‑time festival of lights, food vendors, and family fun. Address: Alexandria Zoo 3016 Masonic Dr., Alexandria, LA 71301
- Logansport Christmas Festival
Nov. 22, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026. An extended festival, including the tail end of fall and the start of the holiday season. Address: 192-198 Elm St., Logansport, LA 71049
- Light Up the Lake Christmas Festival
Nov. 28, 2025. A one‑night event with fireworks, lights and local vendors; still in the broader fall festival window. Address: 900 Lakeshore Dr., Lake Charles, LA 70601
- Noël Acadien au Village
Dec. 1 to Dec. 23, 2025. An evening market/festival celebrating Acadian heritage and holiday spirit. Address: 200 Greenleaf Dr., Lafayette, LA 70506
Louisiana
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A Washington think tank proposed capping annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 for couples as a way to shrink a looming deficit in the retirement trust fund.
When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
A motorcyclist is recovering after a West Monroe crash involving an 18-wheeler, while Chevron won a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling shifting a major coastal lawsuit back to lower courts. Ouachita deputies arrested a suspect and recovered more than a dozen guns, Mississippi passed a new school social-media safety requirement, and Louisiana’s House advanced a unanimous state budget. A new recovery center opened, and multiple weekend events are underway across northeast Louisiana, plus national updates include stock-market stress guidance, a Ford F-150 recall, Spirit Airlines uncertainty, and tax-refund tips.
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