OCTOBER
❶ Lake Charles Film and Music Festival
Oct. 4-5. Lake Charles. This free weekend festival hosts multiple independent film screenings at locations throughout Lake Charles and Sulphur. In addition to the films, the festival offers food and music and is free to attend. The weekend wraps up with an awards ceremony for the top films and scripts in each category. lakecharlesfilmfestival.com
❷ Shake Your Trail Feather Festival
Oct. 19. Breaux Bridge. This festival is for the outdoor lovers of Louisiana. Enjoy bike trips, paddle tips, bat box workshops, a kayak raffle and more. In addition to the outdoor activities, guests can enjoy food and music and an informative discussion on nocturnal owls and bats that live along the Bayou Teche. techeproject.org
❸ Rougarou Fest
Oct. 26-27. Houma. Named for the monster used by many Cajun parents to scare their children, the Rougarou Fest is a free event with a spooky flair. The family-friendly weekend’s goal is to celebrate the folklore of Acadiana with a little food, music and fun to go along. rougaroufest.org
NOVEMBER
❶ Acadia Music Fest
Nov. 2. Thibodaux. Whether you enjoy local musicians or headlining performers like Flo Rida, you’re sure to have a great time. In addition to the lineup that also includes Choppa and Anders Osborne, local artists will display their work in the art market and kids can enjoy rides and face painting. acadiamusicfest.net
❷ Southern Screen Festival
Nov. 7-10. Lafayette. This four-day festival is not solely focused on the celebration of film, but all that is involved in expressing one’s creativity. The fest hosts industry panels, professional workshops, live podcasts and live performances. Their goal is to expose the various ways of storytelling to the Acadiana community. southernscreen.org
❸ Noel Acadien Au Village
Starts Nov. 30 (through Dec. 23). Lafayette. The Acadian Village and non-profit LARC host the Noel Acadien au Village as a fundraising event for the LARC mission to support those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The holiday-themed village hosts half a million lights on display — and visible from the comfort of your car — holiday shopping, carnival rides and photos with Santa through Dec. 23. acadianvillage.org
