Are you looking for things to do with kids in Lafayette? If you need kid-friendly things to do in Lafayette, Louisiana this Fall, we have you covered. There is everything from indoor Lafayette family fun to weekend day trips, all pre-approved by our team here at Lafayette Mom! Whether you live in Lafayette or are traveling to Lafayette with kids, there is plenty to do in this friendly Louisiana city with the family. If you need to getaway for the weekend, here is a list of weekend trips for families in Louisiana. Fall is also the perfect time to go camping, and we have a thorough list of family-friendly Louisiana campsites here.
Fall into Family Fun In and Around Lafayette, Louisiana
About Ochsner Lafayette General ::
Fall conjures up the delights of pumpkin spice, sweater weather and the return of Friday night lights. As kids head back to school and sports begin, Ochsner Lafayette General wants you to know we’re here for you.
At Ochsner Lafayette General Orthopedic Hospital, you and your athletes will benefit from a wide variety of specialties and expertise. Our team of highly trained orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine specialists provides the most advanced and comprehensive range of treatment options in the region with one goal in mind — to help you stay active, healthy and pain-free.
Whatever your plans are this Fall, Ochsner Lafayette General has got your health covered. Learn more about our services at Ochsnerlg.org.
Allons Cajuns! “Let’s Go Cajuns” { University of Louisiana at Lafayette} ::
Cross Country :: Support your running Ragin’ Cajuns as they kick off Cross Country season on September 1st. We are lucky to have top notch college sports to watch right here in Lafayette.
Football :: The Ragin’ Cajuns make their season debut on September 2nd. Get ready for the best tailgating and live music pre-party around! Football season in Lafayette, LA has arrived and we are here for it!
Performing Arts :: Music, Theater and Dance – be sure to check out the UL Symphony Halloween Concert October 26th!
Soccer :: Women’s season began on Wednesday, August 9th but their calendar is full of upcoming meets!
Volleyball :: Women’s season begins August 17th. They play LSU on September 6th!
Things to Do In and Around Lafayette, LA {Art, Music & Entertainment} ::
ArtWalk :: The second Saturday of every month rain or shine! Support local businesses, art, and culture!
Autumn in the Oaks (Moncus Park) :: October 28th. Hayrides, Halloween Putt-Putt, Pumpkin Bowling, Food trucks and much, much more!
Bach Lunch :: October 13th & 20th. Food vendors will be available on Polk Street for attendees to purchase lunch at 11:00 a.m., and live music will begin at 12:00 p.m. Be sure to bring your blankets and chairs so that you can enjoy Bach Lunch picnic-style.
Beats on the Bayou (New Iberia) :: “Live concert for campers under the Isle of Iberia’s pavilion”
The Big Easel :: October 21st from 9 am-4 pm. “Artist tents fill the River Ranch Town Square in various mediums including oil, acrylic, wad, wood, pottery, jewelry, metal, mixed media, watercolor, glass and more!”
BOO Bash with the Belles (Youngsville) :: October 14th. Vendor booths, games, and photo spots. Bring your candy bucket to trick and treat with the vendors!
Broussard Community Fair :: Saturday and Sunday the week before Thanksgiving. Carnival rides, silent auction & food vendors.
Downtown Alive! :: “Lafayette’s Original Street Party – Since 1983”. Fridays at 5:30pm at Parc San Souci. Enjoy local and legendary talents with the entire family!
Latin Music Festival :: October 7. “Offering the family-friendly Latin Music Festival and other efforts promoting multiculturalism and preserving heritage.”
Music On Main and Jambalaya Cook-Off (Broussard) :: November 2nd. Jambalaya cook off, live music, kids zone with face painting, cookie decorating and an obstacle course!
Mutts Gone Nuts! :: October 5th. “An unforgettable performance where canines and comedy collide! Witness the hilarious genius of Scott and Joan Houghton as they showcase the world’s most talented four-legged performers.”
Pups in the Park :: (Moncus Park) September 15 :: coffee and refreshments for the humans; playtime and treats for the pups!
Rhythms on the River :: Held each spring and fall for family fun of all ages, check back here for starting line up.
SEAN MASON QUINTET (Jazz Tribute to 100 year of DISNEY) :: November 14th. Sean Mason leads this concert with iconic songs while looking back on the impact of jazz on 100 years of Disney magic.
Southern Screen Festival :: (November 16-19th). “With dozens of films screened each year, plus an array of workshops, panels, parties, and live performances, the four day celebration every November is sure to entertain, educate, and inspire.”
Shadows Arts & Crafts Fair (New Iberia) :: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2023 AT 9 AM – 4 PM. “Vendors from around Louisiana will display and sell their original work. A variety of hand-crafted products will be available for sale, as well as desserts, food, and beverages.” Also home to World Championship Gumbo Cookoff
Symphony In the Sky :: “No matter whether you’re a jukebox hero, a material girl, a karma chameleon, or a thrill seeker living in the danger zone, join us on October 17, 2023, to have the time of your life! This year’s theme? You guessed it! Totally awesome 80s!”
Making Spirits Bright (Acadian Village) :: November 16. Details coming soon!
Sugar Jam (Youngsville):: “free outdoor family-friendly music series held in the town center of Sugar Mill Pond featuring live music once per month this spring and fall from 6-9 pm. The series includes local pop-up shops and kids’ activities in order to create a vibrant, family-focused event.”
Farmer’s Markets & Shopping In and Around Lafayette, LA::
Abbeville Farmers’ Market :: One Saturday a month starting August 19th. “Fresh Vegetables, Eggs, Honey, Baked Goods, Canned Vegetables, Meat Pies, Wine, Arts and Crafts and more!”
Agora Open Air Market :: (Downtown Lafayette) Saturdays 9-1. “New Open Air Market in Downtown Lafayette. Fresh Produce, Jewelry and many other vendors”
LAFAYETTE FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET (Moncus Park) Saturdays 8-12
Lafayette’s Hub City Farmer’s Market :: Every Saturday at 8 am. “Our vendors raise pastured meats such as beef, pork, chicken, duck, and turkey as well as dairy, raw, unfiltered honey, produce such as vegetables, herbs and microgreens, mushrooms, baked goods, jams, jellies, pickles, seasoning blends, safe body products and so much more!”
Food Truck Friday (Moncus Park) Fridays 8-12. ” … a diverse array of food trucks will be serving up their mouthwatering specialties, accompanied by live music.”
Teche Area Festival and Farmers’ Market (New Iberia) :: Saturdays at 7 am. “Experience a harvest of delicious homegrown produce and home-made products by area farmers, artists.”
Tinsel & Treasures :: September 21-23rd. “Junior League of Lafayette is excited to present our 30th annual holiday shopping market. Tinsel & Treasures provides a one-stop shopping experience with more than 120 merchants for all your holiday needs.”
White Bayou Wreaths & Supply (Scott):: Halloween Open House on August 19th. Shop over 7,000 square feet Monday through Friday!
**Read a local mom’s tips and tricks to navigating Farmers Markets ::Tips for Taking Kids to the Farmers Market at Moncus Park
Outdoor Activities In and Around Lafayette, LA
(Festivals & Cook Offs ) ::
Blackpot Festival & Cookoff ::October 27-28. With 30 plus entertainers on the calendar, “Blackpot Festival & Cookoff is excited to be in our 17th year!”
Boudin Cook-Off & Bacon Festival :: October 21st. Fun jumps, games and face painting for the kiddos. Eating contest and live music!
Carencro Crow Fest :: October 28th. Trick or treating, costume contest, haunted house, live music, local food, petting zoo & more!
Delcambre Shrimp Festival :: August 16-20th. Carnival, street fair, live music featuring Neal McCoy.
Festivals Acadiens et Créoles :: October 13-15. “Organizers strive to present the current state of the culture through performances that can range from thoughtful preservation to daring innovation, from the oldest ballads to the latest in experimental Cajun music and zydeco, from traditional gumbos to crawfish eggrolls, from historical wooden boats to innovative multi-media folk art.”
Gueydan Duck Festival :: August 16-20th. Cook offs, carnival, pageants, parade & duck calling contest. Voted Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals 2022 FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR!
International Rice Festival (Crowley) :: October 19-22nd. Come see a Classic Car Show, the Crowley High 5k Run Walk and the Fiddle and Accordion Contest. Don’t miss the Rice Festival Queen’s Contest, a Rice Eating Contest and Frog Derby are always must-see events. Multiple parades throughout the weekend.
LARC Chili Cook-Off :: October 28th. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, people’s choice & judge’s choice awards. Also, live music, vendors and kids’ activities.
Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival (New Iberia) :: September 21-24. Multiple parades, live music, carnival street fair, car show and much more!
Magnolia Ridge Adventure Park (Ethel): During your adventure, you’ll experience the largest zipline park in Louisiana with over 32 acres of fun, adventurous activities!
Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival (Opelousas) :: “The festival takes place on September 2 at the Yambilee Festival Grounds with multiple activities leading up to that date. This year the festival pays tribute to Pioneers, the ones who help the original organization of The Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival.”
Rayne Frog Festival :: August 15th-20th.Street fair, carnival, shrimp cook off, live music featuring Neal McCoy.
Spooktacular Drive-Thru Lights Display :: October 12- 31st. Bridge Point Farms 1st annual Halloween lights drive through display. Car, vans, buses and trolleys welcome!
World Championship Gumbo Cook-off (New Iberia) :: September 14. “The World Championship Gumbo CookOff is a free two-day event that takes place every second weekend in October, in New Iberia, Louisiana.
Pumpkin Patches In and Around Lafayette, LA ::
Anderson Farms (Leesville) 2 hour drive:: “We have hayrides, corn maze, Jack’s Treehouse, Bounce house with slide, Painting Painting and Food trucks. Create memories and carry on traditions… there are lots of great picture taking opportunities.”
Barnhill Preserve Pumpkin Patch (Ethel) :: Every Weekend Sept 30 – Nov 5th. Petting zoo, Fall games,free small pumpkin from the patch, corn maze, face painting & animal shows.
LCP Pumpkin Patch (Loreauville) :: festival games, photo booths, pumpkins & fall flowers
Patch at the Pond :: Sugar Mill Pond fills with pumpkins all day for your family fun!
Poche’s Patch & Maze :: Weekends during October & November. “”Come celebrate the Halloween season with us! At our pumpkin patch you’ll enjoy a giant hay maze, a book walk, tons of selfie photo stations, obstacle courses for the kids, a zoo jump zone, culvert slides, pumpkins and more!” New this year :: a bar has been added on Friday, Saturday & Sunday along with TV’s to watch the weekend football games!
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church :: running almost the entire month of October this is fun for the entire family.
2KB Farm & Petting Zoo (Opelousas) :: Starting September 22nd. Pumpkin patch, petting zoo, mazes and vendors! Trunk or Treat on October 29th.
Fitness, 5K’s & More In and Around Lafayette, LA ::
Buddy Walk :: Down Syndrome Association of Acadiana puts on a great family-friendly event for everyone to support and celebrate those individuals with Down Syndrome.
Cajun Cup :: “Cajun Cup 10K and 1 mile is a fundraiser used to support the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Cross Country and Track teams.” Stay for the post race party!
CajunMan Triathlon & Duathlon :: (September 10th) “Get ready to take on the ultimate challenge – the CajunMan Triathlon! This race is not just a tradition, it’s a rite of passage for all thrill-seekers and endurance enthusiasts out there!”
Camilla Crossing Acadiana Gleaux 5K (River Ranch) :: “On Thanksgiving Eve (Nov 22, 2023), light up the night sky with us by wearing things that GLEAUX as we run or walk down Camellia Blvd for the 20th annual Camellia Crossing: Acadiana’s Gleaux Run.”
Dance Away 5K (Breaux Bridge) :: September 9. “Join us for our 7th Annual 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run – B L A C K O U T!”
Downtown 8K (formerly “Big Pete’s 8K) :: September 23rd. This is the “first race of the Cajun Road Runners Triple Crown Series, which is made up of Downtown 8k, Cajun Cup 10K, and Vermilion River Run – 10 Miler. If you want to participate in ALL THREE, register for the Triple Crown Series.”
Kidstrong Milestone Accelerator :: (Moncus Park) The first Wednesday of the months throughout September, October & November.
Group Run with Tour de Lafayette :: (Moncus Park) September 9, September 23, October 14, October 28, November 11, November 25. All ages and paces welcome!
Rally Fore the Kids Golf and Pickleball Tournament :: September 11th. “The Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana is hosting their 7th Annual Golf Tournament and their 1st Annual Pickleball Tournament. Join us in a full day of supporting the youth in our community!”
Tour des Atakapas:: October 15th at Festivals Acadiens et Créoles. Featuring a Duathlon – 1.5mi Run, 2mi Paddle, 1.5mi Run
Yoga in the Park (Moncus Park) :: The last Wednesday throughout the months of September, October & November.
Fall Fun for Adults In and Around Lafayette, LA ::
Dogtoberfest :: September 30th. 1st annual Dogtoberfest held at Adopted Dog Brewing Co. Live music, new beer release, collectable glassware, brats, games & prizes.
Gulf Brew 2023 :: October 21st. “This Fall, Gulf Brew transforms Downtown Lafayette into a beer-centric street festival with more than 200 different types of beer, crafts vendors hand selected by Louisiana Crafts Guild, and amazing entertainment across two stages …”
Wildcat Brothers at Gator Cove :: distillery tour and tasting on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays. Visit their website to book your tour and tasting event!
Yacht Rock Beer Fest (Youngsville) :: September 9th. Live music, cocktail bar & food trucks at the pond!
Halloween Fun in Lafayette, LA ::
Read a Lafayette Mom’s list of family friendly Halloween fun here in Lafayette :: “A Boo-tiful Time Awaits :: Lafayette’s Family-Friendly Halloween Festivities”
Haunted Woods Zombie Hunt (Magnolia Ridge Adventure Park in Ethel) :: weekends in October. “You and your team will take a wagon ride through the woods in search of the zombies that have risen at Magnolia Ridge. Using gel blaster guns, you will hunt down the zombies and hopefully… make it out alive!”
Worth the Drive from Lafayette, LA ::
Anderson Farms :: Leesville is a short two hour drive away and full of fancy pumpkins ripe for picking. Check their Facebook page as October draws near for times, dates, and pricing.
Avery Island (New Iberia) :: Enjoy the stunning South Louisiana landscape and wildlife as the weather cools. Visit the Tabasco Factory on the same island to learn more about how Louisiana hot sauce is made. Read one local mom’s tips and tricks to visiting Avery Island with kids :: “TABASCO® :: The Avery Island Family Experience”
CM Farms (Dry Creek) :: Annual Fall Festival select dates September 30th- November 26th. “Not-So-Spooky-Carnival” October 28th. “Enjoy some SPOOKTACULAR fun here at the farm! Enjoy heaps of festive fun at our Not-So-Spooky Carnival! Come get lost in our 12-acre maze! BOOS and GHOULS can come out dressed up in their costumes to do a little Trick-or-Treating around the farm (while supplies last)”
Flea Fest (Lake Charles) :: November 11-12th. “Flea Fest is a truly unique market and festival that features acres of anything and everything! A bargain hunter’s dream, the annual show takes place each Fall.”
Rip Van Winkle Gardens (New Iberia) :: “Get lost in the beauty of Jefferson Island when you book a tour at our special event venue. Rip Van Winkle Gardens is a charming place filled with surprises and adventure around every corner.”
Three Rivers Art Festival (Covington) :: November 11-12th. Enjoy the carefully curated works of over 200 artisans in Downtown Covington. Prepare to stay the whole day as this festival covers multiple blocks of downtowns and offers a variety of art as well as food trucks and great food!
Craving pumpkin spice or a cup of coffee that’s really nice? Visit our Coffee Guide ::
“Coffee Shops :: What’s Brewing In and Around Lafayette, Louisiana”
From our Sister Sites ::
Red Stick Mom :: Fall into Family Fun In and Around Baton Rouge (coming soon!)
New Orleans Mom :: Fall into Family Fun In and Around New Orleans
- Read a NOLA mom’s tips and tricks to camping :: Camping Near New Orleans :: A Guide to Family-Friendly Campgrounds
The date for the sugar cane festival says October. The correct date is in September.
We will get that fixed. Thank you for letting us know!