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
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 August 30th We are lucky to have top notch college sports to watch right here in Lafayette.
Football :: The Ragin’ Cajuns make their season debut on August 31st. 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!
Soccer :: Women’s season began on Thursday, August 15th but their calendar is full of upcoming meets!
Volleyball :: Women’s season begins August 23rd.
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! ArtWalk showcases the creative side of Downtown Lafayette’s cultural district. Museums, independent galleries, studios, craft stores and art houses of Downtown all participate in the monthly showcase of Acadiana’s artistic talent.
Bach Lunch :: October 11th & 18th. 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 :: November 2nd 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 12th. Vendor booths, games, and photo spots. Bring your candy bucket to trick and treat with the vendors!
Broussard Community Fair :: November 23rd and 24th. Carnival rides, silent auction & food vendors.
Downtown Alive! :: “Lafayette’s Original Street Party – Since 1983”. Fridays at 6:00pm at Parc San Souci. Enjoy local and legendary talents with the entire family!
Latin Music Festival :: TBA. “Offering the family-friendly Latin Music Festival and other efforts promoting multiculturalism and preserving heritage.”
OPERACRÉOLE :: Sept. 28th at 7:30 Opera’s back when the award-winning and crowd-cheering Opera Creole unveils its musical discoveries–some of which have never been heard–for opera newbies and seasoned opera fans.
Rhythms on the River :: FREE live music in the River Ranch Town Square. Set to take place every Thursday from September 19th to October 24th s from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Southern Screen Festival :: (November 21st-24th). “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 12, 2024 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 22, 2024, to have the time of your life! This year’s theme? You guessed it! Totally awesome 80s!”
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.”
Zombie Run at Moncus Park :: October 26th – Join us for the Club4Fitness Zombie Run Pop-Up at Moncus Park, a thrilling addition to our “Fit for All” series, generously supported by Louisiana Orthopaedic Specialists & Orthopedic Urgent Care. Get ready for a spooktacular workout that’s fun for the whole family! This 1-hour conditioning-based session combines a 2-mile run with bodyweight exercises for a full-body challenge. But here’s the twist – participants can bring their kids dressed as zombies for an extra dose of excitement!
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!”
LAFAYETTE FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET (Moncus Park) :: Saturdays 8-12
Parc De Oaks :: offers you the best selection of gourmet street food. Regardless of your taste, you are bound to find something that caters to your taste buds.
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 26th-28th. “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 September 7th. 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 25 & 26. With 30 plus entertainers on the calendar, “Blackpot Festival & Cookoff is excited to be in our 17th year!”
St. Ignatius School Cardinal Fun Fest :: Family fun day including 5K color run, jambalaya cook-off, silent auction, class raffle baskets, games, talent show, concessions & music.
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 26th – 27th. Trick or treating, costume contest, haunted house, live music, local food, petting zoo & more!
Delcambre Shrimp Festival :: August 13-18th. Carnival, street fair, live music featuring Neal McCoy.
Festivals Acadiens et Créoles :: October 11-13. “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 22-25th. 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 17-20th. 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 :: September 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 26-29. 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 August 31, 2024 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.”
Spooktacular Drive-Thru Lights Display :: October 13- 31st. Bridge Point Farms 1st annual Halloween lights drive through display. Car, vans, buses and trolleys welcome!
World Championship Gumbo Cook-off (New Iberia) :: October 12-13. “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.”
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 2nd – 30th. “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!” A bar has been added on Friday, Saturday & Sunday along with TV’s to watch the weekend football games!
2KB Farm & Petting Zoo (Opelousas) :: Pumpkin patch, petting zoo, mazes and vendors! Trunk or Treat TBA.
Fitness, 5K’s & More In and Around Lafayette, LA ::
Buddy Walk :: October 26th – 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 :: November 7th – “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 8th) “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 27, 2024), 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 14. “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 28th. 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.
Rally Fore the Kids Golf and Pickleball Tournament :: September 7th. “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 13th 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 ::
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 13th
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”
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, weekends – September 28th-December 1st. “Not-So-Spooky-Carnival” October 26th & 27th. “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 9th – 10th. “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 9-10th. 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
- 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!
Boo Bayou at Vermillionville on Oct. 19th!