Christmas Like a Cajun: South Louisiana Holiday Traditions

Cajun Holiday Dishes

Most holiday meals in Cajun Country include dishes like seafood gumbo and oyster dressing, because it isn't a holiday dinner in South Louisiana without local seafood. Also typically on the table is fried turkey — or a signature Louisiana turducken! Bread pudding, pralines, pound cake and divinity candy are some of the desserts served.

"Cajun Night Before Christmas" 

Cajuns have a slightly different version of "The Night Before Christmas." The “Cajun Night Before Christmas” follows a similar storyline but includes local lingo and is best read using a thick Cajun accent. In the South Louisiana version, gumbo replaces sugar plums, Santa is dressed head to toe in muskrat pelts, and instead of reindeer and sleighs, alligators pull Santa in a flying skiff — a small boat used in coastal areas.

Christmas Eve Bonfires

Every Christmas season, dozens of log structures are built on the Mississippi River levees above Highways 44 and 18 for an enormous bonfire display. Though traditionally built to resemble narrow pyramids, the local residents who build them often get creative — you might see elaborate log cabins, trains or even swamp creatures. The bonfires are lit on Christmas Eve, and people gather from near and far to view the spectacular display. Learn more about the tradition of the bonfires.

Other Christmas Events in South Louisiana

Lafayette

Lafayette rings with zydeco beats throughout the holiday season, especially at their annual Cajun and Creole Christmas celebrations. Activities include Christmas markets, concerts, holiday window displays and caroling. You’ll definitely want to check out Noel Acadien au Village to view more than 500,000 lights illuminating the night and partake in photos with Santa, holiday shopping and more.

The living history village of Vermilionville hosts Old Time Winter Traditions, a monthlong holiday celebration with decorations and demonstrations of arts and crafts of days past, from candle and soap making to cooking and even writing letters to Papa Noël.

Lake Charles

In the Lake Charles area in southwestern Louisiana, enjoy the Light Up the Lake Christmas Celebration fireworks, and in Sulphur, get into the spirit with snow and holiday shopping at the Christmas Under the Oaks Festival at the Brimstone Museum & Henning Cultural Center.

New Orleans Area

Head to Louisiana’s Northshore for heartwarming traditions like holiday concerts, live Nativities and even horseback trail rides. Be sure to make a trip to New Orleans for Celebration in the Oaks, a City Park family tradition since the 1980s. Take the driving or walking tour, pick up the annual ornament to add to your collection, roast marshmallows and more.

Delcambre, Thibodaux & Golden Meadow

Of course, every Louisiana celebration requires a parade. Check out the Delcambre Christmas Boat Parade along Bayou Carlin, the Thibodaux Christmas Parade and the Golden Meadow Christmas Boat Parade down Bayou Lafourche.