6 Apr 2022

St. Landry BBQ Fest

2025-05-30T12:07:50-05:00

St. Landry Parish Government is excited to announce the return of the highly anticipated Annual BBQ Festival. The three-day event will be held at the Yambilee Grounds in Opelousas, Louisiana.

The BBQ Festival promises to be a fun-filled weekend for the entire family, featuring a wide variety of delicious barbeque, live music, arts and crafts, and more. 

On Friday, Rusty Metoyer, Hotline, Chee Weez perform with DJ Titanik there all day. On Saturday, DJ Troy-D will be in the building all day with DT Zydeco, The Cartoons, Wayne Toups, and Keith Frank performing. Sunday, Foret Tradition, Southern Soul, and Roi “Chip” Anthony perform live.

In addition to the live entertainment, the festival will also feature a BBQ cook-off competition, with teams from across Louisiana and beyond battling for the title of BBQ Champion. Visitors can sample a wide variety of delicious barbeque, like traditional pork and brisket. The BBQ cook-off is on Sunday and features categories like beef, chicken, pork, and everything else!

Admission to the festival is free, with food and beverage vendors on-site.

St. Landry BBQ Fest2025-05-30T12:07:50-05:00
4 Mar 2022

Cajun Mardi Gras Festival

2025-08-06T10:19:28-05:00

This five-day celebration is not your typical idea of Mardi Gras. There are no beads and doubloons here. Instead, in Eunice, Louisiana, men and women on horseback don hand-crafted wire masks, tall hats called capuchons, and colorful costumes. The main event is the Courir de Mardi Gras & Chicken Run. Here, revelers chase a chicken or guineafowl and participate in Medieval begging practices.

The courir takes place on Mardi Gras day and is only one part of the celebration. Starting the Friday before Mardi Gras Day, you can cut loose all weekend long. Dance in the street at music concerts and jam sessions. There are even activities for children and teenagers at the Lil’ Mardi Gras held on Sunday. Also on Sunday is an old-time boucherie (hog butchering).

The Eunice Courir de Mardi Gras dates back to when the town was first established in the late 19th century. The courir was abandoned for a few years during World War II, but in 1946 a small band of riders revived the tradition. Today, the Eunice Courir de Mardi Gras has more than 2,000 participants on the run. It continues to increase each year.

Learn more about the history of rural Louisiana Mardi Gras traditions here.

Eunice Mardi Gras
Courir de Mardi Gras and Chicken Run in Eunice, Louisiana
Eunice Mardi Gras at The Liberty
Mardi Gras in Eunice, Louisiana
Mardi Gras in Eunice, Louisiana
Cajun Mardi Gras Festival2025-08-06T10:19:28-05:00
4 Mar 2022

Congé

2025-02-28T09:47:13-06:00

Congé is a spring celebration held on the breathtaking grounds of the Academy of the Sacred Heart and Berchmans Academy in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. Toss some confetti eggs with the kids as you play carnival games or test yourselves on the rock wall. There will also be games, live music, fantastic food, a silent auction, and a raffle.

The Congé Easter Egg hunt starts at 10am. Your child can take pictures with the Easter Bunny and find as many eggs as they can carry.

Congé2025-02-28T09:47:13-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Christmas in Washington

2025-11-25T10:25:12-06:00

Christmas in Washington is centered on the Town Pavillion located at the corner of St. Landy Veteran’s Memorial Highway and N. Washington St. near the Town Hall in Washington. Shop from vendors from 10am-5pm, but be sure to stick around to see the Christmas tree light up at 7pm. Live music and a DJ will be performing throughout the day. This event is fun for the whole family. Kids can head to the Kids Corner for games, face painting, and balloon artistry.

Take pictures with Santa from 1pm-3pm along with Mrs. Claus, Buddy the Elf, and The Grinch. 

Christmas in Washington, Louisiana
Christmas in Washington, Louisiana
Christmas in Washington, Louisiana
Christmas in Washington, Louisiana
Christmas in Washington, Louisiana
Christmas in Washington, Louisiana
Christmas in Washington2025-11-25T10:25:12-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Christmas at Coteau

2025-11-26T12:15:53-06:00

Every year, the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau offers a little Christmas cheer, holiday shopping, and amazing local cuisine. At the Holiday Market, shoppers can select from unique vendors offering antiques, estate jewelry, Christmas accessories, handmade items, artwork, children’s apparel, and home and garden accessories. In addition to the shopping, there’s a live auction as well as dancing and live music.

The Christmas at Coteau Preview Party, Christmas Under the Oaks, will feature vendors for holiday shopping as well as restaurants showcasing their culinary skills. A transportation option is available from Lafayette to Grand Coteau. The amazing food does not stop with the preview party, however. The gourmet luncheon always features delicious local cuisine.

Preview Party – Thursday
6pm – 10pm | $77.63 individual
Wine, dine, and preview shop with over 90 vendors. Coteau Grove performs at 8pm. Tickets include an open bar, appetizers, and market entrance.

Holiday Market – Friday- Saturday
10am-4pm | Admission is $15.35

Gourmet Luncheon – Friday
11am first seating | 1pm second seating
$828 for a seat of 8

Breakfast with Santa – Saturday
9:30am-11am
Admission includes breakfast, special visits and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and activities with Santa’s elves.
Gumbo Cook-Off – Saturday
11am-3pm
Gumbo from the best chefs in Acadiana.
Christmas at Coteau2025-11-26T12:15:53-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Noel on the Prairie

2022-12-12T15:20:40-06:00

Noel on the Prairie is your opportunity to get your holiday shopping done in the heart of the Cajun music Mecca, Eunice. Over thirty participating local businesses around Eunice are offering discounts and limited-time sales. Shop local boutiques for handmade art, jewelry, religious gifts, and more. It’s a great way to find a special gift for loved ones this holiday season.

Participating vendors include Bellard’s Family Pharmacy & Gifts, Beaucoup, Café Mosaic, Frey Outfitters, Nick’s on Second, and many more. Check out the full list on their Facebook Page.

Noel on the Prairie2022-12-12T15:20:40-06:00

St. Landry Parish Visitor Center
Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm

337.948.8004
978 Kennerson Road (I-49 exit 23)
P.O. Box 1415 • Opelousas, LA 70570

Visitor Guide (En)
Visitor Guide (Fr)

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