Although it doesn’t feel like autumn just yet, the fall calendar is filled with fairs and festivals every weekend from now to the Christmas season.
Yes, it’s only 96 days until the big holiday, but don’t worry about that now. There are funnel cakes to be eaten, arts and crafts to peruse, live music to hear — you get the picture.
With that, here’s our list for fall fun. Note that events are in Baton Rouge unless otherwise indicated.
Don’t see your fair or festival listed here? Let us know by emailing red@theadvocate.com with the details.
SATURDAY
KREWE OF ERIN CELTIC HERITAGE FESTIVAL: 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Ponchatoula Kiwanis Park & Club, 201 W. Magnolia St., Ponchatoula. Family-friendly event featuring Celtic musicians, dance groups, performing groups, educational workshops, arts and crafts vendors, food and children’s activities. Free. https://www.kreweoferin.com/.
OCT. 4-5
PLANTFEST!: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, LSU Hilltop Arboretum, 11855 Highland Road. Discover more than 3,000 plants and more than 300 species of native and traditional trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, ferns, succulents and grasses. https://lsu.edu/hilltop/.
GERMAN FEST: 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, 7212 Roberts Cove Road, Rayne. Sip German beer and enjoy folklore demonstrations, live entertainment and authentic German food. robertscovegermanfest.com.
OCT. 10-12
FESTIVALS ACADIENS ET CRÉOLES: Girard Park, 500 Girard Park Drive, Lafayette. The Cajun and zydeco festival features performances by local musicians, cultural workshops and culinary experiences, and is a showcase for local artisans. Also includes the Bayou Food Festival. https://festivalsacadiens.com/.
OCT. 11
FALL ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., gardens of Shadows-on-the-Teche, 320 E. Main St., New Iberia. Original art, fall-themed decor, children’s clothing and tasty treats are some of what’s in store for shoppers. $5; children 12 and younger, free. IberiaTravel.com.
OCT. 11-12
HAMMOND NORTHSHORE REGIONAL AIRSHOW: 600 Judge Leon Ford Drive (off U.S. 190), Hammond. In addition to the show up above, there are a kids zone, helicopter rides, food and more. hammondairshow.com.
OCT. 16-19
INTERNATIONAL RICE FESTIVAL: 303 N. Parkerson Ave., Crowley. Festivalgoers can participate in a rice-eating contest, the Crowley High 5K Run Walk and the fiddle and accordion contests. ricefestival.com.
FALL FESTIVAL AT THE FARM: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Lazy L Farms, 30060 Peak Lane, Walker. Games, s’mores, animal feedings, photo area and more. $20; children 5 and younger, free with purchase of adult ticket. https://bit.ly/FallFarmFest25.
ACADIA MUSIC FEST: Percy Brown Road, Thibodaux. This one-day music event welcomes local and national artists to the stage while festivalgoers can enjoy Southern food and arts and crafts. acadiamusicfest.net.
OCT. 18–19 and 25–26
BOO AT THE ZOO: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (last entry at 4 p.m.), BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo, 3000 Zoo Circle (via 13350 La. 19). Festive activities, live entertainment and seasonal treats. Highlights include: Photo opportunities, princess & character meet-and-greets, face painting, entertainment in the plaza, animal enrichments, pumpkin patch and treats, costume extravaganza and The Children’s Village. Regular admission applies. https://brzoo.org/.