Monthly Archives: December 2025

Throw Me Something, Mister! Your Family's Guide to Mardi Gras Magic on Bayou Lafourche

Laissez les bons temps rouler! If you're searching for a Mardi Gras celebration that offers all the dazzling tradition of Carnival with an extra-large serving of genuine, down-home Southern charm, look no further than Lafourche Parish. Deep in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, the celebration officially begins not with a float, but with a slice of pure joy! The sweet, colorful kickoff to the season is the famous Louisiana King Cake Festival held right in Downtown Thibodaux on January 31. This beloved event holds the special distinction of being the only official king cake festival in the entire state, making it the essential gathering spot to sample all the flavors, enjoy live music and officially mark the start of the joyous season. 

More than just a sweet treat, the festival is a celebration for a good cause: it is hosted by the Lafourche Education Foundation, with proceeds helping parish public school teachers and students get the supplies they need. 

Once the king cake is officially sliced and the thousands (yes—we mean thousands) of sweet crumbs have been cleared, the parade season begins its spectacular roll! Lafourche Parish truly transforms, proudly hosting an incredible 15 different parades each year, traveling up and down the historic curves of Bayou Lafourche. While larger cities may dominate the headlines, our local celebrations focus on a wonderfully personal and truly family-friendly environment. You’ll find all the grand pomp and circumstance—the bold floats and the exciting shower of throws—but the smaller crowd size allows for a more intimate experience. Here, you don't fight massive crowds; you share smiles and shouts with the krewes as they pass by. You can experience the energy of krewes like Shaka and Ambrosia in Thibodaux, or the festive community spirit of the Krewe of Apollo in Lockport, all contributing to an atmosphere where everyone feels like a neighbor.

The sheer diversity of our parades ensures there’s a captivating spectacle for every member of the family, whether you are a seasoned reveler or experiencing your very first carnival. We proudly feature classic, traditional parades like the Krewe of Chronos and the Krewe of Cleophas, complete with magnificent, tiered floats and copious amounts of throws that soar into the air. 

But we also embrace the wonderfully unique spirit of the bayou with one-of-a-kind events held in our smaller towns, such as the fun-filled Krewe Des Couyons golf cart parade, which is often found rolling through Golden Meadow. Our calendar is packed with parades in communities all across the parish, from Thibodaux to Chackbay and Gheens, offering both brilliant, sunny day parades and the illuminated spectacle of our thrilling night parades.

So, if your family is searching for an authentically Cajun Mardi Gras adventure where the throws are plentiful, the crowds are manageable and the experience is focused on community, mark your calendar for a trip to Lafourche Parish. It's an opportunity to create cherished, close-up memories and connect with the heart of Louisiana’s carnival season. Keep an eye on our calendar for the specific routes and times for our fantastic floats this season!

For the FULL Parade Schedule, visit the link here: www.lacajunbayou.com/calendar-of-events/mardi-gras

Christmas on the Bayou: The Legend of Papa Noël

When the holiday season comes to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, it brings a touch of magic and a whole lot of Cajun spirit. While the rest of the world awaits Santa Claus and his trusty reindeer, locals look to the bayou for a different kind of holiday hero … Papa Noël!

Papa Noël is the Cajun version of Santa Claus, beloved throughout South Louisiana. His legend blends French roots and the unmistakable spirit of the bayou, resulting in a Christmas character who’s as warm and welcoming as the bonfires that greet him on Christmas Eve.

The name originated from the French version of Father Christmas, Père Noël. When the French arrived in Louisiana centuries ago, they brought their holiday customs, which slowly blended with the culture of the region to form the version of Christmas that most Cajuns know today. Papa Noël is more than just Santa with a Cajun accent; he’s a symbol of the deep roots of French culture in Louisiana.

According to Cajun lore, Papa Noël travels the bayous in a Cajun canoe (called a pirogue) that’s pulled by eight alligators. Those gators’ names vary from family to family, but the reptiles are just as beloved here as Rudolph and his friends are elsewhere in the United States.

In parts of southern Louisiana, families light towering bonfires on Christmas Eve to help guide Papa Noël and his gators through the wetlands. The glow of the flames show him where local children eagerly await his arrival.

This December, you can celebrate the season Cajun-style, with these two events that bring the legend of Papa Noël to life:

Papa Noël at the Bayou Country Children’s Museum
December 13

Meet Papa Noël himself as he brings holiday cheer to the Bayou Country Children’s Museum! Kids can enjoy seasonal crafts, caroling, a candy buffet and the magical chance to see Cajun Santa up close.

Golden Meadow Christmas Boat Parade
December 20

A beloved local tradition, the Golden Meadow Christmas Boat Parade lights up the bayou with twinkling lights, holiday music and festive decorations. Don’t be surprised if you see Papa Noël waving from one of the boats … after all, water is his preferred method of transportation!

From his French roots to his team of gators and pirogue gliding through moonlit waters, Papa Noel brings a special kind of joy to our part of Louisiana. This year, we invite you to celebrate the wonder of Christmas, Cajun-style.

Joyeux Noël from Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou!