January

17 – Bicentennial Anniversary Declaration (Lafayette City Hall): 9:00a. Lafayette City-Parish Hall, 705 W University Ave., Lafayette, LA. Please join the governmental, cultural, and economic leaders of Lafayette Parish in a flag-raising ceremony to inaugurate the Lafayette Parish Bicentennial Year

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26-29 - DC Mardi Gras: Bicentennial will be presenting and hosting the Lafayette Suite

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25-31 – Cinema on the Bayou Screening Lafayette-related films on opening (The Ragin' 13) and closing (Roots of Fire) nights, the emphasis on these Lafayette films is in honor of the bicentennial.  Bicentennial will also be presenting the Louisiana Night at the film Festival on Tuesday, January 31st starting at 5pm to celebrate our filmmaking culture.

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February

1 – Cinema on the Bayou Bicentennial presents Closing Night showing of “Roots of Fire” about the local music scene and the roots of the music in the area

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12 -  Courir De Mardi Gras: Vermilionville, 300 Fisher Rd., Lafayette, LA 70508. Experience a traditional Mardi Gras run for the whole family with the Basile Mardi Gras Association. The event includes a film screening, live music, dancing, and more.

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13 - Black History Month Celebration: Blue Monday Gospel, Blues and BBQ at Jefferson St. Pub, 500 Jefferson St., Lafayette, LA 70501. Since 2017 Love of People has hosted a monthly jam session that features their Blue Monday Allstar House Band and special guest musicians and vocalists. Anyone who mentions “Lafayette1823.org” gets ½ off the $20 ticket at the door. Doors open at 5pm and Live Music begins at 6pm

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17 – Lafayette Bicentennial Friday Night Parade (Downtown Lafayette to Cajun Field):  Parade starting at 6:30p with floats representing the 5 cities of Lafayette Parish

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March

3 - Downtown Alive! Bicentennial Celebration (Downtown Lafayette) with Wayne Toups + Joe Hall & The Cane Cutters at Parc International

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4, 11 & 25 – Azalea Trail - Trolley Tour of Lafayette Parish’s Historic Garden Districts (Various Locations): Take a trolley tour of Lafayette's Historic Azalea Trail thru garden districts during the Spring Bloom season. The Trolley Stop is at the Hilliard Art Museum Gift Shop in The Oil Center / University District. The historic A. Hays Town Building is the perfect setting for photo opportunities. Cost: $10 per person, cash only.

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14 & 18 - SXSW - South By Southwest (Austin, TX): Bicentennial will be presenting on the 14th “Lafayette Live” showcase and on the 18th "The Official Lafayette SXSW Showcase" to promote and celebrate our music and culture with the thousands that come from all over the world for this event.

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17-18 – Celtic Bayou Festival Bicentennial Celebration of Irish Culture (Hideaway on Lee): The Parish Bicentennial will present Irish musicians playing a set of Cajun and Creole traditional music, and local musicians will play Irish traditional music at this Festival that celebrates the Celtic roots in Louisiana

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18 - Family Francophone Day at Vermilionville

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18 - Spring RAMBLE Event - RAMBLE along Lafayette's Historic Azalea Trail and enjoy several historic treasures! We will be celebrating the Lafayette Parish Bicentennial and visiting The Historic Roy House, Menachim Aveilim Cemetery, Lafayette's Azalea Trail, The A. Hays Town Building at the Hilliard Art Museum, The Historic Map Company, Temple Shalom & an Organ Concert in the Historic First United Methodist Church. Event begins at 9 AM at The Roy House. Bring your lawn chair and a brown bag lunch for a picnic on Grand Mall in Les Jardins de Mouton! More information to follow soon.

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25 - Holi Festival - Girard Park, Lafayette. Lafayette Holi Festival, started in 2011, brings Holi to Acadiana, the heart of the Cajun country. Holi is a colorful Indian festival that celebrates the coming of Spring (Girard Park, Lafayette).

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April

1- Student Arts Expo - Acadiana Center of the Arts, 101 W. Vermilion St., Lafayette, LA 70501. Reception with area Mayors from Lafayette parish and members of the Lafayette school board celebrating the 2,000 students participating in the Student Arts Expo. The Expo runs from 10am to 5pm, beginning with a kickoff parade led by student musicians and dancers.

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6 - Rhythms on the River. Town Square at River Ranch. Gregg Martinez & The Delta Kings plus Special Guests

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14-16 – Scott Boudin Festival

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26-30 – Festival International de Louisiane Bicentennial Celebration (Downtown Lafayette): Lauren Daigle Thursday

April 27th. A talk about the ‘The Roots of Zydeco’ hosted by Herman Fuselier and on accordion Jeffery Broussard. At the Acadiana Center for the Arts on Saturday, April 29, A Celebration of Zydeco with Rockin’ Dopsie and Special Guests, MC’ed by Herman Fuselier.

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29 – Ride for Rox. Annual bike ride in celebration of the life of Roxanne Richard put on by LaTrail.org

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May

9 - Ensemble On est Lafayette: Stories of the Communities of Lafayette Parish. A talk with elders from 8 different communities that have influenced our culture and history. Personal stories, Community stories, and the interconnections that make this area so special. (Acadiana Center for the Arts)

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11 - Rhythms on the River. Town Square at River Ranch. Chris Ardoin & NuStep Zydeco.

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17- The Mercredi Show (Carencro) - Join us as the Bicentennial presents High Performance Band at this free, outdoor concert series at Pelican Park in Carencro. 6pm-8:30pm

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June

8-19 - Juneteenth Celebrations. Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Check out the website for details on all the events coming up.

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9 - The Juneteenth Story Performance. Written by local artist Twana Benoit, The Juneteenth Story outlines the historical significance of this, now nationally recognized, holiday. This poignant and timeless piece is filled with laughs, dancing, and music as well as many touching and illuminating moments. 

 For tickets and more details click HERE 

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10 - In celebration of the Lafayette Parish Bicentennial, Acadiana Center for the Arts presents a group exhibition of Louisiana artists juried by French-Algerian artist & curator, Camille Farrah Lenain. Creating art based on the Marquis de Lafayette's motto "Cur Non?" or "Why not?" the artists are invited to challenge themselves in their craft, to take chances within what they imagine for themselves, and to dwell on the intersection of the many cultures and histories that make up contemporary Lafayette. For more info click HERE

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11 – Creole Culture Day Bicentennial Celebration of Creole Culture (Vermilionville)

 

20 - Taste of EatLafayette Bicentennial Celebration: The Lafayette Parish Bicentennial and Lafayette Travel are celebrating the culinary history of Lafayette Parish, honoring some of the oldest restaurants in the area. For more info click HERE

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30 - Scott 2nd Annual Independence Day Celebration: From 6pm-8:45pm 110 Benoit Patin Rd., Scott. FREE admission, food, beverages and music. For more info call 337-233-1130

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July

3 -  Youngsville Independence Day Celebration: Celebrate Independence Day with us on Saturday, July 3rd at the Youngsville Sports Complex. The free and family friendly event begins at 5pm and ends at 9pm. (Youngsville). There will be live music by Ray Boudreaux, The Good Dudes, School of Rock and tunes by DJ RV, kids activities, pop up vendors, food and beverages for sale and the night will conclude with a massive fireworks display!

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4- Broussard Independence Day Festival 2023: Join the City of Broussard as they celebrate with the 18th Annual Fireworks Show happening over St. Julien Park on Tuesday, July 4th.

Gates open at 5:00 pm, and there will be activities for the kids, a DJ, and live music by Louisiana Red for everyone to enjoy! The Fireworks Show will begin at 9 pm!

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August

13 – Acadian Culture Day Bicentennial Celebration of Acadian Culture (Vermilionville)

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20 - UL Fan Day - Part of Fan Week, Come meet the coaches, get autographs and get involved!

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September

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10 - CajunMan Triathlon and Duathlon - This race is a tradition, a right of passage, for all endurance fiends! 1/2 mile of swimming in Airport Lake, 20 miles of pedaling on the roads of Lafayette Parish, and finishing with a 5K running through the grounds of the Lafayette Regional Airport. Whether a beginner doing their first open water triathlon or an experienced triathlete looking for one of the best races on the Gulf Coast, this is it!!

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27-29 – Local Palooza Bicentennial Celebration: 3 day Celebration of local music and culture

Wednesday, September 27 | Local Palooza Mercredi Show (Carencro)

Swamp Pop music Revue to celebrate a music genre that has had national influence featuring: 

Ryan Foret & Foret Tradition With special guests Johnnie Allan and Don Rich

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Thursday, September 28 | Local Palooza Rhythms on the River (River Ranch)

Rock Revue featuring Zach Edwards & The Medicine w/ Julian Primeaux, followed by Brother Dege and then and then CC Adcock & The Lafayette Marquis with special guests: Michael Juan Nunez, Ray Boudreaux and members of the Good Dudes!

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Friday, September 29 | Local Palooza Downtown Alive! (Downtown Lafayette)

Celebration of local Cajun and Zydeco music featuring Roddie Romero & The Hub City All-Stars with special guests: Sonny Landreth, Michael Doucet, Geno Delafose, Steve Riley, Dickie Landry, Bonsoir Catin, Feufollet, Corey Ledet, Jourdan Thibodeaux, Michael Juan Nunez, Sam Broussard & Barry Ancelet and more!

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30 - Bayou Vermilionville Festival and Boat Parade: Vermilionville, 300 Fisher Rd., Lafayette, LA 70508

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October

1 - SugarMan Triathlon and Duathlon (Youngsville)  USAT Certified event. This is an outstanding race for spectators, with a centralized transition area offering a great view of the final 1/2-mile of the run around the lake to the dockside finish. Bring your friends and family and have them cheer you through the final stretch

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13-15 – Festivals Acadiens et Creoles Bicentennial Celebration (Girard Park)

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November

11- Veterans Day Celebrations (Downtown Lafayette): Join us as we honor our veterans with a Veteran's parade downtown that ends at Parc International. Afterwards at Cite des Arts, there will be a discussion with interviewer & historian, Jason Theriot, about his interviews with the French speaking WWII veterans from Acadiana. That will be followed by a showing of "Mon Cher Camarade", a film that tells the story of these soldiers whose knowledge of French helped the US army in Europe.

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18 – Native American Day Bicentennial Celebration Lafayette Parish’s Native American Culture (Vermilionville)

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December

2-23 – Christmas Through the Centuries (Acadian Village)

Christmas Tree Bicentennial Decoration Competition (Downtown Lafayette)

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12-13 - Old Time Winter Traditions at Vermilionville

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16 - Old Time Winter Family Day at Vermilionville