2015 Guide to Louisiana Fairs & Festivals: November
NOVEMBER
1 — Greater Baton Rouge State Fair (10672 Airline Highway, Baton Rouge, 225-755-3247; www.gbrsf.com) See Oct. 22 listing for description.
1 — Voodoo Music + Arts Experience (New Orleans City Park, 877-569-7767; www.worshipthemusic.com) See Oct. 30 listing for description.
6-8 — Holy Ghost Creole Bazaar and Festival (Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 747 N. Union St., Opelousas, 337-942-2732; www.hgcatholic.org) — Zydeco music and Creole cuisine are highlighted at the festival, which includes a gospel choir concert, parade, raffles, games and more. Hours 8 p.m.-midnight Fri., 10 a.m.-till Sat.-Sun. Admission free.
7-8 — The Giant Omelette Celebration (Magdaline Square, Downtown Abbeville, 337-344-9232; www.giantomelette.org) The two-day festival features Cajun music, food, arts and crafts, kids' activities, an antique car and farm implements show, and the cooking of a 5,000-egg omelette. Hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun. Admission free
12-15 — Port Barre Cracklin Festival (Veterans Park, 504 Sazian Ave., Port Barre, 337-585-6673; www.portbarrecracklinfestival.com) — The alcohol-free event showcases the making of cracklins, but there's also live music, carnival rides, food, a beauty pageant and more. Hours 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Thu., 5 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Fri., noon-11:30 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-till Sun. Admission $5, free ages 10 and younger.
13-15 — Westwego Cypress Swamp Fest (Westwego Farmers and Fisheries Market, 419 Avenue A, Westwego, 504-341-9083; www.cityofwestwego.com) The three-day festival includes live music, food and beverage vendors, carnival games and crafts. Hours 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Fri., noon to 10 p.m. Sat, noon to 9 p.m. Sun. Admission $3, free for children 10 and under.
14-15 — Covington Three Rivers Art Festival (Downtown Covington, 985-327-9797; www.threeriversartfestival.com) More than 200 artists from about 20 states will exhibit and sell their art, crafts, jewelry and more. There also will be arts and crafts demonstrations, music, food and children's activites. Hours TBA. Admission free.
14-15 — Treme Creole Gumbo Festival (Armstrong Park, 701 N. Rampart St., 504-558-6100; www.tremegumbofest.com) The festival celebrates the cultural and culinary contributions of the historic Treme neighborhood. There will be food by local restaurants and brass bands performing. Hours 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission free.
21 — COPS 2 Blues Fest (Palmer Park, 504-962-7260; www.2nddistrictbluesfest.com) The one-day festival includes live music, animal rescue adoptions, food, beer and a full bar. Hours 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Admission free.
21-Jan. 6 — Christmas Festival of Lights (Downtown Natchitoches; www.natchitocheschristmas.com) There's a Christmas parade Dec. 5, family-friendly activities, arts, crafts, food vendors, live entertainment, Christmas light displays, and a fireworks show every Saturday night. Hours vary. Admission free.
29-Dec. 23 — Noel Acadien au Village (200 Greenleaf Drive, Lafayette, 337-981-2364; www.acadianvillage.org) The event features a half-million Christmas lights with a fully lighted chapel within the Acadian village. Live entertainment is on schedule, as well as pictures with Santa, carnival rides, an arts market, food and more. 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. daily. Admission free.DECEMBER All month-Jan. 6 — Christmas Festival of Lights (Downtown Natchitoches; www.natchitocheschristmas.com) See Nov. 21 listing for details. 4-6 — Plaquemines Parish Fair and Orange Festival (Historical Fort Jackson, Buras, 504-405-8535; www,orangefestival.com) The family-friendly festival features citrus tasting, cooking contests, adult and kids' games, eating contests, music by Boot Hill, Bruce Daigrepont, Groovy 7 and others, carnival rides, childrens' activities and more. Hours 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Admission free. 5 — Le Feu et L'Eau (Fire and Water) Festival — (NUNU Arts and Culture Collective, 1510 Bayou Courtableu Highway, Arnaudville, 337-453-3307; www.fireandwaterfestival.org) — The daylong festival showcases French culture and the creative talent of Acadiana, including visual artists, performers and cultural workers. There are poetry readings, cooking demonstrations, documentaries, local cuisine and live music performances. Hours 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Admission free. 5-7 — Christmas Extravaganza Arts & Crafts Expo (Covington Fair Grounds, 600 Highway 190 North, Covington, 985-796-5853; www.steinhauerproductions.com) Vendors from 20 states display and sell their wares from 500 booths at the three-day arts, crafts and gifts expo. There also are more than a dozen food booths. Hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission $5, free for kids 12 and under. 31 — Zoo Year's Eve (Audubon Zoo, 6500 Magazine St., 504-581-4629; www.auduboninstitute.org) The celebration features live music, games, non-alcoholic drinks for toasting and party hats and noise makers for a countdown to noon. Hours 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Event free with zoo admission: $18.95 ages 13-64, $14.95 ages 65 and older, $13.95 ages 2-12, free for members.