Lafayette, Louisiana Kicking Off Holiday Season With Tree Lighting, Parade and More

The Christmas holidays are here and if you visit downtown Lafayette this weekend you will get a full dose of it.

The 4th annual Merry & Bright Holiday Series, produced by Downtown Lafayette Unlimited, will feature a multitude of family-friendly holiday events in the heart of the city.

Here is a list of those main events:

Lighting of the Tree Concert

This event is happening on Friday, December 1st at Parc International in Downtown Lafayette and runs from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

This free event will feature the lighting of Downtown Lafayette's 25-foot Christmas tree and an evening of live music featuring Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band.

You are asked to leave ice chests at home and consider purchasing food and beverages from downtown businesses and food trucks.

Sonic Christmas Parade

On Sunday, December 3rd, the annual Sonic Christmas parade will roll through Downtown Lafayette and end in the Oil Center.

The parade begins at 1:00 pm at the Jefferson Street underpass in Downtown. It will travel down Jefferson Street toward Johnston Street and on its way toward the Oil Center.

Christmas Carnival

On Sunday, December 3rd, Christmas Carnival will take place. It's the official holiday after-party to the Sonic Christmas Parade.

It will be held at Parc International in Downtown Lafayette and is free to attend. The following activities will be available at no cost:

• Crafts with presenting sponsor Meritus Credit Union + Children's Museum of Acadiana
• Entertainment by TMM Project
• Educational Reptile Encounter with Schoolhouse Safari
• Touch a Truck by Lafayette Fire Department
• Mounted Police with Lafayette Police Department
• Acadian Ambulance Experience

Activity passes will be available for purchase at the gate for $15 and include the following activities:

• Petting Zoo
• Pony Rides
• Fun Jumps & Slides
• Mobile Arcade & Gaming
• Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus

Additional activities that will require tickets (1 ticket = $1.00) include:

• Balloon art: 5-10 tickets
• Face painting: 5-10 tickets
• Cookie decorating: 5 tickets

They'll also have food vendors on site including Reggies Soulfood, Nina Creole, Cajun Cane, and Cotton Candies Lafayette.

Movies in the Parc

Saturday, December 9th is the final Movies in the Parc of the year at Parc International in Downtown Lafayette.

The event will take place at Parc International in Downtown Lafayette and will feature a special holiday screening of Dr. Suess' The Grinch amidst a winter wonderland.

There will be an array of pre-movie activities and food vendors. Enjoy fun jumps, food trucks, face painting, crafts, and more.

Activities will begin at 4:30 pm and the movie will begin at sundown. The movie is free to attend.

Holiday Art Market

Happening on Saturday, December 9th, the Holiday Art Market is presented in partnership with Cocodrie by Collette.

It'll take place from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the 400 block of Jefferson Street in Downtown Lafayette.