December Goings On

Regional events in December are listed below.

TOUR BAYOU LAFOURCHE –

Through Dec. 15

Cast off from Thibodaux and take a journey to one of two historic plantation homes adjacent to Bayou Lafourche. On the way, learn about the waterway’s storied history and evolving biology. On Fridays and Saturdays, the 20-passenger aluminum boat travels upstream to Madewood Plantation in Napoleonville; on Wednesdays, the boat docks at E.D. White Plantation Home. Madewood tickets cost $28.25, which includes lunch. E.D. White tours cost $5. Reservations are required.

Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, 314 St. Mary St., Thibodaux. (985) 448-1375.

IDLEWILD PLANTATION CHRISTMAS LIGHT DRIVING TOUR –

Through Dec. 31

Roll down the windows and take a drive through the vibrant Idlewild Plantation. ($2)

6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Kemper Williams Park, 264 Cotton Road, Patterson. (985) 395-2298.

WEEKEND WARRIORS RV RALLY –

Nov. 30 – Dec. 2

Kemper Williams Park, 264 Cotton Road, Patterson. (985) 395-2298.

LOUISIANA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA –

Nov. 30

The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra performs Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 with guest conductor Markus Huber and guest pianist Stephen Hough. ($20)

Mary M. Danos Theater at Talbot Hall, Nicholls State University. (504) 523-6530 or www.LPOmusic.com.

HEARTS AND SOLES HALF-MARATHON AND 5K –

Dec. 1

The Bayou Runners Association sponsors the Houma half-marathon, two-person relay and 5K races.

7 a.m. Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd. (985) 850-4657 or www.bayourunners.com.

PASS HOLDERS GUEST GOLF TOURNAMENT –

Dec. 1

8:30 a.m., Atchafalaya Golf Course at Idlewild. (985) 395-4653.

LES AMIS’ WINTER CONCERT –

Dec. 2 FREE

Les Amis de la Chansons, a nondenominational community choir, performs one of its two annual concerts.

7 p.m. St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, 300 Verret St., Houma. (985) 868-6646.

MORGAN CITY HIGH SCHOOL BETA CLUB CHRISTMAS BAZAAR –

Dec. 1 FREE

The fundraiser offers early Christmas shopping opportunities. Vendors can reserve a spot for $25.

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Morgan City Junior High School, 911 Maguerite St., Morgan City. (985) 518-2765.

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS AT GREVEMBERG HOUSE –

Dec. 1-31

Franklin’s Grevemberg House is decorated in the Victorian style, including a traditional Christmas tree and displays of traditional foods and fruits. The house is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. ($10, $8 seniors)

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily. Grevemberg House, 407 Sterling Road, Franklin. (337) 828-2092.

CHRISTMAS AT OAKLAWN MANOR –

Dec. 1 through Jan. 5

The manor is decorated in the Christmas spirit. It is closed on Mondays. ($15, $10 students)

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oaklawn Manor, 3296 Oaklawn Drive, Franklin. (337) 828-0434.

CHRISTMASFEST –

Dec. 1-2 FREE

The annual celebration features a Christmas parade, caroling, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, refreshments, and the lighting of the Dansereau House amid snowfall. The event kicks off at 8 a.m. Saturday with the annual holiday farmer’s market at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center. The parade begins at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Dansereau House, 318 E. Bayou Road, and Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, 314 St. Mary St., Thibodaux. (985) 446-1187

SANTA’S BLOCK PARTY –

Dec. 1

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Downtown Morgan City. (985) 380-4643.

LOCKPORT CHRISTMAS PARADE –

Dec. 1 FREE

The parade travels the streets of downtown Lockport.

5 p.m. (985) 413-9772.

REINDEER RUN –

Dec. 2

The Bayou Runners Association sponsors the 5K race in Houma.

2 p.m. Southdown Plantation, 1208 Museum Drive, Houma. www.bayourunners.com.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT –

Dec. 2

Conductor Chris Antill and piano accompanist Sarah Todd headline the South Louisiana Community Orchestra event, which also includes a performance by the Youth Orchestra as conducted by John Todd. ($6)

First Baptist Church, 7382 Main St., Houma. (985) 851-2520.

CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS CONCERT –

Dec. 4 FREE

The Nicholls Concert Choir presents the annual concert with the theme “Carols of the Night.” Christmas songs and carols are linked together by poetry and scripture to tell the traditional Christmas story. The repertoire includes well-known songs, such as “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World” and “Wexford Carol,” in addition to several compositions by international composers.

7:30 p.m. Mary M. Danos Theater, Talbot Hall, Nicholls State. (985) 448-4143

ONCE UPON A CAJUN CHRISTMAS PARADE –

Dec. 7 FREE

“Papa Noel” arrives in a 20-float Christmas parade that travels from Terrebonne High School down Main Street to the Courthouse Square, where caroling crowds wait for he and Mrs. Claus. The Christmas tree is also lit.

7 p.m. (985) 8 73-6408.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA –

Dec. 8

The Kiwanis Club of Houma sponsors the 17th-annual pancake breakfast, which also includes sausage, coffee, juice and milk. Photos with Santa and face painting are available for a fee. ($5 in advance; $6 at the door)

7-11:30 a.m. Vandebilt Catholic High School cafeteria, 209 S. Hollywood Road, Houma. (985) 879-3465.

CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT –

Dec. 8 FREE

Residents of Bernice Street decorate each house for Christmas. Travel along the street to see the laminated dwellings.

5:30-9 p.m. Bernice Street, Morgan City. (985) 384-8003.

VICTORIAN TEDDY BEAR TEA –

Dec. 8-9

Enjoy lunch, a variety of traditional teas, see Santa and Mrs. Clause, watch it snow and take home a giggling teddy bear at the second annual Christmastime event. ($35, $25, children and under)

Noon and 3 p.m. both days. Dansereau House, 318 E. Bayou Road. (985) 227-9937.

BAYOU CHRISTMAS –

Dec. 8

Sleigh rides through the park, lunch and pictures with Santa and a beauty pageant highlight the annual event.

Larose Civic Center, 307 E. Fifth St., Larose. (985) 693-7355.

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL EXHIBIT OPEN HOUSE –

Dec. 11 FREE

The Wedell-Williams Aviation and Cypress Sawmill hosts the 17th annual event, which features a variety of decorated trees and performances by local school bands.

Louisiana State Museum at Kemper Williams Park, Cotton Road, Patterson. (985) 399-1268.

MULBERRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL’S CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA –

Dec. 13

Each grade level performs its own Christmas-related skit, replete with school-produced music and costumes. ($2)

6:30 p.m. Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, 346 Civic Center Blvd. (985) 850-4657.

LAZY GATORS RV RALLY –

Dec. 13-16

Campers arrive in Patterson for a three-day campout.

Kemper Williams Park, 264 Cotton Road, Patterson. (985) 395-2298.

FESTIVAL OF THE BONFIRES –

Dec. 14-16

The levee in Lutcher is ablaze with bonfires during the three-day, 23rd-annual festival. Festivities include live music, pictures with Santa, several contests, a 5K race and cook-offs. ($4)

Lutcher Park, 2545 Louisiana Ave., Lutcher. (800) 367-7852.

THE ROSS MULLOOLY PROJECT –

Dec. 15

The event features a blood drive, silent auction and raffle drawing, in addition to a 5K race. It honors Ross Mullooly, a Nicholls State University student fighting his second bout with colorectal cancer. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society’s Patrick F. Taylor “Hope Lodge” and the Children’s Miracle Network, among others. ($20 adults, $15 children).

10 a.m. Courthouse Square, downtown Houma. (985) 852-2623.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARADE –

Dec. 15 FREE

The parade begins at Bobtown Fire Department and proceeds down Grand Caillou Road to Buquet Bridge, then along Shrimper’s Row until it reaches Bobtown Bridge, where it disbands.

Noon. (985) 563-4112.

ALA BAYOU TERREBONNE CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE –

Dec. 15 FREE

The boats, decorated with Christmas lights, embark at dusk from the Bourg Volunteer Fire Station and travel to Montegut, 3 miles past Sacred Heart Church. Gather on the bayouside and light a fire.

Approximately 5:30 p.m. (985) 594-2125.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT –

Dec. 15 FREE

The Houma-Terrebonne Community Band performs.

6:30 p.m. JCPenny Court at the Southland Mall Shopping Center, 5953 W. Park Ave., Houma. (985) 872-5328 or www.htcb.org.

PATTERSON CHRISTMAS PARADE –

Dec. 16 FREE

Sponsored by the Patterson Knights of Columbus, the parade begins at Place Norman Shopping Center, travels along La. Highway 182 and concludes at Patterson High School.

2 p.m. Highway 182, Patterson. (985) 395-5205.

RUN 4 THE HEALTH OF IT –

Dec. 29

Advance Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation presents the fundraising 15K race, which begins at the corner of North Acadia and Percy Brown roads. All proceeds go to Lafourche Parish schools and teachers. ($35 until Dec. 18, $40 after)

8 a.m. Thibodaux. (985) 448-5888.

THIBODAUX NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY –

Dec. 31

Snapper and the Fishsticks headline the party. Local artwork is on site. General admission tickets cost $20 in advance and $30 at the door, and VIP tickets – which include access to an open bar – cost $75 in advance and $100 at the door. Revelers can bring their own alcohol.

8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Warren Harang Auditorium, 310 N. Canal Blvd., Thibodaux. (985) 413-1451.

Have an event in December? Send the details – what, when, where and contact information – to editor@gumboguide.com.

Half-marathon participants, half-marathon relay racers and 5K runners and walkers line up before the start of the Houma Heart and Soles Half Marathon and 5K, which returns Dec. 1.

COURTESY