From parades to cookies with Santa, check out these 8 holiday activities to do this weekend
If you are looking for some activities to get into the holiday spirit this weekend, you're in luck. Whether it be the Christmas Parades in Houma and Thibodaux, Cookies with Santa, or even a little road trip to Baton Rouge for some holiday cheer at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum, there are plenty of activities to choose from this weekend.
Here's a list of eight holiday activities, local and nearby:
Live nativity in Thibodaux
University Baptist Church will have a live nativity this weekend with performances on both Friday and Saturday. This event is free and open to the public. This nativity, which will be outside and in front of the church, will also feature live animals -- even a camel! Performances run every 30 minutes beginning at 6 p.m. with the last performance starting at 7:30 p.m. Folding chairs will be available for seating. Jambalaya, gumbo and drinks will be available for free.
When: Friday, Dec. 3, and Saturday, Dec. 4, beginning at 6 p.m.
Where: University Baptist Church, 904 Menard Street in Thibodaux
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Market at the Marina
This outdoor farmers market is held the first Saturday every month in Houma and is presented by the Terrebonne General Health System and Houma Downtown Development Committee. This weekend's market will showcase more than 30 vendors. The vendor lineup is expected to be announced before the weekend on the market's Facebook page, facebook.com/MarketAtTheMarina. The market is known to provide a variety of produce, baked goods, hot goods, candles, soaps, arts and crafts and more, according to its Facebook page. Perhaps you can cross off some of your holiday gift shopping here!
When: Saturday, Dec. 4, from 8 a.m.-noon
Where: Downtown Houma Marina, 8228 Park Avenue in Houma
Cookies with Santa
Bayou Blue Recreation is hosting "Cookies With Santa" this Saturday. The event is free for everyone and will include cookies, drinks, games, prizes, gifts for children, and an opportunity to have photos taken with Santa, according to Bayou Blue Recreation's Facebook page.
When: Saturday, Dec. 4, from 9 - 11 a.m.
Where: Bayou Blue Recreation, 200 Mazerac St. in Houma
Whiskey & Cookies with Santa
Santa Claus will also be visiting Bayou Terrebonne Distillers for a few hours before the Downtown Christmas Parade on Saturday for a holiday photo booth presented by Bijoux Photography. This is an opportunity to get some gift shopping done for the whiskey lovers on your list and photos made for some holiday cards. Photos with Santa are $40, paid to Bijoux Photography by cash or Venmo. The images will be edited and available for download or printing via a mobile link.
When: Saturday, Dec. 4, from 1-3 p.m.
Where: 8043 Main St. in Houma
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Houma Christmas Parade
The Houma Christmas Parade is back this year and will be rolling out Saturday evening. The official starting point of the parade will be at the intersection of St. Charles and Main St., and will follow the traditional route along Main Street, turn right onto Barrow Street and will end at the corner of Barrow and School Street. Signs will be placed 24 hours in advance of the parade, which will indicate when barricades will be placed. Santa and Mrs. Claus will stay until 8 p.m. after the parade for photos with the public.
When: Saturday, Dec. 4, beginning at 5 p.m.
Where: The traditional route along Main St.
Other notes: Spectators are asked to not park along the route before the parade. Parade-goers are to stand behind the barricades and are not allowed to approach the floats. All parade-goers are encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing by gathering in small household groups.
Christmas Art Market and Gallery Grand Reopening
The Terrebonne Fine Arts Guild is celebrating its reopening after Hurricane Ida and the return of its annual Christmas Art Market with a reception on Saturday. The event will include food, an area to take holiday photos, a lighted art display, door prizes, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and plenty of art and homemade gifts for sale.
When: Saturday, Dec. 4, from 1-7 p.m.
Where: Downtown Art Gallery 630, 630 Belanger St. in Houma
Other notes: The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 2 p.m.
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A Very Merry Museum at LASM
If you're willing to travel a little further away for some holiday activities, the Louisiana Art & Science Museum is hosting "A Very Merry Museum at LASM." The event will include activities such as hands-on ornament making, a scavenger hunt, holiday-themed planetarium shows "Let it Snow" and "The Star of Bethlehem," a special showing of the movie "The Polar Express" in the planetarium, Coca-Cola polar bears, and an appearance from the iconic holiday Coca-Cola Truck. Visitors are invited to wear their pajamas and will be given a sleigh bell after viewing "The Polar Express."
When: Dec. 4 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Louisiana Art & Science Museum, 100 South Reiver Road in Baton Rouge
Admission: Regular admission prices will be charged for entrance, which is $12 for adults, $10 for children ages 3-12 and adults over 65, and free admission for members.
Other notes: The special showing of "The Polar Express" will be in the planetarium at 3 p.m.
Thibodaux Christmas Parade
Wrap up the weekend with the Thibodaux Christmas Parade on Sunday. The parade route begins at Afton Drive and Audubon Ave., turns left onto Menard St. and continues down Menard all the way to Canal Blvd. There, the route turns onto Canal Blvd., and left onto 2nd St. The parade ends at City Hall with pictures with Santa. Refreshments will be provided by Thibodaux Family Church.
When: Sunday, Dec. 5, beginning at 3 p.m.
Where: Downtown Thibodaux
-- Emily Enfinger is a reporter for The Courier and the Daily Comet. Follow her on Twitter at @EmilyEnfinger. Email Emily at eenfinger@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Courier: 8 holiday activities to do in Houma and Thibodaux this weekend
