You must be an active DL Member to submit an event for consideration on the Downtown Event Calendar.
When I think about what makes a city feel like home, it’s rarely the things inside my four walls. It’s the places in between—the spaces where we linger long enough to bump into a neighbor, discover a new favorite, or feel connected to something bigger than ourselves.
Downtown Lafayette is entering a season of visible, tangible momentum — and it’s arriving in ways both bold and quietly transformative.
Data compiled on visits to downtown Lafayette last year indicates more people came during daytime hours and less for bar and nightlife activity.
New Downtown Ambassador Program by Block By Block begins their work the week of Festival International, helping to keep Downtown Clean, Fun, and Vibrant.
In 1815, a travelling geographer-biographer named William Darby wrote about Lafayette, then called the Attakapas County. At that time there were fewer than two people per square mile living here, in an area Darby described as consisted of two vast prairies on either side of the Vermilion River. It was inhabited by Atakapa-Ishak and Canneci (Lipan Apache) Tribes and the competing Choctaw Tribes. Also from surrounding areas were the Chitimacha and Opelousa Tribes. Between 1765 and 1785 the first great wave of immigration occurred in South Louisiana as Acadian exiles settled the area, and they brought with them the Roman Catholic religion. The influence of the Church served to offer the first geographical organization to this region, the center of which was Saint Martin de Tours Catholic Church located in present-day Saint Martinville.
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Connecting college students to the downtown community plays an important role in building vibrant energy throughout the district. Downtown Lafayette welcomes students and encourages everyone to embrace downtown as their own. Whether you’re new to Lafayette or have been here your entire life, chances are you haven’t experienced everything our downtown has to offer. There’s no shortage of tasty eateries, cozy cafes and study spots, live music, events, art, and many small businesses to fall in love with. Regardless of what day of the week you choose to make your way downtown, we’re here to highlight the must-stops and some of the coolest affordable options for college students to enjoy and take advantage of while they are spending time here.
As the heart of Lafayette, Downtown is known for being a foodie paradise filled with a number of unique restaurants ranging from fine dining experiences to casual plate lunches. Our trendy restaurants cater to the joie de vivre that makes our downtown district one of a kind. So, we’ve compiled a list of some of Lafayette’s downtown favorites!
Mother’s Day is right around the corner and we know you didn’t forget! You’re waiting to find that extra special something, so let us help you! Downtown Lafayette is chock full of shops we know your mom (or the mom in your life) will love. Keep reading for the ULTIMATE Mother’s Day shopping guide in Downtown Lafayette.
The year 2022 was a blast, but we believe Downtown Lafayette is only getting better in 2023. That’s why we’ve created a list of 23 things to do next time you find yourself downtown or if you’re planning a trip to visit. From shopping, live music, incredible food, art, there’s no shortage of things to do downtown this year!
Little did Acadiana know that on Friday, April 8th, 1983, history would be made in Downtown Lafayette. It all started when a group of people got together to try and figure out how to bring life into Downtown Lafayette. Downtown Development Director Cathy Webre and her team had a hunch – “Give them music, and they will come.” Downtown Alive! was then born on a tiny stage in the middle of Jefferson Street with a performance from Beausoleil.
What began in 2019 as an effort to spark holiday joy continues today as a significant part of Downtown Lafayette’s holiday series. Every year, Jefferson Street and Parc International are transformed into magical holiday destinations for visitors and residents of Lafayette to enjoy throughout the entire month of December.
As we are approaching the holidays, the team at Downtown Lafayette Unlimited and Downtown Development Authority would like to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving. We are so thankful to be a part of such an incredible downtown community and are looking forward to celebrating Small Business Saturday by shopping small this holiday season!