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LAFAYETTE INTERNATIONAL
CENTER CALENDAR
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revised 12-5-25
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Farewell Reception for UL International
Students
Tuesday, Dec 1 |
1 :30 – 3:00 PM |
UL Alumni Center | Lafayette, LA
Annual farewell given to graduating
international students of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, co-hosted
by UL Lafayette and City-Parish Mayor-President Monique B. Boulet. Graduating
students are invested as Goodwill Ambassadors representing Lafayette,
followed by a reception. A joint project of the
UL Division of Global Engagement, the UL Alumni Association, the LCG
Mayor-President’s Office, the Lafayette International Center, and the UL
Lafayette President’s Office.
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january 2026
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Welcome Reception for UL International Students
TBD | TBD | UL Alumni Center
Annual welcome and orientation to
Lafayette for arriving international students of the University of
Louisiana at
Lafayette, co-hosted by City-Parish Mayor-President Monique B. Boulet and UL
Lafayette Office of the President. Reception following. A joint project of the
LCG Mayor-President’s Office, the Lafayette International Center, the UL
Lafayette President’s Office; the UL Alumni Association and the UL Division
of Global Engagement.
Contact
Christophe Pilut for
details, 337-291-5474; clpilut@LafayetteLA.gov
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Cinema on the Bayou
Jan 21-28 | Lafayette and Opelousas
The annual Cinema on the Bayou Film
Festival, screening films, including French Language films, along with
welcoming filmmakers and other film industry professionals from across the
United States and around the world.
For more details on the 2026 edition,
visit CinemaontheBayou.com.
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MARCH
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La Boule Cadienne de Lafayette
International Acadiana Pétanque Festival
TBD | in Lafayette,
LA
Pétanque is a French game with roots in ancient history. Similar to
horseshoes and bocce ball, the game requires precision, finesse and a great
deal of concentration that may not be apparent to the casual spectator. This
popular lawn game is played throughout the world, both for fun and as serious
competition.
The
International Pétanque Tournament will take place in March, in Girard Park,
in Lafayette. Both before and after the tournament, Festival organizers and
participants will take part in a number of educational and social events in
and around Lafayette to promote the sport.
The
local pétanque club is a group of people who share a love of the outdoors,
good conversation, and a healthy appetite for fun. They play on a regular
monthly schedule, but also whenever the weather is nice and the mood strikes.
They are affiliated with Alliance Française de Lafayette, whose mission it is
to promote the French language, so they frequently do their socializing in
French. They play as a club every fourth Sunday of the month from 2:00 PM to
4:00 PM, meeting at the public pétanque courts in Girard Park. The courts are
located in the northeast corner of the park, across from the rear of the UL
Alumni Center. Parking is conveniently located along the one-way street
behind the center. Beginners are most welcome.
For
details and a full schedule of this year’s events, contact Mike LeBlanc at
337-654-9467 or leblanc.mike@me.com , or visit https://www.petanquelafayette.org/
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International Francophone Day of French Language and
Culture
Mar 20 | in and around Lafayette
International Francophonie
Month celebrating French Language and Culture
March is Le Mois de
la Francophonie, a global celebration of the diversity of those who speak
French. There are over 369 million French speakers on the planet. In 1970,
the OIF (International Organization of French language and culture)
established March 20 as International Francophonie Day (French: Journée internationale
de la Francophonie), to celebrate the French language and Francophone
culture. This was expanded in 1995 by the French Ministry of Culture and
Communication to span a week or more, and now the celebration extends to the
entire month of March.
A variety of events will take place in
and around Lafayette, including the raising of the OIF flag at Lafayette
City-Parish Hall, and other events sponsored by Vermilionville, CODOFIL, and
others.
Contact
Dave Domingue for details. (337) 291-5474;
dadomingue@LafayetteLA.gov
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Celtic Bayou Festival
Mar 13-14 | TBD | TBD
This year at the festival, the Breton region of France
and its Celtic heritage will be highlighted with music, food, culture and
drink from the region. There will be talks on language and history and its
connections to Acadiana and Celtic culture.
For details, visit http://www.celticbayoufestival.com
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Lafayette Holi Festival
TBD | 11:00 AM Girard Park,
Lafayette, Louisiana
In India, the Holi Festival is the
festival of colors. For decades the members of the Acadiana Indian
Association celebrated the festival in their backyards, but since 2011, they
have brought it to the community. Hosted each year by the Association, the
festival is held each year on the last Saturday in March. The celebration is
held to signify the victory of good over evil and the arrival of Spring.
The festival is free to attend and open
to all ages, with bags of colors available for purchase. It features the
iconic throw of color powders, live music, dance performances, water
balloons, food, drinks, and more.
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april
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Cycle Zydeco
April 8-12 | South Louisiana
Cycle Zydeco is a
five-day casual touring ride in South Louisiana. The Louisiana’s Cajun and
Créole Cycling Festival takes place every year during the week after
Easter. Experience up to 5 days of Cajun and Créole culture, including
plenty of food, live music, swamp tours, crawfish boils, and more.
More info at www.cyclezydeco.org
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Festival International de
Louisiane
Apr 22-26 |
downtown Lafayette, Louisiana
Festival International de Louisiane is the largest International
music and arts festival in the United States with a special emphasis on the
connection between Acadiana and the Francophone world, having an estimated
economic impact of $49m annually. With over 300,000 festival-goers every
year, this annual festival features musical artists from over 20 countries
along with workshops, exhibits, visual art, theater and other forms of
performance arts. The 5-day festival is held in April transforming downtown
Lafayette, Louisiana into an entertainment mecca.
For
details, visit https://festivalinternational.org/information/
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International Achievement
Award ceremony and reception
Thursday, April 23 |
Lafayette International Center | Lafayette, Louisiana
Established
in 1998, the Award is presented annually to honor an individual, organization
or company that has significantly enhanced Acadiana’s international
reputation. Primary consideration is accorded to individuals whose activities
have helped draw economic benefits to the Lafayette area. By invitation.
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MAY
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Offshore Technology Conference (OTC)
May 4-7 | Houston, TX
Largest petroleum show in the US. Christophe represents the International
Center, and prospects for trade leads, working with LEDA, USCS, OneAcadiana, LAGCOE, and Louisiana Economic
Development.
For
information, contact Christophe at clpilut@LafayetteLA.gov or 337-201-5493.
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Farewell Reception for UL International Students
TBD | TBD | UL Alumni Center |
Lafayette, LA
Annual farewell given to
graduating international students of the University of Louisiana at
Lafayette, co-hosted by UL Lafayette and City-Parish Mayor-President Monique
B. Boulet. Graduating students are invested as Goodwill Ambassadors
representing Lafayette, followed by a reception. A joint project of the UL Division of Global
Engagement, the UL Alumni
Association, the LCG Mayor-President’s Office, the Lafayette
International Center, and the UL Lafayette President’s Office.
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june
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Global Energy Show
June 9-11 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Keeping pace with
energy industry’s transition from a focus on fossil fuels to a diversified
energy mix, the Global Petroleum Show changed its name to the Global Energy
Show in 2024.
It brings
together energy professionals to shape the future of energy. It is the
premier platform for discussing energy demand, exploring the energy
transition, showcasing cutting-edge technology and innovation, and
understanding the role of all energy sources in the broader energy system.
More info at https://www.globalenergyshow.com/.
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Louisiana
International Trade Conference
TBD | TBD | In conjunction with
International Trade Month, the World Trade Center New Orleans will host the
inaugural Louisiana International Trade (LIT) Conference. The LIT Conference
will serve as Louisiana’s premier conference on trade and logistics, bringing
together a robust compilation of panel discussions, marketing and networking opportunities,
keynotes and appearances by high-ranking State and Federal officials, an
exhibit hall and more.
Contact
Harrison Crabtree for more information at hcrabtree@gnoinc.org
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august
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Festival Interceltique de Lorient, France
Jul 31 – Aug 9 | Palais des Congrès | Lorient, (Brittany) France
This is the largest Celtic festival in the
world, with over 950,000 attendees and over 5,000 musicians and other
presenters, and over 300 performances on 12 stages.
A group of
Lafayette musicians will represent Louisiana at the Festival.
Contact Sami
Parbhoo for more information at separbhoo@LafayetteLA.gov
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Welcome Reception for UL International
Students
TBD | TBD | UL Alumni Center | Lafayette, LA
Annual welcome and orientation to Lafayette for arriving international students of the University of
Louisiana at
Lafayette, co-hosted by City-Parish Mayor-President Monique B. Boulet and UL
Lafayette President Dr. Joseph Savoie. Reception following. A joint project of the
LCG Mayor-President’s Office, the Lafayette International Center, the UL
Lafayette President’s Office; and the UL Division of Global Engagement.
Contact
Christophe Pilut for
details, 337-291-5474; clpilut@LafayetteLA.gov.
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La Semaine Acadienne XXI in
Normandy, France
Aug 7-15 | St-Aubin-sur-Mer
| Normandy, France
This festival takes place every year in
several towns on the Côte de Nacre, near the D-Day landing sites in Normandy.
It was created to pay homage to the Acadian soldiers who landed on June 6,
1944, on the Normandy beaches. The festival culminates on August 15, the
national holiday of the Acadians, joining like celebrations on this side of
the Atlantic.
Visit www.semaineacadienne.net
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september
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Louisiana District Export Council quarterly meeting
TBD | TBD | New Orleans
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