Did you know that Acadiana is home to an authentic Laotian New Year festival?
Held each year over Easter weekend in Broussard, Louisiana, this festival is hosted by the residents of Lanexang Village and members of the neighborhood Buddhist temple community. Lanexang Village, anchored by the ornate Wat Thammarattanaram temple structure, grew out of waves of immigration from Laos in the 1970s and ‘80s, driven by the need to resettle refugees from the Vietnam War.
This community — primarily concentrated in Iberia Parish with some overlap in Lafayette Parish — comes together every year to throw a celebration that rivals festivities found in Laos and larger Lao enclaves across the country. That includes vendors supplying southeast Asian street food, traditional performances, blessings from resident Buddhist monks, a parade, and a vibrant block party atmosphere that welcomes all to this small, friendly neighborhood nestled among South Louisiana sugarcane fields.
Sis Inthamta serves up traditional fare during the Laotian New Year Festival at Lanexang Village on April 8, 2023, in Broussard.
According to Fancy Phoumylay, one of the festival organizers, the celebration is “something we’re very proud about.”
“It’s a replica of what we do in Laos,” she says. “A lot of people come to experience the traditional cultural events we bring here.” That includes thousands of visitors from across the country, some with ties to Lanexang Village and some who have heard about Louisiana Lao New Year and want to experience it for themselves.
The festival is free and open to all, except for the evening events, which are ticketed. Learn more about what to expect as a visitor at the Louisiana Lao New Year Festival:
- The festival takes place March 29-31 on the Wat Thammarattanaram temple grounds and throughout Lanexang Village, located at 7913 Champa Ave., Broussard.
- Entry is free before 7 p.m. During evening festivities on Friday and Saturday entry is $15 (Friday) and $10 (Saturday). Sunday is free all day.
- The festival parade will take place on Saturday, March 30, and starts around 12 p.m.
- Free parking can be found in the village and along Melancon Road, although space is limited. There will be some paid parking availability along Melancon Road leading to Lanexang Village. During the Saturday parade, parking will only be available on Melancon Road to clear the village streets.
Learn more about the Louisiana Lao New Year Festival, including full event schedules, on their Facebook page.