NEW IBERIA, La. --- Break out the eggnog and dust off the ornaments, because it's Christmas time again, and this year, Iberia Parish is going blue, and we don't mean Disney's "Frozen."

In honor of the late "Blue Dog" artist and New Iberia native, George Rodrigue (3/13/1944 - 12/14/2013), and through a partnership between the New Iberia Downtown Business Association and George Rodrigue Foundation, "Blue Magic on Main" will be the theme throughout Iberia Parish for the holiday season and into the new year in anticipation of the "Blue Dog Comes Home" exhibit at the Bayou Teche Museum (Jan. 15-April 11, 2015). New Iberia's Christmas Parade will also take on the title this year.

In addition to the traditional parade, local attractions are celebrating the holidays with merrymaking events during November and December.

Starting the fun in November will be the New Iberia Holiday Vendor Event (Nov. 8), Bayou Carlin Cove Holiday Market (Nov. 13), Shop Small Day (Nov. 29) and the Christmas Shoppe (Nov. 30). Iberia Parish's farmers markets will also sell holiday items. For dates, visit IberiaTravel.com. These great markets give you a fantastic opportunity to get your holiday shopping done early before the Christmas rush arrives. We'll end the month with "Sounds of the Season" a free Christmas concert by the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra (Nov. 30). Various Iberia Parish businesses will offer Shop Berry Blue deals throughout November and December to add to the great savings. 

Come December, Iberia Parish has a multitude of events planned to make this holiday season memorable. Defrost with a bowl of gumbo at the Battle of the Paddles Gumbo Cookoff in Delcambre (Dec. 6). Travel to the Victorian Era when you tour the Joseph Jefferson Home decorated for the holidays at Jefferson Island Rip Van Winkle Gardens (Dec. 1-31). Shadows-on-the-Teche will also be celebrating in a similar fashion. The historical plantation home and gardens will be festooned with Christmas cheer starting Dec. 6.

The Iberia Performing Arts League will perform its Christmas musical "A USO Christmas Show," which will be dedicated to veterans from World War II to the present and bring back the nostalgia of the 40s and 50s with classic Christmas tunes and humorous performances that would melt an ice queen's heart (Dec. 11-14).

For the Blue Magic on Main Christmas Parade in New Iberia (Dec. 13), holiday goers can enjoy events throughout the day, including Shop Berry Blue deals at participating merchants, the Teche Area Farmers Market, Christmas caroling, church choir Christmas music, a festive food truck, food booths and vendors. The Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce will also hold a Very Berry Christmas Scavenger Hunt on Dec. 13. 

New Iberia's Historic Main Street will play host to "Window Wonderland" from Dec. 1 - 31. Shops on Main Street will decorate their window fronts in a 1930s art deco Christmas card theme in a style reminiscent of a vintage New York City window display.

With an abundance of Christmas parades happening around Iberia Parish, the kiddos will have ample opportunities to see the jolly man. Santa Claus makes his first sighting during the Jeanerette Christmas Parade (Dec. 7). On Dec. 13, the lighted Delcambre Christmas Boat Parade will be followed by fireworks in the evening. The next day (Dec. 14) Delcambre will hold its annual Main Street Christmas Parade.

If you would like to celebrate with us on Dec. 13-14, enter our Blue Magic on Main Getaway on our Facebook. The winner will receive a complimentary one-night stay at the Main Street bed & breakfast Le Rosier Country Inn, free admission to all Iberia Parish attractions and Berry Blue Bucks for shopping and dining. 

With all these exciting events, the holidays are a wonderful time to visit Iberia Parish, because a trip here will certainly warm up your winter.