Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, and Lafayette Parish polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone in line at 8 p.m. may still vote.

Before leaving home, confirm your assigned precinct and review your personal sample ballot through the Louisiana Voter Portal or GeauxVote app. Election Day voters must use their assigned polling place.

The ballot includes the U.S. Senate race, the open primary for the 3rd Congressional District and, depending on your address, Lafayette Parish judicial, district, school board or municipal contests. The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court provides a local overview.

All Louisiana voters will also consider 10 constitutional amendments covering property taxes, redevelopment, drinking-water infrastructure, state government, public safety and property rights. The One Acadiana Elections Hub offers a plain-language guide.

Bring an accepted photo ID, including a driver’s license, Louisiana Special ID, LA Wallet digital license or qualifying military ID. A voter without photo identification may still vote by affidavit after answering identifying questions.

Questions can be directed to the Lafayette Parish Registrar of Voters at (337) 291-7140 or the state Election Hotline at 800-883-2805.

Leave campaign clothing and accessories at home, allow extra time for a long ballot and check unofficial results after 8 p.m. through GeauxVote.

Lafayette Loop has launched a Business Directory, Hotspots resource and Events Calendar to help residents discover local businesses and activities. Businesses can request a free business page, making participation accessible even to owners who aren't ready to invest in advertising.

Pine Leaf Boys and Lost Bayou Ramblers headline a music-filled Friday downtown.

Ragin’ Cajuns fans have two home games to circle.

Men’s basketball hosts Texas A&M–Corpus Christi at the Cajundome Friday, November 6, at 7 p.m., followed by Louisiana football against South Alabama Saturday, November 7, at 4 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium.

Both games carry a Louisiana Salutes theme, and official game pages have ticket, parking and last-minute details.

The Lafayette Nutcracker Market brings holiday shopping to the Cajundome Convention Center Saturday, November 7, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Browse boutique clothing, décor, jewelry, gourmet foods and gifts in one stop.

Teachers, military members, first responders and guests under 15 receive complimentary admission under the event’s stated policies.

Morris Day and The Time bring the Invasion Tour to the Heymann Performing Arts Center Saturday, November 7.

The Bar-Kays join the all-ages bill, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and the show starting at 7:30 p.m.

Every attendee needs a ticket, so check the official event page for current seating and purchase options.

Lafayette’s free Veterans Day concert begins at 3 p.m. Sunday, November 8, at the Heymann Performing Arts Center.

The All Acadiana Middle School Band, The Skyliners and the Lafayette Concert Band will perform a patriotic program honoring veterans and service members.

The event is open to all ages.

Sister Act opens Friday, November 6, at Wonderland Performing Arts and runs through November 15.

The musical comedy combines big vocals, high-energy humor and an uplifting story about courage and community.

Check the official ticket portal for the full performance schedule, current prices and seat availability.

Pelican Ball 2026 takes place Friday, November 6, from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Acadiana Center for the Arts.

The $125 fundraiser honors Louisiana photographer Philip Gould and supports AcA’s cultural programming across the region.

Tickets are available through the official event page.

The UL Lafayette Percussion Ensemble performs Thursday, November 5, at 7 p.m. in Angelle Hall.

The free program includes ensemble classics, contemporary percussion, Mexican marimba favorites and steel-band music.

It is an accessible weeknight option for music fans, students and curious first-time listeners.

Food Truck Friday returns to Moncus Park Friday, November 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Local trucks, shaded seating, fans, yard games and a children’s area make it an easy lunch-break outing.

The truck lineup is posted Friday morning, and parking is listed at $2 per hour.

A familiar north Lafayette restaurant location is preparing for a new chapter with Thibodeaux's, a locally owned Cajun restaurant planned for 505 West Pont des Mouton Road.

The restaurant is taking over the former Original Patti space, bringing a new dining concept to an address many local residents already recognize.

Creamy Cajun crawfish pasta is the ultimate South Louisiana comfort dish — and it's perfect for your November dinner table.

This rich, flavorful recipe combines tender crawfish tails, garlic, and Creole seasoning folded into a luscious, creamy sauce tossed with pasta.

It's a simple but satisfying way to bring a taste of Acadiana home cooking to any weeknight meal.

Full ingredients and step-by-step cooking instructions are available through Explore Louisiana.

D.R. Horton is building a new Louisiana West office at 208 Oak Grove Lane near Eraste Landry Road and Foreman Drive.

The nearly four-acre property is next to its existing Lafayette office, and Lemoine Builders is handling construction.

Details about the building's eventual uses have not been confirmed, and an estimated January 2027 completion is not an official opening date.

Buc-ee's plans to break ground on its Lafayette travel center November 9 at 11 a.m. at I-10 and Louisiana Avenue.

The proposed 74,000-square-foot store will offer 120 fueling positions and is expected to create more than 200 full-time jobs.

An early 2028 opening remains tentative.

Lafayette shoppers looking for a little nostalgia have a new stop on Johnston Street: Collecting Yesterday, a vintage marketplace at 3219-B Johnston Street.

The business celebrated its grand opening on October 24, introducing a collection of vendors offering vintage merchandise, antiques, collectibles and curated secondhand finds.

Pumpkin Spice — a name made for the season — is currently available for adoption at the Lafayette Animal Shelter & Care Center.

The shelter is inviting local families to consider giving this pup a forever home this fall.

Adopting a shelter pet is a big commitment, but shelter staff can help determine whether Pumpkin Spice is the right fit for your lifestyle and living situation.

Interested in meeting Pumpkin Spice? Contact the shelter at (337) 291-5644 or visit them at 410 N. Dugas Road, Lafayette.

Pet availability changes quickly — be sure to confirm Pumpkin Spice is still available before making the trip.

Lafayette Fire District Chief Brandon Finfrock has deployed to Archuleta County, Colorado, with a Louisiana Incident Management Team supporting communities affected by severe flooding.

The roughly 14-day mission is coordinated through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact and will assist response, stabilization and recovery efforts around Pagosa Springs.

As a qualified Logistics Section Chief, Finfrock helps coordinate the personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, communications and transportation needed to keep a complex emergency operation moving.

The official deployment announcement says his selection reflects Lafayette’s growing investment in specialized emergency training.

His work will help Colorado now while bringing valuable large-scale response experience back to the Lafayette Fire Department.

PARCsGiving donations are due Friday, November 6, as Lafayette’s parks department works to assemble at least 100 Thanksgiving meal baskets for local families.

Requested items include rice, canned green beans, canned corn, cornbread mix and shelf-stable dessert ingredients.

Residents may also add handwritten encouragement notes.

Drop-offs are accepted at Girard Park Recreation Center, Lafayette City Hall and PARC recreation centers during their listed weekday hours.

The official PARCsGiving announcement includes full donation details, and volunteers can use the online signup or call 337-291-8364.

Meal baskets will be distributed November 20 at Domingue Recreation Center on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

Lafayette’s November 3–8 forecast begins warm and unsettled.

Tuesday carries a 40% chance of afternoon storms, followed by a wetter Tuesday night and temperatures in the mid-60s.

Conditions improve Wednesday, while Thursday looks mostly sunny with a high near 80 before another overnight rain chance develops.

Friday may start damp, but the weekend turns cooler and mostly pleasant: highs fall from around 73 Saturday to 69 Sunday, with nighttime temperatures reaching the upper 40s.

Check the official Lafayette forecast, the regional radar and storm-safety guidance before finalizing plans.