Holiday Trail of Lights in Louisiana

Across the state, the holidays are celebrated with a zest of unique activities, sounds and sights only Louisiana could serve up. On the Holiday Trail of Lights there are eight towns to celebrate all the festivities of the season. They create the Christmas spirit with beautiful displays of holiday lights, parades, live music, theatre performances, visits from Santa and more. Enjoy the celebrations from November  to January.

Alexandria & Pineville-
Visit Alexandria and Pineville located in the “Heart of Louisiana” to catch the holiday fever. Watch the beautiful Nutcracker Ballet or hear the Rapides Symphony Orchestra preform the Holiday Concert.  Head downtown for the 6th Annual Christmas Spectacular designed after the New York ‘s Radio City Christmas Spectacular. The event features performances from dance troupes, choirs, theatre groups, and many more. Visit the website for more event info, dates and times.

Minden
The sweet charm of Minden is a perfect setting to get in the holiday mindset. Celebrate all things German with the early season Minden Fasching Fifth Season Festival. The party starts on Saturday and continues through Sunday at dark with the illumination of thousands of Christmas lights and a fireworks display. Bring the family and enjoy ice skating, German food, entertainment, arts, crafts and a beer exhibition. In December, check out the many whimsical holiday events like Christmas on Main where there kids can give their gift wishes to Santa and have a free photo taken.  Take to the streets with the Christmas Parade that ushers in the Christmas spirit with decorated floats and marching bands.  Visit the website for more event info, dates and times.

Monroe & West Monroe
It’s a busy holiday schedule in Monroe/West Monroe area! Kids love Santa’s Christmas Village where they can decorate make-and-take ornaments, go ice skating, and mail their letters to Santa from the Peppermint Post Office. Everyone heads to the Christmas Lighting Ceremony to kick off the season with the first lighting of the season in Antique Alley. There are lots of non-traditional events like the Bawcomville Redneck Christmas Parade that celebrates the Redneck flavor of Christmas; enter your pet in the Pet Paw-rade; run off those Christmas calories at the Bah Humbug 5K run; and refuel with the Chili Cook off.  Top it all off with the Old-Fashioned Christmas in Antique Alley.  Visit the website for more event info, dates and times.

Natchitoches
Head to the beautiful historic town of Natchitoches to jump right into the energy of the Holidays. Take a Holiday Tour of Homes to see the amazing Christmas decorations in these historic houses.  Head to the 87th Annual Christmas Festival with live musical entertainment, arts, crafts, food vendors, two parades, and a magnificent fireworks and laser show choreographed to holiday music over a state of the art sound system.  The kids will love the Christmas in the Park and can get their photo taken with Santa or take them to Snow Fest where they can sled on real snow at the Frosty Avalanche Slide.  Find some beautiful presents at the Les Amies Christmas Treasures Arts & Crafts Sale or hear the gorgeous notes of Christmas carols at the Northwestern Christmas Gala with music and theatre performances by the NSU students. Visit the website for more event info, dates and times.

Shreveport-Bossier
Make sure you’ve rationed your holiday cheer for these awesome and plentiful events that happen in Shreveport-Bossier every Christmas.   Shop over 147 booths at the Mistletoe & More show or make your own gifts at the Deck the Stacks Christmas Craft Day. Wander the Christmas in Roseland lights display transforming the gardens into a winter wonderland with Santa’s Candy Shop and more. Take the kids to try something different at the Christmas Jubilee at Jubilee Zoo where they can pet and feed the animals, ride the carousel ponies or tour the zoo on an safari hay ride.  A night at the theatre is perfect for the entire family with the performance of the Nutcracker Ballet.  And rediscover the magic of believing with the Miracle on 34th Street musical.  Explore historic homes with a Candlelight Christmas Tours and celebrate with season with a music tradition of Holiday Pops with the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra. Visit the website for more event info, dates and times.

The Festival of Lights will ensure you’ve enjoyed your holiday season with enough lights, parades, Christmas carols, music and holiday cheer to get you through to next year!  Come join us for the holidays.