Holiday Trail of Lights in Louisiana

Across the state, the holidays are celebrated with a zest of unique festivals, activities, sounds, lightings and sights only Louisiana could serve up. On the Holiday Trail of Lights, celebrate all the festivities of the season in seven different areas — Alexandria/Pineville, Monroe and West Monroe, Minden, Ruston, Shreveport-Bossier, Natchitoches and Logansport. They create the Christmas spirit with beautiful displays of holiday lights, parades, live music, theater 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. Pop in to the Alex Winter Fête and warm up with local eats from food vendors. End the weekend shopping for the perfect holiday gift or souvenir from retail vendors or seeing a Holiday Light Safari. 

Learn more about Alexandria and Pineville's Holiday Trail of Lights.

Minden

The sweet charm of Minden is a perfect setting to get in the holiday mindset. In November, Minden kicks things off with its Main to Main Trade Days, featuring art, antiques, home furnishings, jewelry and more. Downtown shops embrace a festival-like atmosphere with outdoor shopping paired with food and craft vendors. Get even more holiday shopping done at the Christmas Market on Main, experience the Annual Candlelight Tour of Homers, and enjoy the Old World Christmas Lights Spectacular every night through New Year’s Day. Don't miss Minden's life-sized nutcrackers that line the streets of its historic downtown, a nod to Minden's German heritage. 

Learn more about Minden's Holiday Trail of Lights.

Monroe & West Monroe

It’s a busy holiday schedule in Monroe-West Monroe! See special holiday decorations and check out the exhibits at the Biedenharn Museum & Gardens or gaze at the Christmas on the River Fireworks. Of course, there's always great shopping at antique stores, boutiques and more along West Monroe’s Antique Alley. 

Learn more about Monroe/West Monroe's Holiday Trail of Lights.

Natchitoches

Head to Natchitoches, Louisiana’s oldest city, for the perfect dose of holiday spirit. The Annual Christmas Festival showcases 300,000 lights illuminating downtown Natchitoches and over 100 lighted set pieces along Cane River! It's a magical backdrop for the spectacular Saturday evening fireworks, entertainment, food vendors, shopping and more. Explore the Landmark Historic District via an evening horse and carriage ride to experience the charm of Natchitoches, named one of “America's 25 Most Festive Christmas Towns.” 

Learn more about Natchitoches's Holiday Trail of Lights.

Shreveport-Bossier

Make sure you’ve saved your holiday cheer for Shreveport-Bossier's annual holiday events. The Christmas in Roseland light display transforms the gardens of the American Rose Center into a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights. Take the kids to try something different at the Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival for rocking music, fireworks and pictures with Santa. Check out BELIEVE Lights the Night at the Shreveport Aquarium for a unique, interactive holiday experience where your magic motion-activated wand turns on lights, makes music, lights a fireplace, creates reindeer footprints, jingles bells and more as you meander through the aquarium to find Snow Mermaids.

Learn more about Shreveport's Holiday Trail of Lights.

Ruston 

Make your way to Ruston for the annual Holiday Open House & Kickoff to Christmas for holiday tunes, the tree lighting ceremony and an appearance from Santa. Take advantage of extended shopping hours and sales, then head to Holidays in Cedartown, a premier holiday market with an array of vendors for every need. Stop by NCLAC’s Holiday Sip & Stroll to meet dozens of artists and makers selling unique, handmade gifts. Devour holiday specials at local eateries before catching the holiday play at the Dixie Theatre. 

Learn more about Ruston's Holiday Trail of Lights.

Logansport

Downtown Logansport hosts an annual Christmas Festival on the riverfront that should absolutely be on your holiday itinerary. Over 40 vendors ranging from retail to arts & crafts and, of course, food. Peruse classic cars at the car show, cheer for the parade and be dazzled by dancing Christmas lights and fireworks. And this event wouldn’t be complete without live performances by local musicians that fill the air.

Learn more about Logansport’s Holiday Trail of Lights.

The Holiday Trail 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.