Follow the Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights
Celebrate the holiday spirit in the seven areas that make up the Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights.
Celebrate the holiday spirit in the seven areas that make up the Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights.
"It’s the most wonderful tiiiiiime of the year!" And across the state, we celebrate the holidays with the flavorful festivals, traditional sounds, and sights of merrymaking that only Louisiana could serve up.
On the Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights, celebrate the joy of the season in seven different areas — Alexandria/Pineville, Monroe-West Monroe, Minden, Ruston, Shreveport-Bossier, Natchitoches and Logansport — spreading Christmas cheer with beautiful displays of holiday lights, parades, live music, theater performances, visits from Santa and more.
Alexandria
Minden
Biedenharn Museum & Gardens
Alexandria & Pineville
Visit Alexandria and Pineville, located in the “Heart of Louisiana,” to get into the holiday spirit, from holiday home tours to live symphony performances. Pop over to AlexWinterFête and glide across an outdoor ice-skating rink, warm up with eats from local vendors and enjoy fireworks over the Red River. End the weekend shopping for the perfect holiday gift, handmade goodies or original works by local artists, or by seeing the Holiday Light Safari at the Alexandria Zoo.
Learn more about Alexandria and Pineville's Holiday Trail of Lights
Minden
Minden’s sweet holiday charm offers a perfect setting to warm up this holiday season. 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 and food and craft vendors.
Continue shopping along historic Minden Main Street, learn more about the town’s history on a hayride tour and stroll cobbled streets to admire the holiday lights. Don’t forget to take photos with the life-sized nutcrackers that line the streets downtown, a nod to the city’s German heritage.
Learn more about Minden's Holiday Trail of Lights
Monroe-West Monroe
Monroe and West Monroe have a jam-packed holiday schedule! See special holiday decorations and check out the exhibits at the Biedenharn Museum & Gardens or enjoy the Christmas on the River fireworks. Of course, there's always great shopping at antiques stores, boutiques and more along West Monroe’s Antique Alley.
Learn more about Monroe/West Monroe's Holiday Trail of Lights
Natchitoches
Shreveport Aquarium
Natchitoches
Head to Natchitoches, Louisiana’s oldest city, for the perfect dose of holiday spirit. The annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival features more than 300,000 lights illuminating downtown Natchitoches, plus charming light displays along Cane River Lake. It's a magical backdrop for the spectacular Saturday evening fireworks, entertainment, food vendors, shopping and more. Explore the historic district on an evening horse-and-carriage ride, soaking up the charm of one of the 25 Best Christmas Towns in the U.S.
Learn more about Natchitoches' Holiday Trail of Lights
Shreveport-Bossier
Shreveport-Bossier’s annual holiday events might just make your heart grow three sizes. The Christmas in Roseland display transforms America's Rose Garden into a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights. Take the kids to try something new 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 an interactive holiday experience, where your motion-activated magic Christmas wand lights trees, plays music, sparks a cozy fireplace and even makes it snow.
Learn more about Shreveport's Holiday Trail of Lights
Ruston
Make your way to Ruston for the annual Holiday Open House and Kickoff to Christmas for special deals at local businesses, a spectacular tree lighting, and holiday lights and decorations around the town. 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 downtown Ruston for a beloved family tradition — the Christmas Cookie Crawl. Each local business provides a delicious holiday cookie, plus deals and specials. You’ll leave with a full belly and Christmas gifts for the entire family!
Learn more about Ruston's Holiday Trail of Lights
Logansport
Is Logansport’s Christmas festival on your holiday itinerary? Make your list and check it twice, because it should be! The Logansport Christmas Festival, from November through early January, starts with stunning Christmas lights and decorations along the Sabine Riverfront. Enjoy food and craft vendors, visit Santa’s house for a few pictures — and to put in a good word with Saint Nick — and ride the holiday train.
