The 12 Days of Christmas, Louisiana-Style
Louisiana knows how to throw a party, and the holiday festivities are no exception. From parades to fireworks and visits with Santa, there is no shortage of holiday merriment.
At a Glance
- Popular holiday traditions across Louisiana include holiday lights, parades, fireworks, Christmas markets, live music and family-friendly activities.
- Top Christmas events in Louisiana include the Natchitoches Christmas Festival, Cajun Christmas bonfires, Light up the Lake Christmas Celebration and more.
- Louisiana cities known for their holiday spirit include New Orleans, Monroe, Shreveport, Baton Rouge, Natchitoches, Lake Charles, Alexandria and towns on the Northshore.
With an extensive list of holiday festivities around Louisiana, figuring out how to celebrate can be overwhelming. We’re here to help you navigate with a guide that highlights some of the best events in every corner of the state.
1. North Louisiana Christmas Celebrations
Begin with Ruston's Kickoff to Christmas, featuring festive activities, holiday tunes, a tree lighting ceremony, carriage rides and a special visit from Santa. In nearby Monroe, visit the Christmas Open House at Biedenharn Museum & Gardens, where you'll be delighted by the holiday decor. Be sure to stop by the Coca-Cola exhibit.
2. Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival
In Oil City, near Shreveport, is the Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival, with arts and crafts, live music, food booths and pictures with Santa.
3. Natchitoches Christmas Festival
Celebrate one of Louisiana’s longest-running Christmas traditions — the Natchitoches Christmas Festival. Each year, downtown Natchitoches transforms into a holiday wonderland with hundreds of thousands of colored lights and set pieces. During the festival, shop for Christmas gifts at the Mistletoe Market, enjoy the Festival of Lights Parade and end the night with fireworks over Cane River Lake.
4. Christmas in the Country
St. Francisville hosts Christmas in the Country, where visitors can shop at local businesses, groove to live music, make new friends at a street party and enjoy a parade.
5. Light Up the Lake Christmas Celebration
Over in Lake Charles, experience the Light up the Lake Christmas Celebration featuring a holiday art walk, local food trucks with festive eats and drinks, live musical performances and Santa’s Workshop, where children of all ages can create holiday crafts and meet Saint Nick himself. This family-friendly event continues into the night with a lighted boat parade and fireworks show along the Lakefront Promenade.
6. Logansport Christmas Festival
The theme of this year's Logansport Christmas Festival, A Storybook Christmas, invites visitors to sit back, relax and enjoy decorations and lights straight from “A Christmas Story.” Browse food and craft vendors, visit Santa’s house and ride the holiday train, then wander Main Street after dark to take in the beautiful Christmas lights.
7. Christmas Markets
In the need of some retail therapy? Check out the Merry Market in Gonzales, one of the largest Christmas markets in the state, and browse vendors from across the country. Over in New Roads, visit the Holiday Market at the Mill for shopping, dining and a charming holiday atmosphere.
8. Cajun Bonfires
Celebrate the South Louisiana tradition of bonfires on the levee at the Algiers Bonfire & Concert. Listen to musical performances, eat delicious food from local vendors and shop at the holiday craft market as you watch a 30-foot sculptural bonfire set ablaze. The tradition is also kept alive at the Festival of the Bonfires in Lutcher, so head there for live music, amusement rides and Santa’s Very Merry Forest, a collection of 5- to 7-feet Christmas trees.
9. Northshore Christmas Events
On the Louisiana Northshore, you’ll find holiday options galore. See the town lit up and glimmering in holiday lights, celebrate with a Christmas parade on the Mandeville lakefront, hear the sounds of the season, shop the annual Christmas extravaganza arts and crafts expo, taste special holiday dishes and more.
10. Alexandria Holiday Events
There’s plenty of holiday cheer in Alexandria, including an annual holiday concert by the Rapides Symphony Orchestra and the Holiday Light Safari at the Alexandria Zoo.
11. A Rural Life Christmas
In Baton Rouge, stop by the Rural Life Museum for A Rural Life Christmas, a 19th-century Louisiana Christmas celebration with decorations representative of long-ago times displayed throughout the museum’s grounds. See artisan demonstrations like syrup making, open-hearth cooking, textiles, soap making and blacksmithing.
12. NOLA ChristmasFest
In New Orleans, NOLA ChristmasFest lasts for over a week — offering lots of time to experience all there is to do, such as ice skating on a real indoor rink, whooshing down ice slides, meeting Santa and friends, and more. Looking for the perfect holiday selfie? Stop by the famous Roosevelt Hotel in the Big Easy for a look at their wildly popular, ornate decorations — the perfect photo backdrop. While you’re there, have a drink at The Sazerac Bar or grab a sweet treat at Teddy’s Café.
Bonus! Holiday Trail of Lights
Take a trip along the Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights and experience lights displays, parades, fireworks, shopping and other festivities in seven cities in north and central Louisiana.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Louisiana during Christmas?
Louisiana offers a wide variety of holiday experiences, including Christmas light displays, parades, fireworks, holiday markets, live music, visits with Santa and seasonal festivals.
What are some popular Holiday Experiences to have in Louisiana?
Popular experiences include the Natchitoches Christmas Festival, Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival, Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights, Christmas bonfires on the levee, and holiday celebrations in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles and other Louisiana communities.
Where can I see Christmas bonfires in Louisiana?
Some of the best-known Christmas bonfire celebrations take place along the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, particularly in St. James Parish. Visitors can also experience bonfire celebrations in towns such as Lutcher and Algiers.
What are the best Christmas destinations in Louisiana for families?
Families can find holiday activities throughout Louisiana, including visits with Santa, Christmas light displays, fireworks, holiday trains, craft activities, parades and seasonal festivals.
Where can I find Christmas markets in Louisiana?
Louisiana hosts seasonal markets where visitors can shop for gifts, crafts, food and other holiday items. The Merry Market in Gonzales and the Holiday Market at the Mill in New Roads are just two of the many popular Christmas markets in Louisiana.
What is the Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights?
The Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights is a holiday cultural trail through seven cities in north and central Louisiana. The trail features Christmas light displays, parades, fireworks, shopping, live entertainment and other seasonal activities.
What is the weather in Louisiana like during the holidays?
Louisiana typically has mild winter weather during the holiday season, with temperatures generally ranging from the 40s to 60s. Southern Louisiana tends to be milder, while northern parts of the state can experience occasional freezing weather.
