12 Days of Christmas in Louisiana
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.
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 Kickoff to Christmas in Ruston, featuring festive activities, holiday tunes, a tree lighting ceremony, carriage rides and a special visit from Santa. Nearby in Monroe, make a visit to the Christmas Open House at the Biedenharn, 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 in St. Francisville
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 a 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
This year's Logansport Christmas Festival's theme, 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
Looking to get your retail therapy fix? Check out the Merry Market in Gonzales, one of the largest Christmas markets in the state, and browse through 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 tradition of holiday bonfires in South Louisiana 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 over for carnival rides, a massive bonfire 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 plenty of holiday options. 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 & Crafts Expo, taste holiday dining specials 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 special times of long ago 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 offer, such as a real indoor ice skating rink, ice slides, carnival rides, Santa and friends, holiday stage, giant decorations and more. Looking for the perfect holiday selfie for the ‘gram? Stop by the famous Roosevelt Hotel in the Big Easy for a look at their wildly popular, ornate decorations — the perfect backdrop for a photo-op. While you’re there, have a drink at the Sazerac Bar or grab a sweet treat at Teddy’s Café.
Want to celebrate all season long across North Louisiana? Take a trip down the Holiday Trail of Lights. Experience holiday lights, parades, fireworks, shopping and many exciting events in seven of Louisiana’s festive cities.
