300,000+ Christmas lights and 100 plus riverbank set pieces are on every night at dusk through January 6, 2013. Downtown attractions include carriage tours through the historic district. Shops and restaurants are open late. All events take place in the Landmark Historic District along the Cane River Lake and along the Cane River Lake south of Natchitoches.
You can call 1-800-259-1714 for a complete up to date schedule and news.
*Note that all times are approximate at this time. Dates are subject to change.
NOVEMBER EVENTS
Sat. November 17: A Salute to Louisiana's Bicentennial Event
All Day
"Turn on the Holidays!" - A Louisiana Main to Main Event – Children's activities, entertainment & more.
8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Holiday Marketplace – Downtown Riverbank
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. – Red River Dance Hosted by Alexandria-Pineville CVB
11:00 a.m.-Noon – The Side Men Hosted by Alexandria-Pineville CVB
Noon-4:00 p.m.
Children's Festivities – Downtown Riverbank, FREE
Noon-8:00 p.m.
Holiday Open House – Historic District Business Association (Shops and attractions open late)
12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m. – Matthew Davidson Band Hosted by Shreveport-Bossier CTB
2:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. – Lisa Lee Trio Hosted by Monroe-West Monroe CVB
4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. – Minden Community Chorus Hosted by Minden Main Street & Webster Parish Tourism
6:00 p.m. – Tab Benoit – Hosted by Louisiana Office of Tourism & Alexandria-Pineville CVB
6:30 p.m.
Festival of Lights Opening Night Ceremony – Downtown Riverbank
Immediately following:
Fireworks over Cane River Lake, FREE
Music continues with Tab Benoit until 9pm – Hosted by Louisiana Office of Tourism & Alexandria-Pineville CVB
Fri. November 23: Snow Fest
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Experience Frosty's Avalanche Slide – Tubing down 110 ft of totally awesome winter fun plus other children's activities and vendors. **42″ height requirement. Hosted by Historic District Business Association.
Sat. November 24: Snow Fest
10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Experience Frosty's Avalanche Slide – Tubing down 110 ft of totally awesome winter fun plus other children's activities and vendors. **42″ height requirement. Hosted by Historic District Business Association.
10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Fleur de Lis Arts & Crafts Show – Christmas crafts, jewelry, decorations & gifts. Natchitoches Events Center, 750 Second Street, FREE
4:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Musical Entertainment – The Blue Diamonds
7:00 p.m.
Fireworks over Cane River Lake, FREE
7:15 p.m.-9:45 p.m.
Musical Entertainment – Hardrick Rivers
Tue. November 27
7:00 p.m.
Multicultural Christmas Concert , Treen Auditorium, LA School for Math Science and the Arts building. FREE
Wed. November 28
7:30 p.m.
Natchitoches/Northwestern Christmas Gala, A.A. Fredericks Auditorium NSU campus. Call (318) 357-4522 for additional information. Tickets are $10 on a first come basis. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show.
Thur. November 29
7:30 p.m.
Natchitoches/Northwestern Christmas Gala, A.A. Fredericks Auditorium NSU campus. Call (318) 357-4522 for additional information. Tickets are $10 on a first come basis. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show.
Fri. November 30
6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Entertainment on Downtown Riverbank Stage, Hank Staples & Thunder Creek
7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Natchitoches/Northwestern Christmas Gala, A.A. Fredericks Auditorium NSU campus. Call (318) 357-4522 for additional information. Tickets are $10 on a first come basis. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show.
DECEMBER EVENTS
Sat. December 1: 86th Annual Christmas Festival**
86th Annual Christmas Festival, Louisiana's premiere holiday event. Daylong celebration with entertainment, arts, craft and food vendors, parade, fireworks, laser show and lighting of 300,00+ Christmas bulbs and 100 plus riverbank set pieces. **Admission to Front Street & Downtown Riverbank
Schedule of events
7:45am Natchitoches "City of Lights" 5K
Noon Opening Festivities & Entertainment
1:00pm Christmas Parade
3:30 – 6:00pm Entertainment – The LaCour Trio
6:00pm Fireworks over Cane River Lake
6:45 – 9:30pm Terrence Simien & Zydeco Experience
Sun. December 2
7:00 p.m
Community Sing a Long – First United Methodist Church, 411 Second Street. The community is invited to join the choirs from Northwestern State University for a fun-filled holiday event. FREE
Tues. December 4
7:30 p.m
Lessons & Carols – Immaculate Conception Church, 613 Second Street, FREE
Wed. December 5
5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation. Admission. For tickets call 800-259-1714. www.historicfoundation.org
Fri. December 7
5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation. Admission. For tickets call 800-259-1714. www.historicfoundation.org
Sat. December 8:*
*Admission to downtown riverbank only beginning at 2 p.m. $5 ages 12 and over
9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Fete de Hiver. Fort St. Jean Baptiste SHS, Celebrate Christmas 18th century style with historians, re-enactors and period merchants. $4 for persons over 12 & under 62.
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Les Amies Christmas Treasures Arts & Crafts Sale – Natchitoches Events Center, 750 Second Street, FREE
1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.
Christmas Downriver. Cane River Creole National Historic Park presents Creole Christmas with special tours, educational programs and musical events, FREE
1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Children's Christmas Party - Natchitoches Parish Library, 450 Second Street, FREE
1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation. Admission, For tickets call (800) 259-1714. www.historicfoundation.org
4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Musical Entertainment – Johnny Earthquake & the Moondogs
7:15 p.m.- 9:45 p.m.
Musical Entertainment – Jambalaya Cajun Band
7:00 p.m.
Fireworks over Cane River Lake
Tues. December 11
7:30 p.m.
Lessons & Carols featuring NSU Choirs – Trinity Episcopal Church, 533 Second Street -FREE
Wed. December 12
5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation. Admission. For tickets call (800) 259-1714. www.historicfoundation.org
Fri. December 14: Snow Fest
10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Experience Frosty's Avalanche Slide – Tubing down 110 ft of totally awesome winter fun plus other children's activities and vendors. **42″ height requirement. Hosted by Historic District Business Association.
5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation. Admission. For tickets call (800) 259-1714. www.historicfoundation.org
Sat. December 15: Snow Fest*
*Admission to downtown riverbank only beginning at 2 p.m. $5 ages 12 and over
10:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Experience Frosty's Avalanche Slide – Tubing down 110 ft of totally awesome winter fun plus other children's activities and vendors. Hosted by Historic District Business Association.
12:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Cane River Creole Christmas at Badin-Roque House. The St. Augustine Historical Society hosts special tours and Creole holiday stories – FREE
1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.
Christmas Downriver. Cane River Creole National Historic Park presents Creole Christmas with special tours, educational programs and musical events – FREE
1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation. Admission. For tickets call (800) 259-1714. www.historicfoundation.org
4:30 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.: Entertainment – Fat Chance
7:00 p.m.- Fireworks over Cane River Lake
7:15 p.m.- 9:45 p.m.: Entertainment – Knight Train
Sun. December 16: Snow Fest
11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.
Experience Frosty's Avalanche Slide – Tubing down 110 ft of totally awesome winter fun plus other children's activities and vendors. Hosted by Historic District Business Association.
Fri. December 21: Snow Fest
4:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Experience Frosty's Avalanche Slide – Tubing down 110 ft of totally awesome winter fun plus other children's activities and vendors. Hosted by Historic District Business Association.
Sat. December 22: Snow Fest
10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Experience Frosty's Avalanche Slide – Tubing down 110 ft of totally awesome winter fun plus other children's activities and vendors. Hosted by Historic District Business Association.
4:30 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.: Entertainment – The LaCour Trio
7:00 p.m.- Fireworks over Cane River Lake
7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. - Sounds of the Season music
Sun. December 23: Snow Fest
11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Experience Frosty's Avalanche Slide – Tubing down 110 ft of totally awesome winter fun plus other children's activities and vendors. Hosted by Historic District Business Association.
Monday December 31 (New Year's Eve)
Midnight – Fireworks over Cane River Lake, FREE
December 3 – 22
Photos with Santa on the south end downtown riverbank, 6-8:30 pm nightly.
December 1 – 24
Christmas in the Park – Rebel State Historic Park -Marthaville, La
Visitors are invited to drive or walk through the park. Photos with Santa select Saturdays in December. FREE. For information (318) 472-6255
The Festival of Lights is presented by the Natchitoches Historic District Business Association and the City of Natchitoches. Call 800-259-1714 for additional information.
**Admission to Front Street & Downtown Riverbank
*Admission to Downtown Riverbank Only
For more festival information, you can
click here.
