The 2011 holiday season in Alexandria/Pineville is sure to bring both good tidings and great joy. The holiday extravaganza, in the heart of Louisiana, will be complete with sparkling lights, community parades, appearances by Santa Claus, and performing arts. Whether it’s experiencing an old-fashioned Christmas, driving through a live nativity scene, shopping for gifts, or listening to Christmas carols that puts you in the holiday spirit, you can find it all in Alexandria/Pineville during their annual 12 Days of Christmas.
The Nutcracker Ballet
Performed by Red River Dance Company, the cast includes local dancers and guest professionals. It’s a holiday suitable for the entire family. For more information call 318-443-7500.
Holiday Magic
The City of Alexandria turns on the Christmas lights for the first time this holiday season with a family-friendly event in downtown Alexandria complete with live entertainment. Families can listen to storytelling and vintage music, take a picture with Papa Noel, make their own old-fashioned ornaments and enjoy refreshments. For more information call 318-449-5051.
A Festive Christmas-Kent Plantation
Families can listen to storytelling and vintage music, take a picture with Papa Noel, make their own old fashioned ornaments, and enjoy refreshments at the historic Kent House Plantation. The Kent House is a classic example of French colonial architecture. Standing on the original land grant from the King of Spain to Pierre Baillio II, it offers a glimpse of the French, Spanish and American cultures that have influenced Louisiana. All three flags fly over the entrance. For more information call 318-487-5998.
Rapides Symphony Holiday Concert
Enjoy holiday selections performed by the Rapides Symphony Orchestra whose community-wide love of music goes back for many generations in Alexandria, to the Opera House (later the Paramount Theater) built on Third Street prior to World War I, and to the Community Concert Association which came into existence immediately following World War II. For more information call 318-442-9709.
Storytime in the Gallery
The Alexandria Museum of Art ( AMoA) will be host to Maria Lopez’s exhibition of the Mayan Creation Stories. The author will be reading her children’s book as part of the evening’s events. The mission of AMoA is to preserve, exhibit, and promote visual art throughout Central Louisiana in a way that contributes to the quality of life.For more information call 318-443-3458
Christmas Spectacular
The 5th Annual Christmas Spectacular is a family-friendly variety show in the vein of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in New York. Featuring performances from dance troupes, choirs, theatre groups, and many more. For more information call 318-48-STAGE.