Christmas in Monroe-West Monroe is a magical time, filled with community celebrations, unique shopping, spectacular fireworks displays, festive ballet performances, and fun activities for the entire family. The sister cities host numerous special holiday events, ranging from the 2011 Christmas on the River Festival, to dancing lights on Antique Alley, to the ice skating rink at the Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum. Get in the spirit of the season and celebrate the holidays this year in Monroe-West Monroe.
Dancing Lights on Antique Alley
Enjoy the lights that dance to music while shopping in Antique Alley. The lights will turn on each night and “dance” to various Christmas songs.
Santa’s Christmas Village
Come and enjoy the many activities like walking through the snow, ice skating, make and take ornaments, cookie decorating, and taking pictures with the Snowman. Don’t forget about mailing letters to Santa at the Peppermint Post Office and story time with Mrs. Claus. And most of all, visit with Santa!
Christmas Lighting Ceremony
Be a part of kicking off the Christmas season in downtown West Monroe as we light the dancing lights over Antique Alley.
Little Miss Christmas on the River Pageant
Beautiful Holiday crowns and trophies awarded to each winner in each age division! Photogenic Winner and People’s Choice Winner will be awarded as well!
Books of Hours
“Book of Hours”, said by some scholars to be ‘the best seller of the medieval period,’ will be presented using a series of 11 enlarged reproductions of these historic illuminated documents. The program will begin with the Angel’s proclamation that Mary will be the Christ child’s mother, through the Nativity Story and the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt.
Christmas at the Biedenharn
Christmas at the Biedenharn, during the month of December, come enjoy the beautiful Christmas decorations throughout the Biedenharn Home and ELsong Gardens thanks to the Monroe Garden Study League. Each room is decorated to the theme. Be sure and come by during regular museum hours to take your family Christmas snapshots. (Professional photography requires an appointment, pets and tripods are not permitted.) Call 387-5281 to reserve guided tours for groups of ten or more. The Biedenharn Museum and Gardens is located at 2000 Riverside Drive in Monroe, Louisiana’s Garden District. The museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is $6.00 for adults, $4.00 for children. Tours of ten or more should make reservations for guided tours.
Downtown Gallery Crawl
Come to downtown Monroe and enjoy the sights and sounds as you “Crawl” from one historic architectural jewel to the next, each gallery and studio filled with fine art and friendly faces. Every Crawl features music, food and refreshments.
Scrooge presented by Family Church, Dec. 1
If you have never seen this presentation of “Scrooge,” don’t let this Christmas season pass without scheduling your family and friends to attend one of the performances. It is engaging for the entire family from the very first song. The streets of this small town in England are brought to life with the live music of “Scrooge.” The Celtic Dancers are a favorite of the audience, as well as the Couples Dancers, throughout the musical. Come join us for a BROADWAY experience that will touch and entertain you!
West Monroe Kiwanis Club Christmas Parade
Christmas parade which promises to bring holiday fun for all ages! Prizes will be awarded in three categories as well as best of show.
Chili Cook-Off
Chili Appreciation Society International, Inc. Official Chili Cookoff (CASI) Texas Red (CASI Rules apply*, must be 18 yrs or older) Bring or cook extra chili for a People’s Choice Award. Chili tasting for the public between 10 am and 2 pm. First 30 registered cooks will receive a goody bag. Return the registration form before Dec. 4 for early registration. Registration is also open the day of the event.
After Firework Festivities
Bry Park will be lit up and decorated in the Candyland Christmas theme and we will invite everyone who is downtown for the Christmas fireworks to stay and enjoy entertainment in Bry Park. There will be a variety of musicians entertaining the crowd with Christmas carols and a huge tree in Bry Park that we will have a “celebrity” guest help us throw the switch and light up.
Annual Bawcomville Redneck Christmas Parade
Enjoy this festive parade with floats, RVs, animals, and more! You won’t want to miss this!
Monroe Jaycees Fireworks Extravaganza
The Monroe Jaycees Christmas fireworks display and celebration DOWNTOWN!! Come enjoy the show after the Christmas parade along with other downtown festivities in Monroe and West Monroe during Christmas on the River!
2011 SCROOGE Bah Humbug 5K Run
The run is sponsored by the Family Church in West Monroe and benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Louisiana.
PAW-Rade Pet Parade
Time to dress-up your pets and put them on display and what better time than the Christmas holidays. Pets and their servants are invited to come dressed in costume. Decorated floats (wagons*) are also encouraged. Pre-registration Fee: $15 for 1st pet ($5 for each additional pet); $5 per pet for best costume contest, $5 for best owner costume, $5 for best float.
Rudolph & Buddy the Elf Save Christmas
Buddy the Elf & Rudolph save the day and make sure Christmas comes off without a hitch for all the good girls and boys around the world!
Christmas Tour
This tour will include Washington Plaza, St. Matthews, Vantage, Riverscape, Ouachita Grand Plaza, Frances Towers, The Palace and First Baptist Church. Each location will be open to guests participating in the tour, along with light refreshments and entertainment at each stop. There will be people on hand to share historical knowledge about each location.
Christmas in the Park
A live nativity scene in Anna Grey Noe Park with music and Tasting Tea to follow at First Baptist Church, Pettit Hall.
Scrooge presented by Family Church, Dec. 12
If you have never seen this presentation of “Scrooge,” don’t let this Christmas season pass without scheduling your family and friends to attend one of the performances. It is engaging for the entire family from the very first song. The streets of this small town in England are brought to life with the live music of “Scrooge.” The Celtic Dancers are a favorite of the audience, as well as the Couples Dancers, throughout the musical. Come join us for a BROADWAY experience that will touch and entertain you!
Scrooge presented by Family Church, Dec. 13
If you have never seen this presentation of “Scrooge,” don’t let this Christmas season pass without scheduling your family and friends to attend one of the performances. It is engaging for the entire family from the very first song. The streets of this small town in England are brought to life with the live music of “Scrooge.” The Celtic Dancers are a favorite of the audience, as well as the Couples Dancers, throughout the musical. Come join us for a BROADWAY experience that will touch and entertain you!