Natchitoches

Celebrate the Season in Natchitoches

Celebrate the joy of the Christmas season with a visit to Natchitoches, the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. Natchitoches Christmas Festival was named the 8th Christmas destination in the World by Travelwaits.com. Other accolades include the 2020 “Best Public Holiday Light Display” by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice, 2018 Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 “Festival of the Year”, 2018 “Top Festival in the State” by New Orleans Magazine, one of “The 10 Best Cities to Get Your Holiday Lights Fix” by Livability.com, one of “America’s 25 Most Festive Christmas Towns” by RaveReviews.com and CarRentals.com, one of “The 10 Best Christmas Towns in the United States” by WideOpenCountry.com, and many more.

Thousands of twinkling lights illuminate the downtown district and Cane River Lake. During the six-week holiday season, experience Natchitoches traditions such as carriage tours through the National Historic Landmark District, fireworks each Saturday, live entertainment, the Northwestern State University Christmas Gala, and the Christmas Tour of Homes presented by the Natchitoches Historic Foundation.

The Natchitoches Christmas Festival – ranked 3^rd “Best Holiday Light Show” behind Rockefeller Center and Disney Land by Yahoo! Travel – celebrates its 98th year and is Louisiana’s premier holiday event. Visitors are captivated by more than 300,000 lights illuminating downtown Natchitoches and over 100 lighted set pieces along Cane River creating a magical backdrop for spectacular fireworks and entertainment. Enjoy gator on a stick, hot gumbo and of course Natchitoches meat pies from many of the food vendors.

Shops and restaurants stay open late during the holidays. Shopping, entertainment, and food and craft vendors create a festive atmosphere for all to enjoy throughout the holiday season.

So plan your trip today. Use the itinerary builder to create a list of events you don’t want to miss. Book a room at one of our hotels or one of our many Bed and Breakfasts by visiting our website at www.natchitoches.com or click here for the list of Holiday events.

Merry Christmas!

Alexandria - Pineville

The festivities will be complete with sparking lights (check out our spirited Water Towers!), community parades appearances by Santa Claus, and various performing opportunities to enjoy the arts. Next Event: Alex Winter Fete

Logansport

Celebrate your Christmas holiday with a visit to the historic community of Logansport in DeSoto Parish. Located on the Sabine River you’ll enjoy the hard work that turns Logansport into a wonderland of lights from late November through the New Year. Visit DiscoverDeSoto.com for a complete list of holiday events. Next Event: Discover Holiday Magic in DeSoto Parish

Louisiana

Mansfield

Minden

Experience the Old World charm of historic downtown Minden with its original brick streets lined with hundreds of life-sized nutcrackers, thousands of twinkling lights, and Disney characters. Next Event: Holiday Trail of Lights Hayride Tours

Monroe-West Monroe

Our holiday season is chocked full of family-friendly events and attractions including two parades,a variety of shops, a spectacular fireworks show,ballet performances and other great holiday events. Next Event: Land of Lights

Ruston

The holiday magic is alive in Ruston with carriage rides, visits with Santa, beautifully decorated downtown shops, streets lined with twinkling lights, a Christmas parade, and more festive fun throughout the entire parish! Next Event: Kickoff to Christmas

Christmas tree with lights and fireworks

Shreveport-Bossier

From dazzling fireworks at the drive-in Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival to twinkling light displays at Christmas in Roseland, there are many ways to make the season bright in Shreveport-Bossier. Next Event: NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet 2024

Celebrate the Season in Natchitoches