Louisiana loves a good party, and Christmas is the best time of year to celebrate! To keep things safe and fun, we’ve located a few events that will get you in the holiday spirit.
At Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance, we share your enthusiasm, and wish you the merriest of holidays as we all pause to reflect on a year like no other. Stay safe, and thank you for letting us be a part of your 2020 experience.
South Louisiana
Downtown Candlelight Christmas
A night of Christmas readings and carols, presented by First United Methodist Church, local musicians, and Downtown Lafayette. Tickets are $5, and all proceeds from this event will go to local food banks.
Dates:
Saturday, December 19: 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 20: 7:00 p.m.
Address:
Parc International
200 Garfield Street
Lafayette, LA 70501 (map)
COVID-19 Information: All COVID-19 mandates — including social distancing, requiring masks, and limiting event attendance capacity — will be in place.
If updated protocols prevent public gatherings, A Very Curley Christmas will be live-streamed on the Downtown Lafayette Facebook page. Currently, Downtown Lafayette plans to move forward with all events as scheduled.
New Orleans City Park’s Celebration in the Oaks
With a subtitle of “The Most Spectacular Holiday Lights Festival in the Country,” expectations are high and this event delivers. This year’s presentation celebrates its 34th anniversary, along with Add-On Activities in Carousel Gardens. (Scroll all the way down on the linked page.)
City Park’s commanding oak trees are covered in more than a million lights, with amazing displays sprinkled all about the 2.25-mile driving tour of the park. Proceeds benefit the maintenance and care of New Orleans City Park.
Tips to Know Before You Go:
- Enter park on Friedrichs Avenue
- Exit Park on Dreyfous Avenue
- Guests must remain in their vehicles at all times
Dates: Event runs through January 3 (Closed December 24 and 31)
Address:
2 Friedrichs Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70124 (map)
Phone: (504) 482-4888
Website: New Orleans City Parks
Noel Acadien Au Village
Christmas at Acadian Village draws 50,000-plus visitors each December. The Village, an open-air museum of 19th century Acadian life, covers its grounds with half a million lights. Attractions include live entertainment, rides, Cajun cuisine, photos with Santa, and the stunning, fully-lit chapel.
Dates: December 4-23, weather permitting
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Address:
200 Greenleaf Drive
Lafayette, LA 70506 (map)
Phone: (337) 981-2364
Tickets: Acadian Village, must be purchased in advance online or at local ShopRite stores
North Shore Louisiana
Deck the Park with Pyrotechnics
The third annual “Deck the Park with Pyrotechnics” includes:
- Food trucks
- Arts and crafts vendors
- Kids games, petting zoo, inflatables, face painting, train rides and more
- Movie night in the park
Date: December 12
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Address:
Coquille Parks & Recreation
13505 Hwy 1085
Covington, LA 70433 (map)
Phone: (985) 796-5853
Tickets:
Admission:
$20
Free for children 5 and younger
$25 at the door for ages 6 and up
Website: louisiananorthshore.com
Holiday of Lights
The 21st annual Holiday of Lights in Mandeville returns for December weekends starting on the 4th. What has become a tradition of entertainment from local schools and area performance groups will this year be modified as a drive-through only sightseeing event.
Date:
December 4-27 (Including Christmas Eve and Christmas day)
Recurring weekly on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Address:
St. Tammany Parish Administrative Complex grounds
1490 Koop Drive
Mandeville, LA (map)
Phone: (985) 867-9490
Website: louisiananorthshore.com
North Louisiana
Christmas in Roseland
The American Rose Center in Shreveport transforms into a winter dream for the holidays as Christmas in Roseland opens and thousands of dazzling lights and dozens of illuminated displays fill the grounds. Enjoy nightly entertainment, the Roseland Express Train, and family activities. Warm up with hot chocolate, corn dogs, and funnel cake. Even Santa drops in when his busy schedule allows! This is a walking event only and no carts are allowed.
Date: November 27 – December 23
Address:
8877 Jefferson Paige Rd
Shreveport, LA 71119 (map)
Phone: (318) 938-5402
Tickets:
$5 per person or $20 per carload
Children 2 and under are free
Website: rose.org
West Louisiana
Natchitoches, Louisiana’s 94th Annual Christmas Festival
The oldest city in Louisiana is hosting the most grand event of all! Check out the Natchitoches Christmas website for their full schedules of music on the riverbank, entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors, and a spectacular fireworks show choreographed to music—plus 300,000 lights illuminating downtown Natchitoches and over 100 lighted set pieces along Cane River! And that doesn’t even include the Santa Claus House and the spectacular Christmas in the Park, with 250,000 lights and festive entertainment.
Central Louisiana
Alexandria & Pineville, Louisiana
If your idea of Christmas Spirit includes shopping, shopping, and more shopping in a wonderful holiday atmosphere, visit Alexandria and Pineville in the “Heart of Louisiana” to check out local specialty shops and enjoy gingerbread cookies, the local bakeries, coffee shops and restaurants. And don’t miss the sparkling lights, choirs, festive celebrations, food, and more shopping! Christmas parades abound, beginning with Alexandria on Dec. 11; Ball on the 12th; and Pineville on the 13th!
Happy Holidays from Farm Bureau Insurance
No matter how you celebrate the season, Farm Bureau Insurance hopes that you and your loved ones have a safe and happy holiday season. If you need us, we’ll be here. Get fast, friendly service from someone near you by using our Agent Finder.