Schedule of Events

November 21 – January 6, 2010

Christmas lights are on every night at dusk through January 6, 2010. Downtown attractions include boat rides, dinner cruises, carriages and streetcar tours throughout the City of Lights. Shops and restaurants open late. All events take place in the Landmark Historic District along the Cane River Lake. Visit www.christmasfestival.com or call 1-800-259-1714 for a complete up to date schedule and news. * All times are approximate at this time. Dates are subject to change.

NOVEMBER EVENTS

Sat. November 21

All Day
“Turn on the Holidays!” – A Louisiana Main to Main Event – Children’s activities, entertainment & more.

12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Children’s Festivities - Downtown Riverbank, FREE

5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Open House – Natchitoches Art Guild & Gallery, 584 Front Street

6:00 p.m.
Festival of Lights Opening Night Ceremony, immediately followed by fireworks over Cane River Lake – downtown riverbank

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Holiday Open House – Historic District Business Association (Shops & attractions open late)

6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Musical Entertainment– Fleur de Lis Stage – FREE

Sat. November 28

10:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Fleur de Lis Arts & Crafts Show – Christmas crafts, jewelry, decorations & gifts.  Natchitoches Events Center, 750 Second Street. FREE

6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Musical Entertainment – FREE

7:00 p.m.
Fireworks over Cane River Lake -FREE

DECEMBER EVENTS

Thurs. December 3

7:30 p.m.
Natchitoches/Northwestern Christmas Gala, A.A. Fredericks Auditorium NSU campus. Admission, call (318) 357-4522 for ticketing information.

Fri. December 4

6:00 p.m.
Christmas Flotilla – Parade of lighted barges on the Cane River Lake – Downtown Riverbank -  FREE

6:30 p.m.
Entertainment - Fleur de Lis Stage – FREE

7 & 9:00 p.m.
Natchitoches/Northwestern Christmas Gala, A. A. Fredericks Auditorium NSU campus. Admission, call (318) 357-4522 for ticketing information.

Saturday, December 5
83rd Annual Christmas Festival, Louisiana’s premiere holiday event. Daylong celebration with entertainment, arts, crafts and food vendors, parade, fireworks, laser show and the lighting of 300,000+ Christmas bulbs and 100 plus riverbank set pieces. **Admission to Front Street & Downtown Riverbank.
Schedule of events:
7:45 a.m. : Santa Shuffle, 5K Run
10:00 a.m. : Junior Parade
11:00 a.m. : Entertainment
1:00 p.m. : Christmas Parade
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. : Entertainment
6:00 p.m. : Fireworks
6:30 - 9:30 p.m. : Entertainment

Tues. December 8

7:30 p.m
“Lesson & Carols” - Immaculate Conception Church, 613 Second Street - FREE

Wed. December 9

5:00 – 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 11

5:00 – 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 12
**Admission will be charged to enter Front Street & Downtown Riverbank

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Féte de Hiver. Fort St. Jean Baptiste SHS, Celebrate Christmas 18th century style with historians, re-enactors and period merchants. $2 for persons over 12 & under 62.

1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation. Admission, For tickets call (800) 259-1714. www.historicfoundation.org

1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Christmas Downriver. Cane River Creole National Historic Park presents Creole Christmas with special tours, educational programs and musical events at Magnolia Plantation - FREE

1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Children’s Christmas Party – Natchitoches Parish Library, 450 Second Street - FREE

6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Entertainment - Fleur de Lis Stage

7:00 p.m.
Fireworks over Cane River Lake - FREE

Sun., December 13

2:00 p.m.
Cookies with Santa – Natchitoches Events Center, 750 Second Street, Admission.  Reservations required.   Call (318) 352-2746 or (866) 941-6246

Tues. December 15

7:30 p.m.
“Lessons & Carols” featuring NSU Choirs – Trinity Episcopal Church, 533 Second Street -FREE

Wed. December 16

5:00 – 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 18

5:00 – 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 19

12:00 – 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 – 2:30 p.m.
Christmas Downriver. Cane River Creole National Historic Park presents Creole Christmas with special tours, educational programs and musical events at Magnolia Plantation - FREE

1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation. Admission.  For tickets call  (800) 259-1714.  www.historicfoundation.org -

6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Entertainment -Fleur de Lis Stage - FREE

7:00 p.m.
Fireworks over Cane River Lake - FREE

Sat. December 26

7:00 p.m.
Fireworks over Cane River Lake - FREE

Wed. December 31

Midnight
Fireworks over Cane River Lake - FREE

December 6 – 23

Photos with Santa on the south end downtown riverbank, 6-8:30 pm nightly.

December1 – 24

Christmas in the Park – Rebel State Historic Park -Marthaville, Louisiana
Visitors are invited to drive or walk through the park. Photos with Santa every Saturday in December. FREE. For information (318) 472-6255

**Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Festival of Lights – Call (318) 352-6894 regarding admission and entertainment.

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Natchitoches Convention and Visitor's Bureau
781 Front Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457
Toll-free: (800)259-1714
Email: Fill out our contact form
Local: (318)352-8072 - Fax: (318)352-2415