Schedule

November 19, 2011 – January 6, 2012

Experience the charm of the original French colony in Louisiana (1714) during the Festival of Lights and Christmas Festival, one of the nation’s oldest community-based holiday celebrations.

The Festival of Lights begins November 19 and lasts into the New Year. The Natchitoches (Nack-a-tish) Christmas Festival has been held on the first weekend in December since 1927. This annual event draws in excess of 100,000 visitors each year for the parade, live entertainment, food fair, arts and crafts show and a spectacular fireworks show over the scenic Cane River Lake.

Mini-festivals are held every weekend in December with a Holiday Tour of Homes, entertainment and fireworks every Saturday and at midnight on New Year’s Eve. More than 500,000 visitors annually trek to Natchitoches during the holiday season to enjoy the light displays, riverbank vendors, shops, restaurants, and nightly tours by streetcar or carriages.

Christmas lights are on every night at dusk through January 6, 2012. Downtown attractions include carriage rides 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.

Click here to download the Christmas Festival Schedule 2011 in Adobe PDF Format.Schedule 2011 as of 11 22 11

NOVEMBER EVENTS

Sat. November 19

Enjoy carolers on Front Street every Friday & Saturday evening through December 17 (except for Sat., Dec. 3).  Sponsored by Natchitoches Historic District Business Association

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

8:00-12:00
Cane River Green Market
Luke Jazz Trio

1:00-5:00p.m.
Kids’ Activities – Bart’s Kids World – Magic, Puppets & Games, Face Painting, Monster Spider Jump, Natchitoches Bookmobile, Barbershop Style Chorus Performance  – FREE

10:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Holiday Open House – Historic District Business Association businesses will start service refreshments at 4p.m.

5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Musical Entertainment – River Road – FREE

6:30 p.m.
Festival of Lights Opening Night Ceremony – Downtown Riverbank

7:00 p.m.
Fireworks over Cane River Lake – Downtown Riverbank – FREE

Fri. November 25

4:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Snow Fest – Louisiana Office of Tourism (Official Sponsor)
Experience Frosty’s Avalanche Slide – Tubing down 110 ft of totally awesome winter fun plus other children’s activities and vendors. **42″ height requirement. hosted by Historic District Business Association.  $2.50 per ride. Children area $5 armband good for all day.

Sat. November 26 – Blues Christmas Weekend

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Fleur de Lis Arts & Crafts Show – Christmas crafts, jewelry, decorations & gifts.  Natchitoches Events Center, 750 Second Street. FREE

Snow Fest – Louisiana Office of Tourism (Official Sponsor)

10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Experience Frosty’s Avalanche Slide – Tubing down 110 ft of totally awesome winter fun plus other children’s activities and vendors. **42″ height requirement. hosted by Historic District Business Association.  $2.50 per ride. Children area $5 armband good for all day.

2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Musical Entertainment – Johnny and the Nightcrawlers – FREE

5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Musical Entertainment  – Diddley Squat – FREE

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

Wed. November 30

7:00 p.m.
Natchitoches/Northwestern Christmas Gala, A.A. Fredericks Auditorium NSU campus. Admission, call (318) 357-4522 for additional information.  Advance tickets available online at NSUtickets.com. $15. Advance tickets holders must arrive at least one hour prior to show to be assured seat.  Tickets at door on night of performance are $10. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show.

DECEMBER EVENTS

Thurs. December 1

7:00 p.m.
Natchitoches/Northwestern Christmas Gala, A.A. Fredericks Auditorium NSU campus. Admission, call (318) 357-4522 for additional information.  Advance tickets available online at NSUtickets.com. $15. Advance tickets holders must arrive at least one hour prior to show to be assured seat.  Tickets at door on night of performance are $10. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show.

Fri. December 2

5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Musical Entertainment – Fleur de Lis Stage – The Drew Danzy Band – FREE

7 & 9:00 p.m.
Natchitoches/Northwestern Christmas Gala, A.A. Fredericks Auditorium NSU campus. Admission, call (318) 357-4522 for additional information.  Advance tickets available online at NSUtickets.com. $15. Advance tickets holders must arrive at least one hour prior to show to be assured seat.  Tickets at door on night of performance are $10. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show.

Tues. December 6

7:30 p.m
Lessons & Carols – Immaculate Conception Church, 613 Second Street – FREE

Wed. December 7

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 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

Sat. December 10 – Cajun Weekend
*Admission to downtown riverbank only beginning at 2 p.m.  $5 ages 12 and over

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Fete de Hiver. Fort St. Jean Baptiste SHS, Celebrate Christmas 18th century style with historians, re-enactors and period merchants. $4 for persons over 12 & under 62.

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Les Amies Christmas Treasures Arts & Crafts Sale – Natchitoches Events Center, 750 Second Street. 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  – FREE

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

2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Musical Entertainment – Fleur de Lis Stage – Brandon Ledet and The Creole Touch Zydeco Band

5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Musical Entertainment   – Fleur de Lis Stage – Jambalaya Cajun Band

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

Tues. December 13

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

Wed. December 14

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 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

Sat. December 17 – Rocking Christmas Weekend
*Admission to downtown riverbank only beginning at 2 p.m.  $5 ages 12 and over

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  – 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

1:30-2:00 p.m.
Renee’s Dance Studio will perform a small show on the river front. Come enjoy the show, featuring The Show Stopper Competition Team.

2:00 – 4:00p.m.: Entertainment – Fleur de Lis Stage – Dragstrip Phantoms

5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Musical Entertainment – Fleur de Lis Stage – Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs

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

Sat. December 31

Midnight
Fireworks over Cane River Lake – FREE

December 5 – 23

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

December 1 – 24

Christmas in the Park – Rebel State Historic Park -Marthaville, La
Visitors are invited to drive or walk through the park. Photos with Santa select Saturdays 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.

December 7, 2011 – January 31, 2012

“El Camino Real de los Tejas” Photo Exhibition – Fort St. Jean Baptiste, SHS, 155 rue Jefferson, (318) 357-3101-Open Wednesday – Sunday, 9a.m.-5p.m.

El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail was designated by Congress in 2004 to commemorate the significant historic routes extending from the international border at the Rio Grande to the easternmost section of the Spanish province of Texas in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana.

The Traveling exhibition features 30 photographs taken by SFA Associate Professor of Art Christopher Talbot of sites along the historical El Camino Real, from mexico to Natchitoches Parish

**Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the Annual Festival of Lights – Contact 318-352-6894 regarding admission and entertainment.