2013 Natchitoches Festival of Lights Schedule of Events
2013 FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS – 87th Annual Event
Schedule of Events
November 23, 2013 – January 6, 2014
Over 300,000+ Christmas lights and 100 plus riverbank set pieces are on every night at dusk through January 6, 2013. Downtown attractions include carriages tours through the historic district. Shops and restaurants open late. All events take place in the Landmark Historic District along the Cane River Lake and along the Cane River Lake south of Natchitoches.
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.
Saturday, November 23, 2013: A Salute to the Natchitoches – 300 years a Tri-Centennial Celebration
All Day Celebration - “Turn on the Holidays!” – A Louisiana Main to Main Event – Children’s activities, entertainment & more.
Noon – 4:00 p.m. Children’s Festivities - Downtown Riverbank, FREE
Noon – 8:00 p.m. Holiday Open House – Historic District Business Association (Shops & attractions open late)
6:00 p.m. Musical entertainment on the downtown riverbank stage – FREE
6:30 p.m. Festival of Lights Opening Night Ceremony & Fireworks over Cane River Lake - downtown riverbank FREE
Saturday, November 30, 2013
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Fleur de Lis Arts & Crafts Show – Christmas crafts, jewelry, decorations & gifts. Natchitoches Events Center, 750 Second Street. FREE
4:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Musical entertainment on the downtown riverbank stage – FREE
7:00 p.m. Fireworks over Cane River Lake FREE
Wednesday December 4, 2013
7:30 p.m. Natchitoches/Northwestern Christmas Gala, A.A. Fredericks Auditorium NSU campus. $
Thursday, December 5, 2013
7:30 p.m. Natchitoches/Northwestern Christmas Gala, A.A. Fredericks Auditorium NSU campus. $
Friday, December 6, 2013
6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Musical entertainment on downtown riverbank stage – FREE
7:00 p.m. Natchitoches/Northwestern Christmas Gala, A. A. Fredericks Auditorium NSU campus. $
9:00 p.m. Natchitoches/Northwestern Christmas Gala, A. A. Fredericks Auditorium NSU campus. $
Saturday, December 7, 2013
87th Annual Christmas Festival, Louisiana’s premiere holiday event
Daylong celebration with live musical entertainment, arts, crafts and food vendors, parades, magnificent fireworks and laser show choreographed to holiday music over a state of the arts sound system. **Admission to Front Street & Downtown Riverbank. $
7:45 a.m. Natchitoches “City of Lights” 5K
Noon Opening Ceremony & Entertainment
1:00 p.m. Christmas Parade
3:30 – 6:00 p.m. Musical Entertainment
6:00 p.m. Fireworks over Cane River Lake
6:30 – 10:00 p.m. Musical Entertainment
Tuesday December 10, 2013
7:30 p.m. “Lesson & Carols” – Immaculate Conception Church, 613 Second Street. Free
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation $ www.historicfoundation.org For Tickets Call: 800-259-1714 $
Friday, December 13, 2013
5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation $ www.historicfoundation.org For Tickets Call: 800-259-1714 $
Saturday, December 14, 2013
*Admission to downtown riverbank – beginning at 2pm – $5 ages 12 & over $
9:00 am – 5:00 p.m. Féte 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 am – 5:00 p.m. Les Amies Christmas Treasures Arts & Crafts Sale – Natchitoches Events Center, 750 Second Street – FREE
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation. $ www.historicfoundation.org For Tickets Call: 800-259-1714
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
4:30 – 9:30 p.m. Entertainment on downtown riverbank stage - Admission $
7:00 p.m. Fireworks over Cane River Lake – Admission $
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
7:30 p.m. “Lessons & Carols” featuring NSU Choirs – Trinity Episcopal Church, 533 Second Street FREE
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation. $ www.historicfoundation.org For Tickets Call: 800-259-1714 $
Friday, December 20, 2013
5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation. $ www.historicfoundation.org For Tickets Call: 800-259-1714 $
Saturday, December 21, 2013
*Admission to downtown riverbank – beginning at 2pm – $5 ages 12 & 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. www.historicfoundation.org For Tickets Call 800-259-1714 $
4:30 – 9:30 p.m. Entertainment – downtown riverbank stage – $
7:00 pm Fireworks over Cane River Lake – $
Saturday, December 28, 2013
7:00 pm Fireworks over Cane River Lake FREE
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Midnight Fireworks over Cane River Lake FREE
December 1 – 24, 2013
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. For information (318) 472-6255 FREE
December 8 – 22, 2013
Visit with Santa & Photos with Santa on the south end downtown riverbank, 6-8:30 pm nightly. FREE
**Natchitoches Historic District Business Association & the City of Natchitoches host the annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival. For additional information call 1-800-259-1714 or visit www.christmasfestival.com