Schedule

November 21 – January 6, 2010

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 21 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, 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

5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Entertainment by Josh Hyde & the Hitchhikers– Fleur de Lis Stage – FREE

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)

Sat. November 28

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

5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Entertainment by Boomarang– FREE

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

DECEMBER EVENTS

Thurs. December 3

7:00 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 by Bayou Katz- 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.

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

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.

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 at Magnolia Plantation - 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

6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Entertainment by Avery Michaels & Exit 209 - Fleur de Lis Stage

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

9:30 p.m.
Zydeco Concert featuring Chris Ardoin - Natchitoches Events Center, 750 Second Street.  Advance tickets $15/$20 at door.  (318) 354-0899

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 Oakland 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 -

3:00 – 3:45 p.m.
Musical Puppet Show presented by Hands 2 Heart Ministries - Fleur de Lis Stage.  FREE

5:00 p.m.
Entertainment by Sara Beth -Fleur de Lis Stage - FREE

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

7:30 p.m.
Entertainment by Cane Riva Swiggas - Fleur de Lis Stage - 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.