Schedule

November 20 – January 6, 2011

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 20 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, 2011. 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.

NOVEMBER EVENTS

Sat. November 20

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

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

5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Holiday Open House – Historic District Business Association (Shops & attractions open late)

5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Entertainment by Dixie Tradition – 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

Fri. November 26

5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Snow Fest - Tubing down 110 ft of totally awesome winter fun plus other children’s activities.  Admission.

Sat. November 27

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

10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Snow Fest - Tubing down 110 ft of totally awesome winter fun plus other children’s activities.  Admission.

5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Entertainment by Drew Danzy Band – Fleur de Lis Stage - FREE

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

DECEMBER EVENTS

Thurs. December 2

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

Fri. December 3

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

6:30 p.m.
Entertainment by Hardrick Rivers- 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 7

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

Wed. December 8

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 10

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 11
*Admission to downtown riverbank only beginning at 2 p.m.  $5 ages 12 and over

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

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 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

5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Entertainment by Barry Badon  - Fleur de Lis Stage (sponsored in part by the Shreveport Regional Arts Council)

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

Tues. December 14

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

Wed. December 15

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

Thurs. December 16

6:00 p.m.
Service of Blue Christmas with Trinity Episcopal Church and First United Methodist Church, 411 Second Street.   (318) 357-8296

Fri. December 17

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 18
*Admission to downtown riverbank only beginning at 2 p.m.  $5 ages 12 and over

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation. Admission.  For tickets call  (800) 259-1714.  www.historicfoundation.org

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

5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Entertainment by Cane Riva Swiggas - Fleur de Lis Stage

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

Sat. December 25

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

Fri. 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.

December 1 – 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.