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.
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.
