Christmas Lights in Louisiana 2024-2025

From party-loving New Orleans to historical Natchitoches and colonial Lafayette, there are a lot of unique places to celebrate Christmas in Louisiana. Enjoy some jazz, the Cajun cuisine, and millions of lights.

Celebration in the Oaks in City Park, New Orleans (November 23–December 30, 2024)

Celebration in the Oaks is one of the largest Christmas events in Louisiana, taking place in the state's party capital—New Orleans. One of the country's most spectacular holiday lights festivals features over 1 million lights.

Every winter it attracts more than 165,000 visitors to view the City Park’s famous oak trees wrapped in thousands of beautiful, twinkling lights. Breathtaking animated and still light displays are scattered throughout the Botanical Garden, Storyland, and Carousel Gardens Amusement Park. One of the highlights is the "Dripping Snow Tree" with 40,000 lights. There are 32,800 feet of rope lights within the 25 acres (10 ha).

Natchitoches Christmas Season (November 23, 2024–January 6, 2025)

Christmas Festival of Lights in Natchitoches, now known as Natchitoches Christmas Season, dates back to 1927, making it the oldest in the United States. The festival starts on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and concludes on Epiphany. The festival takes place in Downtown Natchitoches, in the Historic District, and along the banks of Cane River Lake. The holiday display features over 300,000 lights, and over one hundred set pieces are on every night at dusk.

Festivities include the Christmas Parade, a beauty contest, and fireworks on Saturdays. The Santa Claus House is located on the downtown riverbank. The kids will have an opportunity to tell Santa their wishes, enjoy hot chocolate, and have their photo taken. Lots of food vendors will welcome guests on the Riverbank all seven days of the week. The shops and restaurants on Front Street can be accessed without an armband, even on Saturdays. General Armband Admission is $15. Children 6 and under do not require an armband.

Christmas in Roseland at American Rose Center, Shreveport (November 29–December 23, 2024)

The American Rose Center in Shreveport, Louisiana, fully transforms into a winter wonderland for the holidays. Christmas in Roseland starts the day after Thanksgiving and lasts until the weekend before Christmas. It features thousands of dazzling lights and dozens of illuminated displays. There are giant Christmas Cards to the Community, nightly entertainment, the Roseland Express Train, and various fun activities.

Warm up with hot chocolate, corn dogs, and funnel cake, and take a photo with Santa, who is available at the American Rose Center on certain nights. Special Encore Nights takes place every night from December 13 to December 23. Additionally, be sure to attend the Christmas Market from December 13-15, offering soaps, linens, wood products, other handmade products, and gift items.

Admission to the event costs $10 per person or $30 family pack (4 persons) and $15 per person or $45 family pack (4 persons) for every Saturday in December. Kids ages 2 and under have free entrance. Opening hours are from 5:30 to 9:30 pm.

Noel Acadien Au Village in Lafayette (December 1-23, 2024)

Christmas at Acadian Village in Lafayette is one of the most special holiday events in the state. Every winter, Noel Acadien au Village puts on half a million lights. Its main highlight is the fully-lit Chapel. There are dozens of animated holiday displays, live entertainment, carnival rides, Cajun cuisine, photos with Santa, and holiday shopping.

LARC’s Acadian Village is an open-air museum of 19th century Acadian life in southwest Louisiana. It's a perfect backdrop for your Christmas cards and a chance to get an educational experience. Tickets have to be purchased in advance online or at area Shop Rites locations, as there will be no tickets available at the gate.

Alexandria Zoo Holiday Light Safari (November 29–December 28, 2024, on selected dates)

Every winter, Alexandria Zoo spreads holiday magic with Holiday Light Safari. It's a great way to create wonderful holiday memories for the whole family. Stroll through the Zoo’s colorful trails illuminated with thousands of lights and featuring amazing animal displays. Kids can also enjoy holiday train rides, a visit with Santa, and other activities. The event operates from 5:30 to 9 pm, with the last entry at 8 pm.

Light Up the Lake Christmas Celebration at Lake Charles Civic Center (November 26, 2024)

Lake Charles Civic Center Grounds in Lake Charles, Louisiana, hosts a family-friendly Christmas festival. It includes parades, fireworks, live music, gifts and crafts, Santa appearances, and other fun activities. The tree-lighting ceremony at The Light Up the Lake is a favorite way to kick off the holiday season for local families. The event will start at 5:45 pm.

The main highlight of the festival is the Lighted Boat Parade, which is usually preceded by a street parade on Ryan Street, heading from Mill Street to Dr Michael DeBakey Drive. The Lake Charles Power Squadron will host Lake Charles’ unique Lighted Boat Parade along the boardwalk at 6:30 pm, followed by the fireworks extravaganza at 6:45 p.m.

Please note that the City of Lake Charles is adjusting its Light up the Lake Christmas activities due to a high chance of severe weather on Saturday, November 26, 2024. The Holiday Art Walk Downtown, hosted by the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA, has been canceled. The Lakefront Christmas concert will now be held indoors at the Civic Center Mezzanine from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. The lighting ceremony, boat parade, and fireworks over the lake will proceed as originally scheduled.

Lincoln Lights Up the Pines in Ruston (December 5-7, 12-14, 2024)

Every year, Ruston’s Lincoln Parish Park hosts brightly decorated with colorful lights and Christmas scenes drive-through Christmas lights display. Family-friendly event offers to experience holiday attractions from the comfort and warmth of your car. Along with drive-thru Christmas lights, you can enjoy the Ruston Christmas Parade, Christmas Concerts at the Dixie, or Ruston Community Theatre’s Christmas Production, making for a cozy holiday experience. Lincoln Lights Up the Pines in Ruston will run from 5:30 to 10 pm. Admission is from $10 to $20