I’m a big fan of a classic and snowy Christmas.
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Cue the piles of soft snow, the warm fireplaces, the extra-large mugs of Baileys-filled-whatever, and the aroma of freshly baked cookies.
Without that frigid, almost deadly gust of snowy wind, it just doesn’t feel like Christmas.
That being said, I haven’t experienced a white Christmas in over a decade. My strong opinions are the result of too many Hallmark movies and an overly romantic hankering for the past. (We’re all prone to such flaws when the holidays roll around.)
But when it comes to some of the coolest Christmas events in the United States, not all of them involve snow. Or even cold breezes.
In fact, one of the world’s best Christmas festivities is found in the state of Louisiana—and it’s in a town you probably haven’t heard of before.
Natchitoches is the oldest colonial town in the state, dating back to French settlers who came south from Canada.
Today, it’s better known for its charming downtown streets and its annual Christmas festival. This year, the city is gearing up to celebrate its 98th annual Christmas party. Here’s what you need to know about the Natchitoches Christmas Festival.
What is the Natchitoches Christmas Festival?
The Natchitoches Christmas Festival was first organized back in 1927—and it remains one of the most well-known Christmas events for locals statewide.
As mentioned up top, Natchitoches has a long history in the state, and its historic downtown area is just as picturesque as the French Quarter in New Orleans.
Though you might be picturing one of those larger-than-life parades that are common to NOLA, the Natchitoches Christmas Festival includes dozens of activities across a six-week period.
The festivities kick off on the Saturday following Thanksgiving and conclude on the Catholic holiday of the Epiphany (January 6).
What is there to do at the Natchitoches Christmas Festival?
Over a six-week period, Natchitoches comes alive with pure Christmas spirit. You can enjoy smaller events each weekend or plan to see the big show on December 7th.
During this time, local shops also extend their hours for visiting shoppers.
On December 7th, there’s a small parade and local market with goods from artisans across the parish and state. But if you can’t swing the December 7th party, have no fear.
Every night at dusk, the Natchitoches Christmas Festival comes alive with its light show—which includes over 300,000 little bulbs across the grounds.
Additionally, you can purchase tickets for the Christmas festivities that take place every Saturday. There are live music events, dozens of shops, Santa meet-and-greets, fireworks, and other kid-friendly activities. There are even bonus events like Christmas tours of local homes.
How can you visit the Natchitoches Christmas Festival?
You can visit the Natchitoches Christmas Festival however you’d like. If you want to see the big sha-bang, I’d highly recommend buying tickets for the December 7th show as early as possible.
Remember—this is a big deal in Louisiana and in neighboring states.
If your Christmas travel plans are more casual, you can head to Natchitoches on a Saturday. Once again, I’d recommend buying tickets beforehand. While you can usually score some last-minute tickets on a Saturday, that might not be the case every weekend.
Lastly, if you only have a day or two to pass through Natchitoches, you can still soak up the lights and ambiance of the historic downtown area. Not only will shops be open later and showcasing their most Christmas-appropriate goods, but the lights show comes on right when the sun sets.
You’ll fee like you’re walking through a Christmas wonderland even without all the added fanfare.
