2020 Festival of Lights
Nov. 21, 2020 – Jan. 6, 2021
Tickets available for purchase November 1st on our site.
*Note: This schedule is tentative based on the 2019 schedule of events.
Dates & times are subject to change.
Over 300,000 Christmas lights and 100 lighted set pieces illuminate downtown Natchitoches and Cane River Lake every evening at dusk through January 6, 2021. All Christmas events take place in Downtown Natchitoches and along the banks of Cane River Lake and the Historic District. All times and dates are approximate and subject to change.
Friday, November 27
Free Admission to Front Street and Downtown Riverbank
3:00pm-9:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on the Downtown Riverbank | $
5:30pm-8:30pm - DJ on the Riverbank Stage
Saturday, November 28
*Tickets available for purchase November 1st
9:00am-4:30pm - Fleur de Lis Arts & Crafts Show
Natchitoches Events Center | FREE
10:00am-9:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on the Downtown Riverbank | $
Music on the Riverbank Stage
4:30pm-7:00pm - LaCour Trio
7:00pm - Fireworks over Cane River Lake
7:15pm-9:30pm - Amanda Shaw
Wednesday, December 2
7:00pm - Natchitoches/Northwestern Christmas Gala
Natchitoches Events Center | $ Buy Tickets in Advance
Thursday, December 3
7:00pm - Natchitoches/Northwestern Christmas Gala
Natchitoches Events Center | $ Buy Tickets in Advance
10:00am-4:00pm - Cookies with Santa – Downtown Riverbank | $
10:00am-10:00pm - “Turn on the Holidays!” – Join us for the official start to the Natchitoches Christmas season. This event features musical entertainment, children’s activities, and fireworks!
4:00pm-7:00pm - Holiday Open House – Historic District Business Association
Shops & Attractions Open Late
Music on the Riverbank Stage
4:30pm-7:00pm - Cane River Soul
7:00pm - Fireworks over Cane River Lake | FREE
7:15pm-9:15pm - Louisiana Red
Saturday, November 21
Free Admission to Front Street and Downtown Riverbank
5:30pm-8:30pm - DJ on the Riverbank Stage
7:00pm-9:00pm - Natchitoches/Northwestern Christmas Gala
Natchitoches Events Center | $ Buy Tickets in Advance
Friday, December 4
Free Admission to Front Street and Downtown Riverbank
94th Annual Christmas Festival
Louisiana’s Premiere Holiday Event!
Celebrate the Christmas season in Louisiana’s oldest city. Enjoy our daylong festival filled with music, entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors, the parade, and our famous firework show choreographed to holiday music over Cane River Lake. Admission armbands are required for entry to Front Street and Downtown Riverbank.
*Tickets available for purchase November 1st
$8 ages 12 and over | FREE under 12.
Festival Day Admission: $10 ages 12 and over | FREE under 12.
Saturday, December 5
10:00am-4:00pm - Christmas on the Cane at Fort St. Jean Baptiste SHS, Celebrate 18th century style with historians, re-enactors, and period merchants. | $4 ages 12-62
10:00am-6:00pm - Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest LA History Museum | $
1:00pm - Festival of Lights Parade
Music on the Riverbank Stage
3:00pm-6:00pm - Mike McKenzie Band
6:00pm - Fireworks over Cane River Lake
7:30pm - Lessons and Carols with NSU Chamber Choir at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Church | FREE
Tuesday, December 8
5:00pm-8:00pm - Christmas Tour of Homes: Laureate House, Samuel Guy House, and Bayou Amulet House | Hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation.
$ Click here for Tickets
6:00pm - Lessons and Carols with the Trinity Episcopal Choir along with musical guests from NSU led by Dr. Kristine Coreil at the Trinity Episcopal Church | FREE
Thursday, December 10
Free Admission to Front Street and Downtown Riverbank
3:00pm-9:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on the Downtown Riverbank | $
5:00pm-8:00pm - Christmas Tour of Homes: Sweet Cane Inn, Emma's Cottage, Good House, and Bayou Amulet House | Hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation. $ Click here for Tickets
5:30pm-8:30pm - DJ on the Riverbank Stage
5:30pm-8:30pm - Light the Way 5K and Fun Run | $
Register at NatchitochesChamber.com/run
Friday, December 11
Free Admission to Front Street and Downtown Riverbank
Wednesday, December 9
5:30pm - NSU Elementary/Middle Lab School Orchestra Christmas Concert at Magale Recital Hall on Northwestern's Campus | FREE
10:00am-1:00pm - Christmas for Children – Prudhomme’ Rouquier House hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation | FREE
10:00am-9:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on the Downtown Riverbank | $
10:00am-6:00pm - Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest LA History Museum open with complimentary admission for Saturday Holiday Tour of Homes ticket holders
1:00pm-4:00pm - Holiday Living History Tour: Prudhomme-Rouquier House, Jefferson House, and Scott Corner House | Hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation | $ Click here for Tickets
2:30pm - First Baptist Church Natchitoches Christmas Celebration on the Riverbank Stage | FREE
5:30pm - Lighted Boat Parade | Join us for a night on the Downtown Riverbank to watch boats and barges adorned in Christmas lights parade down Cane River Lake | $ Click Here To Register Your Boat
Sponsored by the Natchitoches Rotary Club
Music on the Riverbank Stage
4:30pm-7:00pm - Smackwater Band
7:00pm - Fireworks over Cane River Lake
7:20pm-9:30pm - Jaryd Lane & The Parish
Saturday, December 12
*Tickets available for purchase November 1st
5:00pm - 8:00pm - Christmas Tour of Homes: Laureate House, Samuel Guy House, and Bayou Amulet House | Hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation | $ Click here for Tickets
Thursday, December 17
3:00pm-9:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on the Downtown Riverbank | $
3:00pm-9:00pm - Ice skating rink on the Downtown Riverbank | $
5:00pm-8:00pm - Christmas Tour of Homes: Sweet Cane Inn, Emma's Cottage, Good House, and Steel Magnolias House | Hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation. | $ Click here for Tickets
5:30pm-8:30pm - DJ on the Riverbank Stage
Friday, December 18
Free Admission to Front Street and Downtown Riverbank
10:00am-9:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on the Downtown Riverbank | $
10:00am-9:00pm - Ice skating rink on the Downtown Riverbank | $
10:00am-6:00pm - Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest LA History Museum open with complimentary admission for Saturday Holiday Tour of Homes ticket holders
1:00pm-4:00pm - Christmas Tour of Homes: Prudhomme-Rouquier House, Jefferson House, and Scott Corner House | Hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation. | $ Click here for Tickets
Music on the Riverbank Stage
4:30pm-7:00pm - Paul & Pete Band
7:00pm - Fireworks over Cane River Lake
7:20pm-9:30pm - Rockin' Doopsie
Saturday, December 19
*Tickets available for purchase November 1st
3:00pm-9:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on the Downtown Riverbank | $
5:30pm-8:30pm - DJ on the Riverbank Stage
Friday, December 25
Free Admission to Front Street and Downtown Riverbank
Music on the Riverbank Stage
4:30pm-7:00pm - Louisiana Sideman
7:00pm - Fireworks over Cane River Lake | FREE
7:15pm-9:15pm - 92 Twenty
Saturday, December 26
Free Admission to Front Street and Downtown Riverbank
6:00pm-8:30pm - Visit nightly with Santa on the south end Downtown Riverbank | FREE
December 6 – 20 | Photos with Santa
Christmas In The Park is a family friendly environment with over two hundred and fifty thousand LED lights
and decorations, tasty holiday treats, nightly Christmas character meet and greets, the Mistletones singing
Christmas trees and much more!