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2026 Festival of Lights
Nov. 21, 2026 – Jan. 6, 2027
Tickets available for purchase on our site starting November 9th.
Food vendors will be available on the Riverbank 7 days a week.
There is no admission to enter the Riverbank area Sunday through Friday.
Vehicular traffic will be permitted on the Riverbank Sunday through Thursday only.
THE 2026 CHRISTMAS SEASON WILL BE CASHLESS. NO CASH WILL BE ACCEPTED AT TICKET BOOTHS OR BY FESTIVAL VENDORS. NO GREEN TICKETS.
The schedule listed below is TENTATIVE for the
100th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Season.
Please keep in mind dates and times are subject to change.
Saturday, November 22
Downtown Riverbank $20 admission after 1pm, ages 6 and under are FREE
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10:00am-9:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on the Downtown Riverbank $
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10:00am-4:00pm - Cookies with Santa $ (Tickets go on sale Nov. 1st)
4:30pm-9:00pm - “Turn on the Holidays!” – Join us for the official start to the Natchitoches Christmas season. This event features musical entertainment and fireworks!
4:00pm-7:00pm - Holiday Open House – Historic District Business Association
Shops Open Late
7:00pm - Drone & Fireworks Show over Cane River Lake
Music on the Riverbank Stage
3:30pm - Louisiana Sidemen
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6:00pm - Kelli Roberts Band
Friday, November 28
Free Admission to Front Street and Downtown Riverbank
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3:00pm-9:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on the Downtown Riverbank $
6:00pm-8:00pm - Entertainment - Henry Reegans & Friends
Saturday, November 29
Downtown Riverbank $20 admission after 1pm, ages 6 and under are FREE
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9:00am-4:30pm - Fleur de Lis Christmas Craft Mall
Natchitoches Events Center | FREE
10:00am-9:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on the Downtown Riverbank $
7:00pm - Drone & Fireworks Show over Cane River Lake
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Music on the Riverbank Stage
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3:30pm - LaCour Trio
6:00pm - Clara Rae
Wednesday, December 3
7:00pm-8:30pm - Northwestern State University Christmas Gala
Thursday, December 4
7:00pm-8:30pm - Northwestern State University Christmas Gala
Friday, December 5
Free Admission to Front Street and Downtown Riverbank
6:00-8:00pm - Entertainment - Jenny & Kelli
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7:00pm-8:15pm - Northwestern State University Christmas Gala
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9:00pm-10:00pm - Northwestern State University Christmas Gala
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100th 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, and our famous firework show choreographed to holiday music over Cane River Lake.
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Saturday, December 6
Festival Area - $20 admission beginning at 6am. Ages 6 and under are FREE
7:00am - 7:00pm - Mistletoe Market (City Bank parking lots on Second Street)
1:00pm - Festival of Lights Parade
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6:00pm - Fireworks over Cane River Lake
Music on the Riverbank Stage
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3:30-pm - Becky & The Shuffle Kings
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6:30pm - Sonny Gullage & Blues Groovers
Tuesday, December 9
7:30pm - Lessons & Carols: The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Church featuring the NSU University Chorus
Friday, December 12
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 - (www.nhfla.com)
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6:00pm - Gospel Night on the Riverbank
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Saturday, December 13
Downtown Riverbank $20 admission after 1pm, ages 6 and under are FREE
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10:00am-9:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on the Downtown Riverbank $
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9:00am - 12:00pm & 1:00pm-4:00pm - Christmas Tour of Homes - (www.nhfla.com)
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5:00pm - Lighted Boat Parade
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7:00pm - Drone & Fireworks Show over Cane River Lake
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Music on the Riverbank Stage
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3:30pm - Gregg Martinez & The Delta Kings
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6:00pm - The Caravan Band
Friday, December 19
Free Admission to Front Street and Downtown Riverbank
4:00pm-9:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on the Downtown Riverbank $
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5:00pm - 8:00pm - Christmas Tour of Homes - (www.nhfla.com)
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6:00pm - Gospel Night on the Riverbank
Saturday, December 20
Downtown Riverbank $20 admission after 1pm, ages 6 and under are FREE
10:00am-4:00pm - Cookies with Santa $ (Tickets go on sale Nov. 1st)​
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10:00am-9:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on the Downtown Riverbank $
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9:00am - 12:00pm & 1:00pm-4:00pm - Christmas Tour of Homes - (www.nhfla.com)
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7:00pm - Fireworks over Cane River Lake​
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Music on the Riverbank Stage
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3:30pm - The Cartoons
6:00pm - Johnny Earthquake & The Moondogs
Friday, December 26
Free Admission to Front Street and Downtown Riverbank
3:00pm-9:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on the Downtown Riverbank $
Saturday, December 27
FREE Admission to Front Street and Downtown Riverbank
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10:00am-6:00pm - Holiday Kids Fest on the Downtown Riverbank $
7:00pm - Fireworks over Cane River Lake
Music on the Riverbank Stage
3:30pm - Rosedown Rockers
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6:00pm - Deep Water Rehab​
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Santa Claus House, December 7th - 23rd
6:00pm - 8:30pm | FREE (Saturday visits will require an armband for Riverbank access)
Visit with Santa in his house on the South end of the Downtown Riverbank
Christmas In The Park
Only a 5-10 minute drive from downtown, 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!
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Visit their website for more info! http://www.darkwoodschristmas.com/