Events and Festivals

If you know anything about Louisiana culture, you should know that we play just as hard as we work. We celebrate the music, our heritage, flowers and architecture. Here in the Natchitoches area we take much pride in the Christmas Festival, so much so that we extended the event to last from Thanksgiving to the New Year. Over 500,000 people visit this historic community during the month of December. We have festivals to celebrate our Creole, Native American and Louisiana cultures and Natchitoches hosts their very own Mardi Gras celebration.

February/March

Krewe of Dionysos Mardi Gras Parade – Saturday before “Fat Tuesday”. Nighttime parade through downtown historic district. Experience the thrill of Mardi Gras in this historic community.

March

Sacred Places Tour - Guided stroll through the oldest cemetery in the Louisiana Purchase territory. www.natchitocheshistoricfoundation.org Admission.

Blooming on the Bricks - Downtown riverbank. Speaker’s series on various gardening and landscaping topics, exhibitors, entertainment and more. Admission.

April

Jazz/R&B Festival – 1st Saturday in April. Premiere jazz/r&b musicians from across the South. Food vendors, arts & crafts. www.natchjazzfest.com

Rebel State Spring Fest – Louisiana Fiddlers all ages compete for the title of Grand Fiddler. Entertainment, vendors & arts and crafts. Home of Louisiana Country Music Museum.

June

Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival - Held on the ground of the historic Melrose Plantation. Event features quality, handcrafted items. Over 150 juried exhibitors with baskets, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, paintings and more! Admission. 318/379-0055 www.preservenatchitoches.org

July

Celebration On The Cane - Old fashioned 4th of July celebration. Patriotic music, fireworks over the scenic Cane River Lake. Food vendors. No admission.

Natchitoches/NSU Folk Festival. Top 20 event. Folk art, traditional foods, music and entertainment. Held in the air-conditioned Prather Coliseum. Admission. (318) 357-4332 or www.nsula.edu/folklife

Labor Day Weekend

Cane River Zydeco Festival & Poker Run. Daylong entertainment featuring this unique Louisiana music and cuisine. Admission

Drake Salt Works Festival - Goldonna. Located in the northeast corner of Natchitoches parish. Medicine made here in the 1500’s by the Caddo Indians was traded with the Aztecs of Mexico. In the 1600’s, It became a major trading center as the Indians from several states obtained their salt supplies here, soon discovering that a good grade of pottery could be mode from clay which had been exposed to the salt water. This annual festival is held at the Salt Works.

September

Meat Pie Festival & Triathlon. Friday – Sunday event celebrating our famous meat pie. Cook off, eating contests, vendors, entertainment, and demonstrations. No admission. 800/264-8991 or www.meatpiefestival.com

Marthaville Good Ole Days – located in rural Natchitoches Parish this community celebrates their heritage with a parade, gospel singing, entertainment, food, arts and crafts. 318/472-6707

September/October

Robeline Heritage Festival – Highway 6, east of Natchitoches – home of Los Adaes, the Spanish Capital of Texas for over 50 years. Discover how this community became known as “Robbers Lane” and celebrate their history and heritage with entertainment, food and crafts.

October

Historic Pilgrimage & Garden Tour – Started in 1954 and a fundraiser for preservation the tradition continues today. Features sites in Landmark Historic District & Cane River plantations. Candlelight tours. Admission, group rates available. www.natchitochesfalltour.com

St. Augustine Church Fair – For over 100 years the members of this historic church have been hosting a church fair. Held on the grounds across from Melrose Plantation. Fair features Creole cuisine, entertainment, folk art, country store and more.

Adais Caddo Pow Wow – Experience the culture, food and music of the Native American tribe in their community. Located on the grounds of the Adai Caddo Living History Museum and Cultural Center in Robeline.

November

Festival of Lights – Opening ceremonies are held the Saturday before Thanksgiving with a small fireworks show and a Holiday Open House in the Landmark Historic District. Over 300,000 standard size colored lights and 70+ set pieces along the Cane River Lake are turned on to begin this 40 day extravaganza. www.christmasfestival.com

December

Christmas Festival – This premiere Christmas event started in 1926. Includes entertainment, parade, dozens of arts and crafts vendors, Louisiana and festival cuisine. At dusk a magnificent fireworks display followed by the lighting of multi-colored Christmas lights throughout this historic community. ABA “Top 20 Event”. Over 100,000 visitors attend this annual event that has become a tradition.

Holiday Tour of Homes – Held the 2nd & 3rd weeks in December on Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays in December. Sponsored by the Natchitoches Historic Foundation. Group rates available. www.natchitocheshistoricfoundation.org

Fireworks every Saturday – Fireworks and entertainment every Saturday in December. Streetcar and carriage tours. Shops open late with unique Christmas gifts. Receptive Operators and step-on guides available.

During the month of December there are also plays, musical offerings at several local churches and more. Call for a complete schedule of Holiday events 800-259-1714 or visit our website at www.christmasfestival.com