2013 FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS – 87th Annual Event
Schedule of Events
November 23, 2013 – January 6, 2014
Over 300,000+ Christmas lights and 100 plus riverbank set pieces are on every night at dusk through January 6, 2014. Downtown attractions include carriages tours through the historic district. Shops and restaurants open late. All events take place in the Landmark Historic District along Cane River Lake and south of Natchitoches.
Visit www.christmasfestival.com or call 1-800-259-1714 for a complete up to date schedule and news. * All times are approximate at this time. Dates are subject to change.
NOVEMBER EVENTS
Saturday, November 23, 2013: A Salute to the Natchitoches Tri-Centennial Celebration
Day ‘Turn on the Holidays!’ – A Louisiana Main to Main Event – Children's activities, entertainment & more.
Noon – 4:00 p.m. Children's Festivities – Downtown Riverbank, FREE
Noon – 8:00 p.m. Holiday Open House – Historic District Business Association (Shops & attractions open late)
6:00 – 9: 00 p.m. Entertainment
6:30 p.m. Festival of Lights Opening Night Ceremony – downtown riverbank
Immediately following Fireworks over Cane River Lake -FREE
Saturday November 30, 2013:
10:00 – 5:00 p.m. Fleur de Lis Arts & Crafts Show – Christmas crafts, jewelry, decorations & gifts. Natchitoches Events Center, 750 Second Street. FREE
4:30 – 9:30 p.m. Musical Entertainment – FREE
7:00 p.m. Fireworks over Cane River Lake -FREE
Wednesday, December 4, 2013:
7:30 p.m. Natchitoches/Northwestern Christmas Gala, A.A. Fredericks Auditorium NSU campus. $
Thursday, December 5, 2013:
7:30 p.m. Natchitoches/Northwestern Christmas Gala, A.A. Fredericks Auditorium NSU campus. $
Friday, December 6, 2013:
6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Entertainment on downtown riverbank stage – FREE
7 & 9:00 p.m. Natchitoches/Northwestern Christmas Gala, A. A. Fredericks Auditorium NSU campus. $
DECEMBER EVENTS
Saturday, December 7, 2013
87th Annual Christmas Festival, Louisiana's premiere holiday event.
Daylong celebration with live musical entertainment, arts, crafts and food vendors, parades, magnificent fireworks and laser show choreographed to holiday music over a state of the arts sound system. **Admission to Front Street & Downtown Riverbank.
7:45 am Natchitoches ‘City of Lights’ 5K
Noon Opening Festivities & Entertainment
1:00 pm Christmas Parade
3:30 – 9:30pm Entertainment
6:00 pm Fireworks over Cane River Lake
Tuesday, December 10, 2013:
7:30 pm ‘Lesson & Carols’ – Immaculate Conception Church, 613 Second Street. FREE
Wednesday, December 11, 2013:
5:00 – 8:00 pm Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation $
www.historicfoundation.org – For Tickets Call: 800-259-1714
Friday, December 13, 2013:
5:00 – 8:00 pm Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation $
www.historicfoundation.org – For Tickets Call: 800-259-1714
Saturday, December 14, 2013: Admission to downtown riverbank – beginning at 2 pm – $5 ages 12 & over
9:00 am – 5:00 pm Féte de Hiver. Fort St. Jean Baptiste SHS, Celebrate Christmas 18th century style with historians, re-enactors and period merchants. $4 for persons over 12 & under 62.
10:00 am – 5:00 pm Les Amies Christmas Treasures Arts & Crafts Sale – Natchitoches Events Center, 750 Second Street – FREE
1:00 – 4:00 pm Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation. $ www.historicfoundation.org
For Tickets Call: 800-259-1714
1:00 – 2:30 pm Christmas Downriver. Cane River Creole National Historic Park presents Creole Christmas with special tours, educational programs and musical events – FREE
1:00 – 3:00 pm Children's Christmas Party – Natchitoches Parish Library, 450 Second Street -FREE
4:30 – 9:30 pm Entertainment on downtown riverbank stage – Admission
7:00 pm Fireworks over Cane River Lake – Admission
Tuesday, December 17, 2013:
7:30 pm ‘Lessons & Carols’ featuring NSU Choirs – Trinity Episcopal Church, 533 Second Street -FREE
Wednesday, December 18, 2013:
5:00 – 8:00 pm Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation. $ www.historicfoundation.org
For Tickets Call: 800-259-1714
Friday, December 20, 2013:
5:00 – 8:00 pm Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation. $ www.historicfoundation.org
For Tickets Call: 800-259-1714
Saturday, December 21, 2013: Admission to downtown riverbank – beginning at 2pm – $5 ages 12 & over
12:00 – 4:00 pm Cane River Creole Christmas at Badin-Roque House. The St. Augustine Historical Society hosts special tours and Creole holiday stories -FREE
1:00 – 2:30 pm Christmas Downriver. Cane River Creole National Historic Park presents Creole Christmas with special tours, educational programs and musical events -FREE
1:00 – 4:00 pm Holiday Tour of Homes, hosted by Natchitoches Historic Foundation. $ www.historicfoundation.org
For Tickets Call 800-259-1714
4:30 – 9:30 pm Entertainment on downtown riverbank stage – Admission
7:00 pm Fireworks over Cane River Lake – Admission
Saturday, December 28, 2013:
7:00 pm Fireworks over Cane River Lake -FREE
Tuesday, December 31, 2013:
Midnight Fireworks over Cane River Lake – FREE
December 1 – 24, 2013: Christmas in the Park – Rebel State Historic Park – Marthaville, Louisiana
Visitors are invited to drive or walk through the park. Photos with Santa every Saturday in December. FREE. For information (318) 472-6255
December 8 – 22, 2013: Visit with Santa & Photos with Santa on the south end downtown riverbank, 6-8:30 pm nightly
**Natchitoches Historic District Business Association & the City of Natchitoches host the annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival. For additional information call 1-800-259-1714 or visit www.christmasfestival.com