This Historic Louisiana Riverfront City Switches On 300,000 Christmas Lights Before Thanksgiving

When you think of Louisiana, the nightlife and live music of New Orleans, aka the Big Easy, or the state capital of Baton Rouge are probably the first destinations to cross your mind. However, it's worth looking beyond the more well-known cities, especially if you're planning a trip to the South of the U.S. during the holiday season. One historic Louisiana city along the Cane River Lake is a charming choice if you love holiday lights and festivities. Even better? If you're someone who likes to start your holidays early, this is the town for you. The city of Natchitoches (pronounced Nack-a-tish) begins its holiday festival before Thanksgiving, and switches on more than 300,000 lights to celebrate the season. 

The historic city of Natchitoches was once home to the Natchitoches tribe and became a city in 1714. It's the oldest permanent settlement in the boundaries of the Louisiana Purchase and features historic homes and buildings in its National Historic Landmark District. The district also offers plenty of free parking, and you can take a walking tour of the area for free as well. You can also explore a replica of Fort St. Jean Baptiste at the state historic site, where Sieur Charles Claude Dutisné and his crew once tried to keep Spanish forces from crossing the border to French Louisiane. There are famous meat pies to try and shopping along Front Street, but a trip during the holidays is where this city really shines. 

The six-week-long Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights celebrates its 100th year in 2026, and there is holiday cheer around every corner. In addition to the hundreds of thousands of sparkling lights throughout the city's Historic District, there are over 100 set pieces along the Cane River Lake and a Christmas parade. The Natchitoches Christmas Festival has been going on since 1927 when Max Burgdorf, superintendent of utilities for the city, strung 10-watt Christmas lights along Front Street. The festival grew over the years, with set pieces and festive decor. The fireworks started in 1936, and the Christmas parade began in the 1940s. Some of the set pieces were actually used in the 1989 film "Steel Magnolias." 

Admission to the Christmas Festival on December 5 is $20, with children 6 and under admitted free. Wristbands will be available starting at 5:30 a.m. at the Church Street and Williams Avenue entrances. The festival's Mistletoe Market runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for holiday shopping. Other holiday events in Natchitoches include the NSULA Christmas Gala at Northwestern State University, featuring three days of entertainment from December 2–4, 2026.

You can also take the family to Dark Woods Christmas at Natchitoches' Timber Ridge Adventure Park. You can take pictures with Santa and other holiday characters, enjoy lights as you walk through the woodland displays, see live entertainment at night, and listen to holiday music. Holiday snacks, including hot chocolate, are also available for purchase. During the rest of the year, you can explore the park's Lost Treasure Mining Company to search for treasure or visit the seasonal Dark Woods Haunted Attraction during Halloween.

No matter what time of year it is, Natchitoches has something to do, including shopping along downtown's Front Street. Make sure to stop at Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile, which has been open since 1863. It's the oldest store in the city and has a little bit of everything, from classic toys to cooking tools. The store even uses its old 1910 cash register. You can also take a ride on the Cane River Queen Riverboat. This paddle wheeler can hold 49 people and takes you along the Cane River through historic downtown.

Natchitoches is also famous for its meat pies, and you can find them throughout the city. One spot to try is Lasyone's Famous Meat Pie Restaurant, which has been around since 1967. The restaurant has been featured in publications like Gourmet magazine and on shows like "Good Morning America with Bryant Gumbel." There is even a recipe on the official city website if you want to make the pies yourself.

You can fly into Alexandria International Airport (AEX), which is around 52 miles away, or Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV), around 76 miles away. However, if you're looking for a larger airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is 215 miles away, and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is 260 miles away. Having a car is a good idea, as the airports are far enough away to make taxis or rideshares pricey. Natchitoches is also around 78 miles from the gorgeous foliage of Kisatchie National Forest, which is well worth a visit. If you're flying into IAH in Houston, Texas, note that a new pirate-themed water park is opening nearby in 2027.