Louisiana's 8 Most Festive Downtowns For The Holidays
Louisiana may be famous for Mardi Gras; however, in December, its downtown streets sparkle for the holiday season. Historic downtowns evolve into beautifully decorated holiday villages filled with lights, parades, and craft markets that celebrate their Cajun and Creole culture. These eight towns and cities offer warm, lively downtown celebrations that work well for a winter road trip centered on food, history, and the kind of community gatherings you only find in Louisiana.
Natchitoches
As one of the oldest towns in Louisiana, Natchitoches was founded in 1714 and still shows its early French Creole influence along the Cane River. The Natchitoches Christmas Festival is one of the longest-running holiday festivals in the United States and has been a major event since the 1920s. More than 300,000 lights outline the buildings on Front Street, cross the river, and wrap around the bridges and staircases along the riverbank. The historic district sets up large themed displays each year. Visitors also enjoy Saturday fireworks, live music stages, and a full festival weekend on the first Saturday of December. Photographers will love capturing reflections on the river, creating colorful night shots.
Downtown Front Street gives visitors plenty to do between events. Kaffie Frederick General Mercantile, one of Louisiana's oldest general stores, still uses its original freight elevator and sells gifts, kitchen toys, and holiday decor. The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, which is nearby in a striking modern building, remains open on many holiday weekends. Lasyone's Meat Pie Kitchen and Mama's Oyster House offer classic Louisiana dishes near many river events. Travelers can stay at The Church Street Inn, a perfect location for exploring downtown.
Minden
With deep German roots, Minden's historic district still reflects that heritage with preserved storefronts and tidy brick streets. The Holiday Trail of Lights runs through downtown with oversized nutcracker statues, themed light displays around the Civic Center, and a large Christmas tree on Main Street. The town also hosts the Fasching Carnival in late winter. Still, December belongs to holiday markets and the Minden Christmas Parade, which makes the downtown come alive, where shops open late, and local musicians perform along Main Street.
The Dorcheat Historical Museum is open on many December weekends and provides an indoor stop between seeing the outdoor lights. Geaux Fresh Café and Bakery offers warm seasonal drinks, soups, and pastries. Under Dawgs Sports Grill offers casual dining near the decorated nutcrackers. The Huffman House Bed and Breakfast offers comfortable accommodations, a short walk from downtown.
Ruston
Ruston mixes university energy with small-town traditions. Ruston's Christmas parade is one of the larger parades in northern Louisiana and a favorite among children. Railroad Park often transforms into a holiday zone with outdoor movies, a small ice skating rink, and food trucks. And, Louisiana Tech University adds concerts and arts events that draw even more visitors to downtown.
If you still have Christmas gifts to buy, the shopping stretches along North Vienna Street and extends toward Alabama Avenue. Chartreuse Pear carries antiques and eclectic seasonal gifts. The Ruston Farmers Market often adds holiday dates with local honey, baked goods, soaps, and holiday crafts. Restaurants like Ponchatoulas and Sundown Tavern offer visitors easy dinner options, including Cajun/Creole dishes, and outdoor seating. Hotels such as the Courtyard Ruston and the Fairfield by Marriott Inn sit close to downtown, making Ruston a good overnight stop during a regional holiday trip.
Logansport
On the Sabine River, you will find the peaceful town of Logansport with its holiday events centered on the waterfront. The Christmas Festival highlights a tree lighting at the riverfront gazebo, live music, craft booths, fireworks, and a Christmas parade that moves down Main Street toward the water. The riverside light displays change each year, and the reflections on the water create one of the most scenic holiday views in western Louisiana.
In downtown Logansport, you can browse for gifts and local flair at the Main Street Market, grab a holiday meal at Big Zach’s Place or The Crawfish Shack before heading down to the river. Travelers wanting a quiet evening can walk the riverfront path from the park to the Texas state line marker, which glows with holiday lights during December. Lodging in the nearby Mansfield and Joaquin area gives easy access for those wishing to stay overnight.
Covington
Covington's downtown showcases historic buildings, galleries, and restaurants, creating a lively arts scene year-round. During December, Christmas in the Country turns Lee Lane and Columbia Street into a walkable holiday district with white lights, decorated storefronts, open house nights, and street musicians. The Lollipop Christmas Parade is a local favorite with themed floats, dance groups, and costumed characters. The parade ends with the lighting of the town tree near the St. Tammany Parish Courthouse. Galleries along Columbia Street often host holiday receptions or extended hours.
Shoppers can browse Columbia Street Mercantile and the long-running H.J. Smith and Sons General Store, which also features a small museum in the back. The English Tea Room offers a wide selection of teas, scones, and seasonal blends at its annual Nutcracker Tea. Coffee Rani and St. John's Coffeehouse stay busy with holiday visitors. For dinner, Del Porto Ristorante is a reliable local favorite. Guests can stay at the Southern Hotel, which decorates its lobby and hosts small seasonal events, adding to the small-town holiday charm.
St. Francisville
St. Francisville has a historic district filled with early-1800s architecture, and the town brings that heritage to its December celebrations. The annual Christmas in the Country event has a downtown tree lighting, live music, carriage rides, and an artisan market with regional makers. Historic homes such as Rosedown Plantation, Butler Greenwood, and The Myrtles offer special candlelight tours. Many visitors come specifically for these evening tours, which use soft light to showcase the historic interiors, adorned with natural greenery and handmade decorations.
Downtown shops like Birds of a Feather carry antiques, jewelry, and unique small gifts. The West Feliciana Historical Society Museum on Ferdinand Street offers a brief overview of local history. Elta Coffee, located at The Myrtles Plantation, is a cozy spot that serves locally roasted coffee and light snacks, making it a great place to enjoy drinks during holiday events. The St. Francisville Inn is a popular place to stay and features a courtyard decorated with simple white lights during the season.
New Orleans
New Orleans is well known for festivals, but December brings a different kind of energy. The French Quarter, the Garden District, and City Park all take on unique seasonal looks. Celebration in the Oaks is the biggest draw. The oak trees in City Park are wrapped in thousands of lights, and the park transforms into a walk-through of holiday displays. There is also a lit carousel that you can ride at Carousel Gardens. Jackson Square has caroling nights that draw locals, church groups, and musicians to the plaza. Hotels around the city also participate in the Réveillon tradition, a holiday meal with roots in Creole history, and many restaurants offer special menus through Christmas Eve.
Visitors can spend the day walking Royal Street for art galleries and small shops decorated for the season, or stop into Café du Monde for beignets and hot chocolate. St. Louis Cathedral hosts evening concerts with classical, gospel, and jazz performances. Magazine Street has holiday markets, vintage stores, and boutiques for easy last-minute shopping. For those who want a quieter break from downtown, take a ferry ride to Algiers Point for small cafés, historic homes, and river views of the city lights.
For accommodations, the Hotel Monteleone is a reliable choice, with a decorated lobby and convenient access to the Quarter. The Windsor Court is another standout for its larger tree in the lobby and its afternoon holiday tea service.
Lake Charles
Lake Charles offers visitors a genuine holiday experience with its small-town lake charm. The main holiday event in Lake Charles is Light Up the Lake. It includes a Holiday Art Walk with local artisans and crafts, a "Christmas Walking Parade," live music, Santa's Workshop for kids, festival food trucks, and festive drinks, making this a great venue for holiday family travel. As night falls, the lights come on in the grounds of the Lake Charles Event Center and Millennium Park, creating a colorful sight to walk through. There is also a Lighted Boat Parade on the lake, with decorated vessels cruising by, and a fireworks show over the water that you can see while strolling along the Lakefront Promenade & Boardwalk.
Other seasonal activities for you to enjoy are the "Downtown Holiday Stroll," where downtown streets light up, and you can grab hot chocolate while you are browsing through the local shops, like Bux Kajun Korner. The city also offers Holiday Train Rides through Millennium Park on certain Saturdays leading up to Christmas, a whimsical "Selfie Wonderland" inside the historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center, and a can't-miss "Miniature Snow Village Collection." If you want easy access to holiday events, nightlife, and dining, consider staying at the Golden Nugget or L'Auberge.
If you are looking for a slower, more traditional holiday season, take a road trip to Louisiana's towns. These holiday celebrations focus on local businesses, long-running traditions, and the kind of community effort that shows up in everything they do, from handmade decorations to packed parade routes. Travelers who enjoy slower evenings, walkable downtowns, and Cajun food will find these places rewarding long after the holiday lights switch off.
