Celebrate the holidays: Christmas events now underway or coming soon to Central Louisiana
Central Louisiana residents who want to get into the Christmas spirit have plenty of events to choose from this season.
Here's a look at what's coming.
Santa Claus at Pineville City Hall
Children can meet and take pictures with Santa Claus.
Where: Pineville City Hall, 910 Main Street, Pineville
When: 5-8 p.m. Monday thru Friday. 4-7 p.m. Saturday. 3-5p.m. Sunday. Through Dec. 23.
Town of Ball Christmas Festival
Lighting of the park and decorating of town’s Christmas tree. Children are invited to bring an ornament to hang on the tree.
Where: Town of Ball Walking Trail, Municipal Drive
When: 6 p.m. Dec. 2
Christmas Tree Lighting in Bunkie
Community Choir will perform with an outdoor movie shown afterwards. Hot chocolate and chili will be served. Santa Claus to make an appearance.
Where: Bunkie Depot on Main Street
When: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2
Annual Breakfast with Santa
Where: Town of Ball Walking Trail, Municipal Drive
When: 8-10 a.m. Dec. 3
Holiday Tea & Treats with Santa or Mrs. Claus
Where: Doce Vida Brazilian Bakery
When: Half hour seatings Dec. 3 and Dec. 4.
Cost: $15. Tickets at eventbrite.com
Christmas Porch Sale
Annual Porch Sale features work sold by artists and craft makers from across the region.
Where: River Oaks Square Arts Center, 1330 2nd St., Alexandria.
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 3.
Admission: Free.
Christmas in the Country
Food and craft vendors. Music. Dance demonstration at 10 a.m. Parade at 2 p.m. from Elizabeth High School.
Where: Main Street in Elizabeth
When: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 3
Ol’ Mel’s Christmas Fest
Entry includes photo op with Santa Claus and farm props, hayrides, feeding and meeting animals, walk through Christmas lights, marshmallow roasting over an open fire, “snow”, jumpers and slides, food and craft vendors and live music.
Where: Ol' Mel's Farm, 50 Chevallier Road, Deville.
When: 2-8 p.m. Dec. 3-4.
Admission: $5. Ages 2 and under free. $5 for horse rides.
Info: 794-9533.
Free parking and shuttle from 783 Bethel Road. $10 to park at neighbors' and walk. $40 VIP package (pre-sale only).
Christmas Light Show in Pineville
Christmas lights, snow, free hot chocolate car, live Nativity, food trucks, photo opportunities and a free 4x6 photo keepsake.
Where: Journey Church, 2900 Donahue Ferry Road, Pineville,
When: 6-9 p.m. Dec. 2-3, Dec. 9-10, and Dec. 16-17.
Cost: Free
Live Nativity at First United Methodist Church Alexandria
Drive-thru experience of Bethlehem.
Where: First United Methodist Church Alexandria, 2727 Jackson Street
When: 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Dec. 4
Rapides Symphony Orchestra presents 'A Holiday Feast'
Where: Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, 1202 3rd St., Alexandria.
Showtime: 2:30 p.m. Dec. 4.
Tickets: $10-$25 at rapidessymphony.org.
Holiday Light Safari
Stroll through the Alexandria Zoo decorated with thousands of lights and lighted animal figures or take the zoo train. Santa Claus will be on hand for visits and photos. Atwood’s Bakery will provide cookies.
Where: Alexandria Zoo, 3016 Masonic Drive.
When: Open most weekends as well as select nights through December. Visit thealexandriazoo.com/HolidayLightSafari or call 441-6810 for a schedule.
Admission: General admission is $10; Friends of the Alexandria Zoo $8, kids 3 and younger free.
Sugar Mill Fields
Farm offers herbs, flowers, Christmas trees and wreaths. Check Sugar Mill Fields Facebook page for upcoming Christmas activities.
When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 25-27 and Nov. 29. Closed Monday.
Where: 56 Meeker Road, Lecompte.
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Alex WinterFete
Includes outdoor ice skating, live music, craft and food vendors, street performers, fireworks and children's activities. Check the Alex Winter Fete Facebook Page for details.
Where: Downtown Alexandria.
Dec. 8: 5-9 p.m. The night includes the traditional lighting of the Christmas Tree and Santa Claus’ arrival.
Dec 9: 5-11 p.m.
Dec. 10: 10 a.m. to midnight. Events include the Ugly Sweater 5K, Gumbo Cook-off and the Alexandria Museum of Art Luminary Procession.
Dec. 11: 2 p.m. Christmas Parade rolls through downtown.
Pineville Christmas Parade
Where: Starts on Hospital Boulevard at Main Street, heads up Main Street to Claiborne Street near Pineville High School.
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 9.
The Fox Theatre Presents a “O Come, Emmanuel”
Where: 111 S Washington St, Marksville
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 9
Tickets: $15
"Christmas Past”
Open house at Louisiana History Museum celebrates Christmas of years past.
Where: Louisiana History Museum, 503 Washington Street
When: 1-3 p.m. Dec 9-10
Christmas Program
Where: Kingsville Baptist Church, 3911 Monroe Highway, Ball
When: 4-5:30 p.m. Dec.10
Town of Pollock Christmas Parade 2022
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in the parade. Afterwards they will be at LaCroix Park to take pictures with the kids
Where: 3911 Highway 8, Pollock
When: 10 a.m. Dec. 10
Town of Ball Christmas Parade
Where: Parade begins at Powell Drive, rolls down Highway 165 and ends at the Dairy Queen
When: 2 p.m. Dec. 10
Christmas in the Pines
Food and craft vendors. Cornhole tournament.
Where: Main Street in Pineville
When: 2-7 p.m. Dec. 10
Bunkie Christmas Parade
Sponsored by Bunkie Rotary Club. Fireworks follow parade.
Parade route: Church Street, Main Street, Lexington Street, Keller Street, Highway 29 and Walnut Street.
When: 4 p.m. Dec. 10
Glenmora Christmas Parade
Where: 7th Avenue, Glenmora
When: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10
Alexandria Christmas Parade
Where: Downtown Alexandria. Starts at 10th and Murray Streets, then turns left on 5th Street, right on Jackson, then right on 3rd Street. Parade ends at 3rd and St. James Streets.
When: 2 p.m. Dec. 11
Annual Deville Christmas Parade
Where: Starts at the crossroads of Highways 1207 and 115 in Deville and ends at Buckeye Elementary and Hayden R. Lawrence.
When: 3 p.m. Dec. 11
Holiday Tour of Homes
The tour showcases the history and architecture of five houses located in both the Alexandria Garden District National Register District and the Alexandria Post-War Suburbs National Register Historic District. Bolton Conservatory Chorale will be caroling.
Where: Alexandria Garden District.
When: 2-6 p.m. Dec. 11.
Tickets: $25 at eventbrite.com. Tickets and maps available at Bolton High School from 2:30-5:30 p.m. the day of event.
“Sneaux Ball”
A holiday performance by the Bolton Conservatory for the Visual & Performing Arts
Where: Bolton High School Auditorium, 2101 Vance Ave
When: 6 p.m. Dec. 13
Tickets: $15 at the door
The Red River Chorale Christmas concert: 'Lessons and Carols'
Where: St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, 626 4th St.
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15.
Tickets: $15 adults, $5 children at redriverchorale.com.
Christmas in Cenla
New Texas Sinfonia will perform a varied concert of music for the holiday season. Featuring harp and strings, the concert will include selections from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, "Winter" from Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Corelli's "Christmas Concerto" and Marcel Grandjany's "Aria in Classic Style" for harp and string orchestra.
Where: St. James Episcopal Church, 1620 Murray Street and Bolton Avenue
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 16
Admission: Free
Wreaths Across America
Wreaths will be placed on graves to honor military service members in conjunction with this nationwide observance.
Where: Alexandria National Cemetery, 209 E. Shamrock St, Pineville.
When: 11 a.m. Dec. 17.
Christmas in the Country
Food and craft vendors, live music, children's activities and live Nativity.
Where: First Baptist Church Lecompte, 2002 Water St., Lecompte.
When: 5-7 p.m. Dec. 18.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Where: Gateway Baptist Church, 7074 Monroe Highway in Ball
When: Open 5 p.m. Fireworks start at 7 p.m. Dec. 31
Cost: Free
This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Celebrate Christmas with these holiday events in Central Louisiana
