'Tis the season! See dates, times for Christmas events in Central Louisiana
Christmas events are getting underway in Central Louisiana. The list will be updated with more events throughout the season so keep checking back.
Children’s Advocacy Network Christmas Toy Drive
Donations accepted until Dec. 5
Donation sites:
1751 Jackson Street, Alexandria
2805C East Oak Street, Jena
457 Second Street, Colfax
631 North Main Street, Marksville
104 S. Jones Street, Winnfield
Give online at https://rapidescac.kindful.com/?campaign=1276573
Nov. 18
17th annual Christmas Extravaganza
Where: The Mari Center, 711 Paragon Place, Marksville
Time: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: $5. Children 12 and under free.
Presented by the Marksville Chamber of Commerce.
Santa Stop
Where: Country Inn & Suites/Pineville Convention Center, 2727 Monroe Highway, Pineville
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Pictures with Santa as well as goodies for the kids. Dec. 1-22
Santa’s Arrival at Alexandria Mall
Where: Alexandria Mall Food Court, Alexandria Mall, 3437 Masonic Dr.
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Santa’s grand arrival will include a character breakfast.
Cost: $5 for Santa Arrival Breakfast tickets. Each ticket will include a Chick-fil-A butter biscuit, jelly, juice, and a children’s train ride ticket to redeem during the morning’s festivities. Proceeds benefit the Salvation Army of Alexandria and their holiday efforts. Tickets not required to view the event.
Holiday music from DJ Bow Bow, crafts and costumed characters prior to Santa Claus’ arrival. Parade from the food court to Santa’s holiday home following breakfast to share wish lists, a visit with Santa Claus and photo opportunities.
Nov. 20
Town of Pollock Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Where: Foster Park, 3911 Highway 8, Pollock
Time: 6 p.m.
Cookies and hot chocolate will be available.
Holiday Gnome Ornament Diamond Art Craft
Where: Rapides Parish Library, King Branch, 1115 Broadway Avenue, Alexandria
Time: 5 p.m.
Create holiday gnome diamond art ornaments to decorate trees or give as gifts.
Registration required. Call 318-445-3912 to RSVP or for more information.
Nov. 24-Dec. 23
Gertibelle's Holiday Hoedown Drive-Thru
Where: 5898 Louisiana 117, Leesville
Time: 6-10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday every week starting Nov. 24 until Dec. 23.
Cost: $25 per vehicle. No commercial or oversized vehicles.
Interactive light show drive-thru. Visit christmasontheranch.com for more information.
Nov. 25
Outdoors & Ornaments
Where: Forts Randolph & Buhlow State Historic Site
Time: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Park admission $4 per person. Free for seniors and children under 4.
Music, hot cocoa, fishing, enjoying the fall colors on one of the site's nature trails.
Nov. 28
Christmas at the Nest
Where: Holy Savior Menard High School, 4603 Coliseum Blvd, Alexandria
Time: 5:30-7 p.m.
Story time with Sylvia Davis, ornament station, pictures with Santa Claus, carols and more. First 300 children pre-Kindergarten through 6th grade get free T-shirt and Christmas goodies.
Nov. 30-Dec. 2
Alex Winter Fete
Where: Downtown Alexandria.
Includes an outdoor skating rink, fireworks over the Red River and children’s area known as Jolly Junction. There will be stilt walkers, fire breathers, live music and food and craft vendors. Traditional lighting of the tree during Holiday Magic and Santa’s arrival at Santa’s Village at the Alexander Fulton Mini Park kicks off Fete on Thursday at 4 p.m.
Frosted by Atwood's Bakery
Where: Alex Winter Fete, Downtown Alexandria
Cookie decorating during Winter Fete. 6-9 p.m. Thursday; 5-9 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. until cookies are gone Saturday.
Ugly Sweater Fun Run and Dance Party
Where: Alex Winter Fete, Downtown Alexandria
Time: 9 a.m.
Cost: $30. All proceeds benefit the Junior League of Alexandria and their programs.
Register at alexwinterfete.com to guarantee a collectible Ugly Sweater Drifit shirt or walk up Saturday. The fun run starts at 9:30 a.m. Everyone is guaranteed a prize.
Dec. 1
Christmas in Kee Park
Where: Kees Park, 2450 Highway 28 East, Pineville
Time: 5-8 p.m.
Trail of lights. Sant can visit Santa Claus at the Santa House. Live music, food, Santa Claus and lights at Kees Park. Event opens at 6 p.m. Dec. 1 with live music, food vendors, hot cocoa and Santa Claus.
Town of Ball Christmas Festival
Where: Town of Ball Walking Trail, 100 Municipal Lane, Ball
Time: 6 p.m.
Lighting of park and decorating of town Christmas tree. Children can bring ornament to put on tree. Tioga High School Choir Christmas Concert.
Dec. 2
Great American Cookie Eating Contest
Where: Alex Winter Fete, Downtown Alexandria
Time: 2 p.m.
Alex Winter Fete Fireworks
Where: Downtown Alexandria
Time: 9 p.m.
Annual River Oaks Christmas Porch Sale
Where: River Oaks Square Arts Center, 1330 Second Street, Alexandria
Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Artwork from local and regional artists for sale.
Annual Breakfast with Santa in Ball
Where: Town of Ball Walking Trail, 100 Municipal Lane, Ball
Time: 9-11 a.m.
CPKC Holiday Express Train
Where: 901 Melrose Street, Railroad tracks behind Louisiana Christian University
Time: 4 p.m.
Raising money and awareness for food banks across the country including the Food Bank of Central Louisiana.
Aunt Julia’s Garden Christmas Crafts Fair
Where: Aunt Julia’s Garden, 2601 Messina Road, Boyce
Dec. 1-2
Christmas on Main
Where: Glenmora
Time: Friday market from 4-9 p.m. Parade at 6 p.m. Friday. Festival starts as 10 a.m. Saturday.
Festival has vendors, food, music and more.
Dec. 8
Christmas Parade in Pineville
Where: Route starts on Main Street in Pineville
Time: 7 p.m.
Dec. 9
Under the Christmas Tree with Wayback's
Where: Wayback's Arcade, 1305 Military Highway, Pineville
Time: noon-5 p.m.
Vendors, meet-and-greet with Santa himself, Ugly Sweater Contest and more.
Garden District Holiday Tour of Homes
Where: Alexandria's Gardent District
Time: 3-6 p.m.
Cost: $25 per ticket.
Take a guided tour of five of the Garden District's most unique and historic homes.
Elvis My Way Christmas
Where: Paragon Casino Resort, Marksville
Time: 8 p.m.
Tickets: $15. Visit www.ticketmaster.com
Internationally acclaimed touring star Brandon Bennett is returning to Paragon Casino Resort with an "Elvis My Way Christmas!"
Ball Christmas Parade
Where: Parade begins at Powell Drive, rolls down Highway 165 and ends at the Dairy Queen
Time: 2 p.m.
Dec. 10
Christmas in the Country
Where: First Baptist Church, 2002 Water Street, Lecompte
Time: 4-8 p.m.
Living Nativity, carriage rides, food, crafts, games, music, jumpers and hot chocolate.
Alexandria Christmas Parade
Where: Route is now back at its old route. Starts at Centre Court, travels to Dorchester Drive, then Jackson Street Extension and Ola Street. Time: 2 p.m.
Dec. 10-11
Drumline Live! Holiday Spectacular
Time: 6 p.m.
Where: Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, 1202 3rd St, Alexandria
Cost: $27-$37. Purchase online at louisiana-arts.org
Holiday cheer combining gospel, jazz, soul, Motown and "The Nutcracker Suite" mixed with a hip-hop beat and the driving force of a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching band.
Dec. 16
Town of Pollock Christmas Festival
Where: La Croix Park, 3168 Highway 8, Pollock
Time: Starts at 11 a.m. with vendors and hot air balloon rides. Christmas Parade at 2 p.m. Fireworks at 6 p.m. Music and photos with Santa Claus start after parade.
Dec. 16
Christmas Can-Tah-Dah! A Very Merry Contemporary Christmas
Where: Westside Regional Library, 5416 Provine Place, Alexandria
Time: 7:30 p.m.
The greatest story ever told retold through music and dance. The story told through the eyes of Mary, her cousin, Elizabeth, Joseph, the Donkey, Herod and Jesus’ Cousin, John.
Dec. 14-17
A Calvary Christmas featuring a living Nativity
Where: Calvary Baptist Church, 5011 Jackson St. Alexandria
Time: 7 p.m. Thursday thru Sunday with an additional 2 p.m. show Saturday.
Cost: $10 per ticket. Available at calvarynet.net/acalvarychristmas/, by call (318) 445-1426 or in the church’s music suite.
This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: 'Tis the season! See dates, times for Christmas events in Central Louisiana
