Art

Ongoing-December 16: Zack Gallagher’s Infinity Array Exhibit, Gallery on the Square (122 East Mark St., Marksville), 9:30am-4:30pm. Join the Avoyelles Arts Council in viewing Zack Gallagher’s “Infinity Array” Art Exhibit in Downton Marksville. The gallery is open Monday through Friday.

Ongoing-February 5: 5x5x5, Maria Manemann, and Ceramics by The ARC, River Oaks Square Arts Center (1330 2nd Street, Alexandria). The 5x5x5 Show features two- or three-dimensional pieces of art no larger than 5-inches square or fitting in a 5-inch cube in the Bolton-Davis Gallery; Maria Manemann will exhibit “Fire in the Water” in the Galerie des Amis; and students from The ARC Rapides under Instructor Lindsay B. Moore present ceramics in the Stokes-Harris Gallery. Call: 318-473-2670. riveroaksartscenter.com

Ongoing-February 18: No Man’s Land and Renaissance Men, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria). No Man’s Land features the work of four Vernon Parish artists Isabelle Massart-Bursh, Tony McDonald, Rickie Smith and Joey Governale is featured in this commemoration of that rough, lawless and primitive area that is now their home and inspiration. Renaissance Men features the work of two celebrated Cenla artists and all around Renaissance Men, Morris Taft Thomas and David Holcombe. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

December 12: Art is Life!, Rapides Parish Main Library (411 Washington Street, Alexandria), 10:00am-12:00pm. Learn various acrylic painting techniques during this class led by Alice McBride. Registration is required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-445-2411 x 1020. www.rpl.org

Music

December 15: Lessons & Carols, St. Francis Xavier Cathedral (626 4th Street, Alexandria), 7:30pm. Reprising the Chorale’s annual tradition, the Christmas concert returns to St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. The complete Lessons and Carols performance features readings and an assortment of traditional and contemporary choral pieces. Cost: $15.00 Adults; $5.00 Students. redriverchorale.com

December 16: Christmas in Cenla, St. James Episcopal Church (1620 Murray Street, Alexandria), 7:00pm. In the beautiful acoustic of St. James Episcopal Church, Texas’ newest chamber music ensemble, New Texas Sinfonia under the direction of artistic director, Weston Jennings, makes its Louisiana debut with a concert featuring the music of the season! Selections will include excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, “Winter” from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons suite, Grandjany’s “Aria in the Classic Style” for harp and string orchestra and particularly appropriate for the season, Arcangelo Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto”. A festive holiday reception will follow in the Parish Hall. Cost: Free. Call: 318-445-9845. stjamesla.org

Theatre

December 17: Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch, Coughlin Saunders Performing Arts Center (1202 3rd Street, Alexandria), 7:00pm. Immerse yourself this Christmas in an original ballet interpretation of The Grinch! Original choreography by Get to the Pointe Ballet. Cost: $25.00 Adults; $12.50 Children (ages 2-12). Call: 318-528-7992. gettothepointeballetacademy.com

Events

Ongoing-December: New Hope Al-Anon Group, Horseshoe Drive Methodist Church (1600 Horseshoe Drive, Alexandria), 7:00pm.  The New Hope Al-Anon Group meets each Tuesday and Thursday evening. Al-Anon is a mutual support group for anyone having experienced a problem with someone else’s drinking or addiction. You are free to ask questions or to talk about your situation or just listen. Every meeting is different. Each meeting has the autonomy to be run as its members choose, within guidelines designed to promote Al-Anon unity. Cost: Free.

December 7: Magnolia by Moonlight, Magnolia Plantation (5549 Highway 119, Derry/Cloutierville), 6:30pm-8:00pm. Engage all your senses on this special one-hour guided walking tour of historic Magnolia Plantation by full moonlight. A park ranger will be sharing the history of the plantation and its people in a setting few ever experience! Reservations are required, as space is limited to 20 participants. Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for weather and walking conditions. Cost: Free. Call: 318-352-0383 ext 316.

December 8-11: AlexWinterFête, Downtown Alexandria. The award-winning holiday festival AlexWinterFête returns offering a fun-filled, family-friendly festival filled with the activities that have made the event a major attraction, including ice skating, Santa’s village and a fireworks display. Santa arrives as part of Thursday’s festivities, beginning at 4:00pm. The fun continues Friday at 5:00pm with ice skating, children’s activities, street performers and live music! Saturday kicks off with the Ugly Sweater 5k followed by a full day of fun and entertainment. The evening culminates with a spectacular fireworks display over the Red River at 9:00pm. The festival wraps up on Sunday with even more ice skating and the annual AMGA Christmas parade at 2:00pm. Cost: Free. www.alexwinterfete.com

December 8-11: Christmas on the Bayou, Cottonport. Join the town of Cottonport for their Annual Christmas On The Bayou weekend! Lighting of the tree will be on Thursday, December 8th. Decoration contest will be held Friday, December 9th. On Saturday, December 10th starting at 8:00am, enjoy the BBQ and Black Pot Cook-off. Judging will be at noon! At 6:00pm, enjoy the fireworks show. The festival will wrap up on Sunday with a festive parade. Line up begins at 11:00am. The parade will start at 1:00pm. Cost: Free.

December 9-10: La History Museum Celebrates Christmas Past, Louisiana History Museum (503 Washington Street, Alexandria), 1:00pm-3:00pm. Join us for an open house celebrating Christmas of years past! Refreshments will be served. Call: 318-487-8556.

December 9-11, 16-18, 21-23, & 26-28: Holiday Light Safari, Alexandria Zoological Park (3016 Masonic Drive, Alexandria), 5:30pm-9:00pm. See the Zoo in a different light! Create wonderful holiday memories with a casual stroll through the Zoo’s colorful environment sparkling with thousands of lights and whimsical lighted animal figures. Take a merry ride on the train to see even more lights and displays. While you may spot a few night owls during Holiday Light Safari, most of our residents will be catching some zzz’s. Cost: $10.00 Adults (13+); $8.00 Children (2-12); Sunday FOTAZ Discount $6.00 (w/ FOTAZ card and ID). Call: 318-441-6810. thealexandriazoo.com

December 9-10 & 16-17: Journey to the Light Show, Journey Church (2900 Donahue Ferry Rd, Pineville), 6:00pm-9:00pm. The 2nd Annual Christmas Light Show will be open Fridays and Saturdays in December. Come enjoy thousands of lights dancing and synchronized to music. While you’re here, be sure to check out the live nativity, dancing Christmas trees, candy canes, tunnels and more! Plus free hot chocolate, snow and great photo opportunities. We can’t wait to see you at the show! Merry Christmas! Cost: Free. CenlaChristmas.com

December 9, 16, 23, 30 & January 7: Live Auction, Auction Barn at the Trotter Center (1634 Military Highway, Pineville), 6:30pm. Join in the excitement of live auctions every Friday night! Proxy bids are welcome. Call Earl Hayes: 318-730-8676.

December 9: Pineville Christmas Parade, Main Street (Pineville), 7:00pm. The 2022 Pineville Christmas Parade will roll from Hospital Blvd on Main Street up Main Street to Claiborne near PHS! Cost: Free. Call: 318-449-5659. pineville.net

December 10: Second Saturday Market, Huckleberry Brewing Company (4724 Sterkx Road, Alexandria), 1:00pm.  On the second Saturday of each month, Huckleberry Brewing Company will be hosting a vendors market on the Huckleberry grounds! Come check out some awesome local vendors at the Second Saturday Market! If you’re interested in participating as a vendor, feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] or through Facebook messenger!

December 10: Town of Ball Christmas Parade, Highway 165 (Ball), 2:00pm.  The 2022 Town of Ball Christmas Parade will roll from Powell Drive to Dairy Queen. Entry forms are available on the Town of Ball website. Cost: Free. Call: 318-640-9605. townofball.com

December 10: Winter Fete Illuminated Procession, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 6:00pm. Come shine with AMoA during Winter Fete during our Winter Fete Illuminated Procession! Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

December 11: Garden District Holiday Tour of Homes, Alexandria Garden District, 2:00pm-6:00pm. This year’s Holiday Tour of Homes features five outstanding houses located in both the Garden District National Register District and the Alexandria Post-War Suburbs National Register Historic District. Each year, this festive tour showcases the history, architecture, and gracious living in Alexandria’s oldest neighborhoods. Take a peek inside the “crowned jewels” of the historic district and enjoy light refreshments to make spirits bright, with caroling provided by the Bolton Conservatory Chorale! Cost: $25.00.

December 13, 20, 27 & January 4: Alexandria Farmer’s Market, First United Methodist Church (2727 Jackson Street, Alexandria), 3:00pm-6:00pm. The Alexandria Farmers Market is a weekly gathering that connects the community of Alexandria with the farmers, ranchers, and agricultural artisans of Central Louisiana. This connection strives to improve the physical, social, and economic well-being of the region by providing access to fresh, healthy, local food for residents, fostering community relationships, and serving as a business incubator for growers and producers. Cost: Free. Call: 318-441-3407.

December 14: Child Safety Seat Check, Rapides Regional Medical Center Main Entrance (211 4th Street, Alexandria), 2:00pm-5:00pm. A trained child passenger safety educator will take a look at your car seats, make sure they are not under recall, make sure the seat is installed properly and show you how to install the car seat. The car seat check process takes between 15-25 minutes, depending on how many car seats are in the vehicle. The seat checks normally are held the second Wednesday of each month. Cost: Free.

December 15: Holiday Fun at AMoA, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 4:00pm-6:00pm. Fun for kids of all ages! Come by the museum after school for hot chocolate and cookies. We’ll read some holiday favorites and families can enjoy a creative activity together! Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

December 25:

December 31: La History Museum New Years Eve Masquerade Ball, Hotel Bentley (200 DeSoto Street, Alexandria), 8:00pm-1:00am. Come bring in the New Year at the Louisiana History Museum’s Masquerade Ball featuring live entertainment by The Steve Wells Band.  There will be champagne and appetizers served. Table, dinner and hotel packages available. Please RSVP by Saturday, December 17th. Cost: $75.00. Call: 318-769-2216.

January 1:

January 4-6: Muse Puppetry Camp, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 1:00pm-4:00pm. During this camp, teens will experiment with puppet making and performance. Puppetry traditions from around the world will be taught. Open to teens ages 13-19. Space is limited; registration is required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

January 7: Experimental Aircraft Association 1st Saturday Breakfast, Buhlow Lake Airport (200 Lake Buhlow Road, Pineville), 7:30am-10:00am. Come enjoy a hearty breakfast of eggs, sausage, pancakes, grits, potatoes, milk, orange juice, and more! Anyone interested in aviation and general cordial chatter with lakeside ambience is welcome and invited to come to enjoy breakfast with us! Cost: $10.00 Donation.

January 7: Central Louisiana Dutch Oven Cookers First Saturday Gathering, Indian Creek Recreation Area (100 Camp Ground Road, Woodworth), 9:00am-12:30pm. A delicious day with Dutch oven cooking enthusiasts. There is no charge for food, however, donations are accepted. Regular park admission applies. Call: 318-625-1762.

Sports

December 7 & January 4: The Fighting Flights Dart Tournament, Fighting Hands Brewery (1600 Military Highway, Pineville), 6:00pm. Attention dart players! The Fighting Flights (that’s you!) will be gathering at Fighting Hand Brewing Co for another round of play. Who will take home the pot tonight? If you couldn’t make it last time, come on by! All skill levels welcome and get to compete for the pot. Cost: $5.00. fightinghandbrewing.com

December 13, 20, 27 & January 4: Yoga in the Gallery, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 5:45pm. Register online by selecting the class you would like to attend. Out of courtesy for our class waiting list, please cancel at least two hours prior to class start time. Masks are required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

*All events subject to change in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines.