November serves as the official kick-off month to Natchitoches’ famous Festival of Lights season. Natchitoches’ Festival of Lights celebration officially begins on Saturday, November 19th with “Turn on the Holidays.” The event serves as an official “Louisiana Main 2 Main” event and will feature an entire day of free family entertainment, the official turning on of hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights, live musical entertainment and a spectacular fireworks show.
Events in downtown Natchitoches begin the morning of November 19th with the Cane River Green Market from 8:00am to 12:00noon. Vendors will be selling fresh produce, value-added items and arts and crafts. Live music will be provided by Uptown Jazz & Variety. Additional activities begin at 12:00noon, which include Bart’s Kids World, with fun hands-on activities and entertainment for children and a performance by the band River Road from 5:00pm to 9:00pm on the downtown stage. The evening will be capped off with the official lighting ceremony at 6:30pm on the downtown riverbank stage immediately followed by a fireworks show over Cane River Lake.
These events are all free to the public. Sponsorship for these events was made possible by grants from the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission and the Office of the Lt. Governor, Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism.
In conjunction with the November 19th kick-off, downtown merchants will sponsor their annual Holiday Open House, showcasing their holiday merchandise including home décor, books, clothing, collectibles and various gift items.
For those in the area during the Thanksgiving holidays, plan to visit Natchitoches to attend the Second Annual “Snow Fest.” Visitors will be able to experience Frosty’s Avalanche Slide by tubing down 110 feet of winter fun on the downtown riverbank. The snow will be open on Friday, November 25th from 4:00pm to 8:00pm, and Saturday, November 26th from 10:00am to 8:00pm. Only those 42 inches and taller will be allowed to ride. Admission will be charged. Musical entertainment will provided on Saturday, November 26th from 5:00pm to 9:00pm as well as a fireworks show over Cane River Lake at 7:00pm.
Don’t forget the Cane River Green Market is open every Saturday in November through Saturday, November 19th from 8:00am to 12:00noon on the downtown riverbank. Besides its diverse products, the market regularly features live music, cooking demonstrations, children’s activities and more. Visit .
