by Jeanni Ritchie
There are so many December events in and around Central Louisiana that it’s impossible to list them all. For the sake of time and space, I’m going to list just a few. Feel free to add your own in the comments and check out social media pages for holiday happenings.
Nov. 29- Dec. 28: Holiday Light Safari, Alexandria Zoo, Fridays and Saturdays (and Thursday 12/27) from 5:30-8 PM. Enjoy the illuminated path and visit with Santa until Dec. 21. Also check out Atwood’s Merry Creations stand for a cookie and craft!
Nov. 30-Dec. 1: The Nutcracker, Red River Dance Theater Company’s annual production. Saturday at 7 PM, Sunday 2 PM, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center
Dec. 1: Bereaved Parents of Central Louisiana, annual Butterfly Tree Memorial Service, Alexandria Zoo, 2 PM. Free and open to public. For parents and siblings of children of any age who’ve passed away. Bring ornament for tree in memory of loved one.
Dec. 1: Christmas in the Pines Market, 2-7 PM. Pineville Riverfront. City of Pineville hosts 1st annual Tree Lighting Ceremony (5:30 PM) Vendors, jumpers, live music, fireworks.
Dec. 2: Christmas in the Kees, Kees Park, Pineville. The City of Pineville is doing Christmas right! Kees Park will be lit up nightly from Dec. 2-23 and Santa will be there from 5-8 PM each night!
Dec. 3: Christmas Paint & Sip at Genghis Mongolian Grill, 6-8:30 PM. Happily Feather After Crafts invites you to wear your best Christmas sweater and painting 3 designs – nativity, reindeer and snowman – on wood ornaments.
Dec. 4: Cookies with Santa at Cindy Seaton Dance Academy, 4-7 PM. Take your picture with Santa, eat delicious cookies, enjoy storytime, write a letter to Santa, engage in an indoor snowball fight, sign the Christmas chain, and decorate your own take-home Christmas mug.
Dec. 5-7: Alex Winter Fete, Downtown Alexandria. Family-friendly festival with outdoor ice rink, fireworks, live music, live performances, local vendors, and Santa! Explore Jolly Junction, a magical children’s area filled with activities. Kicks off with a tree lighting.
Dec. 5: Lightwire Theatre’s A Very Electric Christmas, 7 PM. Presented by the Arts Council, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center. The AGT semifinalists were amazing onscreen; I can’t believe we get to see them live!
Dec. 6: Christmas Themed Toddler Time, Adventure Cenla, 10 AM- Noon. Children 5 and under jump away at this exciting trampoline park in their favorite Christmas attire. Parents can jump too!
Dec. 6: Pet Pictures with Santa, Rapides Animal Medical Center, 1-4 PM. Bring pets, bedecked in holiday garb if desired, for a mini photo sesh with Santa!
Dec. 6: Simple Christmas Cards, Sunflower Van Geaux Studios, 6-8 PM. Bring foods to snack and sip while you paint these one-of-a-kind cards to send out to your loved ones.
Dec. 6-7: Christmas Lock-In, Midstate Cheer, Gymnastics, and Tumbling Center. Epic slumber party for girls aged 5-16. Bring sleeping bag or pillow and blanket for a night of fun! Drop off 7 PM Friday night, pick up Saturday morning at 8 AM.
Dec. 7: 2024 Annual Christmas Porch Sale, River Oaks Square Arts Center, 9 AM – 3 PM. Free to attend. Artwork available for purchase.
Dec. 7: Cenla Broadcasting Cares for Kids Toy Drive, Target, 10 AM-4 PM. Q93 teams with the RPSB to ensure every child wakes up on Christmas morning with a smile on their face and joy in their hearts. Serves over 300 kids. Be a part of making a difference in the life of a child!
Dec. 12: Steel Magnolias Porches Tour, downtown Natchitoches, 5 PM. The Natchitoches Historic Foundation for a uniquely curated Christmas tour of “Steel Magnolias” porches. The entire tour is approximately one and one-half miles and makes various stops at select properties where ticket holders will enjoy movie trivia, Christmas decorations, and history along the way. Also held on Dec. 19.
Dec. 13: Pineville Christmas Parade, 7 PM.
Dec. 14: Christmas on Main, Oakdale. 2024 Miss Merry Christmas Maliyah Spires and the Oakdale Area Chamber of Commerce invite all to participate in a day of fun beginning at 9 AM. Vendors, performances, and a 4:30 PM parade led by Grand Marshal Lavanda Abrusley.
Dec. 14: Christmas Tour of Homes, Natchitoches Historic Foundation, 1-4 PM. Also on Dec. 21.
Dec. 14: Gloria, First Baptist Church Pineville, 6 PM. In the midst of Santa and snowballs, make sure your family celebrates the true reason for the season. Join FBC Pineville as their choirs and orchestra present a moving evening of music, drama, and worship celebrating the birth of Christ.
Dec. 15: Alexandria Christmas Parade, 2 PM.
Dec. 17: Pet Pics with Santa, Alexandria Mall, 4-6 PM. Special time for Santa and your furry friends to get photos.
Dec. 17: Life After Loss: Grief Support Group, Let Love Be My Motive Studio, Glenmora, 6:30 PM. Provided by Thrive Unburdened, for some the holidays are anything but joyous. Join with others who are navigating grief during the season. Groups is free, open to the public, and meets every other Tuesday. For questions or more information call Tanja at (231)-534-1115.
Dec. 21: Christmas in the Park, Oberlin Memorial Park, Allen Parish, 12-6 PM. Games, entertainment, local vendors, Santa’s Workshop, Alphonse Ardoin and The Zydeco Kingz, and a 6 PM parade.
Dec. 21: Olaf’s Frozen Christmas Adventure, Get To The Pointe Ballet Academy, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, 7 PM. Contemporary ballet featuring all original choreography by Sarah Ranson and performed by incredibly talented GTTP local ballerinas!
Dec. 23: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, Heymann Performing Arts Center, Lafayette, 7:30-9:30 PM.
Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist from Central Louisiana. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
