‘Tis the season for holiday festivals and checking out all of the magical Christmas lights in Louisiana! The Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights is a collection of neighboring cities in northern Louisiana along I-20 and I-49 where you have the chance to view multiple holiday lighting displays. Spend a weekend checking out each city and see which one is your favorite.

1. Minden Lights Spectacular
Minden, LA 71055, USA
Holiday Trail of Lights/Facebook
Starting off strong with some of the best holiday lights in Louisiana, the Minden Lights Spectacular is one display that's not to be missed. Each night at dusk thousands of Christmas lights illuminate the city, a truly magical sight. Over 100 life-sized nutcrackers are also on display, adding to the unique charm of this lovely city. The lights turn on in mid-November and stay on until the beginning of January.
2. West Monroe/Monroe
Biedenharn Museum & Garden, 2006 Riverside Dr, Monroe, LA 71201, USA
Discover Monroe-West Monroe/Facebook
Both Monroe and West Monroe offer great opportunities to see some spectacular Christmas lights in Louisiana. From the tunnel of lights at the Land of Lights to the Christmas displays at the Biedenharn Museum and Santa’s Christmas Village, you'll have a jolly good time exploring the twinkling lights.
3. Natchitoches
Natchitoches, LA, USA
Holiday Trail of Lights/Facebook
Not only is Natchitoches one of the best places to see holiday lights in Louisiana, but this magnificent display is one of the top displays in the entire country. Over 300,000 lights and more than a hundred displays light up downtown Natchitoches and the Cane River Lake every evening. Thousands of people come from all over the country to view the Natchitoches Christmas Lights, and if you’ve never seen them before you should make an effort—they’re truly spectacular.
4. Alexandria-Pineville
Alexandria, LA, USA
Alexandria Zoo/Facebook
Head over to the Alexandria Zoo to experience the Holiday Light Safari which features hundreds of thousands of lights, train rides, children’s activities, Santa, and much more. The Holiday Light Safari is fun for the whole family, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Are you planning on checking out any of these Christmas displays? Let us know in the comments below! For more holiday adventures, check out some of our favorite Louisiana Christmas towns.

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Christmas lights in Louisiana

Jackie Ann | October 13, 2022

Is Louisiana a good place to visit in the winter?

Absolutely! If you’re looking to take a break from the harsh winters of the north, Louisiana is exactly what you’re looking for. Our mild winters are great for keeping the outdoor adventures going, and hitting the hiking trails or exploring one of Louisiana’s small towns is perfect when you’re not having to worry about shoveling your driveway. You can still experience some of the best parts of the Christmas season while not being bundled up to extremes. Although if you really want to see snow, you should stick around to the northern part of the state, where you might have the opportunity to catch some flakes falling. 

Where can I see the best light displays in Louisiana?

Once you’ve seen the mesmerizing light displays of northern Louisiana, head down to New Orleans where you can experience one of the best light displays in Louisiana, Celebration in the Oaks. This incredible light show takes over City Park for the holiday season, filling the park with thousands and thousands of light displays. There will also be concessions for you to grab a hot chocolate and some s’mores while you stroll through the park. 

What are the best holiday events in Louisiana?

From Natchitoches to New Orleans, there are plenty of holiday events to keep you and your loved ones entertained this holiday season. One of the best holiday events that you won’t want to miss is the opportunity to walk through the Roosevelt Hotel’s lobby in New Orleans. The lobby gets transformed into an incredible holiday display featuring over 100,000 lights, 78 birch trees, and 40 Christmas trees all perfectly decorated. It makes for a lovely background for your annual family photo!

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