Christmas Events for the Family in the Arklatex for 2017
This weekend is one of the busiest for Christmas events across our region. Check out our updated list of some of the best holiday offerings in the area.
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NATCHITOCHES CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
One of my favorite events in our region is the Christmas Festival in Natchitoches. This massive event runs through January 6th. It features more than 300,000+ Christmas lights and 100 plus riverbank set pieces are on every night at dusk.All events take place Downtown Natchitoches and the riverbank of Cane River Lake.
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CHRISTMAS IN ROSELAND
This is one of the most beautiful settings in our area for Christmas. The Christmas lights among the rose bushes and the rural woods is just spectacular. Several local choirs will be singing and there will be lots of events for young children to check out. Christmas in Roseland is a family tradition for many Shreveport Bossier residents. The event runs through the weekend before Christmas this year.
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THE POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE
The Polar Express Train ride will delight young and old. Ride along with the magical story as it comes to life the minute the train departs the Palestine Depot for the journey to the North Pole. Enveloped by the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the tale as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™. The train takes off every day until Wed Dec 27th except: Thursday Dec 7th, Monday Dec 11th, Tuesday Dec 12th, Sunday Dec 24th and Christmas Day. Trips run at 5pm, 6:30 and 8pm. Many of the trips are already sold out.
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BENTON CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE
I think this is the best family event going right here in Shreveport Bossier. It's Saturday December 9th from 10am until 4pm. The Benton Christmas on the Square Festival brings out the entire community. You will find great arts and crafts, food and holiday fellowship. But don't miss the parade which rolls at 3pm. Children love this event and Santa Claus is the featured attraction.
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WONDERLAND OF LIGHTS IN MARSHALL
This is near the top of the list for my boys. They loved going to Marshall a couple of times each year to ice skate during the Wonderland of Lights Festival. The event runs through December 31st and is open Tuesday-Sunday 6-9 and 4-10 on Saturdays. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
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UNCERTAIN CHRISTMAS FLOATING PARADE
This is one of the hidden gems in our region for Christmas. If you've never made the short trip to Uncertain, Texas for the floating Christmas Parade, you should put it on your list. This one of a kind event is Saturday, December 16th. Folks decorate their boats and parade near the shore of the spectacular Caddo Lake. The boats will line up at 1pm at Cypress Village and then get rolling along the bank. You can view the parade from Johnson's Ranch or several other public spots along the lake.
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SONGS OF THE SEASON
A spectacular Christmas Musical that will make you think you are watching a show on Broadway. Songs of the Season runs December 13-15th at 7pm and December 16 and 17th at 2 and 7pm. It's being staged at Shreveport Community Church on Buncombe Road. The event will feature food, a petting zoo, pony rides, and a live nativity scene. This is something you will want to bring the children out to enjoy.
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MINDEN CHRISTMAS PARADE
The Minden Christmas Parade is on December 9th and rolls at 5:30 p.m. in downtown Minden. You will find several local bands and lots of floats taking part in this small town, but big time holiday tradition.
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SAREPTA CHRISTMAS PARADE
The 9th Annual Sarepta Christmas Parade rolls on December 9th at 5:30pm at the Town of Sarepta Park. It turns off of Highway 2 onto Vines Street. The festival kicks off at 10am and runs until after the fireworks.
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GREENING OF THE LOUISIANA STATE EXHIBIT MUSEUM
The annual Christmas Tree event will be held at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum through December 22. Shreveport’s third-grade students decorate Christmas trees with ornaments constructed from various materials in their classrooms. These trees are on display for all to enjoy at the museum.
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A BETTER BLANCHARD'S SMALL TOWN CHRISTMAS
A Better Blanchard's Small Town Christmas will be held in Blanchard on Saturday, Dec. 9th from 5-9pm. Admission is free. Santa arrives in time for the lighting ceremony at 5:30pm when Blanchard Town Hall will transform into a winter wonderland filled with thousands of sparkling lights. We even hear there might be some snow. Local choirs and musicians will perform. There will be crafts for kids provided by Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park and Shreve Memorial Library - Blanchard Branch.
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COWBOY CHRISTMAS
The 4th Annual Cowboy Christmas event will be Saturday, Dec. 16 at Faith Farm and Arena in Elm Grove. It will feature a live nativity scene, food, entertainment, dancing, contests and more. Admission to Cowboy Christmas is free. The event starts at 1pm. The concert is at 5pm. Free.
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CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK
The Town of Greenwood hosts the Christmas in the Park event which is a wonderful time for families to come together and celebrate the holidays in a magical way. The event is Saturday December 15th from 6-8pm at 9381 Greenwood Road. It will include free photos with Santa. You can also check out tours of the Historic Dunn House, hot chocolate and cookies, Christmas music and much more.
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2ND ANNUAL SHREVEPORT FAMILY CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL AND PARADE
The 2nd Annual Shreveport Family Christmas Festival will take place at Festival Plaza in Shreveport on Saturday, December 16, 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Admission is free. There will be a parade to kick off the festival this year. It will roll down Clyde Fant Pkwy, beginning at 5 p.m, and end at Festival Plaza followed by food, fun, games and entertainment for the community. Youngsters will have a chance to make gifts for their parents.
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CHRISTMAS IN HAUGHTON
Come out on December 16th to enjoy the Christmas In Haughton Parade & Festival. This traditional event includes live music, food, great prizes and Santa Claus will also be there. The parade begins at 10am Immediately following the parade, Joe Delaney Memorial Park will be open for the festival which runs until 6pm.
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BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Enjoy breakfast with Santa and make holiday crafts. The event is hosted by Centenary College and will be held on Saturday, December 16 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in Centenary’s Kilpatrick Auditorium.