Plan a Pilgrimage Along the Holiday Trail of Lights
From now through the Big Day, towns across north and central Louisiana link arms to make Christmas the most magical time of year.
‘Tis the Season! Treat your family to an unforgettable fix of holiday cheer by planning a road trip ‘round The Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights. From Thanksgiving through the New Year, Alexandria/Pineville, Monroe/West Monroe, Ruston, Minden, Shreveport/Bossier, Logansport and Natchitoches band together to present a glittering series of festive events, atmospheric shopping experiences, and family-friendly destinations. The Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights is a time-tested excursion designed to help visitors get their holiday shopping done while taking scenic road trips through towns festooned with decorations and lighting displays. The goal: help day-trippers and weekend wanderers discover the best of north and central Louisiana while experiencing lighting extravaganzas, holiday open houses, historic landmarks, theatrical productions, and culinary specials at destination restaurants. Participating cities have organized a candy-cane-shaped trail—(yes, it includes Calhoun’s famous Candy Cane Lane lighting display), that delivers shopping, dining, live entertainment, Christmas lightings and Santa sightings to suit every budget.
Whether you make it a one-day or a week-long excursion, these destinations are all within driving distance—close enough for convenience but dispersed to make each day unique. So take your time. Linger in each glittering downtown and brightly lit historic neighborhood, and check out the array of events scheduled from now until Christmas. The trail has prepared itineraries to appeal to the shoppers, the diners, the dancers and the sightseers among us. So, check out these links for inspiration on how to shop, stroll, browse, sing, and skate your way along along the trail. There’s information about where to lay your heads down too. Festivals by day, lights by night. Come discover all that the Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights has to offer.