Christmas in the Felicianas

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Tessa Rampers

Small-town charm collides with Christmas spirit in the Feliciana parishes, so bundle up and check out some of the following holiday festivities. 

November 25–26, December 2–3: Poinsettia Sale: Support St. Francisville Beautiful—whose mission is to protect, preserve, enhance, and expand landscape beautification projects in St. Francisville—by purchasing your holiday poinsettias from them this year. On the two weekends after Thanksgiving, they will be at the St. Francisville Old Library, offering a gorgeous selection of red, white, and pink blooms. Reserve yours ahead of time at bontempstix.com. 10 am–4 pm. $12–$40. 

November 24–December 31: Little Easy Christmas Tours in Natchez: Natchez has been called the "Christmas movie capital of the South," and in recent years, some of the Bluff City's most beautiful historic homes started opening their wreathed doors for the town's Christmas Tour of Historic Homes. Homes included will be The Towers, Linden Suburban Villa, Magnolia Hall, Dunleith, Choctaw Hall, The House on Ellicott Hill, Monmouth, Myrtle Terrace, and Sunnyside—and each is guaranteed to be bedecked with holiday displays, from a Victorian Christmas at Magnolia Hall to a Jeweled Christmas at The Towers. Find more information at littleeasytours.com. 

December 1–3: St. Francisville Christmas in the Country: It all begins at the Town Hall at 5:30 pm, where local middle and high school students will perform carols on the front porch on Friday evening. From there the weekend kicks off with the Lighting of the Christmas Tree, the "Jingle Bell Mingle" market, live music in front of Parker Park, and a living Nativity at the First Baptist Church, complete with cookies, crafts, and petting stables. Finish the night with a tour of the lights and decorations at the West Feliciana Hospital campus. Saturday brings more festivities, including an arts market in Parker Park, music in the Gazebo, hymns at the Methodist Church, and more. Anne Butler and Kim Boone will also be present signing copies of their new book, Deep Into the Forrest. It all concludes on Sunday with the St. Francisville Christmas Parade at 2 pm. Details at the Christmas in the Country Facebook Page. 

December 1–31: West Feliciana Hospital Christmas Lights Display Drive-Thru: Spend an evening conjuring holiday magic, courtesy of the lights displays at the local hospital. Opening night will also feature cookies and cocoa for guests. wfph.org. 

December 1: Chamber Series "Holiday Brass 2023": The full Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra brass and percussion is ready and prepped to put you in the holiday spirit in the magical environs of Hemingbough's amphitheater overlooking Lake Audubon. 7:30 pm–9:30 pm. $35. brso.org.  

December 2: Christmas Spirits: Join in for a progressive "Christmas Spirits" stroll through the historic district of St. Francisville while "illuminating" the streets with 3,000 luminaries. Along the way will be four spirit stops at Historic District homes for ticketed guests ($50). Free activities include a kids' ornament workshop at Old Market Hall, hot chocolate included; hymn singing at the United Methodist Church; and peeks into participating homes in the historic district. Reserve your "Spirit Stop" tickets at bontempstix.com. 

December 2: Sounds of the Season Concert: Clarence Jones and Heritage Choir will perform special holiday classics as part of this beloved holiday tradition at Grace Episcopal Church. A dessert reception will follow at Jackson Hall. All proceeds will go towards the renovation efforts of the Old Benevolent Society Building on Ferdinand Street. 6 pm. tellthestory.life. 

December 2: The Friends of the West Feliciana Parish Library Christmas Tour of Homes:  Explore five of St. Francisville's most intriguing homes, all dressed in their holiday best, including: The Glynns, Ridgecrest, The Little House, The Charlet Home, and Shadetree. 10 am–4 pm. $30 in advance; $35 day-of. Tickets available online at eventbrite, at Birds of a Feather, the library, or by calling (225) 635-3364. Details at the Friends of the West Feliciana Parish Library Facebook Page. 

December 2: Breakfast with Santa at Grace Church: The West Feliciana High School dance and cheer teams will once again host their annual breakfast with Santa to kick off the holiday season. Enjoy a delicious breakfast, photos with the big guy himself, and a performance by West Fel High dancers and cheerleaders. Seatings at 8 am, 9:30 am, and 11 am. $12. eventbrite.com. 

December 2: A Dickens of a Christmas: Step into the holidays of centuries past at Audubon State Historic Site's Oakley House, where costumed guides will show visitors through the festively-decorated, candelit home. Taste the holiday treats brewing in the kitchen, and enjoy the annual Christmas dance, with music by the Lagniappe Dulcimers. $10 for adults (age 18–61), $8 for senior citizens (age 62 and over), $6 for children (age 4–17), and free for those age 4 and under. (225) 635-3739. lastateparks.com. 

December 3: Light up the Holidays: The Poydras Center in New Roads will light up for the season at this event hosted by the Arts Council of Pointe Coupee, with festive food and drinks, potential to win door prizes, and live holiday performances by Grammy-nominated band, Sweet Cecilia. 6 pm. $55; $25 for students. artscouncilofpointecoupee.org. For more information, reach out to Gale Roy at roygaleb@bellsouth.net or call (225) 718-1574.

December 15: Cocktails & Caroling: After enjoying cocktails provided by local shops from 4 pm–6 pm, join Father Brad for an evening of cocktails and caroling at Parker Park. Details at the Town of St. Francisville Facebook Page.