Christmas on the Northshore & Cajun Coast

×

Expand

Tyler Delgado

Your 2022 Louisiana Northshore & Cajun Coast Christmas Calendar 

For sparkly-eyed children and their sparkly-eyed children-at-heart—the charming towns of the Northshore and Cajun Coast have tons of magic up their sleeves for the holidays this year. For a comprehensive calendar, visit louisiananorthshore.com and cajuncoast.com. 

November 25–December 31: Get Wrapped Up in Mandeville: This Buy Local promotion kicks off again this year, reminding locals to support their neighbors this holiday season. Subscribe to the City of Mandeville newsletter for the most up to date information. cityofmandeville.com.

November 25–December 24: Christmas in the Country: The City of Covington and merchants of Lee Lane present their annual shopping event kicking off on Black Friday, and continuing every Saturday until Christmas. Shops throughout downtown Covington will offer special shopping events, featuring refreshments and live music. Free. louisiananorthshore.com. 

Thursday–Saturday December 1–10: Cutting Edge Theater presents Elf: The Musical: Buddy the Elf takes the stage. Thursday and Friday at 7 pm, 2 pm Saturday. Tickets start at $25. cuttingedgetheater.com. 

December 2: Christmas at TerraBella: Join the folks of TerraBella Village for a special community event kicking off the holidays, featuring an appearance from Mr. Claus, live holiday music, Christmas crafts, and the tree lighting. 6 pm–9 pm. louisiananorthshore.com. 

December 2: "O Wondrous Night!" NPAS Concert: The community choir will perform a special holiday concert at the Christ Episcopal School Theater in Covington for two nights only. 7:30 pm Friday; 3 pm Sunday. $20 for ages thirteen and older, $5 for kids under thirteen. npassingers.org. 

December 2: Sips of the Season Stroll: One of the most anticipated culinary events of the season, this Girod Street stroll is marked by a beautiful Covington evening, brightly decorated shop sand restaurants, delicious holiday-themed craft cocktails, and plenty of snacks too. 5 pm–9 pm in Old Mandeville. oldmandevillebusiness.org. 

December 2–4: Christmas Extravaganza Arts & Crafts Expo: Steinhauer Productions returns to the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds for one of the largest arts and crafts expos in the South. 9 am–5 pm each day. steinhauerproductions.com. 

December 2–10: Christmas Under the Stars in Griffith Park: Twinkling lights, festive decorations, and life-sized Christmas Cottages come together for a magical night in Slidell. 6 pm–9 pm. Free. Details on the City of Slidell Facebook Page. 

Friday–Saturday December 2–10: Mandeville Holiday of Lights: This year presented as a drive-thru event, the annual lights display will enlighten the St. Tammany Parish Administrative Complex grounds once again this year. 6 pm–8:30 pm. Free. louisiananorthshore.com.

Friday–Sunday December 2–11: 30 by Ninety Theatre presents A Very Merry Christmas Spectacular, a holiday extravaganza featuring singing, dancing, comedy, and more by local performers of all ages. 7 pm on Friday and Saturday; 2:30 pm Sunday. $29; $27 for seniors; $24 for students; $22 for children younger than twelve. 30byninety.com.

December 3: Winter on the Water Santa Street & Boat Parade: This fun family event brings the magic of the holidays to the Mandeville Lakefront, featuring Mandeville's big annual Santa Street Parade, followed by a parade of boats bedecked for the season floating by on Lake Pontchartrain. Plus live entertainment, face painting, photos with Santa and the Grinch, and the lovely lighting of the oaks on the lakefront. Santa’s Walking Parade begins at 4 pm at Lakeshore Drive and Jackson Street, and ends at the gazebo. The boat parade follows on the lake at 5:30 pm. Free. louisiananorthshore.com.

December 3: Candlelight Caroling at the Covington Trailhead: A magical night of sing-alongs await at the trailhead, featuring carols performed by the Northlake Performing Arts Society chorale. 7 pm–8:30 pm. Free. louisiananorthshore.com.

December 3: Your Santa Breakfast: Learn more about Youth Service Bureau at this cozy holiday event, featuring hot breakfast, Christmas crafts, kiddie train rides, face painting, a special Christmas movie showing, and a visit with the big man himself. All at Lakeview Regional Medical Center (95 Judge Tanner Blvd., Covington); seating available for fifteen fifteen-minute intervals from 9 am to noon. $20. ysbworks.com/santa. 

December 3: Deck the Rails at the Covington Trailhead: Enjoy Christmas caroling, craft activities, a visit from Mr. Claus, and holiday treats. 4 pm–6 pm. Free. louisiananorthshore.com.

December 3: Merry Madisonville: Ring in the holidays at the Madisonville Park & Playground for a day of family fun featuring Santa Claus, a parade, caroling, and kids’ activities. The parade kicks off at the Lake Pontchartrain Maritime Museum and ends at St. Louis. 1 pm–8 pm. Free. louisiananorthshore.com.

December 3: Cruisin' the Lower Atchafalaya Christmas Boat Parade: Head to Morey Park for a celebration of the season on water. 6 pm. Free. cajuncoast.com. 

Friday–Sunday December 3-18: Playmakers, Inc. Community Theatre presents Miracle on 34th Street: A special holiday production directed by Naomi Lee-Shawn O'Donnell. 7 pm Saturdays; 2 pm Sundays. $15–20. bontempstix.com. playmakersinc.com. 

December 4: Olde Towne Slidell Community Christmas Parade: Greet Santa on his trek through Olde Towne, starting at City Hall and moving down to Griffith Park, where he will lead the annual lighting of the Christmas trees. 5 pm–7 pm. louisiananorthshore.com. 

December 4: Covington Heritage Foundation's History and Holly Home Tour: Tour five festively-adorned homes along a pedestrian-friendly walking route during this Northshore holiday tradition, which starts at Fuhrmann Auditorium. 2 pm–5 pm. $20 at bontempstix.com.

December 4: Q50 Races Santa on Trails 5k Run/Walk: Don your Santa suit and bring a toy for the children of the New Orleans Mission shelter for the most festive of 5ks along Lake Pontchartrain in Fountainebleu State Park. 9 am. $40 to race. ultrasignup.com.

December 4–January 8: Christmas Lights on the Bayou Teche: Cruise down Teche Drive, Main, Martin Luther King and Iberia Streets in Franklin to take in over a million lights along Parc Sur La Teche (for festive accompaniment, tune into 93.5 FM). cajuncoast.com. 

December 9–11: Festival of the Bonfires: The little town of Lutcher has made a tradition of its own, celebrating its Festival of the Bonfires on the second weekend of December each year. Call it Christmas lights Cajun style, it's a prelude to the Christmas Eve bonfires later in the month. The sparks and holiday cheer ignite Friday afternoon at 2 pm, with the festival continuing all day Saturday and Sunday with Christmas on the River...Cajun Style! at Lutcher Recreational Park. Enjoy live entertainment, great food, crafts, Santa's Very Merry Forest, carnival rides, and more fun for the entire family. Each night of the event will also include a bonfire lighting. festivalofthebonfires.org.

Friday–Sunday December 9–18: Nutcracker Twist: An adaptation of the beloved classic ballet. slidelllittletheatre.org. 

December 10: Sugar Plum Market: Hosted by the Junior League of Greater Covington, this Christmas shopping event will be held at the Castine Center in Mandeville. Come shop over thirty-five small businesses sure to complete your wishlists. 9 am–4 pm. $5. jlgc.net/sugar-plum-market. 

December 10: Christmas Past Festival: Seventy-five artists and vendors, a children's village, train rides, and Mr. Claus himself on Girod Street in historic Old Mandeville. 10 am–4 pm. Free. Find the event on Facebook for more information. 

December 10: Miracle on First Street: Over fifty vendors, live music, and more, on First Street in Berwick. 3 pm–8 pm. Free. cajuncoast.com. 

December 10: Bernice Street Christmas by Candlelight: Take in the historic Morgan City street all a-twinkle with the warmth of candlelight. Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, and keep an eye out for special guests Santa and Mr. Grinch. Kids can also enjoy a train ride. 5:30 pm–9 pm. Details at the Bernice St. Christmas Lighting Facebook Page. 

December 10–11: Ballet Apetrei’s The Nutcracker: Experience Ballet Apetrei’s rendition of the dazzling holiday favorite at one of their four performances at the Fuhrmann Auditorium this season. 2 pm & 7 pm Saturday; 2 pm Sunday. $20 at bontempstix.com. balletapetrei.net. 

December 9–January 6: Covington’s 12 Days of Christmas Lighted Displays: Wander through the historic district this season seeking out the twelve lighted silhouettes depicting the larger-than-life images from the traditional Old English Crhistmas Carol—from the four calling birds to the partridge in a pear tree. The displays will be lighted seven days a week from dusk to dawn through January 6. louisiananorthshore.com

December 10: Folsom Horse & Wagon Christmas Parade: Santa trades the sleigh for a horse-drawn wagon at this old-fashioned parade, which includes an antique tractor show, "best dressed horse and rider" contest, and "most original wagon" competition. Starts on Hwy 40 right outside of Folsom at 1 pm. Free. Find the event on Facebook for more information. 

December 10: Breakfast with Santa: Pelican Park hosts their annual breakfast event at the Castine Center this Saturday, featuring delicious food, holiday crafts, and photos with Santa. $5 for adults and children older than ten. 9 am–11 am. Register at pelicanpark.com. 

December 10: Titan Winter Arts Showcase & Market: Local vendors, artists, and food trucks will be out in droves at Lakeshore High to promote the school's arts programs. 10 am–5 pm. Free. Find the event on Facebook for more information. 

December 11: Patterson Annual Christmas Street Parade: All the trappings of a charming Cajun Christmas parade. 2 pm down Main Street in Patterson. Free. cajuncoast.com.

December 11: Patterson 4-Legged Friends Christmas Parade: This adorably festive pup parade rides before the big Christmas Parade. Noon. Free. cajuncoast.com.

December 16: Holi-Slay Christmas Drag Show: A very festive holiday drag show. 8 pm–11 pm. $10. louisiananorthshore.com.

December 17: The Cajun Spirit of Christmas Parade: The Cajun Nutcracker foundation is excited to bring back the beloved tradition that is Morgan City's Christmas Parade. Dance groups, local businesses, and appearances from Santa and other characters will be featured when the parade rolls starting at Onstead Street, then moving down Second Street, turning right on Brashear Avenue and moving down Front Street, turning left on Everett street and circling around Lawrence Park, then ending under the Highway 90 bridge. Free. 6 pm. cajuncoast.com. 

December 17: Holiday Concert with Northshore Community Orchestra: Enjoy a special holiday concert presented by the Northshore Community Orchestra at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium this Sunday. 6 pm–8:30 pm. Free. louisiananorthshore.com.

December 18: Christmas Brass Spectacular: The Louisiana Brass, led by Erik Morales, will perform a selection of favorite contemporary and traditional holiday music at Christ Episcopal Church in Covington as part of the Third Sunday Concert Series. Free. 5 pm–6 pm. christchurchcovington.com.

December 18: Audubon Christmas Birding Count: A festive count of bird species, held in Franklin. 7 am–6 pm. cajuncoast.com. 

December 15–23: Slidell’s Bayou Christmas: This annual fundraiser for the Slidell Boys & Girls Club is hosted in the evenings at Heritage Park. 6 pm–9 pm. Free. Find the event on Facebook for more information. 

December 24: Christmas Eve Bonfires: Explore the unique tradition of the community-built bonfires along the Mississippi, set up to light the way for Papa Noel. Fires are lit at 7 pm. For driving directions on where to find the bonfires along River Road in Gramercy and Lutcher, visit festivalofthebonfires.org/christmas-eve-bonfires.