Christmas on the Northshore

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Tyler Delgado

Your 2023 Louisiana Northshore 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. 

November 12–January 1: Christmas on Front Holiday Lights: Don’t miss the dazzling drive-by LED light display on Front Street, presented by The City of Slidell and Keep Slidell Beautiful as part of a beloved Northshore tradition. Free. louisiananorthshore.com.

November 24, 25, and every Saturday until Christmas: 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. 

November 24–January 1: Christmas at the Southern: Looking to be infused with holiday magic? Stop by the historic Southern Hotel in Covington, which will be decorated to the nines, inside and out. Santa will be on deck most nights for photos (and a professional photographer is on deck), plus there are special events throughout the month such as carols in the courtyard, the holiday market, and live music performances. It all culminates in a New Years Eve Party complete with a "pine cone drop" and champagne toast. southernhotel.com. 

December 1: 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, hot cocoa, and the tree lighting. 6 pm–9 pm. terrabellavillage.com. 

December 5: Northlake Performing Arts Society's "A Northshore Christmas": The community choir will perform a special holiday concert at the Castine Center in Mandeville for one night only. 7:30 pm. Free. npassingers.org. 

December 1: 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, over forty brightly decorated shops and restaurants, delicious holiday-themed craft cocktails enjoyed in the official mug designed by artist Paula Turner Pounds, and plenty of snacks too. Starts at 4 pm on Girod Street. $35; must be 21 or older. oldmandevillebusiness.org. 

December 1: Bayou Jam Christmas Spectacular with Vince Vance and the Valiants: Heritage Park comes alive for the start of December with this free concert by Vince Vance and the Valiants, who will bring a holiday twist to their normal set. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, ice chests, and picnic baskets. 5:30 pm–7:30 pm. Free. visitthenorthshore.com. 

December 1–3: 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. Shop over four hundred vendors from the region and knock out your entire Christmas list in a single day, all with products made by artisans and craftspeople. 9 am–5 pm each day. $5 for ages thirteen and older. steinhauerproductions.com. 

December 1–31: 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. 

Christmas 1–31: Christmas Village at the Abita Springs Trailhead and Museum: Discover a miniature Christmas utopia on display at the Abita Springs Trailhead and Museum throughout the month of December. Open 10 am–4 pm Fridays and Saturdays; 11 am–3 pm Sundays. trailheadmuseum.org. 

December 1–2, 8–9: Mandeville Holiday of Lights: After a few years being presented as a drive-thru only event, this Northshore tradition is back full-force as an enchanting light display complete with kiddie rides, food trucks, caroling, and visits with Santa. Held on Koop Drive, the event is free and open to the public from 6 pm–8 pm. stpgov.org. 

December 1–3, 8–10: 30 by Ninety Theatre presents A Very Merry Christmas Spectacular: This holiday extravaganza features singing, dancing, comedy, and more by local performers of all ages. 7 pm on Friday and Saturday; 2:30 pm Sunday. $32; $30 for seniors; $28 for students; $25 for children younger than twelve. 30byninety.com.

December 2 & 9: Santa's Pajama Party: 30 by Ninety Theatre invites one and all to join Santa and his elves in a hand-crafted Winter Wonderland teeming with magical treats, in your pajamas. This event will feature holiday crafts, games, milk and cookies, photo-ops with the Big Guy, Elvish entertainment, and snow. Recommended for children ages four to ten. 10 am. $40. 30byninety.com.

December 2: Christmas Under the Oaks: Held on the grounds of the former Covington Courthouse beneath the giant live oaks, this juried market of arts and crafts, hosted by the St. Tammany Art Association, will feature jewelry, photography, paintings, woodworking, fiber art, pottery, and more. 4 pm–8 pm. visitthenorthshore.com. 

December 2: Olde Towne Slidell Community Christmas Golf Cart Parade: This old fashioned parade in Olde Towne has community members donning their wildest holiday attire, and decking out their golf carts too. 5 pm–7 pm, going from City Hall, to Second Street, to Griffith Park, then Erlanger Street, before ending downtown for the lighting of the Christmas trees and Christmas Under the Stars. Free. myslidell.com. 

December 2: 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 by the Mandeville Elementary School Bell Chorus, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, 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 8: Covington by Candlelight: A magical night of sing-alongs await at the trailhead, featuring carols performed by The Zion Harmonizers. 6 pm–7:30 pm. Free. louisiananorthshore.com.

December 2: 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–noon. $20 for kids; $5 adult breakfast. ysbworks.com/covingtonsanta. 

December 3: Merry Madisonville: Ring in the holidays at the Madisonville Park & Playground for a day of family fun. It all starts with a parade, which rolls at 2 pm at the Maritime Museum and ends at the Playground—where awaiting will be the Market Munchkins & Santa's Workshop, full of kids' activities by local organizations like the Children's Museum of St. Tammany, MHS Robotics, and others. Also, expect food trucks, light displays, hot cocoa, and photo ops galore. Santa and Mrs. Claus are expected to land their reindeers at 4 pm for gazebo photos. townofmadisonville.org. 

December 2–3, 9–10, and 16–17: A Christmas Story on Stage: Playmakers, Inc. Community Theatre presents the holiday classic A Christmas Story, with dancing lamps and BB gun songs galore. The special holiday production is directed by Naomi Lee-Shawn O'Donnell. 7 pm Saturdays; 2 pm Sundays. $15–20. bontempstix.com. playmakersinc.com. 

December 2: 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 3: 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 9: 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 to participate in the most festive of 5Ks along Lake Pontchartrain in Fountainebleu State Park. Registration starts at 7 am, race begins at 9 am. $45 to race. ultrasignup.com.

December 8–10: 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, when the festival grounds at the Lutcher Recreational Park open, live music gets rolling; and the gumbo, potato salad, and bread pudding cook-offs get underway. At 7 pm, the first bonfires will be lit on the levee against live music by Thomas Cain. The festival continues throughout the weekend with more live entertainment, cook-offs, crafts, Santa's Very Merry Forest, carnival rides, and fun for the entire family. Each night of the event will also include a bonfire lighting and on Saturday, a fireworks show. festivalofthebonfires.org.

December 1–3, 8–10, 15–17: The Christmas Schooner at Slidell Little Theatre: See the musical stage adaptation of this remarkable story, set on the Great Lakes during Christmastime, in which the captain of a schooner once known as "The Christmas Tree Ship" risks his life to transport trees to Chicago's German immigrants during the late 19th century. 8 pm Fridays; 2 pm Saturdays and Sundays. $35; $25 for students and seniors. slidelllittletheatre.org. 

December 6: Sugar Plum Market: Hosted by the Junior League of Greater Covington, this Christmas shopping event will be held at Mercedes-Benz of Covington. Come shop over thirty-five small businesses sure to complete your wishlists. 4 am–8 pm. $5. jlgc.net/sugar-plum-market. 

December 8–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 lit seven days a week from dusk to dawn through January 6. louisiananorthshore.com

December 9: Christmas Past Festival: Pull out your ugliest sweater for the occasion of the annual Christmas Past Festival, featuring seventy-five artists and vendors, a children's village, train rides, visits from Mr. Claus, and live music on Girod Street in historic Old Mandeville. 10 am–4 pm. Free. Find the event on Facebook for more information or visit christmaspastfestival.com. 

December 9: Ballet Apetrei’s "The Nutcracker": Experience Ballet Apetrei’s rendition of the dazzling holiday favorite at one of their two performances at the Fuhrmann Auditorium this season. 2 pm & 7 pm Saturday. $20; $30 for reserved seating at bontempstix.com. balletapetrei.net. 

December 9: 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 11 am. Free. Find the event on Facebook for more information. 

December 9: Cajun Christmas at Big Branch: Santa has scheduled an important stop at the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge's Bayou Lacombe Visitor Center, and his magic has waived all the entry fees associated. Guests are invited to take photos, enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and check out the interactive wildlife displays. Nature-themed holiday crafts will be available, and the grounds will be open for outdoor explorations. 2 pm–4 pm. Free. fws.gov/southeast. 

December 9–10: A Mandeville Christmas Living Nativity: Mandeville's First Baptist Church presents a ten-scene living Nativity during the holiday season, reflecting on the birth of Jesus Christ. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided. 6 pm–8 pm each night. Free. fbcmandeville.org. 

December 16: Wreaths Across America Day: At noon on national "Wreaths Across America Day," the organization will be at Covington Cemetery No. 1 to honor U.S. veterans through the laying of Remembrance wreaths on their graves, and saying the name of each of them aloud. Free. (985) 892-1873. 

December 21: 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–7 pm. Free. louisiananorthshore.com.

December 17: 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 15–16, 22–23: Slidell’s Bayou Christmas: This annual fundraiser for the Slidell Boys & Girls Club is hosted in the evenings at Heritage Park, and features all the trappings of holiday magic: ice skating, light displays, Santa appearances, live music, holiday decarations, and a narrated Nativity display. 6 pm–9 pm. Free. visitthenorthshore.com. 

December 21: Take in the wonder of the season as the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra performs  George Frideric Handel’s beloved Messiah at the Fuhrmann Auditorium as part of the Northshore Classics Series. 7:30 pm Sold out. 

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.