Holidays on the Northshore

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Tyler Delgado

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 30: Olde Towne Slidell Christmas Parade: Kids from ages four to ninety-four are called to say hello to Santa himself and the rest of the community at the old-fashioned Christmas parade. Featuring decorated golf carts, holiday costumes, and Santa and Mrs. Claus, the parade begins in front of Slidell City Hall. Free. 5 pm–7 pm. myslidell.com. 

December 1: Merry Madisonville: Ring in the holidays at the Madisonville Park and Playground for a day of family fun featuring Santa Claus, a parade, and kids’ activities. 1 pm–6 pm. Parade rolls at 2 pm. Free. merrymadisonville@gmail.com. 

December 4: Holiday Market at the Southern Hotel: Get ahead on your seasonal shopping with the annual holiday market at the Southern Hotel. 12 pm–7 pm. Free. southernhotel.com.

December 6: 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. christmasstroll.org.

December 6: Covington by Candlelight: Candlelight and Christmas Carols truly set the mood for the holidays, and Covington will indulge in both with local musicians and singing groups at the Covington Trailhead Museum and Visitors Center beginning at 6 pm. Free. visitthenorthshore.com. 

December 6: LPO: Classic Christmas: Join the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra for an evening at the Fuhrmann Auditorium, with performances of classic masterpieces such as Menotti’s “Introduction, “March,” and “Shepherds Dance” from Amahl and the Night Visitors, as well as Mendelssohn’s Vom Himmel Hoch, and excerpts from Handel’s Messiah. 7:30 pm. lpomusic.com.

December 6–8: 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. $8 for ages 13 and older. visitthenorthshore.com.

December 6–7, 13–14: Mandeville Holiday of Lights: The annual lights display and festivities will enlighten the St. Tammany Parish Administrative Complex grounds once again this year. Be sure to catch the parade, carnival, performances from area schools and organizations and, of course, the lights. Festivities are generally held the first two weekends in December. After, the event becomes a drive-thru experience. 6 pm–9 pm. Free. louisiananorthshore.com.

December 6–8, 13–15: A Very Merry Christmas Spectacular: 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. $22; $20 for seniors and military; $17 for students; $14 for children younger than twelve. 30byninety.com.

December 6–8, 13–15: The Charitable Sisterhood Christmas Spectacular: Make merry with this festive romp at the Playmakers Theater in Covington telling the story of the Charitable Sisterhood circa 1977 planning for the church's annual Christmas Spectacular—all while a criminal is on the run and the baby Jesus figure has been kidnapped from the local nativity scene. 7:30 pm Fridays and Saturdays; 2 pm Sundays. $15–$20. bontempstix.com.

December 6–8, 13–15, 20–22: "SCROOGE!" at Slidell Little Theatre: Enjoy this musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol at Slidell Little Theatre, complete with a cast of the characters you know so well, just in time for Christmas. 8 pm Fridays; 2 pm Saturdays and Sundays. $35; $25 for seniors and students. slidelllittletheatre.org. 

December 7: Winter on the Water Parade & Festival: This fun family event brings the magic of the holidays to Mandeville, 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, photos with Santa, and the lovely lighting of the oaks on the lakefront. Santa’s Walking Parade begins at 4 pm at the Pontchartrain Yacht Club, and ends at the Mandeville Trailhead. Free. louisiananorthshore.com.

December 7: 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. Fees vary for race participation. visitthenorthshore.com.

December 8: History and Holly Home Tour: Join the Covington Heritage Foundation for its annual History and Holly Home Tour. This is a perfect outing to enjoy with friends and family as you walk the pedestrian-friendly route (or ride in the tram), touring the festively adorned homes, sipping wine (provided) and enjoying the sounds of the season from strolling carolers. $20. 2 pm–5 pm. bontempstix.com.

December 12: Northlake Performing Arts Society Presents "Voices of Christmas": Enjoy the sweet serenade of the Northlake Performing Arts Society with their performance of "Voices of Christmas" at the Covington High School Theater. 7:30 pm Friday; 3 pm Sunday. $15 for ages 13 and up. npassingers.org.

December 13: 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. terrabellavillage.com. 

December 13: 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 dress in holiday costumes. 6 pm–8 pm. Free. myslidell.com. 

December 13–15: Festival of the Bonfires and Christmas on the River: The little town of Lutcher has made a tradition of its own, celebrating its Festival of the Bonfires each December. 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.

December 13–14, 20–23: 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 Slidell's Bayou Christmas Facebook page for more information.

December 14: Christmas Past Festival: An abundance of artists and vendors, a children's village, an ugly sweater contest, train rides, a petting zoo, musical performances, and Mr. Claus himself on Girod Street in historic Old Mandeville. 10 am–4 pm. Free. christmaspastfestival.com. 

December 14: 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. Afterward, swing by Moise Square behind Town Hall for Christmas in the Country Craft Fair complete with shopping, antique tractors, and pictures with Santa. Parade at 1 pm; Craft Fair from 10 am–4 pm. Free. Find out more on Facebook for more information. 

December 14: Wreaths Across America Day: 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. wreathsacrossamerica.org.

December 14–15: 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. 7 pm Saturday; 2 pm Sunday. $20 general admission or $30 for reserved seating. Tickets at bontempstix.com. 

December 14–15: 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. 6 pm–8 pm each night. Free. visitthenorthshore.com. 

December 19: Holiday Concert with Northshore Community Orchestra: Enjoy a special holiday concert presented by the Northshore Community Orchestra at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium. 6 pm–7 pm. Free. visitthenorthshore.com.