Holiday Christmas Cheer: December 14—15

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With the big day almost upon us, here's a final burst of Christmas events large and small, briefly noted:

December 14

• Delcambre Christmas Boat Parade, Delcambre: Parade festivities begin at 5 pm at the Old Boat Dock, with the Boat Parade rolling at 6 pm. facebook.com/delcambreboatparade.
• Deck the Rails, Covington: a free child-friendly holiday event and trailhead lighting at the Covington Trailhead, completely with craft activities Santa Claus, and an outdoor movie. 419 North New Hampshire Street. 4 pm–7:30 pm. (985) 892-1873.
• Downtown Christmas Parade, Baton Rouge: The annual Cortana Kiwanis Downtown Christmas Parade rolls at 5:30 pm. Each year more than 70,000 people turn out to watch. Typically includes about eighty entries—a mix of marching bands, celebrities, dance troupes, non-profit organizations, and local businesses. christmasinbr.com.
• Christmas Past Festival, Mandeville: Arts & crafts, a food course, rides aboard a train or a horse & carriage, Christmas carolers, and a salute to holiday film classics (complete with roaming characters). It's Christmas in Old Mandeville! 10 am–4 pm. free. louisiananorthshore.com.
• Christmas Parade, Ponchatoula: Santa is making his last stop in Ponchatoula before Christmas. He will be riding in his sleigh along with floats, marching bands, dance teams, and monster trucks. Parade begins at 5 pm in downtown. ponchatoulachamber.com.
• Bernice Street Christmas by Candlelight, Morgan City: Enjoy home decorations, entertainment, refreshments, and Santa. Free to the public, but a donation of a canned good or cash to be distributed to the needy through St. Mary Outreach is requested.  5:30 pm–9 pm. (985) 384-8003.
• Old Time Christmas Family Day, Lafayette: The community is invited to experience the simple warmth and beauty of Christmas past as Vermilionville’s historic village brings to life the holiday traditions of yesteryear. Visitors will have the opportunity to take a self-guided tour of the village and witness wintertime traditional demonstrations such as soap and candle making, santons (“little saints”), citrus pomanders, and more. Children will enjoy writing letters to Santa, making bousillage ornaments, decorating Christmas cookies, singing carols and of course, meeting Papa Noel. $5 admission. 10 am–4 pm. (Visitors to Vermilionville from December 9–21 will enjoy special holiday programming too.) vermilionville.org.
• Cajun Christmas at Big Branch, Lacombe: Each year Santa and Mrs. Claus make a special visit to the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center. Kids of all ages are invited for story time, cookies, and hot cocoa. 2 pm–4 pm. Free. (985) 882-2025.
• Holiday Tea at Longue Vue, New Orleans: Glad tidings and high tea! Guests get to celebrate the season at Longue Vue with a luxurious afternoon tea coupled with festive holiday crafts and photos with Santa. 1 pm–3 pm. Reservations required. $50 members, $60 non-members. (504) 293-4722 or lvaughn@longuevue.com for tickets.
• Christmas Open House, McComb, Mississippi: Get some history in with your Christmas festivities by visiting the Christmas Open House at the McComb Depot Pavilion this season. From 10 am–2 pm, bring the family and wander past a mountain steam locomotive, a unique refrigerated train car, an office car from 1883, a caboose, an early 1900s postal car, and more. Wander inside the nearby McComb City Railroad Depot Museum to find a delightful Christmas model train display. Free. trainmaster@mcrrmuseum.com or mcrrmuseum.com.

December 14 & 15

• Cajun Holiday Tea, New Orleans: Climb aboard the Creole Queen steamboat for tea with Santa. While cruising along the mighty Mississippi, enjoy tasty holiday treats and teas, face painting, storytelling, magic tricks and other children's activities. Riders will even have to an opportunity to hold a live alligator and take a picture with it. When the captain is distracted with Santa, grab the wheel and take this baby to the North Pole. 10 am & 1:30 pm. creolequeen.com.
• Holiday Home Tours, New Orleans: Embrace this seasonal opportunity to tour seven stunning homes in the Garden District and Lower Garden District with halls fully decked for the occasion. Also enjoy musical performances and holiday shopping along your merry way. The home tours take place from 10 am–4 pm each day. Tickets for the home tour are $45 each, or $50 day of tour. (504) 581-7032 or prcno.org. 
• Cajun Christmas Dance, Baton Rouge: The Cajun French Music Association welcomes dance enthusiasts to come take a joyous spin around the UCT Hall's spacious dancefloor for the annual Christmas dance—or Bal de Noel.  Music by Choupique Cajun Band avec Jesse Brown. Bring your Christmas spirit and your best moves (but if those need a little boost, come early for the free dance lessons). As always, family-friendly and smoke-free. 8 pm. $12 general admission or $7 for students with ID. Children ages 12 and younger free. (225) 292-2778 or batonrougecajundance.com.
• Journey to Bethlehem, Central: Blackwater United Methodist Church in Central presents a drive-through nativity, featuring live actors and animals to depict the Christmas story. Christmas carols will be played over the radio as attendees drive through, enjoying this unique (and climate-controlled, for the spectators) take on the traditional Christmas pageant. Free. 5 pm–8 pm. blackwaterumc.org. 

December 15

• A Christmas Brass Spectacular, Covington: Christ Church of course gets in the spirit of the season for this month's Third Sunday concert. Don't miss a stirring evening with The Louisiana Brass, led by Erik Morales. 5 pm, with a reception following. christchurchcovington.com.