This year, the beloved thirty-year tradition that is the Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights is adding two special destinations to its adventure. In addition to, Shreveport-Bossier, Minden, Ruston, Monroe, Natchitoches, and Alexandria-Pineville— Ruston and Logansport are fully decked out for the season and added to the Holiday Trail map.
In November, Ruston kicks things off with a Holiday Open House and tree lighting ceremony on November 17. Say hello to Santa and embrace the magic during a horse-drawn carriage ride. Another event to mark on the calendar is the North Central Louisiana Arts Council’s Holiday Makers Market (November 26)—which will be bursting at the seams with art, food, and handmade gifts just begging to be found beneath your Christmas tree this year.
From December 1–4, the Ruston Community Theatre will present its production of ELF: The Musical at Dixie Theatre. After the show, stop by a downtown restaurant for their holiday specials before heading to the annual “Lincoln Lights Up the Pines” at Lincoln Parish Park. The event will feature thousands of lights, displays, and decorated vintage campers.
There’s more family fun to be had at Ruston’s Outdoor Wilderness Learning Center for the annual event, “Christmas on the Farm” on December 3. Let the kids loose to climb rock walls, go ziplining, ride ponies, and engage in arts & crafts activities. Overseeing the excitement will be Mr. and Mrs. Claus themselves, who will be available for photos and visiting.
Over in Logansport, volunteers have been working for months to prepare for the ultimate free winter festival—set to premiere on November 19 with a grand display of Christmas lights made all the brighter by a fireworks show. Plus, a carnival, car show, and Christmas parade—all presided over by the Clauses (who are the Trail of Lights’ most efficient travelers, certainly).
Throughout the season, Logansport has prepared an ambitious schedule of Christmas festivities, such as the Antique Adoption Trade Days Christmas Market event in Keatchie from November 25–26. Children are invited to meet Santa, Elf on the Shelf, and the Grinch as parents browse through antiques. Grand Cane, Mansfield, and Stonewall will be holding Christmas parades. The celebrations will continue until New Year’s Day.
While traveling from town-to-town, don’t forget to visit Ruston and Logansport as they make their new markings on the Holiday Trail of Lights. Get all of the details at holidaytrailoflights.com.
