Louisiana is known for its originality, so it only makes sense that the state would find ways to stand out even more during the holidays. Louisiana’s Holiday Trail of Lights is nothing short of a festive way for everyone to get into the holiday spirit.

The Holiday Trail of Lights spans across eight cities, where you can find parades, visits from Santa, theatre performances, and live music from November to January. Embarking on this journey is sure to find you plenty of Christmas cheer and is filled with holiday fun for the whole family.

Follow Louisiana Travel’s guide to making the most of the Holiday Trail of Lights by following the guide below!

First, you’ll start in Alexandria and Pineville. Located in the “Heart of Louisiana”, you can get into the Christmas Spirit during the three day long Alex Winterfete, which is a winter festival filled with local choirs, performance groups, the arrival of Santa, cookie-decorating, ice-skating, music, food, and so much more! Then, head to the Alexandria Zoo for the Holiday Light safari to see thousands of twinkling lights in a winter wonderland. Alexandria and Pineville both have parade extravaganzas in early December, so make sure to keep that in mind!

Next, head to the sweet town of Minden and join the celebration at the Minden Christmas Parade. This parade features the lighting of the Christmas tree, life-size Nutcrackers, and fireworks. For some holiday shopping, make sure to head downtown for their Downtown Takeover, where their historic shops offer amazing holiday deals (and get that Christmas shopping out of the way!)

Then, make your way to Monroe and West Monroe. Once you’re here, make sure to check out Santa’s Christmas Village at the Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum, where there is make-and-take Christmas decorations, ice skating, and the Peppermint Post Office. Afterwards, drive through the mile-long lights display at Candy Cane Lane in Calhoun, and keep on driving to Christmas Evenings at the Biedenharn Museum, where you can see gorgeous Christmas decor, take a photo with Santa, and listen to local musicians.

Natchitoches is the second to last stop on the Holiday Trail of Lights. Here, you can take a Christmas Tour of Homes to see the deckedhalls of the historic homes and then head to the Annual Christmas Festival. There, you’ll be mesmerized by 300,000 lights that illuminate the town and 100 lighter set pieces on the Cane River. Natchitoches makes the perfect background for awe inducing fireworks, live music, arts, crafts, delicious southern food, and so much more. Love Christmas music? Head to the Northwestern Christmas Gala to hear carols and other performances by the NSU students.

And for your last stop, visit Shreveport-Bossier. You’ll find Christmas cheer a-plenty at the Christmas on Caddo Lake Fireworks Festival with pictures with Santa, fireworks, and awesome rock music. Christmas in Roseland has a lights display that transforms the gardens into a winter wonderland, complete with Santa’s Candy Shop. Afterwards, you can visit the KCS Holiday Express train!

For more Louisiana related articles, click here.