Welcome to the 100th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival—a full weekend of lights, music, parades, and holiday tradition in the heart of downtown. Use this page as your go-to guide for parking locations, wristband details, parade time and route, road closures (with times), and other Christmas events happening throughout the festival.
Wristbands
Wristbands are $20. This festival is completely CASHLESS.
At 5:30 am, the gate entrances at Church Street and Williams Avenue will be open and armbands can be purchased at this location.
At 6:30 am, all other gates will be open for access to downtown and armbands will be on sale.
Christmas Festival Schedule
Celebrate a century of Christmas magic in Natchitoches! The 100th Annual Christmas Festival Day brings together holiday traditions, the Festival of Lights Parade, live music, shopping, and a spectacular fireworks celebration over Cane River Lake.
Schedule of Events
- 9 AM–6 PM – Mistletoe Market at the City Bank parking lot on Second Street
- 1 PM – Festival of Lights Parade
- 3:30–5:30 PM – Mike McKenzie Band
- 6 PM – Fireworks Celebration
- 6:30–8:30 PM – Johnny Earthquake and The Moondogs
Admission: $20 all day for Front Street and Downtown Riverbank. Children 6 and under are free.
Parking
No cars are allowed on the Riverbank on Saturdays due to Fireworks and Children’s Activities.
Corner lot of Church Street & Third Street – first come first serve RV parking
First Baptist Church
First United Methodist Church
Most parking lots are on level ground and sidewalks are handicap accessible.
For Festival Day ONLY, designated Handicap Parking will be in the City Hall Parking Lot at 700 Second Street. This lot must be entered from St. Denis Street.
ONLY vehicles with a handicap mirror tag or license plate will be allowed to park in the lot. Attendants will be on site.
Can I bring a chair or tarp?
On the North & South side of the bridge, there is NO CHARGE to place a tarp in this area. However, tarps CAN NOT be placed until 5:30am on Saturday, December 5th, 2026.
Spots are on a first-come, first-serve basis. You must provide your own tarp or blanket.
YES. However, chairs cannot block sidewalks or public right of ways. No areas may be roped off for chairs at any time. Any unattended chairs will be removed. Chairs may not be placed in the Fireworks Safety Zone. Chairs are also not allowed in the Amphitheater on the Riverbank.
Road Closures
At 5:00 am, barricades in the downtown area go up, including the Church Street Bridge.
At 5:30 am, the gate entrances at Church Street and Williams Avenue will be open and armbands can be purchased at this location.
At 6:00 am, Jefferson Street from Amulet Street to Touline will CLOSE to vehicle traffic.
At 6:00 am, Washington Street from Texas Street to Lafayette Street will CLOSE to vehicle traffic.
At 6:30 am, all other gates will be open for access to downtown and armbands will be on sale.
At 11:00 am, Second Street from University Parkway to Lafayette Street will CLOSE to vehicular traffic.
At 11:00 am, University Parkway from Jefferson Street to Second Street will CLOSE for parade line up.
At 11:00 am, the Pine Street/Keyser Avenue Bridge will close to vehicular traffic and all parade route barricades from University Parkway north to Lafayette Street will go up for the parade which begins at 1:00 pm.
At 11:00 am, eastbound traffic on University Parkway will be stopped at Boyd Street and westbound traffic on Mill Street will be stopped at Airport Road beginning at 11:00 am.
At 5:00 pm, the Church Street Bridge will CLOSE to foot traffic for firework preparations.
At 5:30 pm, barricades on Williams Avenue north of Henry Avenue to St. Maurice Lane and the intersections of East Second Street with Stephens Avenue, St. Clair Avenue, Whitfield Drive, Sirod Street, and Adelaide Street will go in place. No public parking is allowed on the streets mentioned above beginning at 10:00 am on Festival Day.
After the parade has ended and foot traffic allows, Jefferson Street and Second Street will open from Amulet Street south to University Parkway.
Other Christmas Fun
Dark Woods Christmas – Dark Woods Christmas in Natchitoches is a walk-through holiday attraction. It’s a festive path through the woods filled with Christmas lights, themed displays, and photo spots, designed for families and visitors to stroll at their own pace and soak up the holiday atmosphere.
NSULA Christmas Gala – The NSULA Christmas Gala (November 30, December 1, and December 2, 2026) is a festive holiday event at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, featuring an evening of seasonal celebration with elegant décor, holiday entertainment, and a warm community-focused atmosphere—perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit on campus.
