Gather up the family; it’s time for a road trip! This spectacular holiday trail of Christmas lights in Louisiana will lead you to some of the most amazing light displays in the state, and you’re not going to want to miss it! 

Google Maps
The Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights was established in 1992 and runs along I-20 and I-49 in northern Louisiana.
Holiday Trail of Lights / Facebook
You’ll see spectacular lighting displays along the route in Shreveport/Bossier, Minden, Monroe-West Monroe, Natchitoches, and Alexandria/Pineville. The cities are all within driving distance, and the entire road trip will take just over four hours, but you’ll want to spend time in each city, so you better make a weekend out of it to get the full experience.

1.Alexandria & Pineville

Alexandria, LA, USA
Holiday Trail of Lights / website
Start your holiday light journey in Alexandria/Pineville, in the heart of Louisiana. Alexandria will host their annual Alex Winter Fete in late November/early December; you won’t want to miss it. There’ll be ice skating, live music, shopping, and even a Santa sighting! The holiday light safari at the Alexandria Zoo is a great attraction the whole family will enjoy. It runs every weekend in December, and visitors can enjoy train rides, kid’s activities, and live entertainment while strolling through the Zoo, which will be glowing with thousands of twinkling lights. It’s the perfect start to our Christmas lights road trip!

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2. Monroe

Monroe, LA, USA
Discover Monroe-West Monroe/Facebook
Next up on your epic adventure, we’ll head to Monroe-West Monroe, where the cities transform into a winter wonderland that will dazzle you. Christmas on the River is a family-friendly event jam-packed with activities that the entire family will love, including parades, a fireworks show, ballet performances, and shopping opportunities. The lighting display over at Antique Alley is a delightfully charming attraction, and it’s the perfect place to pick up some last-minute Christmas presents. Over 30 antique shops and boutiques are peppered along the street, offering everything from spices to home decor.

Don’t forget to check out Candy Cane Lane over in Calhoun! This drive-through Christmas light display features over a million lights on a mile-long road that simply must be seen to be believed. We like making a stop in Calhoun one of our Louisiana Christmas traditions.

3. Minden

Minden, LA 71055, USA
Holiday Trail of Lights/Facebook
The next stop on the road trip takes us to Minden, also known as the "friendliest city in the South." During the holidays, Minden goes all-out with the decorations, lining the streets with hundreds of life-sized nutcrackers, thousands of dazzling lights, and more. Shop the historic downtown area, grab a bite at one of their local restaurants, and stick around for the Old World Christmas Lights Spectacular, which will run every night through New Year’s Day in the historic downtown area. Minden is a great place to see Christmas lights in Louisiana.

4. Shreveport & Bossier

Shreveport, LA, USA
Holiday Trail of Lights/Facebook
From Minden, pop over to Shreveport and Bossier for a fun-filled evening of holiday festivities. These sister cities transform into a winter wonderland that will mesmerize you. See the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlet’s Christmas Tree, the largest outdoor tree in northwest Louisiana, and is a truly incredible display. Check out Roseland, a 60-acre park filled with twinkling lights, giant, eight-foot-tall Christmas cards, train rides, and Santa. Roseland has some of the best Christmas lights in Louisiana!

5. Natchitoches

Natchitoches, LA, USA
Holiday Trail of Lights/Facebook
End your holiday light trail with perhaps Louisiana's most famous lighting display: The Natchitoches Christmas Festival. Louisiana’s oldest city transforms into a spectacular holiday display that attracts thousands of visitors annually. Over 300,000 lights illuminate the historic downtown district and the Cane River Lake. During the six-week festival, shops and restaurants will stay open later than normal business hours; there will be live entertainment, carolers, a spectacular fireworks display, and so much more. It’s one of our favorite stops on the Louisiana Christmas lights road trip!

For more information about the Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights, visit the official website of the Holiday Trail of Lights and follow along on Holiday Trail of Lights’ Facebook page.

Have you ever been to any of these holiday attractions? Have you traveled the entire Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights? Which display is your absolute favorite? Let us know in the comments below! Looking for more great Christmas lights in Louisiana? We love these Christmas towns in Louisiana! If you’re hitting the road, don’t forget your road trip snacks!

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More to Explore

Christmas Lights in Louisiana

Megan McDonald | November 03, 2023

What is the most Christmassy town in Louisiana?

One of the towns in Louisiana known for its Christmas spirit is Natchitoches. The Natchitoches Christmas Festival, held annually since 1927, is one of the oldest and most vibrant holiday celebrations in the United States. The festival includes various events such as the Festival of Lights, where the town is adorned with hundreds of thousands of lights and numerous set pieces along the Cane River Lake. The season typically includes fireworks, parades, tours of homes, and plenty of festive food and music, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Louisiana.

Louisiana's unique cultural blend contributes to various towns across the state offering their own unique takes on holiday festivities, combining traditional Christmas customs with local traditions such as Creole and Cajun influences, making it a unique place to celebrate the holiday season!

Where are the best places in Louisiana for Christmas lights?

Louisiana has several spots renowned for its Christmas lights and holiday displays. Here are some of the best places to visit during the holiday season for a spectacular light experience:

  • Natchitoches Christmas Festival (Natchitoches) - Natchitoches hosts one of the most famous Christmas festivals in the state. The town features over 300,000 lights and 100 set pieces displayed along the Cane River Lake.
  • Celebration in the Oaks (New Orleans) - Located in City Park, Celebration in the Oaks is a New Orleans holiday tradition featuring beautiful light displays throughout the park's oak groves and lagoons.
  • Holiday in Dixie (Shreveport) - A traditional festival that celebrates the holiday season with lights and various events.
  • Christmas in Roseland (Shreveport) - The American Rose Center lights up with thousands of twinkling lights and displays for the holiday season.
  • ZooLights (Baton Rouge) - The Baton Rouge Zoo hosts this festive event where visitors can enjoy a mile-long trail through the zoo, decorated with more than 50 illuminated display sculptures of animals and traditional holiday displays.
  • Luna Fête (New Orleans) - Luna Fête is a festival of lights with contemporary light installations, video mapping, and art installations in various locations across New Orleans.
  • Festival of Lights (Lafayette) - The Oil Center hosts the Festival of Lights with lights, decorations, live music, and carriage rides in Lafayette.
  • Alex Winter Fête (Alexandria) - Alexandria turns into a winter wonderland with its annual festival featuring ice skating, a winter market, and lighting displays.

These locations go all out for the holiday season, offering locals and visitors a festive experience with beautiful lights, holiday music, and unique Louisiana charm. 

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