17 Things to Do This December in Monroe-West Monroe
Christmastime is here! The holidays are in full swing and there's so much to do. Stroll through Christmas lights all season long, enjoy a spectacular holiday performance, and catch a parade (or 5)! Bundle up in your mittens and coats and enjoy everything that December has to offer in Monroe-West Monroe!
season long lights
Candy Cane Lane
November 12th—January 3rd
6PM - 10PM
Candy Cane Lane continues to bring Christmas cheer all season long. With over one million lights adorning a long wooded drive, you can soak in all the sights with friends and family again and again. Roll down the windows and enjoy the interactive musical lights display, too! Don’t feel like driving? Bundle up in your mittens and coats and ride on a hayride through the lights in the crisp winter air.
Freedom Trees
November 11th—December 31
Get into the Christmas spirit and check out the Freedom Trees at the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum. This patriotic display brings Christmas cheer while honoring veterans and those currently serving in all branches of the military. Meander through the dazzling lights and exhibit of trees from Veterans Day to New Years Eve.
Land of Lights
November 22—January 1
5:30PM - 10PM
Enter the Land of Lights that feels like a true winter wonderland. This magical land is filled with sparkling lights, beautiful photo ops, and perhaps a Christmas character or two. You don’t want to miss this beautiful display on the corner of Cotton and Pine streets in Downtown West Monroe.
Holiday Wagon Rides
December 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th
5:30PM - 7:30PM
Take a grand tour of the Christmas lights in both downtown Monroe and West Monroe in a festive wagon! Every Friday and Saturday in December, you can experience the Winter Wonderland and twinkling lights. Tours depart every 30 minutes with the first wagon departing at 5:30PM and the last at 7:30PM
festive fun
Santa’s Christmas Village
December 2nd—23rd
Fridays 5PM - 8PM, Saturdays 10AM - 5PM, Sundays 1PM - 5PM
Santa’s Christmas Village returns to the Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum. Visit with Santa Claus himself and decorate a cookie, make an ornament, or play in the “snow” on Mount Sneaux! Take part in special events and activities during the season like Breakfast with Santa, Gingerbread Workshop, Frozen Meet and Greet, Cocoa with the Grinch, and Silent Disco Holiday Edition. There is endless fun all season long at the Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum!
Christmas Open House at the Biedenharn
December 4th—6th
5PM - 8PM
For over 35 years, The Biedenharn’s Christmas Open House has graced the community. The Biedenharn Home is beautifully decorated by the Monroe Garden Study League. For three evenings, enjoy touring the home and gardens for free! Elsong Garden will be full of lights and local singers and musicians will be performing in the music room for passersby. Enjoy hot chocolate and hot apple cider to keep you warm as you stroll around. Santa will be in attendance all three nights as well for free photos and Christmas cheer!
Art Crawl
December 4th
5PM - 9PM
The Downtown Art Gallery Crawl is a little extra special this month with Downtown Monroe and West Monroe lit up for the holidays! Shop for friends, family, or yourself as vendors line up their booths. This is an evening of art, food, music, and fun with friends.
Holiday Carolers at The Hotel Monroe
December 4th, 9th, 19th
5PM - 7PM
Step into the magic of the season at The Hotel Monroe as the halls come alive with the joyful sounds of the Delta Youth Chorale. These talented local performers will fill the lobby with the warmth and wonder of Christmas, singing from the garland-draped banisters on the mezzanine overlooking the beautifully decorated lobby. Make an evening out of it by sitting for dinner or cocktails at Heirloom. Bring your friends and family and make it a night to remember. You have three chances to enjoy these wonderful performers!
Christmas on the River Fireworks
December 6th
6PM
Don’t miss out on the Christmas fireworks on the river! They are best viewed from either downtown Monroe or West Monroe. The fireworks serve as the grand finale to Christmas on the River weekend—a weekend full of holiday fun and excitement, but there’s still plenty of events for the rest of the month around the Twin Cities! Bundle up and bring a lawn chair or blanket and watch the exciting display being shot from the Endom Bridge.
Twin City Ballet: The Nutcracker Tea + Matinee
Evening Gala Performance
December 6th
9:30AM Tea, 11AM Matinee, 6PM Evening Show
Twin City Ballet presents two performances of The Nutcracker. Enjoy morning tea paired with a matinee or an elegant evening gala performance. Step back in time to a Christmas Eve where Clara receives her beloved Nutcracker. Then venture into the Land of Sweets with the Sugar Plum Fairy. Local dancers from the community dance right alongside professional guest artists as they bring this timeless Tchaikovsky to life.
Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Night
December 17th
5PM - 8PM
Christmas at the Biedenharn comes to a Grand Finale with Truck Night. Share the spirit of Christmas with friends and family by the lights of the iconic Christmas Coca-Cola Truck. Enjoy beautiful decor, magical lights, and food trucks outside. A model Christmas train and wonderful live music will be inside the Biedenharn Home. Don't miss an opportunity for a photo with Santa and the Coca-Cola Polar Bear and even more festivities!
Jungle Bells
December 20th
10AM - 2PM
The Louisiana Purchase Zoological Society and The City of Monroe present a day of Christmas fun! Free zoo admission, games, music, food trucks, Christmas characters, Santa Claus and much more. Join and spread Christmas joy!
parades
Bawcomville Redneck Christmas Parade
December 6th, 10AM
Kiwanis Club of Greater Ouachita Christmas Parade
December 6th, 3:30PM
Sterlington Christmas Parade
December 6th, 6PM
Children’s Lighted Bike Parade
December 12th, 5:30PM
Calhoun Christmas Parade
December 13th, 11AM
