7 Ways to Enjoy the Holidays in Monroe-West Monroe
Start with joyful parades and a fireworks show, add one million radiant lights and a visit to Santa’s Christmas Village, and you’ve got the makings of an unforgettable holiday season.
This is just a taste of what awaits you during Monroe-West Monroe’s Christmas on the River, a month-long celebration of the most wonderful time of the year. Family-friendly events and attractions, more than 30 antique shops and trendy boutiques, and plenty of chances to visit with Santa Claus mean these sister cities have something to offer just about anyone. If you’re looking for a magical holiday getaway that your whole family will love, visit Monroe-West Monroe!
To help you get the most out of your stay here, we’ve put together seven of the top ways to enjoy the season. Of course, there’s far more going on than what we have here, so check out our calendar of events so you don’t miss out.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/childrens-lighted-christmas-parade-monroe-west-monroe.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=6f7c4227de351e130ef67ecbee62002e 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/childrens-lighted-christmas-parade-monroe-west-monroe.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=2387d21e7892eb9ba67ca65148b6172a 490w)
Christmas on the River Festival Weekend
Watch as festive holiday parades march by, enjoy a spectacular fireworks display from the banks of the Ouachita River and take in all the other yuletide cheer of the Christmas on the River Festival (Dec. 2nd). Full of one event after another over three days, Monroe-West Monroe is the best place to be to kick off your holiday season! The party starts with Festival Weekend. Start your day off with the annual Christmas on the River 5K. Enjoy festive floats in the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ouachita Christmas Parade and catch crazy items like toilet paper in the Bawcomville Redneck Christmas Parade. The Annual Fireworks brighten the night sky with an epic light show at dark, while Twin City Ballet takes over the Monroe Civic Center with live performances, decorations, and more!
With a full stocking's worth of things to see and do during Christmas on the River's Festival Weekend, it's the ideal time to visit Monroe-West Monroe this holiday season.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/santas-christmas-village-monroe-west-monroe-holidays.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=0bb5f93ace5551e8ec78bf25a79abfaf 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/santas-christmas-village-monroe-west-monroe-holidays.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=c4c8a3a709667cd4de405ab24bfa7eac 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/santas-christmas-village-monroe-west-monroe-holidays.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=f47b15ebef9fceb1cffd20636fabf994 653w)
Santa’s Christmas Village
While it's always great to meet Santa Claus, how often do you get the chance to visit his Christmas Village? Step into this winter wonderland and you'll be making ornaments, decorating cookies, and riding down Mount Sneaux in no time. Take your time as you admire the outdoor light show and the Coca-Cola Christmas Village train exhibit, and let your kids share what they want for Christmas with Santa. Held December 1st-23rd at the Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum, Santa's Christmas Village is a must visit during your holiday retreat in Monroe-West Monroe.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/candy-cane-lane-monroe-west-monroe-holidays.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=b103f32c2fff8562e093b99ff6432759 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/candy-cane-lane-monroe-west-monroe-holidays.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=f8ab971454a6e867f81103e29e1c1c31 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/candy-cane-lane-monroe-west-monroe-holidays.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=09df61e8d7c7f60703ef097d615219e8 653w)
Candy Cane Lane
It's not the holiday season without Christmas lights, and Candy Cane Lane is where you'll want to be. Cruise the one-mile-long route and you'll see more than one million shining lights arranged in a variety of jaw-dropping displays, including a lighted tunnel you can drive through! Sip a hot cocoa and enjoy the show in one of the most unique Christmas attractions around. Want to see it all for yourself? Head to Calhoun starting on November 10th through December 31st for a fun night out.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/open-air-wagon-rides-through-the-lights-monroe-west-monroe-holidays.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=148b2c7436ad8210d4f19f4b67884503 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/open-air-wagon-rides-through-the-lights-monroe-west-monroe-holidays.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=ccff30997ef124edfefc6794dd7cddb7 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/open-air-wagon-rides-through-the-lights-monroe-west-monroe-holidays.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=7270165393e633b052690a932445788a 653w)
Open Air Wagon Rides Through the Lights
As majestic as Candy Cane Lane is, it’s not the only place where you can marvel at Christmas lights. Climb aboard the open-air Wagon Rides and embark on a 30-minute tour of Monroe and West Monroe’s shining lights. These jaunts through downtown West Monroe take place every Friday and Saturday night from November 24th through December 30th. Although the lights will bring you to the downtown area, you’ll want to stick around to experience the rest the area has to offer. Take in the sights, do some Christmas shopping, and get your fill at one of the many nearby restaurants.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/events/0_10132020_085327_4879.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=68d518a8b1b21f096b5422bda4f42b11 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/events/0_10132020_085327_4879.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=90b9802fc0240210abe305345eda380d 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/events/0_10132020_085327_4879.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=70e95add42e9123650983db28fe1fdc1 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/events/0_10132020_085327_4879.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=aa727fefe0531bf4304acb270b029be5 1024w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/events/0_10132020_085327_4879.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&q=80&w=1200&s=c3b261e824c3c1c23fabab2741db62ad 1200w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/events/0_10132020_085327_4879.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1080&q=80&w=1440&s=9361c7138aee4e0ae9c1be6a777fcf3d 1440w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/events/0_10132020_085327_4879.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1920&s=039d8639d8a5b04236795ca9e2b54f3c 1820w)
Holiday Outdoor Movies
What could be better than watching one of your favorite Christmas movies in Antique Alley under the magical Christmas lights? Bundle up in your favorite Christmas sweater and watch a holiday classic with friends and family. The Holiday Outdoor Movies (Nov. 25th and Dec. 15th) are free for everyone to enjoy!
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/Holiday-Trail-of-Lights-2019-Alice-Phillips-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=e910997fcdd6afc8316e2c3fcf08c285 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/Holiday-Trail-of-Lights-2019-Alice-Phillips-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=bf6ba1a2e64226ffddf38a8a05f9d075 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/Holiday-Trail-of-Lights-2019-Alice-Phillips-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=b785c1ae63a77a0a8a88f82d54b01d70 768w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/Holiday-Trail-of-Lights-2019-Alice-Phillips-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=dc26d2cd519219e76eeb5dbd7cf57ec3 1024w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/Holiday-Trail-of-Lights-2019-Alice-Phillips-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&q=80&w=1200&s=66dd00663a8d5aa652b803f3bade443d 1200w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/Holiday-Trail-of-Lights-2019-Alice-Phillips-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1080&q=80&w=1440&s=e948a67f50e0ff09226f51496baa9ada 1440w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/Holiday-Trail-of-Lights-2019-Alice-Phillips-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1920&s=5443909d47131acd8a0328f93df62c56 1920w)
Holiday Shopping
Find the perfect gifts for your friends and family while shopping in Monroe-West Monroe! Visit Antique Alley, a shopping district located in Downtown West Monroe with antique shops and trendy boutiques full of unique Christmas gifts. And of course, check out the great holiday sales at Pecanland Mall with an endless selection to choose from.
![](https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/46777071_2335036933192863_6871708242058149888_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=42a613f434ac33042d9fcb8ee26d9e53 320w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/46777071_2335036933192863_6871708242058149888_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=19e48826edbfb5b043e5aabc3b6cc618 540w, https://discover-monroe.imgix.net/images/things-to-do/46777071_2335036933192863_6871708242058149888_n.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=77fd1c2b9314bec16f74150631d750fd 720w)
Christmas at Kiroli
Celebrate Christmas at Kiroli Park this holiday season. Enjoy walk-through Christmas light displays, hot cocoa, smores, and holiday activities! The entire family is sure to love this event. Christmas at Kiroli dates are November 24th through December 25th.
Whether you’re traveling with your family, or you simply want to experience the magic of the holiday season, visit Monroe-West Monroe for Christmas on the River. Plan your stay here.