A Magical Christmas in Monroe-West Monroe
The most wonderful time of the year is here—and nothing beats spending the holidays in your favorite place in North Louisiana!
Christmas time is coming, and there is no place better to celebrate the holidays than Monroe-West Monroe and Christmas on the River!
From parades to shopping galore, there’s wagon rides and more. We have movies in the park, an art crawl after dark, a drive through festival of light, and fireworks to make the season merry and bright!
Christmas Lights Galore and More
The holiday season officially begins on Veteran’s Day at the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum with the lighting of the Freedom Trees. Each year, the museum lights five Christmas trees honoring the service of the men and women of the five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. These beautiful, festive trees can be viewed beginning November 11th through New Year’s Eve.
Don't forget that Santa Claus himself will be making an appearance at the annual Santa Stop for photos and more on November 18th!
The downtown Christmas lights make their debut on Saturday, November 25th, and will shine brightly every night beginning at 5:30 through New Year’s Eve. As you stroll down Trenton and Desiard Streets enjoying the lights, be sure to visit the downtown shops and purchase gifts for everyone on your Christmas list.
The Christmas lights fun doesn’t end there! Don’t miss driving through the favorited Candy Cane Lane, a mile-long wooded drive decorated with more than one million lights and animated displays that dance along to music. This festive attraction is open nightly starting on November 10th through December 31st.
‘Tis the Season for Shopping, Parades and Wagon Rides
There are more lights on display when Kiroli Park lights up for Christmas at Kiroli! Drive amongst the Christmas wonderland starting on Friday, November 24th, through Monday, December 25th. Kiroli Park will also host a Brass Christmas Concert in the Park on Monday, November 20th and Santa in the Park on Sunday, December 10th.
Take a Champagne Stroll under the Christmas lights while shopping the specialty shops on November 16th, or Shop Small with local businesses and explore the 30-plus antique shops and trendy boutiques along Antique Alley on Saturday, November 25th.
Grab a delicious lunch at one of the many restaurants downtown, and head over to Art Alley for fun pics and more shopping!
When evening falls, bundle up and throw on a cute Christmas sweater for a half-hour Holiday Wagon Ride through the festive lights in Monroe and West Monroe. Holiday wagon rides will take place every Friday and Saturday night from November 24th through December 30th.
End the full, festive day with a night under the Christmas lights watching one of your favorite holiday movies on November 25th and December 15th. It’s free for everyone!
Christmas on the River Festival Weekend
The most wonderful event of the year is here...
Christmas on the River Festival Day will take place on Saturday, December 2nd!
A fun 5K and Walk through Alley Park kicks off the day. Watch Santa and elves alike jingle all the way to the finish line!
If you are in need of a little more holiday magic, go to the Twin City Ballet Christmas Gala. Witness this performance that is truly enchanting!
Get into the Christmas spirit and come to the city to see marching bands, floats, and more pass by in not one, but two magical parades. Have you ever caught Ramen noodles or toilet paper at a parade? No? Well, you can do exactly that at the 2023 Bawcomville Redneck Parade! The Annual Kiwanis Christmas Parade will roll through the Twin Cities that afternoon.
Grab a spot at an outdoor dining table at one of our local restaurants along the Ouachita River and get ready for the annual Christmas Fireworks shot from the Endom Bridge at dark!
A December to Remember
Whether you were unable to join the festivities on Festival Weekend or you’re simply craving more holiday fun, there are still a number of Christmas events and attractions to enjoy in December.
On December 7th, come celebrate and experience the work of talented local artists while enjoying the warmth and charm of locally owned shops, businesses and eateries in Historic Downtown Monroe and West Monroe at the Downtown Art Gallery Crawl.
A Monroe tradition for over three decades, Christmas Open House at the Biedenharn is a free event that showcases the decorating talents of the Monroe Garden Study League, the talent of many area musicians, and the many facets of the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens. Enjoy the bright lights, festive refreshments, and of course photos with Santa at this special event on November 30th-December 2nd.
Santa's Christmas Village at the Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum will be open starting on December 1st and continue to bring loads of holiday fun for the whole family through December 23rd!
If you're looking for another parade, don't worry! The Calhoun Christmas Parade rolls out on December 9th.
Ready to celebrate the magic of the holiday season at Christmas on the River in Monroe and West Monroe? Click here to start planning your holiday trip!