Christmas Markets Louisiana 2025 Guide to Top Festive Events and Locations

When Christmas season rolls around in Louisiana, the whole state lights up with markets, events, and activities. If you visit during this time, you’ll stumble onto Christmas markets in cities and small towns all over.

These gatherings give you a fun way to shop for holiday gifts, taste regional foods, and jump into holiday celebrations with locals and out-of-towners.

You might run into events at big spots like Pierre Bossier Mall or Deutsches Haus, but honestly, there are tons more. Each market brings its own mix of vendors and activities.

Across Louisiana, Christmas events let you enjoy local music, sample unique food, and soak up the holiday spirit in a setting that’s friendly for families. If you’re after festive events or Christmas markets in 2025, you’ve got plenty to choose from.

Find the Best Places to Stay

You’ll find hotels, guesthouses, and apartments close to holiday shopping spots. A lot of travelers leave positive reviews for these places.

Sample Accommodations Table

Market Dates	Times	Location Address	Entry Fee	Nearby Lodging (booking.com)	Event Website
Dec 6-8, 2025	11am–8pm	123 Market St, New Orleans, LA	Free	Downtown NOLA Hotel	https://christmasmarketusa.com/christmas-markets-louisiana-2025-2/9/
Dec 13-15, 2025	10am–6pm	456 Main Ave, Baton Rouge, LA	$5	Baton Rouge Suites	https://christmasmarketguides.com/louisiana-christmas-markets-fairs-opening-dates/

You’ll spot recommended lodging within easy reach of the main markets. Booking early usually gets you the best spots.

1) Fleur de Lis Holiday Craft Fair

Looking for a market with real Louisiana personality? The Fleur de Lis Holiday Craft Fair in Natchitoches is a great pick.

Local makers and folks from nearby states show off everything from seasonal ornaments to thoughtful, handcrafted gifts. Each booth feels different—no copy-paste here.

You get to meet the vendors, check out crafts made by hand, and maybe find something you’ve never seen before. The fair draws big crowds, so it’s lively and full of that holiday buzz.

Entry doesn’t cost a thing, so you can wander in, browse, or buy without feeling pressured. Organizers hold the fair at the Natchitoches Events Center, right in the middle of town. That means parking’s not a hassle, and you’re close to everything else happening downtown.

Vendors come from four different states, which brings a nice mix of styles and products.

Event Details

Dates	Address	Times	Cost	Nearby Lodging	Website
November 30, 2025	750 Second Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457	9:00 AM – 4:30 PM	Free Admission	Booking options	Fleur de Lis Christmas Market

You can look around or shop for gifts in a festive, friendly setting—no ticket needed. The mix of local crafts, central spot, and big crowd makes it feel like a true holiday market.

2) Baton Rouge Mistletoe Market

At the Baton Rouge Mistletoe Market, you’ll find all kinds of holiday gifts. The event happens at the Baton Rouge Fairgrounds and brings together vendors selling handmade crafts, festive treats, and specialty foods.

Every booth offers something a little different, so it’s easy to spot unique decorations or thoughtful gifts. Activities for families run throughout the market.

Organizers usually add raffles and special events, which keep things interesting. The market is wheelchair accessible, and parking is close by.

You’ll hear music and see live performances that really set the mood. Local artists and small businesses get a lot of support here, which is honestly one of the best parts.

Dates	Address	Times	Prices	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Dec 6 – Dec 8	Baton Rouge Fairgrounds	10 AM – 6 PM	$5	Hotels near Baton Rouge Fairgrounds	Mistletoe Market Event Listings

3) Louisiana Christmas Festival Guide 2025

The Louisiana Christmas Festival lights up the heart of Natchitoches every year. You’ll see more than 300,000 holiday lights and over 100 festive displays.

The festival runs from November 23, 2025, through January 6, 2026. Activities pop up all season long.

Downtown Natchitoches fills with live music, seasonal foods, and shops selling unique gifts. Holiday events welcome visitors of all ages.

Vendors serve classic treats, and entertainers keep the energy up on the historic streets. By evening, the lights make the whole place glow.

Families, couples, and travelers from all over come for the festival. If you’re driving, the trip’s pretty simple from most southern cities.

You’ll find plenty of nearby places to stay—checking Booking.com helps you compare options.

Use this table for the key festival details. Check the official festival website for the latest info.

Festival Dates	Location	Event Times	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Nov 23, 2025 – Jan 6, 2026	Natchitoches, Louisiana	See event schedule	Varies, see website	Find hotels on Booking.com	natchitocheschristmas.com

4) Holiday Festivities in St. Tammany Parish

You’ll discover a mix of family-friendly activities and classic holiday events in St. Tammany Parish.

The Christmas Extravaganza Expo at the parish fairgrounds in Covington stands out with a big arts and crafts show, local food booths, and a well-organized kid’s village. It runs December 6-8, 2025, from 9 AM to 5 PM each day.

Admission is free, so anyone can join the fun. A lot of people use the expo to pick up unique gifts and taste local foods.

Throughout December, neighborhoods and public spaces light up with Holiday Light Displays. These displays make the whole area feel inviting after dark.

You can walk or drive through several spots to check out the decorations. On December 9, 2025, the Folsom Horse & Wagon Christmas Parade rolls through Fendlason Park.

This parade gives you a look at local traditions, caroling, and antique displays. It’s a fun way for families to experience the region’s rural landscape and equestrian culture with a holiday twist.

Event	Date	Address	Time	Price	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Christmas Extravaganza Expo	December 6-8, 2025	St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds, Covington, LA	9 AM – 5 PM	Free	Book hotels in Covington	Christmas Extravaganza Expo
Holiday Light Displays	Throughout December 2025	Various locations in St. Tammany Parish	Dusk–dawn	Free	Book hotels in St. Tammany Parish	Holiday events in St. Tammany Parish
Folsom Horse & Wagon Christmas Parade	December 9, 2025	Fendlason Park, Folsom, LA	1 PM	Free	Book hotels in Folsom	Folsom Horse & Wagon Parade info

You’ll find easy options for food, cool gifts, and plenty of festive sights. Pick what interests you most—shopping, lights, or catching a parade—and plan your visit around that.

5) Louisiana Renaissance Festival Holiday Market

At the Louisiana Renaissance Festival Holiday Market in Hammond, you step right into a recreated English village. Cobblestone paths wind past booths packed with handmade gifts and holiday treats.

Local artisans show off jewelry, wooden toys, and festive decorations you really won’t spot in big box stores. The market feels cozy and a bit old-fashioned, which makes it a fun place to hunt for gifts that actually stand out.

The event runs on weekends in November and December. Every visit brings costumed performers and a bit of Renaissance history mixed with the holiday spirit.

You’ll get to sample traditional foods while you wander the stalls. Planning ahead always helps, so here are some details:

Date	Address	Time	Price	Where to Stay	Website
Saturdays and Sundays, Nov 8 – Dec 14, 2025	46468 River Rd, Hammond, LA	10:00 AM – 6:00 PM	Adult: $25 Child (6-12): $12 Under 6: Free	Nearby Hotels	Louisiana Renaissance Festival

You’ll find hotels nearby by checking this Hammond accommodations list. For up-to-date info, just head to the official festival page.

6) Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights

The Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights stretches across several cities, each putting on its own light displays and events. Start in Natchitoches and you’ll catch over 350,000 sparkling lights and more than 100 glowing decorations.

Walk along Cane River Lake at night and watch the city come alive with holiday spirit. Shops and restaurants in the historic district often stay open later during the season.

In Shreveport-Bossier, you’ll find lively light shows, bustling shops, and plenty of local coffee spots. Ruston decorates downtown windows, so you can shop small while soaking up the displays.

Alexandria/Pineville and Minden join in, too, each with their own programs and bright lights.

If you want flexibility, just plan your trip around your own schedule. Most events on the Holiday Trail of Lights don’t charge admission, and every town has its own calendar.

For more details, check out the official holiday trail resources.

City	Dates	Location Address	Times	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Natchitoches	Nov 19, 2025 – Jan 6, 2026	Downtown Natchitoches	Evenings at dusk	Free	Hotels in Natchitoches	Natchitoches Festival of Lights
Shreveport-Bossier	Nov 2025 – Dec 2025	Various locations	Evening	Free	Hotels in Shreveport	Holiday Trail of Lights
Ruston	Nov 2025 – Dec 2025	Downtown Ruston	Evening	Free	Hotels in Ruston	Holiday Trail of Lights

You can travel between cities to check out different displays and try local foods. Each city brings its own vibe to the festival, so you’ve got plenty of options if you want to explore the Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights.

7) Holiday Traditions at Christmas in the Country, St. Francisville 2025

St. Francisville really comes alive during Christmas in the Country every December. The weekend kicks off with a public tree lighting at Town Hall, and local kids fill the air with holiday songs on Friday night.

Stroll through the historic district and you’ll spot houses decked out in garlands and wreaths. Evening walks feel extra special with all the decorations.

Vendors line the sidewalks, selling handmade crafts and seasonal treats like cookies and hot drinks. It’s a nice spot to shop for gifts and support small businesses at the same time.

Families can catch a parade and let the kids meet Santa. Community groups put these events together, making sure everyone feels welcome.

Photo ops are everywhere—between the lights and the crowds, you’ll want to snap a few pics.

If you need a place to stay, Booking.com lists several nearby options. For event details, check the Christmas in the Country website.

Here’s a quick info table:

Dates	Address	Times	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website Address
Dec 5-7, 2025	5730 Commerce St, St Francisville, LA	Varies by day	Free	Hotels via Booking.com	Christmas in the Country St. Francisville

Activities spread throughout downtown, so you’ll always find something to do. Each year, locals and visitors show up for a simple, cheerful holiday weekend.

8) Bonfire Celebration in Lutcher

Every year in Lutcher, Louisiana, folks gather for a holiday tradition centered on giant bonfires along the levee. The Festival of the Bonfires lets you experience local Cajun customs and welcomes people of all ages.

Each night, the festival lights a big bonfire, leading up to even more impressive blazes on Christmas Eve.

As you wander the festival, you’ll smell Louisiana classics like gumbo, potato salad, and bread pudding. Cook-off contests bring out some friendly competition, and you can sample all sorts of dishes.

Live bands—think Louisiana Landfall and Thomas Cain—keep everyone entertained well into the evening.

Families enjoy carnival rides and a trip to Santa’s Very Merry Forest. Whether you come for the food, the music, or just to soak up the community feel, there’s something for everyone.

The festival even runs a free shuttle from the grounds to the bonfire area.

Here’s what you need to know:

Dates	Address	Times	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Dec 12-14, 2025	Lutcher Recreational Park, 2545 Louisiana Avenue, Lutcher, LA 70071	Varies (check online)	Free*	Hotels in Lutcher, LA on Booking.com	Festival of the Bonfires Lutcher official site

*Entry is free, though a few attractions might cost extra. For the latest schedule, check the festival website.

The event is easy to reach, and you’ll find local lodging close to the park. If you want to see a holiday tradition you won’t find just anywhere, this festival is worth a visit.

9) Holiday Market at the Oaks

What to Know Before Going to the Holiday Market

This event takes place under the huge oak trees at City Park in New Orleans. Each tree is covered in bright lights, so the whole area feels festive after dark.

Local vendors set up booths along the main paths, selling handmade crafts, jewelry, and art—perfect if you’re shopping for holiday gifts.

You’ll spot food trucks and booths throughout the market. They serve hot chocolate, spiced cider, and all sorts of seasonal snacks.

There’s everything from Louisiana favorites to holiday cookies. Warm drinks and treats are easy to grab as you wander around.

The Holiday Market runs from late November through almost the end of December. Admission to the market is usually free, though some special park attractions might need a ticket.

It’s a good idea to check dates and times before you go.

Dates	Location	Times	Entry Fee	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Nov 23 – Dec 30, 2025	City Park, New Orleans	Varies	Free (fees for attractions)	Local New Orleans Hotels	Christmas Market Info

You can find hotels near City Park on Booking.com if you want to stay close. While you’re there, check out the local booths for gifts and food, and enjoy the lights while you sip something warm.

10) Cajun Christmas Bayou Country

Want to see a true Cajun Christmas in Louisiana? Head over to Bayou Country.

You’ll get to meet Papa Noel, who’s basically the Cajun Santa Claus, and snap a few photos with him if you want. Families can dive into arts and crafts, decorate cookies, and check out local vendors selling gifts and snacks.

Music is everywhere at this event. Zydeco tunes fill the air, bringing a ton of energy to the whole place.

Food is a big deal here too, so you can expect plenty of local dishes—both sweet and savory. The crowd? Super friendly, and there’s something planned for every age group.

You’ll find the event at the Bayou Country Children’s Museum. They open up activities on two Saturdays in December, with both afternoon and evening hours.

Here’s a quick look at the main event details:

Date	Time	Address	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
December 9	3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.	211 Rue Betancourt, Thibodaux, LA	See website	Booking.com	Papa Noel Christmas Village
December 9	6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.	211 Rue Betancourt, Thibodaux, LA	See website	Booking.com	Papa Noel Christmas Village
December 16	3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.	211 Rue Betancourt, Thibodaux, LA	See website	Booking.com	Papa Noel Christmas Village
December 16	6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.	211 Rue Betancourt, Thibodaux, LA	See website	Booking.com	Papa Noel Christmas Village

Go ahead and plan your visit if you want a real taste of Cajun holiday traditions. It’s a fun way to see how the locals celebrate Christmas in Bayou Country.