SWLA 2023 Christmas events guide

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and there are numerous ways to celebrate the holiday season. Here’s our guide to holiday fun in SWLA.

If you have any Christmas events you’d like added to the list please e-mail the event details to news@kplctv.com.

Ways to Give/Receive

Allen, Beauregard and Vernon

• Toys for Toys: Applications open through Dec. 8. Click HERE for more.

Calcasieu Parish

Saturday, Nov. 18

• Mardi Gras Krewes Toy Drive for Brennan’s Blessings: Collecting toys for children with cancer from Noon until 5 p.m. at Cooler’s Ice House.

Beauregard Parish

• June N. Jenkins Women’s Shelter Adopt a Family for the Holidays: Click HERE for more.

Jeff Davis Parish

• Toy Drive and Hot Cocoa with Santa: 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Jeff Davis Fire District, at 17155 U.S. 90. Accepting toy donations.

Events

Calcasieu Parish

Multi-Day

• Nov. 17-30
  • Photos with Santa at Prien Lake Mall: Santa Photo Experience will be open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., and 12-6 p.m. on Sundays. Reservations are encouraged. “Caring Santa” will be Dec. 3 from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. “Pet Photos” will be Dec. 10 from 6-7:30 p.m. “Breakfast with Santa” is Dec. 3 from 9-10 a.m.
• December 1-10
  • ACTS Theatre Presents Christmas Belles: Hilarious holiday play, with performances Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $10 for students and can be purchased HERE.
• Dec. 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24
  • Sleigh Rides with Santa: Lake Charles Civic Center. Tickets are $15 per person or $2 for children small enough to sit on lap.
• Christmas Carriage Rides: Shell Beach Drive. Prices listed HERE.
• Dec. 1-2
  • Christmas Under the Oaks in Sulphur: At Brimstone Museum and Henning House in Sulphur.

Friday, Nov. 17-Sunday, Nov. 19

• Mistletoe and Moss: At Civic Center.

Saturday, Nov. 25

• Light Up the Lake Christmas Celebration: 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. at Civic Center. Art market, live Christmas concert, lighting ceremony, lighted boat parade, fireworks extravaganza over lake.
• Holiday Art Walk: 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. in conjunction with Light Up the Lake.

Thursday, Nov. 30

• CPSB Elementary Student Gifted Program’s Holiday Market: From 5-7 p.m. at the Cash and Carry in Lake Charles. Cost of items range from $1-$5.

Saturday, Dec. 2

• Annual Sulphur Kiwanis Christmas Parade: Parade begins at 11 a.m. W. W. Lewis Middle School and proceeds down Cypress Street.
• Sulphur Parks’ Pets with the Grinch: Pets must be on leashes, and photos must be taken on a personal camera. Held from 1-3 p.m. at Fideaux Field in Sulphur.

Sunday, Dec. 3

• Lake Charles Messiah Chorus and Orchestra: Performing Handel’s Messiah Oratorio. Includes 55 vocalists and orchestra. Admission is free. Concert is just over an hour long. To be held at 3 p.m. in the Bulber Auditorium at McNeese.

Friday, Dec. 8

• Lake Charles Community Band Christmas Concert: Concert will begin with The Star Spangled Banner and will be a unique blend of Christmas carols and classical composers like Mozart, Bach, and more. Musical guests from Our Lady Queen of Heaven and St. Louis Catholic High School choirs, as well as other guest surprises. Free and open to the public. Held at 7 p.m. on the second floor Mezzanine of the Lake Charles Event Center.

Tuesday, Dec. 12

• CPKC Holiday Express Christas Train: At Railroad Museum in DeQuincy.

Saturday, Dec. 16

• Christ the King’s Christmas Bingo: Celebration including champagne, bingo and dinner and entertainment provided by Father Whitney Miller. Tickets are $40. Held from 5-8 p.m. at VFW Hall at 5676 Lake Street.

Allen Parish

Saturday, Dec. 2

• Town of Oberlin Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: Held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Veteran’s Park.

Saturday, Dec. 9

• Krampus Gumbeaux Cookoff: Toy Drive, live music, silent auction, raffle tickets.

Saturday, Dec. 16

• Christmas in the Park: At Oberlin City Park.

Beauregard Parish

Saturday, Dec. 2

• Deridder’s Miracle on Washington Street Christmas Festival: Doors open at 9 a.m. Lighted Christmas parade to start at dusk. Vendors needed, registration available HERE.

Friday, Dec. 8

• DeRidder Christmas Cantata: 6 p.m. at Main Building at Beauregard Fairgrounds. Tickets are $5.

Monday, Dec. 11

• CPKC Holiday Express Christas Train: 4 p.m. along railway tracks at 120 S. Washington Street in DeRidder.

Saturday, Dec. 16

• Wreaths Across America: At Woodlawn Cemetery. Wreaths are $17 to be placed on veterans’ graves.

Saturday, Dec. 2

• Town of Welsh “Miracle of South Street” Christmas: Held from 5-9 p.m. in downtown Welsh. There will be a parade of lights, carriage rides, an artisan market, food trucks and crafts.

Saturday, Dec. 16

• Lake Arthur Movie Under the Oaks: Featuring The Christmas Chronicles 2.

Vernon Parish

Tuesday, Nov. 28

• Ribbon Cutting for Christmas on the Ranch: Gertibelle’s Holiday Hoedown Drive-Thru: Ribbon cutting to take place around 11:30 a.m.; light refreshments offered. Taking place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5898 La. 117 in Leesville.

Saturday, Dec. 9

• 80th Annual Leesville Christmas Parade: Honors first responders who fought and continue to fight the wildfires in the community; Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. on 3rd Street in Leesville, lineup at 3 p.m. Register for parade float entry HERE.
• Leesville Christmas Market: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in downtown Leesville.

Sunday, Dec. 10

• CPKC Holiday Express Christmas Train: 4 p.m. at CPKC yard in Leesville.

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