Historic District Walking Tours
10:30 a.m. from the Welcome Center at 780 Front Street. Confirm the day before attending.
Plan this experience ↗Natchitoches First · Curated locally
September–December 2026 Events in Historic Natchitoches
Choose the event that brings you to town, then build a complete getaway around historic tours, local food, shopping, Cane River and personal hospitality.
Last reviewedAugust 26, 2026
Planning windowSeptember–December 2026
ImportantConfirm linked organizer details before traveling
Year-round
Experiences that do not need a festival weekend
American Cemetery Walking Tour
A free recurring guided history experience; verify the monthly tour before visiting.
Plan this experience ↗Downtown Second Saturday
Music, local vendors, shops and community activity when scheduled.
Plan this experience ↗Historic District + Cane River
Architecture, shops, restaurants, pocket parks and river views need no festival date.
Plan this experience ↗Upcoming in
September
4–5FRI–SAT
Cane River Zydeco Festival
Music + riverfrontLive zydeco, dancing and Louisiana culture on the Downtown Riverbank. Follow the organizer for program updates.
Official details ↗5SAT · 9 AM–6 PM
Natchitoches Bigfoot Festival
The main Saturday festival follows a Friday evening meet-and-greet at Timber Ridge Adventure Park.
Official details ↗5SAT · 10 AM–3 PM
Renaissance Comes to the Cane
Historical demonstrations and living-history experiences at Fort St. Jean Baptiste.
Official details ↗18–19FRI–SAT
Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival
Signature weekendA free, family-friendly celebration of Natchitoches’ signature flavor on the Downtown Riverbank.
Official details ↗19SAT · 6–8 PM
Natchitoches Brew Fest
A free, age-21-and-older craft-beer event during Meat Pie Festival weekend.
Official details ↗26SAT · 6 PM
NSU Football vs Southeastern Louisiana
Cheer on the Demons during a home game at Turpin Stadium.
Official details ↗Upcoming in
October
2–3FRI–SAT
Natchitoches Classic Car Show
DowntownThe 20th annual show pairs classic vehicles with Historic District scenery.
Official details ↗2–31SELECT NIGHTS
Dark Woods Haunted Attraction
The seasonal haunted attraction at Timber Ridge Adventure Park. Check the official calendar for exact operating nights and hours before visiting.
Official details ↗9–11FRI–SUN
St. Augustine Creole & Family Festival
Culture, cuisine, faith, family, music and festival activities at St. Augustine Catholic Church.
Official details ↗10–11SAT–SUN
Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival
Art + heritageThe 52nd annual festival brings artists and makers to Melrose on the Cane.
Official details ↗16–17FRI–SAT
Top of the Boot Music Festival
A two-day music festival at Northwestern State University.
Official details ↗17SAT · 12 PM
NSU Football vs McNeese
A home game at Turpin Stadium coordinated with Top of the Boot later that day.
Official details ↗24SAT · 2 PM
NSU Homecoming Game vs Nicholls
Plan aheadHomecoming traditions culminate with the Demons at Turpin Stadium.
Official details ↗Upcoming in
November
7SAT · 1 PM
14SAT · 1 PM
21–Jan 6LIGHTS NIGHTLY
Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights Season
Six-week seasonMore than 300,000 lights and 100-plus set pieces illuminate the Historic District nightly at dusk.
Official details ↗21SAT · 4:30–9 PM
Turn on the Holidays
High demandThe 100th Christmas season begins with the 6:30 p.m. lighting countdown and a 7 p.m. drone show and fireworks.
Official details ↗28SAT · 9 AM–4:30 PM
Fleur de Lis Christmas Craft Market
A Christmas craft market inside the Natchitoches Event Center.
Official details ↗28SAT · 7 PM
Fireworks & Drone Show
A combined drone show and fireworks display over Cane River Lake.
Official details ↗Upcoming in
December
Christmas planning note: Fireworks and drone shows are listed separately so visitors know exactly what is scheduled each weekend.
2–4WED–FRI
5SAT · PARADE 1 PM
100th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival Day
Book earlyThe season’s main festival day includes the parade, vendors and 6 p.m. fireworks. No drone show is listed.
Official details ↗8TUE · 7:30–9 PM
Lessons & Carols — Minor Basilica
Lessons and Carols featuring the NSU University Choir at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.
Official details ↗8–236–8:30 PM
Santa Claus House
Free visits with Santa on the south end of the Downtown Riverbank. Saturday riverbank access requires a festival armband.
Official details ↗10 & 17THU · 5–8 PM
Steel Magnolias Walking Porch Tours
Thursday evening walking porch tours presented by the Natchitoches Historic Foundation.
Official details ↗11 & 18FRI · 5–8 PM
Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes
Friday evening self-guided visits inside decorated historic homes.
Official details ↗12 & 19SAT · 1–4 PM
Christmas Tour of Homes — Daytime Tours
Saturday afternoon tours of decorated historic properties.
Official details ↗12SAT · 5 PM
Lighted Boat Parade
Illuminated boats travel along the Downtown Riverbank before the evening show.
Official details ↗12SAT · 7 PM
Fireworks & Drone Show
A combined drone show and fireworks display over Cane River Lake.
Official details ↗15TUE · 6 PM
Advent Lessons & Carols — Trinity Episcopal
Advent Lessons and Carols at Trinity Episcopal Church.
Official details ↗19 & 26SAT · 7 PM
Christmas Saturday Fireworks
Fireworks are scheduled over Cane River Lake. No drone show is listed on either Saturday.
Official details ↗31THU · 8 PM
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Free Downtown Riverbank admission and fireworks over Cane River Lake. No drone show is listed.
Official details ↗Jan 2 & 6NO FIREWORKS
Lights Continue Through January 6
The Christmas lights remain illuminated nightly through Jan. 6, but there will be no fireworks or drone shows on Jan. 2 or Jan. 6.
Official details ↗
Accuracy first
Dates are published only after sufficient verification.
Official organizer websites and Facebook pages are checked alongside the Visitors Bureau, City of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University and other reliable local sources.
Check the Visitors Bureau calendar ↗Important planning links