As the days of winter grow shorter and the air gets crisp, tons of new activities become available across the state of Louisiana. In the sport man’s paradise, most people trade in their fishing poles for hunting, camping, and hiking gear. All the while, the holiday season rolls in to action with all sorts of events that don’t stop until the carnival season is in full gear. These 8 winter activities in Louisiana guide you through the state’s hot spots of fun during the chilliest of seasons.
This treasured New Orleans tradition has been going on for decades welcoming approximately 165,000 visitors into the gates of City Park every year. The iconic moss-covered oaks of City Park, along with their cypress trees and lagoons, are all covered in extraordinary light displays. Visitors can ride the train through two miles of the display, walk the paths or choose from the many other entertainments provided by Celebration in the Oaks. The rides, including the magnificent carousel, are available for fun as well as the Cajun Night Before Christmas display and Mister Bingle! Due to the popularity of the event visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets ahead of time.
This holiday classic was transformed into a Cajun rendition by Molly Buchmann and Sharon Matthews in 1992 and has since become a holiday staple of the Baton Rouge region. Professional guest dancers are always featured in the performance that has a unique south Louisiana set, live accompaniment by the Baton Rouge orchestra, and a cast of over 300 local dancers and community children. “A Tale from the Bayou” takes guests into the magical world of the Cajun Clara that is full of dancing azalea’s and snow-covered oak trees. Both adults and children have looked forward to the ballet for 25 years now.
This 23-night festival fundraiser goes to benefit LARC, a local non-profit dedicated to helping those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The annual event is like no other in the Lafayette region. Half a million lights are on full display along with decorated Acadian porches and a fully lit chapel. Other activities include photos with Santa, live nightly entertainment, carnival rides, and animated holiday displays. Visitors are also welcome to shop around for Christmas gifts and the tasty local cuisine all available at the festival.
Acting as the kickoff to a three-part, two-day festival in Mandeville, Sips of the Season is a relaxing way to start off a crisp Friday winter night. There are over a dozen different stops for holiday strollers to enjoy specialty beverages at their favorite Old Mandeville businesses. Participants are given an official mug that is filled at each stop, along with a card listing the different establishments and the holiday beverages they are whipping up. Non-alcoholic beverages are available at each stop for those under age or not wishing to drink enjoy any spirits. There is no designated order to the visits, so guests can take their time around town.
There isn’t really any outdoor ice skating in Louisiana. The winters here are very mild compared to most and typically involve lots of rain instead of snow or ice. However, every year the Baton Rouge River Center opens its doors to their large indoor ice-skating rink. From Dec. 21 through Jan 2, visitors from around the region are welcome to enjoy the ice. Young and old alike are can have fun in the skating sessions along with various skating activities held throughout the event. Snacks and beverages are sold in the complex.
As the official introduction to the Mardi Gras season in the Shreveport-Bossier area, this is one party not to miss. The party hosted by the Krewe of Gemini, the first parading krewe in the area that today exists as a nonprofit supporting the Mardi Gras tradition and spirit in the region. It will present the areas krewes, kings, queens, and royal court to the public. Overall, it is a night of food, fun, and entertainments galore. It is held the first Saturday of January with Mardi Gras attire required to gain entry. Tickets are available at the door.
Camping is a classic winter activity in Louisiana. The weather is just cold enough to enjoy a nice campfire, but not too cold to sleep cozily outside in the elements. Kisatchie Bayou Recreation Complex is one of the top-rated campground areas in the state as it has views of both the beautiful bayou along with hardwood and pine forests. This gives campers a variety of locations to choose from within the campgrounds that suit their needs. It is a primitive walk-in camping atmosphere that hosts 17 walk-in sites and one drive-in site. Barbecue pits, lantern posts, and tent pads are available at each site. The 604,000 acre Kisatchie National Forest is known as one of the largest and most beautiful wilderness areas in the state spanning over seven parishes.
Mardi Gras is an ancient Louisiana tradition whose roots can be traced all the way back to Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. By the 1730s Mardi Gras was being celebrated in New Orleans with the carnival season starting every year on 12th Night, which marks the end of the twelve days of Christmas and the first day you can eat King Cake! From that point on Mardi Gras is alive and well in New Orleans as people get together in celebration before the fasting of the Lenten season on the Catholic calendar begins. Parades roll every weekend up until Mardi Gras day. Over a million people from around the globe crowd the streets of New Orleans to experience the atmosphere, world-class floats, Mardi Gras Indians, paraders with flambeaux’s and so much more of the season that is carnival. Known as “the greatest free show on earth” Mardi Gras in New Orleans is truly a one of a kind event that is remembered forever by visiting tourists year after year. For locals, it embraces the culture and essence of the place we call home. Bringing neighbors and strangers together for fun, dancing, and celebration.
