This Is Louisiana’s Most Popular Holiday Attraction – Have You Been?

(KMDL-FM) With Halloween now behind us, that final week of high school football on the doorstep in Louisiana, that means our thoughts should naturally start drifting toward Christmas and the holiday season. And when it comes to the holidays, Louisiana does not disappoint. We've got some of the most amazing holiday spectacles in the Gulf South, but which one is Louisiana's most popular holiday attraction?

In our heart of hearts, we all know the joy and memories this kinds of holiday-themed display create. Quite often, we're overcome with feelings of nostalgia as we reminisce about past Christmases and how many times we've attended a particular event or toured a particular holiday scene.

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I know in Cajun Country, the Holiday Lights at Acadian Village (Noel Acadien au Village) are one of the attractions that many people mention when we ask about their holiday traditions. Another "light show spectacular" is right down the road from us here in South Louisiana. Granted, it's not in Louisiana, but I think a shout-out to what they do at Moody Gardens in Galveston is worth a mention.

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Where Can You See Millions of Lights and Incredible Holiday Ice Sculptures?

This year at Moody Gardens, they will have a holiday light trail with over two million lights. They are also having their incredible "Ice Land" display, which features tons of blocks of ice carved into holiday-themed pieces. They'll even lend you a coat so you can step inside the Ice Land tent, which is kept well below freezing for the sake of the sculptures.

Another suggestion we received while researching this article on Louisiana's Most Popular Holiday Attractions was Celebration in the Oaks. That's held in New Orleans City Park. It features walking or driving tours of some incredible light displays, and many of you have suggested that it might be the choice for our state's most popular holiday spectacle.

Another holiday celebration that was mentioned and one that is truly Louisiana is the Festival of the Bonfires along the Mississippi River in St James Parish on Christmas Eve. I have never attended this one personally, but those who have say it should be on every lover of Louisiana's bucket list.

This Is The Most Popular Christmas Attraction in Louisiana

Louisiana's most popular holiday attraction was such a big deal that it was featured in a Hollywood blockbuster movie. The movie starred Dolly Parton, Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, and Olympia Dukakis, to name a few. Yeah, I am talking about Steel Magnolias, and if you've seen the movie, then you've figured out what our state's most popular holiday attraction is.

The Natchitoches Christmas Festival is probably the most popular in the state because the event runs for six weeks during the holiday season. It's estimated that some 500,000 people attend the festival at some time during the six-week run. The festival features tremendous light displays, holiday markets, visits with Santa, and fireworks shows on Friday and Saturday nights.

This year's festival is scheduled to get underway on November 22. We should note that there is a major change this year: the entire festival is cashless. No cash will be accepted at ticket booths or by festival vendors. So make sure you know what you need to top off before you go.