Louisiana’s Best Christmas Town: Natchitoches Earns HGTV National Praise

We’ve always known that Louisiana is a gem when it comes to just about everything. Is this our best year in history? With New Orleans recently being crowned the food capital of the world and earning major culinary recognition, it certainly feels like we are in an epic era of entertainment and culture.

Now, that national spotlight is shining on one of Shreveport's favorite neighboring towns, Natchitoches.

A Christmas Destination Gets National Credit

Christmas lovers from all over North Louisiana and beyond make the annual trip to Natchitoches to experience the magic of the holidays. And now, HGTV has taken note, officially including Natchitoches in their exclusive list of the 50 Best Christmas Towns in the U.S. For a network famous for home transformations and décor, this inclusion is a huge deal.

While we aren't shocked that Natchitoches was picked, we are thrilled to see a town that has been on a mission for nearly a century to make Christmas an epic experience for locals and travelers alike. The tradition started way back in 1927, making it one of the longest-running holiday celebrations in the nation!

Why HGTV Raved About Natchitoches

HGTV highlighted the sheer scale and history of the annual spectacle:

"In Louisiana, the town of Natchitoches is famous for its spectacular Christmas lights. The Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights is one of the oldest and largest holiday light displays in the country, serving up some 300,000 lights and more than 100 set pieces celebrating the season."

The town's historic district along the shores of Cane River Lake hums with millions of lights, fireworks every Saturday night, live entertainment, and late-night shopping. The lights reflect beautifully into the water, creating a truly magical fairyland.

If you have yet to experience Christmas in Natchitoches, just remember you’re a short drive away from one of the most magical, nationally recognized holiday places in the country. Go soak up the wonder.