As you may have heard, Louisiana loves a parade. In the days leading up to Christmas, you’ll notice a significant uptick in the amount of elves crowding the streets in downtown Lake Charles. Besides the music that fills the streets, there’s a long list of holiday music performances at the Immaculate Conception Church and the Lake Charles Civic Center.

Here are a few of the highlights from the Lake Charles’ holiday event calendar. Check these out while you are staying at our Lake Charles corporate housing and let us know what you think!

Light up the Lakefront Boat Parade

Lake Charles Civic Center / Lakeshore Drive

December 6th, 6:30 p.m.

Price: Free

Starting at 6:30 p.m. a parade of festive, lit-up boats will sail past the crowds gathered on the shore. Preceding the boat parade, the Lake Charles Civic Center will host a variety of children’s activities.  At 7:15 p.m., the evening ends with a fireworks display.

Christmas Light Boat Tours

Lakeshore Drive

December 1st – December 31st

Contact booking agent for prices.

The homes along Lakeshore Drive put on a raucous display of Christmas lights. Climb aboard a pontoon boat to see them all in one swoop. This tour takes 1 hour and comes with a Christmas music soundtrack, heated blankets, and hot chocolate.

Lake Charles Symphony Holiday Home Tour

Sylvan Oaks subdivision, Sulphur, LA

December 14th, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Price: $25

Visit a beautifully decorated cluster of mansions in Sylvan Oaks, a subdivision in the neighboring town of Sulphur. During this holiday home tour, you’ll see how the well-to-do of southwest Louisiana doll up their homes for the holidays. At the end of the tour, you’ll visit the Brimstone Museum to hear a performance of holiday music by the Lake Charles Symphony.

Annual Gingerbread House Competition

Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau

December 6th – December 31st

Price: Free

Have you ever wanted to live in a house with walls you could eat? Who hasn’t? Local artists bring their fantasies to life at the Annual Gingerbread House Competition.

Prizes will be awarded on December 6th. There is a category for amateurs, children, and professional bakers. (If you’re interested in competing, the deadline for submissions is December 5th!)

Lake Charles Civic Ballet

Lake Charles Civic Center

December 13th, 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m

Price: Children $10, adults $15

It’s not Christmas until you’ve par-um-pa-pa-pummed away an evening with loved ones. See the story of the Little Drummer Boy unfold onstage, told through the elegant choreography of the Lake Charles Civic Ballet.

Free Holiday Yoga Class

Lake Charles Yoga Center

December 15th

Price: Free

Make sure you’re ready for a long day of opening presents and slicing ham with a free yoga class. Get in one last good deed for the year and bring in a few canned goods – the yoga center is accepting donations for a local food bank.