Discover the Magical Christmas Lights and Holiday Attractions in Lake Charles
Experience the joy of the holiday season in countless ways. One cherished tradition is driving through the city to admire stunning Christmas light displays and decorations. The twinkling lights and festive décor, paired with classic holiday tunes, evoke the magic and anticipation of Christmas. Lake Charles and its surrounding areas offer plenty of enchanting spots to capture this spirit. Tune into 92.9 The Lake—where "it's all Christmas till Christmas"—and join me on a tour of the best holiday destinations!
First Stop: Ignite Your Christmas Spirit!
Before sunset, kick off your adventure at the Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center at 1001 Ryan St. On the second floor, marvel at a enchanting Christmas Village display with over 700 houses, street scenes, and tiny shops. Originally owned by Nancy Stone Crowe, this collection is on view through December 31st. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with free admission!
Next, grab the town's best hot cocoa from Boombox Pops—a must-visit for holiday warmth. Its magic lies in premium chocolate, coarse sea salt, and vanilla melted slowly into natural milk from Hill Crest Creamery in DeRidder, frothed to perfection, and topped with a hand-torched, from-scratch marshmallow. Irresistible! You can even buy a gift cocoa for a friend—their certificate goes on the "Buy a friend a Pop (or Cocoa)" board. Tag them on social media for a delightful surprise. Ideal for teacher gifts!
Now, Let the Lights Shine!
Head to the Lake Charles Civic Center in the city's heart. Drive in to see an army of lighted Christmas soldiers lining the grounds, followed by the spectacular 12 Days of Christmas display crafted from thousands of colorful bulbs. Park and stroll for perfect photo ops!
Nearby, witness the breathtaking historic homes on Shell Beach Drive. For an unforgettable evening, book a horse-drawn carriage tour with Lake Charles Carriages or Vintage Carriage Company. Sipping hot cocoa under a blanket, hearing the horse's clip-clop—pure holiday magic and a romantic date night!
Drive to Prien Lake Park at 3700 W. Prien Lake Rd. for a towering Christmas tree ideal for family photos. Enjoy the lights on foot or from your car. Here's a glimpse of the wonders awaiting:
At Trinity Baptist Church (1800 Country Club Rd.), catch an eight-minute computerized light show starting December 8th, running nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. through Christmas.
Craving more? Venture off the beaten path for these spectacular displays:
The Lake Area Light Show at 5721 Alder St. in South Lake Charles has dazzled for over a decade. Visit https://lakearealightshow.com for schedules, songs, and behind-the-scenes. Tune to 94.9 FM and relax!
Don't miss 1813 Linden Ln. in Lake Charles.
In Moss Bluff, the Cruze’s Christmas Light Show at 2193 W. Armand St. features 15,000+ dancing lights and a "singing Santa." Drop letters to Santa in the special mailbox. Runs 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. until December 31st; tune to 88.1 FM for tunes.
Cap your night with Lake Area Adventures' Water Christmas tour starting December 12th. Cruise with Captain Jo Joe, sipping hot chocolate and marshmallows (or BYO spirits), admiring lights from the water. Private tours through December's end. See events like Parents Night Out and Christmas Bash at https://www.lakeareaadventures.com/events. Reserve: 337-602-6956.
