HolidaysFriday, November 6
Monroe and West Monroe's Christmas on the River guide is out with free and low-cost events
The Morning Monroe team
If you're watching your wallet this season, the Twin Cities have a plan. Discover Monroe-West Monroe released its Christmas guide Thursday, and organizers unveiled a season-long lineup of free and low-cost events. Many are free, and others cost only a few dollars. The guide also covers holiday light maps and gift guides for local products.
Five holiday attractions are spread across Monroe, West Monroe and Calhoun
| Event | Where |
|---|---|
| Freedom Trees | Chennault Aviation and Military Museum, Monroe |
| Santa's Christmas Village | Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum, Monroe |
| Outdoor holiday movies | Downtown West Monroe |
| Christmas at Biedenharn | Biedenharn Museum and Gardens, Monroe |
| Candy Cane Lane | Calhoun (drive-through light park) |
Source: MyArkLaMiss
Festival Weekend runs Dec. 3-6 in West Monroe. It features the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ouachita Christmas Parade and the Bawcomville Redneck Parade, known for throws like toilet paper, packs of noodles, hot dogs and the occasional turnip. A Downtown Gallery Crawl, live entertainment and a fireworks display round out the weekend.
Festival Weekend fills Dec. 3-6 in West Monroe
Christmas on the River Festival Weekend
December 2026
- Festival Weekend
Parades, a Downtown Gallery Crawl and fireworks are on the schedule.
Sources: MyArkLaMiss, KNOE
View as table
| Days | |
|---|---|
| Festival Weekend | Dec. 3–6 |
“Downtown is certainly a more festive place than a lot of our big box stores.”
- Season-long: Candy Cane Lane, Holiday Wagon Rides, Christmas at Kiroli Park
- Concert: Monroe Symphony Orchestra's Silver Bells and Brass, Grace Episcopal Church
- Full list and guide: christmasontheriver.org
Sources: KNOE, MyArkLaMiss, KEDM