Experience Ruston Blog

8 Unforgettable Holiday Events in Lincoln Parish

Kickoff to Christmas

November 16th

Downtown Ruston is the place to be this holiday season as they host their much-anticipated Kickoff to Christmas event that you'll want to attend year after year. From the merry holiday tunes filling the air to the breathtaking tree lighting ceremony, you'll find yourself immersed in the true essence of the season. As you enjoy the festivities, you'll also have the opportunity to explore extended shopping hours, perfect for finding those special gifts, and indulge in the delectable offerings of local dining establishments. This family friendly event is going to be full of holiday fun.

Carriage Rides

Fridays and Saturdays in November and December

This holiday season, elevate your festivities with a magical carriage ride through downtown. Sit back and soak in the holiday spirit as you traverse streets adorned with twinkling Christmas lights and beautifully decorated storefronts. Available every Friday and Saturday from November 17th to December 16th, this enchanting experience is the perfect way to fill your weekends with festive cheer. Whether you're with family, friends, or a special someone, the carriage ride promises a delightful adventure. This is sure to be a lasting memory for you to cherish from the holiday season.

• Purchase tickets: When you go to ride, no pre-registration necessary
• Location: Railroad Park, Downtown Ruston
• Price: $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under

Lincoln Lights Up the Pines

November 30th, December 1st, 2nd, 7th, 8th, 9th

Lincoln Parish Park is here to give you an enchanting drive-thru Christmas Lights event. As the sun sets and the stars twinkle overhead, the park transforms into a winter wonderland of lights and holiday cheer. Whether you're bringing your family or a group of friends, this magical experience is sure to warm your heart. With tickets ranging from $10 to $20, it's an affordable way to create lasting memories. You can purchase your tickets at the gate, then get ready to be transported to a world of twinkling enchantment. Lincoln Parish Park's Christmas Lights display promises to be an unforgettable journey that will leave you with a heart full of joy and a head full of holiday spirit. 

Holiday Arts Tour

December 2nd

This holiday event with the North Central Louisiana Arts Council is an experience for local artists to showcase and sell their work to the community. There are so many handmade and unique goods that would be perfect to knock a few things off your holiday shopping list! From jewlery, to artisan soaps, to paintings and ceramics, there is something for everyone to enjoy. 

Holiday Sip and Stroll & Sing-a-long

December 7th

The Downtown Holiday Sip and Stroll is a classic event in the community of Ruston. You can enjoy extended shopping hours and specials going on throughout the stores. This event is from 5-7pm throughout historic downtown. The same night at 6:30pm, there will be comminuty caroling at Railroad Park. Make sure you head downtown for both of this festive events experience the holiday cheer.

Christmas at the Ruston Sports Complex

December 16th

The Ruston Sports complex is hosting lots of fun holiday activities. At 8:30am they have a Ruston Rudolph 5k race for the community to participate in. After the race, running or cheering on, you can head inside for the Christmas excitement! Enjoy ice skating, games, hot cocoa and cookies, food trucks, and more in this family friendly atmosphere.

Ruston Christmas Parade 

December 16th

Head downtown for the wonderful Christmas parade. Enjoy seeing the community decorate cars, floats, and trucks to bring this parade to life. You don't want to miss this fun event at 10am, even Santa Claus will make an appearance!

Holidays at the Dixie

Various dates in November and December

There are lots of events going on at the Dixie Center for the Arts to celebrate the holidays. The Ruston Community Theatre will be performing "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" from November 30th through December 3rd. It's a production full of laughter and fun that you don't want to miss. There are also several musicians that will take the stage and bring lots of entertainment to your nights. A few to make note of are: Travis Ledoyt's Sun and the Stars Christmas, John Ford Coley, and 3 renowed Texan musicians and their "Home for the Holidays" special.

We can't wait to see you at all of these exciting events to celebrate the holidays in Lincoln Parish! Check out our events page for more information about Lincoln Parish events.

Anna Graney

Anna Graney is originally from a small town in Oklahoma and she moved to Ruston to attend Louisiana Tech University. In her free time, she enjoys going to coffee shops with friends or traveling to new places. As Digital Marketing Coordinator, Anna supports the Director of Marketing and Communications in managing digital assets, online promotion of Ruston/Lincoln Parish, and attending events in the area to gather and develop content.