Holiday Events in Ruston

There’s just something magical about Christmas in Ruston. With beautifully decorated downtown shops, streets lined with twinkling lights, and holiday cheer in the air, Ruston elicits all those cozy feelings of being home for the holidays.

With so many festivities happening this season, we wanted to bring you a quick look at all the ways to celebrate the holidays with your friends and family in Ruston & Lincoln Parish.

Downtown Holiday Open House & Kickoff to Christmas – November 20

Head to Downtown Ruston as local shops kick off the holiday shopping season. Enjoy refreshments, special promotions, and extended hours from participating businesses. Ruston’s walkable downtown makes Christmas shopping painless and fun – plus you’re sure to find something unique in one of the charming local storefronts.


Ruston Christmas Parade – December 4

A community favorite, the Annual Ruston Christmas Parade will bring the holiday spirit to life. You won't want to miss festive floats and family fun in Ruston's magical downtown district.

RCT Presents: A Christmas Carol – December 4-7

Enjoy this Ruston Community Theatre production at the Dixie Center for the Arts. Ebnezer Scrooge is a cold and heartless miser who values money more than people and loathes Christmas. On Christmas Eve, however, he is visited by three Spirits who show Scrooge a different perspective on what he should value, and the consequences if he doesn’t change. Based on the story by Charles Dickens, this musical adaptation includes music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Lynee Ahres, and Book by Lynn Ahrens and Mike Ockrent. The show will be directed by Dee Alexander.

Lincoln Lights Up the Pines – December 4-6 & 11-13

Pack up the whole family in the car and come experience Ruston's only drive-thru Christmas light display at the beautiful Lincoln Parish Park. With tons of twinkling lights, holiday scenes, and festive decor, everyone is sure to enjoy the holiday cheer of Lincoln Lights Up the Pines from the comfort (and warmth) of their vehicle!

Lincoln Lights Up the Pines

Pictures with Santa - December 6

Gather your family and head to the Historic Fire Station for this community holiday event and get your photo taken with Santa. This will become a favorite memory for the whole family, so make sure you don't miss out on this excitement!

Big Creek Trade Days – November 28-29, December 5-7
If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for items like handmade jewelry, accessories, furniture, antiques, outdoor items and more, then Big Creek Trade Days is your place. Big Creek’s December show is bigger and better than ever with hundreds of vendors ready to help you knock out your shopping list.

Holiday Arts Tour - TBD

Enjoy the North Louisiana Art Council's Holiday Arts Tour event! Walk around to businesses throughout Downtown Ruston and see artwork from local artists. Some of the beautiful pieces will be for sale, which is another perfect way to get some Christmas gifts and support local!

Christmas on the Farm - December 6

The OWL center brings you pony rides, a petting zoo, a bouncy house, crafts, pictures with Santa, rock wall, zip line, games, and much MORE! Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting from the North Pole. There will be a $20/vehicle entry fee. (CASH ONLY) This covers everything except the ropes courses and food. Pony Rides: 10-minute rides on OWL’s horses. They will have hay rides transporting visitors all across the beautiful property. And the Maze is open all day to explore! Parking is free: shuttles/hay rides will run from the parking area to the conference center

Christmas in the Village - December 6

Enjoy this fun Christmas event with your friends and family! There will be a parade, bounce houses, cookies with Santa, a movie in the park, and more! The parade route will go though Downtown Choudrant, so be sure to find your spot and enjoy the holiday festivities.

Christmas on the Farm

A Christmas Blues - December 12

Join us for this benefit show for the Dixie as Clay LeBlanc blends holiday spirit and and down-home blues. This special concert brings together some of the area’s most gifted local musicians for an unforgettable night of music, featuring reimagined Christmas favorites and bluesy originals that stir the heart and move the feet.

Tickets: Reserved Seating- $27

Christmas Cookie Crawl - December 14

Sign up for the cookie crawl and you can stop by the stores downtown and get a delicious holiday cookie at each local business while you shop all the deals and specials. By the end of the afternoon you'll have your own box of assorted Christmas cookies from your favorite stores.

Ruston Rudolph Run 5k - December 18

The Ruston Rudolph 5k Race will begin in the parking lot to the left of the Ruston Sports Complex indoor facility and the course will run around the entire complex with Christmas cheer all along the way! Click here to register.

Cookies & Cocoa with Santa - December 20

Friday, December 20th spend a festive morning with your family and friends at the Ruston Sports Complex. Enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, and take your picture with Santa. Its the best way to spend time celebrating the holidays with this special activity.

Recurring Events

Artificial Ice Skating - Dec 1-2, 4, 8-9, 11, 15-16, 18, 22-23, 29-30

Head to the Ruston Sports Complex for a month full of ice skating fun. Open on selected dates from 4pm-7pm. The perfect after school activity during the holiday season!

Ruston Farmers Market - Every Saturday

Find all your holiday gifts and festive flavors from the Ruston Farmers Market. Enjoy live music and plenty of items to shop through like fresh vegetables, hand baked bread, local meats, hand crafted woodwork, curated arts, and so much more.

For more information on these and other holiday events in the area, visit www.rustonlincoln.com/holidays. Planning a trip? Download or request our Visitors Guide or check out our itineraries!

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Tori Davis

Author

Tori Davis

Tori is a Shreveport native who planted roots in the piney hills of Lincoln Parish in 2017. She has a passion for destination development and marketing and aims to spend every bit of her free time making memories with her husband and two daughters. As Director of Marketing and Communications, Tori supports the President/CEO of Experience Ruston in implementing new marketing plans and content strategies to help promote Ruston/Lincoln Parish as a premier tourist destination.

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