Lights at Christmas: Southwest Louisiana is shining brightly this holiday season
Published 11:53 am Friday, December 23, 2022
Prien Lake Park in Lake Charles. (Rick Hickman / American Press)
Prien Lake Park in Lake Charles. (Rick Hickman / American Press)
Prien Lake Park in Lake Charles. (Rick Hickman / American Press)
Civic Center in Lake Charles. (Rick Hickman / American Press)
Civic Center in Lake Charles. (Rick Hickman / American Press)
Civic Center in Lake Charles, La., Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (Rick Hickman/Lake Charles American Press)
Southwest Louisiana takes holiday cheer seriously. On a nightly basis throughout SWLA, merry and bright Christmas displays are lit up for families to visit. The cities of Lake Charles, Sulphur and DeRidder house some of the more festive displays.
Civic Center and
Millennium Park
The City of Lake Charles promises a “Winter Wonderland of Christmas Lights” at the Lake Charles Civic Center and Millennium Park. The expansive displays of holiday visages were lit up on Saturday, Nov. 26 at the annual Light Up the Lake Christmas Celebration, and will remain up through the holiday season.
Featured is the classic “12 Days of Christmas” display, along with newly added holiday visages. These displays will be lit for viewing at dusk and will remain illuminated until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 8 p.m. on Sundays. The display will be closed this weekend and next weekend due to national holidays.
After viewing Millennium Park’s displays, take a drive down, or carriage ride, down Shell Beach Drive to see the classic and festive residential Christmas decorations.
900 Lakeshore Dr., Lake Charles
Prien Lake Park
On Wednesday, Nov. 23, Prien Lake Park lit up their signature giant Christmas tree. Until Monday, Jan. 2, visitors will be able to drive through the park to view a wide array of lit up Christmas trees overlooking the lake.
3700 W Prien Lake Road, Lake Charles
Lights on Washington
Downtown DeRidder has been illuminated with Christmas lights since Thursday, Dec. 1 and will keep the spirit up until New Year’s Day. From 5:30 pm. until Midnight, locals and visitors alike can enjoy the many lighted trees, inflatables and festive setups that are perfect for selfies.
The city recommends that guests tune into KBON 101 (101.1 FM) upon arrival for a complete experience.
120 S. Washington St., DeRidder
Trinity Baptist Church
If it’s too cold to get out of the car to see Christmas lights, visiting the Trinity Baptist Church Drive-through Lights of the Lake display should be a part of your holiday agenda.
From 6 – 11 p.m. every night until New Year’s Eve, the church grounds are brightened with hundreds of thousands of LED lights that are synced to the music on KBYS Radio (88.9 FM). The immersive experience lights up the entirety of the Church’s front lawn, and includes a nativity scene, colorful trees and twinkling stars.
1800 Country Club Rd, Lake Charles, LA 70605
The Grove at Heritage Square
The Grove at Heritage Square in Sulphur has upheld their tradition of going all-out with Christmas decorations. Throughout the holiday season, visitors will be able to look up to see twinkling snowflakes in the trees or around them to see displays of penguins, reindeer and elves during their strolls through the park.
Visitors are also encouraged to take a stroll down Pecan Street. Residents of Pecan Street have taken it upon themselves to magically turn their homes into a Christmas wonderland. Visitors will often find homeowners outside handing out holiday treats and hot chocolate to spread the magic even farther.
1211 Ruth St, Sulphur, LA 70663
