The Alexandria-Pineville, Louisiana, area is known for amazing events throughout the year, and Alex Winter Fête is no exception! Alex Winter Fête is back this year with several returning favorite attractions along with new activities for everyone to enjoy! This Alexandria winter celebration is FREE to all ages, from December 8 to 11, with numerous must-see events, including ice skating, live music, food, shopping and visits with the Jolly Old Santa himself!
Try a twirl on the outdoor ice-skating rink! The rink is open every evening, December 8 to 11.
- Thursday, December 8 @ 4:00pm – 8:00pm
- Friday, December 9 @ 5:00pm – 11:00pm
- Saturday, December 10 @ 10:00am – Midnight
- Sunday, December 11, Alexandria Christmas Parade @ 2:00pm, Ice Rink opens after parade until 8:00pm
You can even purchase Fast Passes to get you out on the ice faster! Get them for the night or even the whole weekend!
Bring the kiddos to explore the children’s area known as Jolly Junction, and interact with talented stilt-walkers, fire-breathers, live bands, and more! See if you can spot Alex, our Winter Fête Elf on the Shelf! Come play games and watch Christmas movies with us!
Be sure to download and print out your Letter to Santa to drop off in Santa’s Mailbox in front of the Mini-Park on 3rd & Johnston Street. Your letter may even get read by Santa himself and posted on theAlex Winter Fete Facebook and Instagram pages!
Come shine with the Alexandria Museum of Art during Winter Fete for our Winter Fete Illuminated Procession on December 10th. Come walk with our giant snowman, Christmas tree and SANTA! We’ll line up at 5:30 and roll at 6pm.
And, the whole family will want to watch in wonder at the fire works over the Red River. Fireworks are set to light up the sky on the night of Saturday, December 10th.
Don’t miss the downtown shopping vendors and delicious food that Fêtes have become known for as well. Get your belly as full as Santa’s, and your Christmas gift list checked off (twice)!
We hear there is also a Gumbo Cook-Off! Santa’s “elves” will be dragging pots and delicious ingredients out of that magic sack to compete for the Alexandria Rotary Club’s Alex Winter Fete Best Gumbo, with proceeds benefitting the Doll& Toy Fund! And you thought Santa only ate cookies and milk!
The festivities get kicked off with the traditional lighting of the tree during Holiday Magic, including the magic of community choirs, school groups, and dance troupes. Then, Santa’s arrival at Santa’sVillage at the Alexander Fulton Mini-Park on Friday, December 8 at 5pm.
Dig that ugly sweater (orT-shirt) out of the closet and come run The Rapides Urgent Care Ugly Sweater 5K on Saturday. Register online to get your collectible Ugly Sweater Dri-fit shirt or walk up Saturday, December 10 at 7 am and sign up (shirt not guaranteed at walk-up registration) by the steps of Alexandria City Hall. The 5K starts at 8am! All proceeds benefit the YWCA of Alexandria/Pineville’s Girls on the Run program, so sign up and bring your friends (even furry ones) to work off some of those Christmas calories in advance!
And, you absolutely cannot miss the Alexandria Mardi Gras Association Christmas Parade in downtown Alexandria at 2 pm on Sunday. You know if a Mardi Gras Association is putting on a parade, it’s going to be a good one!
Check out the calendar of events for Alexandria Winter Fête as well as other events throughout December on our events page or visit us on Facebook.