Fireworks, snow, parades, performing arts, Christmas concerts, and shopping events – holiday cheer is underway throughout cities and communities in Calcasieu Parish.

If you’re looking to jump into the Christmas shopping spirit, there are several festive opportunities on the calendar. Mistletoe and Moss Holiday Market will take place Friday – Sunday, Nov. 19 – 21, at the Lake Charles Civic Center. A shopping event featuring local artists is the Holiday Art Walk throughout downtown Lake Charles on Saturday, Nov. 27, from noon – 6 p.m. Another tradition is the Holiday House at Christmas Under the Oaks with the preview party on Thursday, Dec. 2, followed by the shopping experience on Friday – Saturday, Dec. 3 – 4.

A myriad of events will take place as part of the City of Lake Charles’ Light Up the Lake Christmas Celebration such as a hot chocolate fun run, Santa’s Workshop on the lakefront, a tree lighting ceremony and fireworks over the lake on Saturday, Dec. 4.

Sulphur’s Christmas Under the Oaks features carnival rides, shopping, live music, over 35 vendors, a tree lighting ceremony, and snow, with the festival days being Friday – Saturday, Dec. 3 – 4.

On Saturday, Dec. 4, the DeQuincy Railroad Museum Park will be decked out for Christmas, with the DeQuincy Christmas Parade taking place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4. Snow is also expected in DeQuincy along with a DeQuincy Farmer’s Market along with food, crafts and more.

The Vinton Christmas Celebration will be in full swing on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. with a market, family fun, live music, and crafts in downtown Vinton.

In addition, the Moss Bluff Christmas Parade hits the streets on Saturday, Dec. 11, and the Christmas at First Baptist Church in Moss Bluff festivities take place on Wednesday, Dec. 8, complete with snow, live music, fire pits, a Christmas train, fun jumps and pictures with Santa.

Several performing arts events are also on the holiday calendar including Handel’s Messiah, on Sunday, Dec. 5; “The Nutcracker” as presented by Lake Area Ballet Theatre, Thursday – Saturday, Dec. 9-11; and the Lake Charles Symphony’s Holiday Jazz & Java on Sunday, Dec. 12.

For a full view of the various events taking place throughout the holiday season, please log on to www.visitlakecharles.org/CajunChristmas.