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W e d n e s d ay, D e c e m b e r 10, 2025
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Santa and Mrs. Claus stand on the bow of a boat during the 2024 Lights on the Lake.
Lights on the Lake Night boat parade meets lighthouse event in holiday mashup
BY EVA JACOB BARKOFF
Contributing writer
If you drive past the New Orleans Lakefront on Saturday, you’ll see more than 40 powerboats and sailboats along the lake, each one decorated with thousands of multicolored lights. Some of the boats also may feature inflatables like Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, elves and even mermaids. Blink all you want. Your eyes are not deceiving you. It’s the West End Boat Parade, which coincides with the 12th annual Lights on the Lake fundraiser for the Pontchartrain Conservancy. The fundraiser will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the New Canal Lighthouse, 8001 Pontchartrain Blvd. The event “is not only a way to celebrate the holidays but to highlight all the ways the Pontchartrain Conservancy serves our community,” said Kristi Trail, the Conservancy’s executive director. “Last year, we had 1,000 people tour the lighthouse, and some of those visitors had never been to the lighthouse.” The parade is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. and will begin at the lighthouse and will end at the Municipal Harbor. Tommy Taggart, his wife, Karen, and their son, Larry, are parade coordinators. “There will be between 45 to 50 boats and all of them will be illuminated with outdoor lights,” Taggart said. “The owners select their own theme. And in recent years, there has been an explosion of very creative costumes by those on board to reflect the theme. One year, there was a boat full of Mr. Bingles.” Frequent participants have included members of the Southern, the New Orleans, the Pontchartrain and the Tammany Yacht Clubs, and the Gulf Yachting and Corinthian Sailing Associations. Approximately 400 passengers will join in the parade, Taggart said. The New Canal Lighthouse education center and museum will once again hold an open house for visitors with exhibits detailing the lighthouse’s history and the coastal environment. Admission is $10; children 5 and under will be admitted free. There will be programs for children including hands-on STEM activities and arts and crafts using environmentally responsible materials. Food trucks will also be on-site along with performances by local dance groups and choirs.
ABOVE: Children laugh and throw snow next to the O in the Loyola University sign on the front lawn. TOP: Student Victoria Marino stays snuggly warm as she laughs with friends.
PHOTOS BY CHRIS GRANGER
More than 20 tons of faux snow were dumped on the lawn outside Loyola University’s Marquette Hall and Horseshoe, offering students, faculty, alums and the community a chance to get a taste of the winter white stuff. Design students created animated projections to adorn Marquette Hall and St. Ignatius Chapel. Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance, along with Loyola students check out some of the 20 tons of man-made snow in front of treats and live music. Marquette Hall.
Finding the spirt Come out and be part of the lights, the music and the celebrations that mark the holidays New Orleans-style, because nobody does it like we do. Get in the Spirit of Christmas Present.
LIGHTING THE WAY
CELEBRATION IN THE OAKS: City
Park’s fundraiser features more STAFF FILE PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER than a million lights, running to
Visitors ride the Yoyo during the opening night of NOLA ChristmasFest at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans last year. Check out the fest Dec. 20-29.
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Jan. 1. The 2-mile driving tour starts at 4 Friederichs Ave. in New Orleans, and the walking
tour, starting at 7 Victory Ave., Includes unlimited amusement park rides and access to the Botanical Garden. Tickets start at $7. celebrationintheoaks.com. KENNER’S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS VILLAGE: The free holiday experience at Heritage Park in Rivertown, 2015 Fourth St., Kenner, will run from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to Dec. 31. Activities include lights, snow, music, food, arts and crafts, weekend vendors, live entertainment and a special appearance from Santa Claus. kenner.la.us. CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK: The 39th annual light exhibit kicks off Dec. 1 with a lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. in Lafreniere Park’s South Mall parking lot,
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