City announces plans for Light up the Lake

Lake Charles, LA (KPLC) - Halloween is over, which means we are heading full swing into the holiday season.

The City of Lake Charles has announced this year’s free holiday events in the city, including the Light up the Lake Christmas Celebration.

Light up the Lake will be held Saturday, Nov. 26, beginning with the Holiday Art Walk downtown from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The festivities will move to the civic center at 3:30 with food trucks, hot chocolate and games. The Girl Scouts Pines to the Gulf chapter will continue a decades-long tradition of caroling at the Arcade Ampitheatre, Mayor Hunter said.

Rory Parton’s 23-piece band will take the stage at 4 p.m., followed by the city’s first-ever lighting ceremony at Millennium Park at 5:45.

Finally, the city’s Firework Extravaganza begins at 6:45 on the lakefront, with music broadcast on KBYS.

Starting Dec. 2, Millennium Park’s hours will be extended so families can enjoy the “winter wonderland of Christmas lights.” The park will remain open until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 8 p.m. on Sundays.

On Dec. 3, the city invites school choir groups to carol at Millennium Park. Schools interested in participating can contact Mike Castille at 337-491-1280 or michael.castille@cityoflc.us.

For the entire month of December, Christmas programs will be featured at Historic City Hall.

Meet Me at the Market will feature caroling, dancing, live music and a Christmas card workshop for all ages on Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Black Heritage Gallery will hold Saturday craft workshops at 10 a.m., and and Turning Pages children’s reading program will make a return at 11 a.m. weekly, beginning Dec. 3.

Mickey Smith Jr. will perform a free Christmas concert at the civic center coliseum on Dec. 21.