The Boom or Bust Byway is the ultimate road trip for young explorers, families, retirees, and international visitors who are seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure for the holiday season. This scenic, self-driving tour consists of seven small town Christmas events and experiences that will take place in Shreveport-Bossier’s backyard. Jump on the byway from any direction to experience Christmas in the countryside including events, farms, Southern flavors, biking and kayaking trails, historical museums, fishing holes, campgrounds, and more.
- Go Christmas Tree Picking at Hughes Christmas Tree Farm in Benton
Hughes Christmas Tree Farm is a locally-owned farm that sells a variety of Christmas trees, such as Virginia Pine, Leyland Cypress, and Fraser Fir trees. Trees range in height from 4-12 feet tall, and farmers will cut your selected tree. Trees are $10 per foot and snow flocking is available at $5 per foot. Trees are available through Sunday, Dec. 20 or while supplies last. Hughes Christmas Tree Farm is located at 5501 Linton Cutoff Road in Benton. For more information, visit their Facebook page or website.
- Tour More than 100 Thematic Christmas Trees at Lighthouse Mission Thrift Store in Vivian
The 2020 Christmas Bazaar and Tour of Trees Exhibit will be held in downtown Vivian at the Lighthouse Mission Thrift Store, located at 105 West Louisiana Avenue. The thrift store transforms into a whimsical wonderland with more than 100 decorated Christmas trees. Visitors can tour the exhibit on Friday, Dec. 4, 11, 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as Sunday, Dec. 6 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit their Facebook page. Admission is free.
- Enjoy Breakfast with Ol’ Saint Nick at Jubilee Zoo Petting Zoo and Play Place in Shreveport
Every Saturday in December leading up to Christmas day, families can enjoy breakfast with Santa at Jubilee Zoo and Play Place, located at 6402 North Market in Shreveport. Tickets to this event include reindeer pancake activities, breakfast with Santa, a Christmas hayride, stuff-your-own animal experience, and more. Breakfast will be catered by Tejas Kitchen Bar Patio. Tickets are $16-$45 and are only available online. Click here to purchase tickets. For more information, visit their Facebook page or website.
- Experience Fireworks Over Caddo Lake at a Drive-in Festival in Oil City
Celebrate 26 years of Christmas in the countryside at the 2020 Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival: Drive-In Edition at 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5. Families can indulge in fair-style foods, live music, Santa Claus, and a fireworks show that is scheduled to launch at 6:30 p.m. The festival will be held at Earl G. Williamson Park in Oil City, and parking is limited to 700 cars. Admission is free. For more information, visit their Facebook page or website.
- Delve into a Day of Small-Town Christmas Shopping in Downtown Vivian
Spend your Sunday afternoon eating, shopping, and exploring small-town holiday gems in downtown Vivian at their Christmas Open House on Sunday, Dec. 6 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can support more than 10 local vendors, chat with Santa at the Vivian Railroad Station Museum and more. Admission is free. This event is hosted by the Vivian Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
- Jingle All the Way to Belcher for a Christmas Fun Run
Participate in Belcher’s inaugural Christmas fun run celebration, Jingle Bell Jog, which takes place at 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12. The race will begin at D&I General Store, located at 312 Caddo Street and will end at Veteran’s Memorial Park, located at 310 Gray Street. The race will finish with cookies, hot cocoa, and a Santa Claus experience. Holiday costumes are heavily encouraged. Registration is $5-$15. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
- Get Under the Mistletoe and Make Memories in Plain Dealing
Plain Dealing is welcoming back their 2nd Annual Mistletoe and Memories Christmas Festival from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12 at the Plain Dealing Community Center, located at 109 South Cotton Belt Street. This event will feature a cookie decorating contest, holiday raffle, arts and crafts, food vendors, music, Santa Claus, live nativity, artificial snow and more. Admission is free. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
For more information about things to do in rural north Louisiana along the Boom or Bust Byway, visit the www.BoomOrBustByway.com. For a full list of holiday events in the Shreveport-Bossier area, visit www.SBFunGuide.com.