St. Tammany Parish is gearing up for its 27th annual Holiday of Lights, the holiday celebration that lights up Koop Drive in Mandeville. This year's event runs four nights — December 4, 5, 11 and 12 — and the parish says the event features thousands of twinkling lights, carnival rides, pictures with Santa and performances from local schools.
According to St. Tammany Parish Government, the event marks its 27th year on Mandeville's Koop Drive on December 4, 5, 11 and 12. The parish invites businesses to sponsor the celebration, and St. Tammany Health System and Northshore Media Group are listed as sponsors this year.
Young Performers Still Have a Shot at the Stage
For families with kids itching to perform, there's still a window of opportunity. The parish's performance page states that the 27th Annual Holiday of Lights will feature the talents of local schools and youth organizations across St. Tammany Parish, and two performance slots remain open.
All performances are held inside the Kids Konnection Pavilion, located directly behind the Kids Konnection Playground along Koop Drive, running from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each night of the event. Schools and children's groups will take priority for those remaining spots, the parish says, and performances will be aired live and made available through video on demand through STPGTV. Groups interested in snagging one of the last slots can reach the St. Tammany Parish Government Public Information Office at 985-898-5243 or by emailing [email protected].
A Tradition Built on Local Talent
Holiday of Lights brings local youth performers to the Koop Drive event during the holiday season. Last year's 26th annual event, held on the same Koop Drive grounds near Mandeville, saw its opening night delayed from Friday to Saturday, according to NOLA.com. That outlet reported the celebration was complete with Louisiana “sneaux,” carnival rides and a tram tour through Santa's Enchanted Forest, and that young entertainers from local schools and youth organizations performed as part of the festivities.
It's time to turn up that Mariah Carey on the radio and get ready for the Holiday of Lights this December!
How the Parish Keeps the Tradition Going
The parish invites businesses to sponsor the Holiday of Lights and offers sponsorship perks to those who support the celebration.
With the 27th edition just weeks away, the parish's message to families and performing groups alike is simple: the lights are coming back to Koop Drive, and there's still a little room on the schedule for St. Tammany's young talent to take the stage.
