General

Alexandria Zoo, 5:30-8:00p.m. Sponsored by the City of Alexandria and FOTAZ. Create wonderful holiday memories at an event unlike any other in the area. Thousands of lights, wild animal theme displays, train rides, Santa, crafts for kids, entertainment on select evenings, photo ops, gift shop, Palm Café, and more family fun. The 19^th is the 12^th Night of the 12 Nights of Christmas.  Cost: $7 per person, children ages 4 and older. Call Lee Ann Whitt: 441-6832.

Alexander Fulton Mini Park, 5p.m. Sponsored by the City of Alexandria Division of Community Services. School groups, dance troupes, and Community Choirs perform as the mayor lights the park for the Christmas season. 1^st Night of the 12 Nights of Christmas. Cost: Admission Free. Call Courtney Paige: 449-5108.

Alexandria Zoo, 6-8:30p.m. Sponsored by City of Alexandria and FOTAZ. Biggest Halloween extravaganza in Cenla. 3 nights of family friendly spooktacular, scare free fun! Trick-or-treat trail and lots of activities for kids of all ages. Visit www.thealexandriazoo.com for more information. Cost: $7 per person, ages 1 and older.

Third Street, Downtown Alexandria, 5-8p.m. 15^th Annual United Way Cook-Off. Come out and enjoy music and drinks while sampling great BBQ, Ribs, Cajun and Wild Game dishes. Each category will have a winner decided by our panel of judges, and we also have a People’s Choice Award voted on by the tips each team receives from the community. Cost: Free to public. Call Abby Flynn: 443-7203 ext. 3.

On the Steps of City Hall, 6-8p.m.

October 1: The Mulligan Brothers

October 8: Chris Ardoin

Vendors will be on site catering to concert needs.

2727 Jackson Street, 6p.m. Sponsored by First United Methodist Church. Join us for a special service of healing and hope. Experience the light and love of Christ in the midst of the longest night of the year and find strength, comfort, healing, and hope. Cost: Free. Call Church Office: 443-5696.

135 Riverfront Street, Pineville, 6p.m.-8p.m. Sponsored by Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Site. Red River Dulcimer and Buckeye High School Chorale play and sing while the 19^th Louisiana Volunteers read stories by soldiers and their families of Christmas time in the Civil War during a candlelight tour of historic Fort Randolph. The 11^th Night of the 12 Nights of Christmas. Cost: Free. Call Richard Holloway: 484-2390.

Third Street,Downtown Alexandria, 6p.m.-9p.m. Sponsored by the Downtown Merchants and DARE. Food, fun, and entertainment along Third Street in Downtown Alexandria. Cost: Varies. The 10^th Night of the 12 Nights of Christmas. For more information visit www.downtownalexandria.org.

The Red River Chorale presents a beautiful concert based on the traditional English service of Lessons and Carols. It includes sacred classical music expressing the anticipation and hope of Advent and the joy of Christmas.  Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students and are available from Red River Chorale members,  www.redriverchorale.com,, www.ticket-central.org, Red River Music, and at the door if space is available.  
For information, call Tina Smith at 484-4463. 

Alexandria, 2p.m. Sponsored by Alexandria Mardi Gras Association. Cost: Free to public. Call Chris Chelette: 623-7359.