Over the next few months, there is a plethora of activities and events to enjoy to brighten your days (and nights). Here are a few recommendations:
Bright Lights
The Northshore has an amazing amount of holiday light displays to enjoy this season!
The beauty and wonderment of thousands of twinkly decorations are ready to be enjoyed at the St. Tammany Holiday of Lights! In Mandeville, you can walk through the displays on December 19 and 20. Or, you may wish to take in the splendor from your car during the “drive-through” nights beginning December 22 through January 1. In Madisonville, you can walk along the riverfront as its live oaks and pathways shimmer with thousands of lights. Be sure to stop by Merry Madisonville, a celebration of the season with events throughout the month. You can also check out the beautiful Twelve Days of Christmas along Covington’s historic district, now through January 6. For a complete list of holiday light events, click here.
Bright Writes
Two of my favorite written musicals are coming to stages on the Northshore! Coming up in January at Slidell Little Theatre is Sweeney Todd, the Tony award-winning musical by Stephen Sondheim. Performances run the weekends of January 16 through February 8. In Mandeville, the 30 by Ninety Theatre presents another Tony award-winning musical, Cabaret, on weekends beginning January 17 through February 1. For tickets to Slidell Little Theatre, click here. For 30 by Ninety, click here.
Bright Sights
It cannot be February without it being Mardi Gras time! In 2026, Fat Tuesday takes place on February 17, and the Northshore has a score of parades to enjoy. The first two are on January 10 with the Fools of Misrule in Covington and the Mande Kings Day in Mandeville. Over the course of the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras, 17 more parades are set for the parish. While there are too many to name here, two of my favorites are actually set for Mardi Gras day, the Covington Lions Club parade and the Krewe of Folsom parade. For a complete list of the Mardi Gras parade schedule, click here.
The Northshore has so much to enjoy. To stay up-to-date on the latest happenings, visit visitthenorthshore.com.