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 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.

The coming months are full of an incredible lineup of events, festivals and activities on the Northshore. Here are three special standouts to enjoy the long days of summer.

Cue the Great Tastes

While the official kickoff to summer is Memorial Day Weekend, it begins a little early in our parish! That’s because May is going to be one month for the (cook)books. The 14^th annual A Taste of Covington celebrates Covington’s amazing restaurants and art lovers alike. A long list of our parish’s top restaurants will feature wine dinners and special tastings, however note the Vintner’s Dinners are by reservation only. If you really want to indulge, try the Festa del Vino Wine Tasting event on May 10. For more information, click here.

Cue the Water Works

Now this looks like fun! The 8^th Annual Float Fest on the Bogue Chitto River takes place Saturday and Sunday, June 21 and 22. Enjoy a relaxing time with your friends and family as you tube down the river. Food, live music and games will keep the day “flowing.” For more details, visit Louisiana River Adventures.

Cue the Fireworks

July Fourth is on a Friday this year, so that adds to the fun with a long holiday weekend! As with every year, the Northshore has a plethora of events and activities to celebrate our nation’s 319^th birthday. You can start the day with the annual “4 on the 4th” run/walk in Covington. The event includes a four-mile race and half-mile kids race. To register, click here. Then, you can cap off a day of parades and festivities with the fireworks display in Mandeville at the annual “Light Up the Lake” celebration along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. While the fireworks show begins at 8:30 p.m., you can (and should) arrive early to enjoy the offerings of several food trucks, drink tents and music. The event is free and open to the public.

While these events are sure to bring loads of fun, there are many more to enjoy this summer. For a complete list of events and activities, click visitthenorthshore.com.

The fall season in St. Tammany Parish brings us crisp, cool days to enjoy getting out and about. Here are some of my recommendations on activities and events to partake in over the fall time.

Live Music

Jazz’n the Vines at Wild Bush Farm and Vineyard has three great opportunities to listen to some fantastic music, whether you favor pop, country, soul or somewhere in-between. On November 2, The Walrus takes the stage with a tribute song list of The Beatles. Two weeks later on November 16, Pine Leaf Boys bring their Louisiana soul to the stage. The Krickets, a female trio with folk and country sounds, wrap up the month on November 23. For each performance, gates open at 5 p.m., and the live music plays from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Different food trucks will be on-hand, and the wine will be flowing! Tickets are $12. For more information and tickets, click here.

Live Theatre

We love our community theatres on the Northshore! Three upcoming performances are of special note. In October, 30 by Ninety Theatre in Mandeville presents my favorite Agatha Christie play, Murder on the Orient Express. Show dates are the weekends of October 18 and 27. In December, two holiday-themed shows will be all aglitter at two venues, running on select dates from December 6 to 15. At 30 by Ninety, the entire family will enjoy a Very, Merry Christmas Spectacular. Added bonus: milk and cookies will be served at each performance! At Playmakers Theater in Covington, The Charitable Sisterhood Christmas Spectacular will bring out the spirit of the season for the entire audience. For more details and ticket information at 30 by Ninety, click here. For tickets to Playmakers, click here.

Live Fun

Three annual events always bring family friendly fun. On Sunday, October 27, the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany hosts Boo Bash at its new location on Florida Street, 1 – 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Be sure to wear your Halloween costume for a chance to win prizes. To purchase tickets, click here. On November 2, the Sixth Annual Gator Tail 5k Trail Run takes place at the Tamanend campus of Northshore Technical Community College. Sign up here. To wrap up the family fun, the Tammany Turkey Trot is on Thursday, November 28, in Downtown Covington. You have the choice of three races: five-k, five-mile and one-mile fun run. To sign up, click here.

There are always so many choices for activities, entertainment and overall fun in our parish. For a full list of events, visit https://www.visitthenorthshore.com.

It’s a new year, and that means lots of new fun! From January through March, you have a wide choice of activities and events in St. Tammany Parish. Here are a few highlights.

Play Time

We love our arts on the Northshore, and that includes local theatre! We are fortunate to have a variety of options to enjoy a live performance of some of the most beloved plays and musicals. Slidell Little Theatre always seems to have an amazing array of comedy and drama, so there is something for everyone. Coming up in January is Shakespeare’s epic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. Performances run the weekends of January 12 and 19. In Covington, Playmakers Theatre presents a hilarious whodunit, Murder at Weatherfield, Saturdays and Sundays in March. For tickets to Slidell Little Theatre, click here. For Playmakers, click here.

Festival Time

St. Tammany Parish boasts a plethora of festivals throughout the year, and the first few months of offerings are no exception. From the Slidell Antique Fair to the Louisiana Food Truck Festival, there is a festival for you! One of my favorites is the 2024 Abita Springs Whole Town Garage Sale and Flea Market. Residents from around the area gather to showcase their wares on the same day. If you like to search for treasure at a great price, March 30 is the date to mark on your calendar. In addition to the sale, you can peruse goods from a variety of vendors and enjoy food from local restaurants. For more information about upcoming festivals, click here.

Party Time

It cannot be the first quarter of the year without it being Mardi Gras time! This year, Fat Tuesday takes place on February 13, 2024, and the Northshore has a score of parades to enjoy. The first one is in Covington on January 6, and from there, 16 more parades are set for the parish up to Mardi Gras. While there are too many to name here, two of my favorites are actually after the official Mardi Gras date. The Krewe du Pooch in Mandeville and Krewe of Mardi Paws in Covington are being held the weekend afterward. Both events celebrate our four-legged friends in style. 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

Top o’ the morning (or evening) to you! We all know St. Tammany Parish has loads of fun opportunities from January through December. After the abundance of Mardi Gras, you may wish for some relaxation in March. If you are up for more excitement, here are three upcoming events sure to make you see green!

Lucky Button #1 – America’s Newest Sport

On Saturday, March 11, it is time to witness what all the hubbub is about pickleball! While registration to play is closed, you are invited to come out to Pelican Park in Mandeville for the Paddles on Paddy’s Day Pickleball Tournament. The day-long event offers women’s, men’s and mixed doubles, plus several skill level divisions, so everyone is sure to feel comfortable and enjoy themselves. For more information, click here.

Lucky Button #2 – Parade on in

It’s back! The Olde Towne Slidell Merchants Association is rolling out the green for the 49^th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 12, 1 p.m. The route begins at City Hall and features over 50 floats, walkers, horses, cars, trucks, dance teams, marching bands and more. Of course, you will have the opportunity to shop for traditional Irish stew ingredients! For more information, click here.

Lucky Button #3 – Win, Win, Win

If you really want to press your luck, you can win big at the $5,000 Drawdown to benefit the Maritime Museum Lighthouse Fundraiser on Friday, March 17, 6 p.m. For $100, you and a guest will enjoy cocktails, dinner and an entry into winning the pot of gold! Be sure to bring out your festive St. Patrick’s Day attire. For more information, click here.

While these are three options to make your March a month of good luck, there are so many more ways to see green on the Northshore. Check out louisiananorthshore.com for more!

I absolutely love a parade. I appreciate how one event can arouse all five senses of sight, sound, taste, smell and touch. While New Orleans is the most famous city for Mardi Gras parades and events, the Northshore adds a special flair to its productions. From Madisonville to Covington, and from Bush to Slidell, you have the opportunity to delight in 20 parades over the Mardi Gras season. I have a few standouts to recommend.

Going for the Gusto

The The Town of Abita Springs knows how to have a unique party. The Krewe of Push Mow parade, set for Saturday, February 11 at noon, features colorful floats and marching bands. However, the main attraction is the amount of splendidly decorated lawn mowers throughout the parade. Afterward, live music and Abita Beer will be enjoyed at the Party in the Park. (UPDATE 2.9.23–the parade has been moved to Sunday, February 12, 1 p.m. due to expected inclement weather on Saturday)

Going for the Gold (and Green and Purple)

On Mardi Gras, February 21, the fun starts early on the Northshore in Covington. One of the largest parades, with over 450 participants, features 24 magnificent floats, bands, walkers, artists and more. The fun continues with Tammany Gras at the Covington Trailhead with live music, games, activities and food. The parade begins at 10 a.m., so grab a coffee and get there early for a great viewing spot.

Going to the Dogs

The weekend after Fat Tuesday offers us two parades celebrating our four-legged friends. The Krewe du Pooch parade along the Mandeville lakefront takes place Saturday, February 25 at noon. The next day, the Krewe of Mardi Paws strolls through downtown Covington, beginning at 2 p.m. Both parades support animal humane non-profits. Be on the lookout for plenty of owners and dogs dressed alike!

No matter which parade (or parades for that matter) you partake in, you are sure to experience all five senses. Just be sure to also use your common sense to know when you have had enough (beads, of course).

With the new year upon us, we have the opportunity to enjoy new experiences on the Northshore. The only resolution to keep is to take advantage of them! Here are a few 2023 delights I hope to partake in:

One – A New Play

We are so fortunate to have several venues to see performances of the latest musicals, historic comedies and memorable dramas. I am a huge fan of playwright Neil Simon, so a must-see performance is Laughter on the 23^rd Floor at 30 by Ninety Theatre in Mandeville. Inspired by Simon’s youthful experience as a staff writer on Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows, this ensemble comedy has plenty of comic gags and hijinks as the harried writing staff frantically scrambles to top each other to garner the attention of the star, Max Prince. Performances run on weekends beginning January 21 through February 5. For tickets, click here.

Two – A New Festival

There are plenty of music festivals all over St. Tammany Parish throughout the year, and I will surely attend quite a few of those. I also want to experience some of the amazing events that feature everything from chili cook-offs to art to blooms. An upcoming weekend marked in my calendar is the Winter Camellia Festival, held January 26-29, at Mizell’s Camellia Hill Nursery in Folsom. You can enjoy the beautiful camellia gardens, along with free refreshments, children’s activities and more. For details, click here.

Three – A New Place (or More)

Over the last few years, I have traveled to the well-known and lesser-known towns in the parish. This year, I want to take a deeper dive into the history and hidden treasures of all the extraordinary places on the Northshore. From Bush’s beginnings to Madisonville’s magical ambiance, our slice of heaven in Southeast Louisiana holds much to discover.

This year is going to be spectacular on the Northshore. The more new experiences, the better!

The holiday season on the Northshore never ceases to amaze me. Whether you want to see bright lights, hear joyous sounds or taste all those delectable seasonal favorites, your senses will be pleased. Here is a list of 12 activities to enjoy in December (listed in alphabetical order to avoid any Bah Humbugs).

A Very Merry Christmas Spectacular

You are sure to get into the holiday spirit with this showcase of singing and dancing. Performances on weekends through December 11 at 30 by Ninety Theatre.

Christmas at the Southern Hotel

Marvel at the spectacular décor of the Covington hotel’s lobby and grounds. Now through January 1.

Christmas High Tea

Indulge in a special tea party, with holiday sandwiches, treats and of course, tea! English Tea Room in Covington, now through January 7.

Christmas Holiday Lights

Front Street in Slidell is transformed with thousands of sparkling lights. Now through January 1 at dusk.

Christmas in the Country

Enjoy the sights of yesteryear and shop local on historic Lee Lane in Downtown Covington. Every Saturday through December 24.

Covington’s 12 Days of Christmas Lighted Displays

One of the most spectacular sights of the season. Now through January 6, beginning at dusk, in various historic district locations.

Folsom Horse and Wagon Christmas Parade

Take a break from the holiday hustle-and-bustle as you enjoy a wonderful parade, country-style. December 10 in Downtown Folsom, 1 p.m.

Get Wrapped Up in Mandeville

Get those last-minute gifts while supporting local businesses as you shop in this charming town. Monday – Saturday until December 31.

Holiday of Lights

Koop Drive on Tammany Trace is taken over on December 9 and 10, 6 – 8:30 p.m., for family fun, including rides, games, food and more.

Miracle on 34^th Street

Experience this classic of the magic in believing, performed by the Playmakers, Inc. Community Theater in Covington. Weekend performances, now through December 18.

Nutcracker Twist

The twist on this time-honored tradition makes for great fun, performed on weekends at the Slidell Little Theatre. Now through December 18.

Winterland at the Shops

Get in some last-minute shopping at 1200 West in Mandeville, and capture a photo in front of the 40-foot, lighted willow tree. Daily at dusk, now through December 31.

While this list covers 12 activities, St. Tammany Parish offers too many to include here. For a complete list, visit here.

Fall is in the air (sort of), pumpkin patches are popping up and fun events are filling up the calendar. The Northshore has lots of choices for excitement, whether you are looking for a day of family fun, a date night or a reason to wear a costume. Check these three special activities out!

A Blues Festival

The Third Annual Bluesberry Festival is set for Saturday, October 8, at Riverside Bogue Falaya Wayside Park. Bring the entire family to enjoy live music, art, food truck delicacies, beer garden and children’s village, all with a blueberry theme. The festivities run 12 to 9 p.m., with the headliner Samantha Fish, an award-winning blues artist and Kansas City native. For the complete schedule, click here.

A Tasteful Experience

My mouth is already watering just thinking about the amazing meal that lies ahead on Thursday, October 13, at the Southern Hotel. That is the date for the Louisiana Cookin’ Chefs to Watch in 2022. The six-course dinner and wine-pairing event places a spotlight on up-and-coming chefs from restaurants around Louisiana who show passion for traditions while delivering fresh, new concepts. A portion of the proceeds benefit Northshore Food Bank. Purchase tickets here.

A Pumpkin Party

There is more fun around the corner, with the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany’s Boo Bash on Sunday, October 30, 1 to 4 p.m. Whether you are young or young-at-heart, you will enjoy games, activities and loads of fun. Costumes are encouraged, so come as your favorite character, superhero or funny interpretation. Tickets are only $15 ($10 for members), and this includes admission to the museum. Get your tickets here.

As with every month up on the Northshore, October is set for a ghoulishly fun time. Now it is just a matter of trying to fit it all in!

We love our craft beer on the Northshore. And who doesn’t love puppies? In June, you have the opportunity to enjoy some tasty brews while supporting a very worthy cause, the Northshore Humane Society.

Two for One

Every Sunday in June (and just about every Sunday throughout the year), you can spend a day out with your four-legged friend, snag a free beer and support the Humane Society. For every brew you purchase at Chafunkta Brewing Company, the second one is on the house. All you need to do is bring along your pup! Of course, you can come sans a pet and still support the non-profit. This great deal runs noon to 6 p.m., so you and your friends can have a round or two, knowing you are helping out a great cause. If you are curious about the brewery’s name and beginnings, click here.

The Prize Goes To…

The Ninth Annual Larry Hartzog Twisted Brew Fest and Homebrew Competition takes place on Saturday, June 25 at Pelican Park in Mandeville. Over 200 beer samplings from homebrew and commercial breweries around the state will be up for tasting. Area breweries participating include Abita, Port Orleans, Bayou Teche, Urban South and Great Raft. A friendly competition of the people’s favorite taste will make for some great fun, and yummy food and live music will complement the tastings. Also, Northshore Humane Society will have plenty of adoptable pups on-hand looking for loving homes. The fun begins at 4 p.m. For tickets, click here.

Too Cute

The Northshore Humane Society is the largest not-for-profit, no-kill animal shelter on the Northshore. Founded in 1953, NHS offers veterinary care, fostering, adoption and more to serve the homeless, neglected and abandoned animals of the community. For more information, click here.

No matter how you prefer your brew, you can enjoy it and help out our four-legged friends. That is surely something to bark about!