Natchitoches Christmas Festival 2013 [PHOTOS] [VIDEOS]

Want to see some incredible Christmas lights? Make the drive to the Natchitoches Christmas Festival. It's worth the time it takes to get there. Bring extra money, because you will want to shop in their gift shops, and sample some of their famous meat pies and wonderful restaurants.

From Lindale, the drive was about two and a half hours. We arrived during the day, and it worked out well because parking filled up fast. We spent our daytime hours wandering in and out of shops, taking photos and greeting Santa Clause. Yes, the big guy was making an early visit to hand out candy canes to the little ones.

Restaurants were full around lunch, so we decided to wait and ate an early dinner at Maglieaux's on the Cane. One thing the on menu was outstanding, the crawfish cornbread.

After lunch we wandered and shopped while listening to live music. We paid admission to check out the festivities along the river, and experience the delicious smells of the food vendors, saw kids take photos with live alligators, and watched kids sled down the snow hill.

When the sun set, the lights came on, and they are spectacular especially when they reflect off of the water.

Then at 7:00, the fireworks commenced.

They even had fireworks underneath the bridge that looked like a waterfall of light.

If you are thinking of making the trip over this weekend check out their website for the schedule of events here, there is something for the whole family.