Louisiana’s River Parishes Tourist Commission and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser Celebrate Christmas Eve with Bonfires On the Levee

Published 12:59 pm Wednesday, December 22, 2021

LAPLACE, La. – On Friday, December 24 at 5 p.m., the Louisiana’s River Parishes Tourist Commission (LARPTC) and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser will culminate the Christmas season with Bonfires on the Levee. The team will gather at the 67-foot Louisiana Blue Crab bonfire, located at 3228 La-44 in Garyville. The impressive bonfire was built by Garyville bonfire builders Blood, Sweat and Bonfires.

The 300-year-old tradition welcomes locals and visitors to light the 20-foot high wooden bonfires atop the Mississippi River Levees. Dating back to the 1700s, the bonfires have taken on different meanings for multiple generations. In the days before electricity, lights from the bonfires served as a guide on the way home from midnight mass. Today, they are lit in observance of the centuries-old Christmas Eve tradition to guide “Papa Noel” through Cajun Country.

This year, there will be over 200 bonfires illuminating the night sky on Christmas Eve in St. John the Baptist and St. James Parishes. Known as the “Bonfire Capital of the World,” the largest concentration of bonfires can be found in St. James Parish around the towns of Gramercy, Lutcher and Paulina. More bonfires can be seen across the river as well. LARPTC is excited to gather all generations for Christmas Eve and to celebrate the end of harvest at Bonfires on the Levee.

To learn more about Bonfire Country, visit https://lariverparishes.com/bonfirecountry/