Central Louisiana
Natchitoches.com; @NatchitochesTourism
Established in 1714 as Louisiana’s first French colonial settlement, charming Natchitoches offers excellent venue options without sacrificing its easygoing small-town ambiance. Natchitoches Events Center, in the city’s historic district, features 40,000 square feet of event space. Its largest space, just under 15,000 square feet, seats 1,000 people theater style, 580 for banquets, and 468 in classroom configuration. The venue also has three flexible 1,200-square-foot meeting rooms.
Hotels with local flavor include the 87-room Château Saint Denis Hotel and the 20-room Church Street Inn. Near Interstate 49, Holiday Inn Express offers meeting space for up to 40 people; additional guest rooms are available at Best Western Natchitoches Inn. The city also has a large selection of bed-and-breakfasts.
Natchitoches’ annual Christmas Festival and Festival of Lights attract thousands of people who book the local guest accommodations. This year’s event takes place from November 23, 2025, to January 6, 2026.