Slidell’s Bayou Christmas celebrates its tenth year at Heritage Park with festive list of holiday events Dec. 16-17 and 22-23.

This annual holiday event, sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club of Slidell and the City of Slidell, features live entertainment, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, an ice skating rink, kiddie rides, food and craft vendors, narrated Nativity scene created by artist Lori Anselmo, plus other special holiday surprises. Admission is free, but donations to the Boys and Girls Club are welcomed.

Slidell’s Bayou Christmas will also be hosting Slidell Movie Nights on Saturday, Dec. 16 and 23, starting at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

  • Dec. 16 – The Nightmare Before Christmas
  • Dec. 23 – The Grinch

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available to take free pictures 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 16-17 and 22-23.

 

Mayor Greg Cromer is inviting the community to join the City of Slidell for the fourth annual Olde Towne Slidell Community Christmas Golf Cart Parade on Sunday, December 3 at 5 p.m.

The parade will be led by the Slidell Sync Lawn Chair Brigade, a premier dancing group that promises to feature flashy holiday-themed lawn chairs in a very merry way, followed by decorated golf carts and Santa and Mrs. Claus riding on an antique fire truck spreading their magical cheer to all.

Everyone from the community is encouraged to participate. To sign up to participate, go to the City of Slidell’s website at MySlidell.com to fill out the parade form and return to the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs. Deadline for submitting forms is Thuesday, Nov. 30.Registration is free and interested spectators are encouraged to mark their calendars. Deadline for submitting forms is Thuesday, Nov. 30.

In preparation for the parade, streets in Olde Towne Slidell will start closing at 2:30 p.m. (See the map to see which streets will be closed.) Once bollards are in place, any vehicle that is inside the perimeter of the safety zone will not be able to exit Olde Towne until after 8 p.m., when the parade ends and bollards are removed. “Special Event No Parking” signs will be placed throughout Olde Towne. Once the bollards are in place, no vehicles will be able to enter or leave the safety zone in Olde Towne, so please don’t park or leave your vehicles in Olde Towne after 3 p.m.

For more information, please call the City of Slidell’s Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375 or email acarollo@cityofslidell.org.

11/28/23 UPDATE: Due to the forecasted inclement weather for this weekend, the city has rescheduled several of the events. The Bayou Jam Christmas Spectacular with Vince Vance and the Valiants has been rescheduled for Friday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. in Heritage Park and the Olde Towne Slidell Community Golf Cart Christmas Parade will now roll on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. The press release below has been updated.

The City of Slidell is thrilled to announce upcoming holiday events that will enchant residents and visitors alike, marking the beginning of the festive season on December 3. From the Bayou Jam Christmas Spectacular featuring Vince Vance and the Valiants to Christmas Under the Stars and the Olde Towne Slidell Community Christmas Golf Cart Parade, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Bayou Jam Christmas Spectacular with Vince Vance and the Valiants
Kicking off the celebrations on Friday, December 8, at Heritage Park, the Bayou Jam Christmas Spectacular will feature the return of Vince Vance and the Valiants at 6 p.m. The King of Christmas will be performing all your favorite holiday songs, including his perennial hit, “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite holiday costumes and join in the festive spirit. Admission is free.

Christmas Under the Stars
For a magical experience, Griffith Park transforms into a winter wonderland during Christmas Under the Stars. The park will be adorned with holiday lights and decorations, including life-size Christmas villages created by artist Lori Anselmo. The addition of  the new “Nightmare Before Christmas” and Disney-inspired cottages adds an extra touch of enchantment. Santa and Mrs. Claus will make a special appearance in the park on Saturday, December 9, from 6 to 8 p.m., providing an opportunity for kids to visit and take photos in the gazebo. Admission is free.

Olde Towne Slidell Community Christmas Golf Cart Parade
On Sunday, December 3, the fourth annual Olde Towne Slidell Community Christmas Golf Cart Parade will roll through the historic Olde Towne, commencing at 5 p.m. Led by the Slidell Sync Lawn Chair Brigade, the parade will feature creatively decorated golf carts, with Santa and Mrs. Claus riding on an antique fire truck, spreading magical cheer throughout the community. The parade route can be found on the city’s website at MySlidell.com and the “City of Slidell” Facebook page.

All of these exciting events are made possible by the City of Slidell’s Commission on the Arts and the generous support of the 2023 Cultural Season Sponsors. The city’s departments of Cultural & Public Affairs, Parks & Recreation, Public Operations, Keep Slidell Beautiful, and the Slidell Police Department are working together to ensure the success of these celebrations.

For more information, please contact the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375 or visit the city website and Facebook page.

11/28/23 UPDATE:  Due to the forecasted inclement weather for this weekend, the Bayou Jam Christmas Spectacular with Vince Vance and the Valiants has been rescheduled for Friday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. in Heritage Park. The press release below has been updated.

The City of Slidell is delighted to kick-off in the holiday season with the return of the King of Christmas, Vince Vance and the Valiants, to Heritage Park on Friday, Dec. 8, for the Bayou Jam Christmas Spectacular. The festivities will kick off at 6 p.m., and admission is free.

“The Bayou Jam Christmas Spectacular is a beloved tradition in our community, and Vince Vance and the Valiants are the perfect choice to kick off the holiday season in Slidell,”said Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer.

Celebrating their 50th anniversary, Vince Vance and the Valiants are a versatile country, pop, and rock ‘n’ roll group hailing from New Orleans. The iconic single “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has charted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts six times. In 2005, Country Music Television proclaimed it the No. 6 Merriest Video of All Time.

Known for their electrifying performances, Vince Vance and the Valiants deliver entertainment with costume changes, comic skits, and a vaudeville flair that makes Vance’s shows unique and highly memorable. Vance is also widely recognized for his single “I am New Orleans,” composed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and he was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2010.

Concert-goers are encouraged to bring their chairs, blankets, ice chests, picnic baskets, sweaters, and jackets to Heritage Park to enjoy the free concerts. Concessions will be available for added convenience.

For more information about this event, please contact the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375. Stay updated on City of Slidell news and events by visiting MySlidell.com and signing up for e-news updates. Follow the “City of Slidell” Facebook page for the latest updates.

In the event of inclement weather, please check the city’s website or Facebook page for the latest information. Cancellation decisions will be made by 1 p.m. on the day of the event.

Come be a part of the audience on Thursday, Nov. 30, when WGNO ABC 26 broadcasts live from Christmas Under the Stars in Griffith Park for the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. news!

Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer and the members of the Slidell City Council would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

In observation of the Thanksgiving holiday, city offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Nov. 24, and will reopen during regular hours on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023.

Essential personnel will remain on duty. If Slidell residents experience problems with their water or sewer service, they should call the City Services 24-hour emergency hotline at (985) 643-6140.

Mayor Greg Cromer and the members of the Slidell City Council would like to thank all of the veterans who have honorably served our country.
In observation of Veterans Day, city offices will be closed on Friday, November 10, 2023. Offices will reopen during regular hours on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023.
Essential personnel will remain on duty, should an emergency arise. If Slidell residents experience problems with their water or sewer service, they should call the City Services 24-hour emergency hotline at (985) 643-6140.

In preparation for Christmas events in Heritage Park, a portion of Bayou Lane (from Pennsylvania Ave. to the Heritage Park Boat Launch) that runs through Heritage Park will be closed to vehicular traffic starting on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, to Monday, November 20, 2023.

Access to the Heritage Park Boat Launch will not be obstructed. The children’s playground area will also remain open, but parking immediately next to the playground will not be accessible. Guests should park in the shell parking lot on the corner of Bayou Lane and Pennsylvania Ave. or near the boat launch.

Starting Wednesday, November 1, a section of Carey Street will closed to traffic going northbound from Old Spanish Trail to Guzman Street for roadway construction. The southbound lane will remain open.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the construction should be completed by Wednesday, Nov. 22.

There are many great events happening in Olde Towne Slidell this weekend and several streets in Olde Towne will be closed for each event.

NO PARKING ZONES:

Due to public safety, once bollards and barricades are in place, any vehicle that is inside the No Parking Zone will not be able to leave the area until the event ends and bollards are removed. It is also possible that vehicles will be towed. “Special Event No Parking” signs are placed throughout Olde Towne to notify everyone of the closures.

Friday, October 27: Olde Towne Slidell Zombie Crawl starting at 5 p.m.

For the Zombie Crawl, sections of Cousin, First, Robert and Carey will be blocked from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. See the map for more details.

Saturday, October 28: Slidell Antiques & Crafts Street Fair, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For the Antique Street Fair, sections of Erlanger, First, and Second will be closed starting Friday at 5 p.m. and reopening Sunday at 5 p.m. See the map for more details.

Sunday, October 29: Slidell Antiques & Crafts Street Fair, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For the Antique Street Fair, sections of Erlanger, First, and Second will be closed starting Friday at 5 p.m. and reopening Sunday at 5 p.m. See the map for more details.