The City of Slidell is celebrating the holiday season with the 32nd annual Christmas Under the Stars starting on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. This festive celebration includes twinkling lights, holiday decorations, the life-size Christmas Cottages, Slidell’s Nativity, the Frozen Ice Castle, Christmas songs, and much more at Griffith Park in Olde Towne Slidell. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. and the lights will remain on display every night through Sunday, January 3, 2021. Admission is free.

“Christmas is my favorite time of the year, and we are excited to be able to offer our citizens Christmas Under the Stars this year,” said Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer. “Because of COVID-19, some things will be different. But we do encourage families to come to Griffith Park to see the light displays and enjoy this beloved Slidell Christmas tradition.”

Christmas Cottages, Slidell’s Nativity and Frozen Ice Castle created by Lori Gomez
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina damaged the city’s original Christmas cottages and nativity scene. The cottages returned in 2014  when local artist Lori Gomez lovingly recreated several of the beloved cottages, including Slidell’s Nativity, Santa’s Workshop, Cajun Cottage, Victorian Cottage and the Frozen Ice Castle, which was  inspired by the Disney movie Frozen. These beautiful life-size scenes will be on display in Griffith Park during Christmas Under the Stars.

Rip Roarin’ Rosies Christmas Houses
Led by First Lady Peggy Cromer, the Habitat for Humanity Women’s Build the Rip Roarin’ Rosies team constructed three adorable houses that will be used for Christmas Under the Stars display. Thank you to all the ladies who made this possible!

Christmas on Front Street
The City of Slidell and Keep Slidell Beautiful have partnered with local organizations and businesses to spread some Christmas cheer this holiday season. The new Christmas on Front initiative will add LED lighted holiday displays along Front Street. The drive by light display will be sponsored by Keep Slidell Beautiful and local businesses and organizations.

Spirit of the Season Olde Towne Decoration Competition
Olde Towne Slidell will be decked-out this holiday season with lights and decorations. The City of Slidell and Olde Towne Slidell Main Street are hosting a Spirit of the Season decorating contest for businesses and residents within the Main Street District. Awards will be given for the best decorated residence and business, plus a new People’s Choice Award.

This year, you can help choose your favorite decorated location with the People’s Choice Award. To vote, post a picture of your favorite decorated Olde Towne business on Facebook and be sure to tag it with #OldeTowneSlidellSpiritOfTheSeason. You can also email the address of the residence or the name of the business to culturalarts@cityofslidell.org with the subject name Spirit of the Season.

So come explore Olde Towne Slidell this holiday season to enjoy lights and decorations, discover unique gifts, enjoy great food and drinks, and help award the best decorated location in Olde Towne.

Thanks to all of Santa’s Helpers
The City of Slidell would like to thank all the organizations, groups and clubs who are participating in the Parade of Trees. Special thanks to Lori Gomez,  Bonnie Vanney, and Catherine Olivier, the Christmas Under the Stars coordinator.  A big thank you to the City of Slidell’s departments of Public Operations, Parks & Recreation, Cultural & Public Affairs and the Slidell Police Department for making this event possible.

Christmas Under the Stars is brought to you by the City of Slidell’s Department of Cultural & Public Affairs, its Commission on the Arts and the city’s 2020 Cultural Season Sponsors, including Edge of the Lake Magazine; Northshore Plus ENJOY!; The Lake 94.7; Slidell Magazine; The Slidell Independent; Slidell Memorial Hospital and Ochsner; Sophisticated Woman Magazine; Acadian Ambulance; C. Ray Murry, Attorney At Law, LLC; Jazz on the Bayou/Ronnie Kole Foundation; Silver Slipper Casino; Councilman Bill & Laura Borchert; Lori Gomez Art; Lowry-Dunham, Case & Vivien Insurance Agency; Purple Armadillo Again; Chateau Bleu; CiCi’s Pizza; Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer; Flatliners Entertainment; Old School Eats Food Truck; Olde Towne Slidell Print Shop; Pontchartrain Investment Management; Roberta’s Cleaners; Sirocco Coffee Company; Slidell Historic Antique Association; Terry Lynn’s Café & Creative Catering; Tanya Witchen – Engel & Völkers Real Estate