Alexandria Louisiana Entertainment & Events

Special Events

Rapides Parish Fair
Rapides Parish Coliseum
318-473-6605
This week-long, old fashioned fair has exhibits, food, and a large carnival with rides for both adults and children. Good old fashioned food competitions are also held. Held in October. more...

Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center
1202 3rd Street • Alexandria, LA 71301
Corner of 3rd and Lee & 3rd and Washington
318-443-4718 x 4 (Box Office)
Located in the arts and entertainment district of historic downtown Alexandria, Louisiana, the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center presents live theatre, dance and music productions. more...
Rapides Symphony Orchestra
1101 Fourth Street, Suite 201 • Alexandria, LA 71301
318-442-9709
Now celebrating its 40th annual concert season, the Rapides Symphony Orchestra presents a five-concert subscription series, plus a Pops Concert at the Riverfront Amphitheater. The orchestra sponsors an annual Concerto Competition for Louisiana students in two age brackets (10-18 and 19-25), a Youth Honor Orchestra, and music education for public schools through its “Artists-in-Classrooms” program. more...

Family Playhouse
2700 Lee Street • Alexandria, LA 71301
318-442-6500
A nonprofit educational theatre for children of all ages that presents well known turn-of-the century children's classics and historical literature, nostalgic past and tried and true Broadway favorites, and much more with all stage productions being original adaptations with original classical music. more...
City Park Players
2 Sylvester Street • Alexandria, LA 71301
318-442-1800
Established in 1948, this theatre company provides the best in live theatre to Central Louisiana with year round productions including high quality plays and musicals. more...

Louisiana Pecan Festival
Held in Downtown Colfax
318-627-5196
Held the first full weekend in November, the Louisiana Pecan Festival is an annual two-day event that features arts, crafts, contests, a street dance, guest performances, and a parade. more...
Lousiana Extreme Monster Truck Nationals
Rapides Parish Coliseum
817-366-1784
Known as one of the best, most exciting, aggressive, crowd pleasing, Monstersports shows in the world! Forming a relationship with the AMTA "American Monster Truck Association," has allowed both companies to provide anything needed in motorsports, anywhere it is needed. From 1 show every 60 days, to one of the top in the USA, with over 50 shows each year. more...
Louisiana Nursery Festival
318-442-9546
Held in Forrest Hill, the "Nursery Capital of Louisiana," this two-day festival features educational programs and nursery tours, as well as arts, crafts, and entertainment. Held in March. more...
Grant Parish Dogwood Festival
Held at LaCroix Park in Pollock
318-765-3796
An annual festival, held each year the first Saturday in April, the Grant Parish Dogwood Festival celebrates the dogwood tree and its products and features family-oriented activities and music.

Alexandria Aces Baseball
1 Babe Ruth Drive • Alexandria, LA 71301
Bringhurst Park
318-473-2237
Join team mascot, "Alex the Ace," and see the Texas - Louisiana League 2001 Organization of the Year in action from May through September. more...
Louisiana Lawnmower Racing Association
Located at the Louisana Lawnmower Racing Speedway
318-628-1906
Located 40 miles from the Alex-Pineville area, this speedway features the "Greatest Show On Dirt". The racing season lasts from March through November.

Mardi Gras
1260 Texas Avenue • Alexandria, LA 71301
Mardi Gras is always 41 days before Easter. The Alexandria festivities culminate with a downtown parade for children followed by a larger family style parade on Sunday. The parade is attended by more than 120,000 people who witness the 24 floats and carnival crews plus the local marching bands. more...
Mardi Gras Parade
Downtown and Mid-Town Alexandria
318-473-1127
With a focus on family fun and entertainment, this two day Mardi Gras au Coeur de la Louisianne, which means Mardi Gras in the Heart of Central Louisiana, boasts 24 colorful floats with 14 krewes and attendance of 110,000 in addition to 25,000 at the morning Children's Parade.

Dogwood Auto Tour
Kisatchie National Forest Ranger District
318-473-7160;318-765-3554
Let Mother Nature show you the magic she is working in Louisiana, and enjoy a 10-mile interpretive auto tour through a beautifully scented pine forest loaded with natural, white-flowering dogwood blossoms in the spring. Hiking and biking trails as well as picnic areas are also available.