If there’s a bigger holiday fireworks event in North Louisiana than the Rockets Over the Red Fireworks Festival, I don’t know what it is. The 2019 edition of Rockets Over the Red will be held, 4-7 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 30 at Riverview Park in downtown Shreveport and at Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets in Bossier City. The event is free to attend, though there’ll be lots of fun ways to spend a little money once you arrive.
RSVP to the official Facebook event for the 2019 Rockets Over the Red Fireworks Festival.
From free photos with Santa (bring your own camera!) to Christmas tree lightings, bounce houses, live music, and food trucks – Rockets Over the Red has grown into a major annual Christmas festival. For a complete rundown of event details, check out the official website.
Here are five aspects of this year’s festival that are new, improved, or different from previous years:
Kick things off with a screening of Elf at 2 p.m.
Though Rockets Over the Red officially begins at 4 p.m., SPAR will host a free, outdoor screening of the classic Christmas comedy Elf at Riverview Park at 2 p.m. Right around the time the film is wrapping up, all of the other festivities will be getting started – and Elf fans will already have their spot on the park lawn!
See the Coca-Cola Christmas Caravan at Riverview Park
One of Coca-Cola’s iconic, lighted Christmas trucks will be on display during Rockets Over the Red near Riverview Park in Shreveport. The truck will be in place by 4 p.m., along with a polar bear mascot and elves handing out free samples.
Take the “Jingle Bell Bus” between festival viewing locations
For the first time ever, Rockets Over the Red attendees will have the option to hop aboard “the Jingle Bell Bus,” a SporTran bus that will run continuously throughout the afternoon and evening, making stops at Commerce Street at Festival Plaza, the Red River District, Commerce Street at Caddo Street, and Milam Street at Clyde Fant Parkway on the Shreveport side, as well as the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets (near the movie theaters) and East Bank District on the Bossier side. Rides will be $1.25 per adult one-way ticket, $.60 for children, and free for children under 37 inches. Exact change is required.
Wanna dance? Plan accordingly!
While you wait for the fireworks to begin, would you rather hear funky party jams or laid-back, folksy Americana? Live music scheduled for the Riverview Park stage will include The Syndicate at 4 p.m., Lance Thompson at 5 p.m., and Tipsey the Band at 6 p.m. Live music at Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets will include the Bossier Parish Talented Arts Jazz Band at 4 p.m. and sets by Magnolia Mae at 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7:30 p.m.
Break out your golf cart for a one-of-a-kind night
Own a golf cart? If so, consider joining in the fun during the East Bank District‘s first-ever East Bank Golf Cart Parade (here’s the Facebook event). This parade of festively-decorated golf carts will begin at 6 p.m. and end immediately before the fireworks. The best-decorated golf cart will take home a $500 prize. If you’d like to sign up, you can do so here – registrations must be received by Nov. 18.
Looking for more holiday events in Shreveport-Bossier? Check out www.HolidaysontheRed.com.
Download The Holly Jolly Handbook, a pocket-sized guide to holiday events in Shreveport-Bossier.
20×49.com is a publication of The Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau.
