Christmas Bonfires: A Unique South Louisiana Experience

The towering logs, the crackle of flames, the warmth and glow pushing aside the deep darkness – bonfires have been used as markers of celebrations and rituals for centuries, and civilizations across the globe have incorporated the practice in festivals and religious practices since ancient times. Here in South Louisiana, our bonfires have a history with as many twists and turns as the Mighty Mississippi River, the lifeblood of our region.

Christmas Eve bonfire on the levee (via louisianatravel.com)

Families come together between Thanksgiving and Christmas to build large wooden structures, some simple pyramid shapes and some elaborate constructions of local landmarks and more, and on Christmas Eve night, they light these structures stretched all along the levee system, creating quite the spectacle. In some areas, the event is smaller and more community-centered, while other places like Lutcher and Algiers actually host bonfire festivals early in the holiday season, complete with huge, flaming structures, concerts, food and craft vendors, and a festival pageant.

Ask any locals why we light bonfires along the levees – the earthen embankments that line the river and hold it in place – each year around Christmas, and the most common answer you will receive is possibly the sweetest: We’re lighting the way for Papa Noel (Santa Claus), who will head down the Mississippi in his boat pulled by his faithful alligators (instead of reindeer) on Christmas Eve and visit all the little children of South Louisiana. This story, while endearing and easy to envision, does not quite capture the full history of bonfire season in our region.

Papa Noel in his pirogue, guided by his trusty gators

Some have said that it is a nod to our European roots, and that the practice was brought to this region by French-German settlers in the 1700s who were observing winter solstice traditions, but the oral and written histories do not quite line up. Some have even said that it was a practice of those enslaved in the plantations along the Mississippi River – that they would build bonfires to celebrate the end of harvest. Most likely, though, is the belief that the bonfire tradition was actually brought here post-Civil War by French settlers (not who we know now as Cajuns) and made popular by a group of priests. These fires may have had multiple purposes during the Christmas season, especially lighting the way along the river to mass on Christmas Eve.

Traditional Bonfire Pyre, Gramercy, Louisiana, 1989. Photo: Marcia Gaudet (via louisianafolklife.org)

However the tradition may have started, today our communities have adopted them with vigor, creating spectacular displays and events that people travel from all over to experience. Typically groups of boys and men, “bonfire clubs,” cut down and gather wood along the river or in areas behind their homes and plan out the structure for their fire. While most are the traditional four- or six-sided pyramid shape, some are built to resemble animals like huge alligators or structures like the Superdome or historical plantations that used to line the river. Customarily, there are also informal fireworks displays, drinking, and general merriment during these events, whether they are the neighborhood bonfires or the larger festivals.

Whether you are looking to enjoy a pre-Christmas event or celebrate welcoming Papa Noel on Christmas Eve, be sure to check out this fun, festive tradition that has become so unique to South Louisiana!