The city of Lake Charles is altering its Light up the Lake Christmas activities due to a strong threat of inclement weather today. The Holiday Art Walk Downtown hosted by the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA is cancelled. The Lakefront Christmas concert will now take place inside the Civic Center Mezzanine from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The lighting ceremony, boat parade and fireworks over the lake will take place as currently scheduled. Lake Charles Toyota, Entergy, Visit Lake Charles and McNeese Banners Series are the presenting sponsor for this year’s events.

The Girl Scouts of Louisiana Pines to the Gulf continue a decade-long tradition of Christmas caroling when they kickoff festivities in the Civic Center Mezzanine at 3:30 p.m. Rory Partin and His Big Band will take the stage at 4 p.m. This 18-piece band is sure to get the crowd in the holiday spirit.

Gather around Millennium Park for the city’s first-ever park lighting ceremony. A special guest will join Mayor Nic Hunter to flip the switch at 5:45 p.m. Simultaneously, the entire grounds of the Civic Center will come to life with a magical lighting display. Be sure to see the crowd-favorite “12 Days of Christmas” display, along with numerous new installations. Food trucks, hot chocolate, Christmas treats and reindeer games will fill the grounds of the Civic Center and stretch along Bord du Lac Drive.

The Lake Charles Power Squadron will host Lake Charles’ unique Lighted Boat Parade along the boardwalk at 6:30 p.m. Residents can look to the sky at 6:45 p.m. for the fireworks extravaganza. Tune into KBYS 88.3-FM McNeese Radio for the simulcast music as the fireworks light up the lake. Additional support for the fireworks is provided by Dunham Price and Devall Towing.

Throughout the month of December, the City of Lake Charles will provide Christmas programming at Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center, 1001 Ryan Street. On Dec. 3, a holiday edition of Meet Me at the Market will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. It will include caroling, dancing, live music, and a Christmas card workshop. Black Heritage Gallery Curator Jeanine Blaney will conduct Saturday craft workshops at 10 a.m. weekly. “Turning Pages” reading program for children will make its return at 11 a.m. weekly with Ward 3 Marshal Nathan Keller kicking off the series on Dec. 3.

Additionally, Millennium Park will feature special, extended hours for the holiday season to allow children the opportunity to visit this Winter Wonderland of Christmas lights. Beginning Friday, Dec. 2, the park will stay open until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturday nights. On Sundays, beginning Dec, 4, the park will remain open until 8 p.m. A complete list of special holiday hours and closures can be found at www.cityoflakecharles.com/Christmas and www.facebook.com/LakeCharlesLouisiana as the season progresses.

All events are free for attendees. For more information, contact the City of Lake Charles at 337-491-9159, www.cityoflakecharles.com.