Ring in the holiday season at LSUS's tree lighting

By Matt Vines November 17, 2025

SHREVEPORT – Northwest Louisiana is invited to ring in the holiday season at LSUS’s Holiday Tree Lighting on Nov. 20.

The family-friendly event will feature Santa Claus, train rides, holiday music, hot chocolate, cookies, and pictures with the lit tree.

The free event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the tree lighting occurring at dusk.

The tree, which stands more than 15 feet tall, sits in LSUS’s Circle of Excellence between the Administration Building and the Noel Memorial Library.

Edie Williams, the matriarch of the tree lighting event and wife to the late Dr. Lacy Williams, will do the tree lighting honors. The Williams, longtime LSUS supporters, donated the holiday tree that started the tree lighting tradition.

“With many thanks to the late Dr. Lacy and Edie Williams, this celebration has grown into one of LSUS’s favorite traditions,” said Laura Perdue, executive director of the LSUS Foundation. “We are so happy the community continues to join us.”

Strings of white lights adorn the surrounding rows of crepe myrtles, LSUS’s most physically identifying landmark on campus.

Just like the crepe myrtles, the Holiday Tree Lighting has cemented itself as one of LSUS’s most well-known traditions.

“The Holiday Tree Lighting is about celebrating a time of season where we refocus on connections with other people,” said Leigh Chambers, executive director of events and community initiatives. “It’s about providing an opportunity in the season of giving, of celebration, and of lights – common themes in a variety of cultures – to take a moment as a campus and community to reflect on what the season means.

“We’re opening our campus for people to experience the holiday magic. And nothing is more magical than being in darkness and looking up at the beautiful lights on the crepe myrtles and the lights on that giant tree.”