Timber Ridge Adventure Park and Dark Woods Haunted Attraction are heading downtown for the 25th Annual Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival, taking place September 18–19, 2026, along the downtown Natchitoches riverbank.
Festival admission is free, with two days of meat pies, live music, food vendors and family-friendly entertainment celebrating one of Natchitoches’ most famous traditions.
Mine for Real Treasure
Timber Ridge will introduce a new portable version of the Lost Treasure Mining Company treasure sluice. Young explorers can purchase a mining package, wash it through the working water sluice and keep every treasure they uncover.
Treasure-mining packages start at just $9.99.
It is a hands-on taste of the discovery and adventure guests experience at the full-size Lost Treasure Mining Company attraction at Timber Ridge.
Dark Woods Performs “Thriller”
Once darkness falls, creatures from Dark Woods Haunted Attraction will take over the riverbank for a special performance of “Thriller.”
Watch for the monsters to emerge after dark and bring a taste of the Dark Woods Halloween season to downtown Natchitoches. The official performance time will be announced through the festival and Timber Ridge social-media pages.
The free festival will also feature hot-air balloons both nights and a fireworks display Saturday night. Saturday’s activities include the 27th Cane River Run
, with registration from 9:00 a.m. until noon and the ride beginning at noon. Adults age 21 and older can also visit the free Brew Fest from 6:00–8:00 p.m. near the riverbank stage.
Festival Information
Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival
Friday and Saturday, September 18–19, 2026
Downtown Riverbank
103 Rue Beauport
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Free admission
Come enjoy the meat pies, mine for treasure and stay after dark for a performance you will not want to miss.
Complete festival information is available from the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival.
Timber Ridge and Dark Woods Bring Treasure and “Thriller” to the Meat Pie Festival
Haunted Attraction Hours
This special nighttime Halloween event runs on Fridays and Saturdays from 7:00 pm to 11pm.
Event & Box Office Hours
Dark Woods operates from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on scheduled nights. The box office closes at 10:00 pm. Guests must arrive before the box office closes to enter.
Chaperone Policy
All guests age 17 or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone age 21 or older with a valid photo ID. One chaperone may supervise no more than three guests age 17 or younger. Chaperones must be present at entry, remain inside the park and be reachable by phone throughout the visit. Unaccompanied minors may be denied entry or removed from the event.
Student Night Oct 31
Halloween belongs to the Demons! NSU students can experience both Dark Woods haunted attractions for just $20 general admission with a valid NSU student ID. Discounted tickets must be purchased in person at the box office on October 31. Bring your crew and end Halloween screaming!
Dark Woods Haunted Attraction is sponsored by
