Holidays in the New Orleans Area

×

Expand

Infrogmation of New Orleans, from Wikimedia commons

Lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel, long known for elaborate Christmas season decorations.

How to Celebrate the Holidays in New Orleans

From hotel hopping, to Teddy Bear Teas, to Christmas Eve Bonfires—here's everything you need to know about celebrating the holiday season in and around New Orleans. 

November 16–December 30: Red Hot Holiday Pop-Up at the Pool Club at Virgin Hotels New Orleans: Take in a stunning display of neon-lit red roses, cozy up to loved ones with s'mores or fondu in a heated "igloo" by the rooftop pool, and sip festively-garnished seasonal cocktails at this holiday-themed oasis for grown-ups. 10 am–10 pm, open later on Friday and Saturday. Prices vary from $10 on Mondays to various VIP packages. virginhotels.com.

November 23–December 30: Celebration in the Oaks: ​​Thousands of visitors pour into the largest park in New Orleans to see the magical winter spectacle, for which the park’s famous oaks are swathed in hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights across its twenty-five acres, including the Botanical Garden, Storyland, and Carousel Gardens. This year, the display will be available for viewing as a 2.25-mile driving tour as well as a walking experience. Or, experience it by bicycle during a dedicated Bike Night. There will also be a Carousel Gardens Train, holiday-themed Storyland, new exhibits, a festive outdoor bar, and more. $35 per person for a walking tour pass, or $40 for a driving tour pass. 5 pm–11 pm, closed Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. celebrationintheoaks.com.

November 25 and December 2, 9, 16, and 23: Movies with Santa: Prytania Theaters at Canal Place is hosting Santa (and your little ones, too) for a slate of favorite holiday movies at 10 am each Saturday. $10 tickets include popcorn and soda. canalplacestyle.com. 

November 28–January 1: Waldorf Wonderland: One of the most breathtaking light displays in New Orleans is when the Roosevelt lights its Grand Lobby, including 112,000 twinkling lights, 1,600 feet of garland, and 4,000 glass ornaments. Free. therooseveltneworleans.com.

Saturdays and Sundays November 26–December 27: Teddy Bear Tea: This delightful New Orleans tradition has enchanted young ones and adults alike for generations. At the gorgeously-decorated Roosevelt New Orleans, Santa and Mrs. Claus will welcome all to a presentation of holiday delights, specialty teas, tasty pastries, and mimosas for Mom and Dad. Two to three seatings each day. $95 for everyone older than eleven; $72 for ages three to ten. VIP options available. therooseveltneworleans.com. 

December 4, 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 18, and 21: Jackson Square Concert Series: This holiday tradition brings a mythical aura to the experience of holiday carols, setting local musicians, church choirs, and singers of all genres against the Gothic splendor of the historic St. Louis Cathedral or The Ashe Power House Theatre. Free and open to the public. 6 pm–7 pm. holiday.neworleans.com. See the schedule below: 

• December 4: Benny Grinch & the Bunch
• December 6: Josh Kagler & Harmonistic Praise Crusade
• December 7: Erica Falls (Ashe)
• December 11: Irma Thomas Sings for the Holidays
• December 13: Charlie Gabriel & Friends
• December 14: Alexey Marti & Cuban Afrogumbo (Ashe)
• December 18: Cameron Dupuy and the Cajun Troubadours
• December 21: Big Chief Donald Harrison (Ashe)

December 1–3: Christkindl Mart: The Deutsches Haus presents its annual Christkindl Mart, featuring vendors selling handmade or German-themed crafts, local bands and choirs, special German Christmas food favorites, and an appearance from Christkind, or St. Nicholas. Friday 4 pm–8 pm, Saturday 11 am–8 pm , Sunday 11 am–4 pm. Free. deutscheshaus.org.

December 1: The Blind Boys of Alabama at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center: The living gospel music legends and recent Grammy nominees will perform for one night only at 7:30 pm. $38–$73. jeffersonpac.com. 

December 2: Algiers Bonfire and Concert: The city's official kickoff to the holiday season includes local musical talent, food, drink, and of course a bonfire, which will light Santa's way down the Mississippi. The NOLA Burners (the New Orleans group that builds Burning Man sculptures every year) will once again have Brennan Steele create a unique bonfire sculpture. 4:30 pm–8 pm at the Algiers Ferry Landing, 200 Morgan Street. neworleans.com. 

December 2: Children's Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade: This holiday parade made its debut last year, and will roll again in downtown New Orleans featuring over twenty-five Mardi Gras World-created floats outfitted with technology like animatronics, intelligent lighting systems, special effects, and beyond. Starts at the corner of Esplanade Avenue and North Peters Street, traveling North Peters to Decatur Street through the French Market toward Jackson Square and Oscar Dunn Park. Parade rolls at 11 am, ends in Lafayette Square around 1 pm with a holiday celebration including music from Maggie Koerner and Trombone Shorty, food, and more until 3 pm. Free. nolaholidayparade.com. 

December 2: St. Nick Celebration: A very New Orleans celebration of the season, with live music, kids' activities, and a Saint Nick Second Line. Begins at 11 am at the French Market. frenchmarket.org.

December 2: Westin Santa Brunch: New Orleans's Westin Hotel welcomes families for a tasty buffet brunch and photos with Mr. Claus from 7 am–1 pm. canalplacestyle.com. 

December 2: Merry Market at Longue Vue House and Gardens: Crafts, an outdoor market place featuring local vendors, and photos with Santa all make up the Merry Market at Longue Vue House and Gardens. 1 pm–4 pm. $10; $5 for members. Half-price house tours also available. longuevue.com. 

December 2: Krewe of Krampus Parade: The Krewe of Krampus' NOLAuf Parade, where you might just end up with a lump of coal from the creepy German folkloric figure himself. Rolls at 7:30 pm. Find the route at kreweofkrampus.com.

December 2: New Orleans Spring Fiesta Association French Quarter Home & Courtyard Tour: Get a look behind the shutters of beautiful French Quarter homes decked out for the season. Begins at the Spring Fiesta Townhouse and lasts from 1:30 pm–4:30 pm. $35. springfiestanola.com. 

December 3: Paradigm Gardens Holiday Market: Shop from thirty local art and craft vendors, pet a pygmy goat, get a chair massage, enjoy live music, and even have a farm-to-table brunch with a hot cider at this market in Paradigm Gardens in Central City. Noon–4 pm. Free. paradigmgardensnola.com. 

December 3: Holiday Concert at Paradigm Gardens: Enjoy a performance of holiday favorites from Nayo Jones alongside food from Chef David Barbeau at this intimate outdoor concert. 6 pm and 8 pm. $25 paradigmgardensnola.com. 

December 3: Norco Christmas Parade: The small-town parade returns, complete with Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Destrehan High School band, the Riverside Academy Band, and marching groups including the 610 Stompers. 1 pm. Free. norconoel.org. 

December 5: Marine Forces Reserve Band Christmas Concert & JPAC Tree Lighting: Join the Jefferson Performing Arts Society in lighting up their twenty-foot-tall tree in the Jefferson Performing Arts Center (JPAC) lobby, followed by a performance from the Marine Forces Reserve Band. Hot cocoa and caroling will also be enjoyed. Concert at 7 pm, tree lighting prior. Free. jeffersonpac.com.

December 7–December 15: Hanukkah Nightly Lighting Ceremonies: Each evening at sundown, the Four Seasons Hotel will perform a candle lighting ceremony in their lobby in celebration of Hanukkah. Free. fourseasons.com. 

December 8–10, 15–17: The New Orleans Jazz Nutcracker: The Marigny Opera Ballet, resident dance company of the Marigny Opera House, brings the return of The New Orleans Jazz Nutcracker, after premiering to rave reviews in 2021. Set in Jackson Square on Christmas Eve, the full-length ballet is set against a score based on the original Tchaikovsky by New Orleans jazz musician Lawrence Sieberth and live accompaniment by his ten piece jazz ensemble. 8 pm. $60; $35 for students, seniors, etc. marignyoperaballet.org. 

December 9: Running of the Santas: With the return of Running of the Santas, thousands of jolly, be-jingled joggers will descend on New Orleans’ Warehouse District at 2 pm, starting at the South Pole (aka Manning's at 519 Fulton Street). At 6 pm, the Santas set off through the five-block fun run at speeds that would turn Rudolph’s nose green, heading for the North Pole (aka Generations Hall, 310 Andrew Higgins Drive). Event organizers are expecting more than four thousand costumed participants this year donned as Santa, Mrs. Claus, Scrooge, Jingle Bells, Jack Frost, Old Man Winter, and so many more; and a raucous costume contest to choose the best one. A portion of proceeds benefit the "That Others May Live" Foundation. 2 pm–11 pm. $15 general admission. runningofthesantas.com.

December 9: Lights on the Lake: Take in the Holiday Boat Parade from the best vantage point on the lake, the New Canal Lighthouse, with the Pontchartrain Conservancy. In addition to the great view, they promise a stellar live music line-up, delicious local food trucks, hot toddies and other seasonal refreshments, kids' educational activities and crafts, and pictures with Santa. 5 pm–8 pm. $10. scienceforourcoast.org.

December 9–10: Preservation Resource Center Holiday Home Tours: The PRC has once again collaborated with some of the city’s most talented landscape artists and architects to transform private yards and secret gardens into winter wonderlands. See for yourself at this annual tour of historic Garden District homes. 10 am–4 pm. prcno.org.

December 10: Festive Favorites, a Celebration of Community Music-Making: The Historic New Orleans Collection presents a special concert of holiday music from New Orleans and throughout history at St. Louis Cathedral. The evening of seasonal music will be performed by by the New Orleans Concert Band and special guest performers, led by Dr. Charles Taylor. 6 pm. Free. hnoc.org.

December 10: JPAS's Danny O’Flaherty’s Celtic Christmas: A joyful tale of the traditional holiday customs of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center. 2 pm. $27–$67. jpas.org. 

December 16–17: Delta Festival Ballet's The Nutcracker: Join Louisiana's largest resident, professional dance company, the Delta Festival Ballet, for their New Orleans rendition of the sweet, sweet classic, The Nutcracker, which features accompaniment performed by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. 6 pm Saturday, 2 pm Sunday at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Tickets start at $35. mahaliajacksontheater.com.

December 16–17: Jefferson Performing Arts Society's The Nutcracker: Another adaptation of Tchaikovsky's timeless ballet, at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center. 2 pm. $23–$78. jpas.org. 

December 17: French Quarter Holiday Home Tour: The Patio Planters of the Vieux Carré once again present iconic Quarter homes dressed up for the season. The tour includes details about architectural styles and home furnishings, as well as Christmas decor collections. Self guided walking tours take place between noon–4 pm; $35 in advance, $40 day of. patioplanters.net. 

December 17: Caroling in Jackson Square: This free community singalong has illuminated the Square by candlelight since 1946, filling the air with holiday favorites. Complimentary songbooks and candles will be provided. 7 pm. free. patioplanters.net. 

December 19: Harry Shearer and Judith Owen’s Christmas Without Tears: The Welsh-born pianist and singer-songwriter joins her husband, comedian and actor of The Simpsons fame Harry Shearer, for the holiday revue that began in the couple's living room and is now one of New Orleans' favorite irreverently funny Yuletide traditions. This year, ticket sales benefit The Innocence Project New Orleans. 8 pm at the Orpheum. Tickets start at $39.50. ticketmaster.com.

December 21–30: NOLA ChristmasFest: Thousands of Louisianans descend on the Ernest Morial Convention Center, drawn by the vision of carving graceful arcs into the ice skating rink alongside Santa at the center of NOLA ChristmasFest's festivities. In any case, the event promises to heal bruised prides (and bottoms) with holiday characters, amusement rides, themed inflatables, arts & crafts, decorated Christmas trees, and a gingerbread house exhibition. Inside the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Sessions will be held from 11 am–3:30 pm and 4:30 pm–9 pm on December 21–23 and December 26–30, 11 am–3:30 pm on Christmas Eve, and 1 pm–5 pm on Christmas Day. $25 weekdays; $30 weekends. nolachristmasfest.com. 

December 24: Christmas Eve "Bonfire Adventure" Tour: Experience the magic of the bonfires along the levee in the River Parishes lighting the way for Papa Nöel, illuminated further by guided tour narration. The Grayline tour includes Destrehan Plantation, a Cajun holiday dinner, eggnog and Christmas cookies on the bus ride, a police escort to facilitate travel, and a souvenir. Departs from the Toulouse Street Dock in New Orleans. 2:30 pm–9 pm. $159. graylineneworleans.com. 

December 24: Christmas Eve "Bonfire Express" Tour: Those wanting to take in the bonfires on the levee with a guided tour, but not devote their whole afternoon to a tour of the River Parishes, can opt for Grayline's "Bonfire Express" tour, which provides a motor coach to see the bonfires, Christmas cookies and eggnog, and narration. 4:45 pm–9 pm. $74. graylineneworleans.com. 

December 24: Christmas Eve Dinner Jazz Cruise: No better place to catch a glimpse of Santa on his way than floating on the Mississippi. Enjoy holiday-decorated dining on the Creole Queen riverboat. Boards at 5 pm, returns at 8 pm. $99. creolequeen.com.

December 24: Christmas Eve on the Steamboat Natchez: Experience Christmas Eve on the Mississippi river with a Victorian holiday dining room, a jazz trio, a holiday buffet from Chef Steve Wells, optional drinks, and of course the view of the lights of New Orleans on the shore. Departs from Toulouse Street and the Mississippi River. 6 pm–9 pm. $95 adults, $44 for children six–twelve, $22.25 for children under six. steamboatnatchez.com. 

December 25: Christmas Day "Jingling through the Crescent" Tour: See the Crescent City decked in its holiday finery on this guided Grayline motorcoach tour, which will venture into New Orleans's most historic neighborhoods to see its most festive sites, from the lobby lights of the Roosevelt to the New Basin Canal Lighthouse. Departs at 10 am from the Grayline Ticket Office in the French Quarter. $49 for adults, $20 for kids. graylineneworleans.com.