Holidays in the New Orleans Area

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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 15–December 29: Mariah Carey’s Black Irish Holiday Bar: Celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of “All I Want for Christmas is You,” at Virgin Hotels’ month-long Black Irish Holiday Bar pop-up, created by Mariah Carey and brought to you by Bucket Listers. Indulge in themed Black Irish liqueur cocktails like the candy cane-rimmed espresso martinis, cotton candy-topped white chocolate martinis, and bourbon martinis with a pretzel twist. Plus ample photo ops galore. $20, includes a welcome signature cocktail and a ninety-minute reservation. virginhotels.com.

November 29–January 3: Celebration in the Oaks: ​​For more than forty years, thousands of visitors pour into New Orleans City Park 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 (6 pm–9 pm Christmas day), closed Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. celebrationintheoaks.com.

November 30–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.

December 1: 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—which will be decked out in the highest of holiday beauty. 10 am–5 pm. Free. Tours of the property will also be available. longuevue.com. 

December 1: 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. 

Saturdays and Sundays December 1–December 15, and December 20–24, 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. (504) 335-3129.  

December 3–7: Elf: The Musical: Will Ferrell crashing wide-eyed through James Caan's cynicism made Elf a Christmas classic when it hit movie theaters in 2003. More than twenty years later, the tale has spread to the stage with Elf! The Musical. Watch a hapless man learn that he is not, in fact, an elf. (So that's why he's so tall and can't make toys...) Song and dance are a natural fit. At the Saenger, with 7:30 pm performances Tuesday–Thursday; a 1 pm performance on Thursday; 8 pm on Friday; 10 am, 3 pm, and 8 pm on Saturday. Tickets start at $30. saengernola.com. 

December 4, 11, 18, 22: 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 (except for the December 22 concert, which is from 5:30 pm–6:30 pm). holiday.neworleans.com. See the schedule below: 

December 4: John Boutté

December 11: BeauSoleil’s Christmas Bayou avec Michael Doucet

December 18: Yusa & Mahmoud Chouki 

December 22: St. Louis Cathedral Christmas Choir Concert 

December 5: LPO: Classic Christmas: Join the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra for an evening at the Orpheum Theater, with performances of classic masterpieces such as Menotti’s “Introduction, “March,” and “Shepherds Dance” from Amahl and the Night Visitors, as well as Mendelssohn’s Vom Himmel Hoch, and excerpts from Handel’s Messiah. 7:30 pm. Tickets start at $35. lpomusic.com. 

December 6–8: 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 7: Algiers Bonfire and Concert: The Westbank’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. Free. neworleans.com. 

December 7: Children's Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade: This holiday parade will roll again in downtown New Orleans featuring thirty Mardi Gras World-created floats outfitted with technology like animatronics, intelligent lighting systems, special effects, and beyond. All the grandeur of the city’s globally-recognized Carnival phenomenon finds its way to the streets for the Christmas season. The parade 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 until 3 pm. Free. nolaholidayparade.com. 

December 7: St. Nick Celebration: A very New Orleans celebration of the season, with live music, kids' activities, and a Saint Nick Second Line in Dutch Ally at the French Market. 11 am–4 pm. Free. frenchmarket.org.

December 7: Krewe of Krampus NOLAuf Parade: Here’s the only Christmas Parade in the region where you might just end up with a lump of coal from the creepy German folkloric figure himself. In the walking parade tradition of New Orleans, this unusual event draws together performers and creative costumery for the most over-the-top celebration of Krampuslauf this side of the Alps. Rolls at 7:30 pm. Find the route at kreweofkrampus.com.

December 8: Cajun Holiday Tea with Papa Noel on the Creole Queen: Get cozy on the Mississippi River with a classic holiday tea featuring storytelling, delicious treats, face painting, magic tricks, and plenty of merriment (you can even hold a live gator named Gaston) thanks to Papa Noel and Mrs. Noel, who are visiting the Crescent City this holiday. $70; $50 for children ages three to twelve; $10 for children two and younger; $20 for bottomless mimosas on board. bigeasy.com. 

December 8: NOBA's "Nutcracker Suite" : The enchanting holiday adventure of a lifetime awaits, with marzipan, Spanish chocolate, Chinese tea, and more. Join the New Orleans Ballet Association for their rendition of Tchaikovsky's classic, featuring over one hundred dancers from the New Orleans area ages six to over seventy years old. The performances will take place in Dixon Hall at Tulane University at 3 pm and 6 pm. $20. nobadance.com. 

December 8–14: 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 fresh squeezed juices from Chef Dave of Resurrection Gardens—all at Paradigm Holiday Brunch Market. 10 am–4 pm (music from noon–2 pm). Free. paradigmgardensnola.com. 

December 13–23: The New Orleans Ballet Theater Presents, “The Nutcracker”: New Orleans’s professional dance company returns for the holiday season with this beloved classic, featuring over 120 local children performing alongside the company to tell the story of the Sugar Plum Fairy, a Rat King, and a Nutcracker Prince. Performances at the Orpheum Theater on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 pm; Sundays at 2 pm, plus a special December 23 matinee. Tickets start at $40. neworleansballettheatre.com. 

December 14: Running of the Santas: With the return of Running of the Santas, thousands of jolly, be-jingled joggers will descend on New Orleans’s Warehouse District at 2 pm, starting at the South Pole (aka Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar). 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; $75 VIP. runningofthesantas.com.

December 14: 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 14–15: 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. $36–$50. prcno.org.

December 17: 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 $36. orpheumnola.net.

December 18: An Evening with Gregory Porter’s Holiday Tour: Grammy-nominated jazz singer Gregory Porter stops by the Orpheum Theater with his beloved Christmas album in hand. Porter has risen quickly into the top ranks of today's jazz and R&B vocalists with his innate gift for songwriting and one of the most captivating baritone voices working today. Raised in California, Porter cites the Bakersfield Southern Gospel sound, as well as his mother's Nat King Cole record collection, as fundamental influences on his own sound. "I firmly consider myself a jazz singer but I enjoy blues, southern soul, and gospel," says Porter. "Those elements make their way inside my music. And I've always heard them in jazz." His 2023 Christmas album, Christmas Wish, pays tribute to many of the jazz greats including Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Martin Gaye, and others. Expect soulful deep cuts of classics like “Silent Night,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “Purple Snowflakes,” and “Someday at Christmas”. 7:30 pm. Tickets start at $75. orpheumnola.net. 

December 19: LPO: Holiday Spectacular: The Orpheum gets lit for the holidays with special help from the LPO and an especially lively setlist featuring some of the best from the classical holiday repertoire, including Holcombe’s “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” Wendel’s “Chanukah Overture,” Herbert’s “Champagne Galop,” and others. 7:30 pm. Tickets start at $35. lpomusic.com.

December 20–30: 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. $25 weekdays; $30 weekends. nolachristmasfest.com. 

December 21–22: JPAS Presents, The Nutcracker: Tchaikovsky’s great holiday work gets another local adaptation at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center, featuring the classic score performed by the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra and choreography by Kimberly Matulich-Beck with the Jefferson Ballet Theatre. Follow Clara on Christmas Eve through the wonders of the Land of the Sweets. 2 pm each day. $30–$80. jeffersonpac.com.

December 21–22: 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 22: Patio Planters Holiday Home Tour: The Patio Planters of the Vieux Carré once again present iconic Quarter homes dressed up for the season. The self-guided walking tour includes details about architectural styles and home furnishings, as well as Christmas decor collections. Homes will be open from noon–4 pm; $35 in advance, $40 day-of. Tickets can be picked up or purchased at The Cabildo. patioplanters.net. 

December 22: 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 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 Dinner Caroling 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, with jazz entertainment and caroling to boot. Boards at 5 pm, returns at 8 pm. $99. creolequeen.com.

December 27–29: Creole Christmas Tours: Explore some of the Quarter’s most storied properties in all their holiday finery with this special tour facilitated by Friends of the Cabildo. Historic homes include the Beauregard-Keyes House, Gallier House, Hermann-Grima House, 1850 House, Historic New Orleans Collection, and Spring Fiesta. 10 am–3 pm. hgghh.org.