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 28–January 1: 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. 6 pm–10 pm Mondays–Thursday; 5 pm–10 pm Fridays–Saturdays; 5 pm–9 pm Sundays. (6 pm–10 pm Christmas day). celebrationintheoaks.com.

November 30, Saturdays and Sundays December 6–December 21, and December 22–24, 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. Three to four seatings each day. $160 for everyone older than eleven; $128 for ages three to ten. VIP options available. therooseveltneworleans.com.  

December 2–TBA: 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 5: LPO: Classical Christmas: Join the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra for an evening at the Orpheum Theater, with performances of classic masterpieces, such as excerpts from Handel’s Messiah. 7:30 pm. Tickets start at $35. lpomusic.com. 

December 5: Riverfront Réveillon: A Taste of 1940s New Orleans: The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts’ Culinary Arts and Entertainment Production Design departments presents an immersive, old-school dining experience at NOCCA’s Lupin Hall. Enjoy a four-course dinner, kicking off with Cajun-inspired hors d'oeuvres before embarking on three seated courses with wine pairings. 6 pm. $150. noccafoundation.org.

December 5–7: 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 3 pm–8 pm, Saturday 11 am–8 pm , Sunday 11 am–4 pm. Free. deutscheshaus.org.

December 5–7 & 12–14: Marigny Opera Ballet presents "Winterlight":  Nationally acclaimed choreographer Christian Denice premieres a full-length ballet for the holiday season, set to traditional Nordic folk music. The performance seeks to evoke light in the darkness of midwinter. 8 pm. $60; $42 for students and seniors. marignyoperahouse.org.

December 5–14: JPAS presents "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer": Inspired by the beloved. television special, follow along with Rudolph and friends (including Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, and Yukon Cornelius) as they set out to save Christmas. Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets start at $28. jpas.org.

December 6: 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 pm–8 pm at the Algiers Ferry Landing, 200 Morgan Street. Free. algierseconomic.com.

December 6: Manning Family Children's Holiday Parade: This holiday parade will roll in downtown New Orleans featuring thirty festive, holiday-themed floats. Expect all the grandeur of the city’s globally-recognized Carnival phenomenon transformed for the Christmas season. The parade starts at The French Market with an extended route through downtown. Parade rolls at 11 am. Free. nolaholidayparade.com. 

December 6: 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 6–21: Brunch with Santa at Le Pavillon Hotel: Each Saturday in December, enjoy a gourmet holiday brunch at Le Pavillon Hotel—with old St. Nick himself as the guest of honor. Children will receive a special teddy bear gift from Santa, along with a professional photo capturing the magic of the moment. 10 am–noon. Not available the Saturday after Christmas. $130; $90 for children. lepavillon.com.

December 7: Norco Christmas Parade: The town of Norco's Christmas parade returns to the small town's streets this year, starting on River Road and Apple Street. The theme will be “Norco Noel: Santa Celebrates 100 Years of Norco.” Be sure to stop by the Veterans Memorial after for a free photo with Santa in front of the community Christmas tree. 1 pm. norconoel.com.

December 7: 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–4 pm. Free. Tours of the property will also be available. longuevue.com. 

December 7: Paradigm Gardens Holiday Market: Shop from twenty local art and craft vendors, pet a pygmy goat, get a chair massage, enjoy live music, and even have a farm-to-table brunch—all at Paradigm Holiday Brunch Market. 10 am–3 pm (music from noon–2 pm). Free. paradigmgardensnola.com. 

December 7: 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 12: "The Muppet Christmas Carol" in Concert": The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra provides a live accompaniment to this classic Christmas special, inspired by Charles Dickens' famous tale. 7:30 pm–9:30 pm at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Tickets start at $34. lpomusic.com.

December 12–14 & 24: Festival of the Bonfires: The little town of Lutcher has made a tradition of its own, celebrating its Festival of the Bonfires each December. Call it Christmas lights Cajun style, it's a prelude to the Christmas Eve bonfires later in the month. The sparks and holiday cheer ignite Friday afternoon at 2 pm, with the festival continuing all day Saturday and Sunday with Christmas on the River at Lutcher Recreational Park. Enjoy live entertainment, great food, crafts, carnival rides, and more fun for the entire family. On Christmas Eve, the bonfires are lit to light the way for Papa Noël. festivalofthebonfires.org.

December 13: 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 thanks to Papa Noel and Mrs. Noel, who are visiting the Crescent City this holiday. Boarding at 10 am. $79; $59 for children ages three to twelve; $19 for children two and younger; $25 for bottomless mimosas on board. bigeasy.com. 

December 13: 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; free for children five and younger. scienceforourcoast.org.

December 13–14: 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. $35–$50. prcno.org.

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. 7 pm Fridays; 2 pm and 7 pm Saturdays; 2 pm Sundays, plus two special December 22 and 23 matinees. Tickets start at $43. 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). 2 pm. $25; $100 VIP. runningofthesantas.com.  

December 16: 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 $47. orpheumnola.net.

December 18: 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 "Sleigh Ride," "Let It Snow," "The Bells of Christmas," and more. 7:30 pm–9:30 pm. Tickets start at $35. lpomusic.com.

December 19–21: 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 with the Jefferson Ballet Theatre. Follow Clara on Christmas Eve through the wonders of the Land of the Sweets. 7:30 pm Friday; 2 pm Saturday and Sunday. Tickets start at $28. jpas.org.

December 20–21: 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 $54. mahaliajacksontheater.com. 

December 20–29: NOLA ChristmasFest: Thousands of Louisianans descend on the New Orleans 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: Caroling in Jackson Square: For one magical night, Jackson Square glows with hundreds of candles, held by amateur and professional singers alike. Join the crowd for an enchanting evening of music, merriment, and illumination. 6:30 pm. Free. holiday.neworleans.com.

December 21: 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–6 pm. Free. frenchmarket.org.  

December 21: 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 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. $110. creolequeen.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 pm–9:15 pm. $180. graylineneworleans.com. 

December 27–28: 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. 3:30 pm. $44. hgghh.org.