New Orleans loves an excuse to celebrate! You’ll find parades and festivals on year round, and during the holiday season there are plenty of great events to immerse yourself into.
During the festive season, New Orleans can rival even heavyweight destinations like New York at Christmas with its incredible lights, decorations and festive attractions.
Whether you’re exploring the French Quarter with its dazzle of Christmas lights, attending midnight mass at St Louis Cathedral or taking the kids to ChristmasFest, a trip to New Orleans during the Christmas season will leave the whole family with memories to last a lifetime.
To help you plan your Christmas in New Orleans, let’s dive into this comprehensive post and find the best things to do and places to visit to get your Christmas cheer on.
Remember that many of these events and attractions are open for the entire month of December and beyond. So, you don’t need to spend Christmas Day itself here to enjoy a festive break in the Crescent City.
The best things to do at Christmas in New Orleans
Shop the Christmas Stores
Even if by the time you get here, you’re too late to decorate your tree this year, you can get into the holiday spirit any time of year at these stores and pick up a New Orleans Christmas souvenir. It’s a great reminder of your visit to the Big Easy!
I bought a glass bauble with jazz musicians on it from Christmas Quarters at 1027 Decatur St. It’s located almost opposite the French Market and filled to the brim with Christmas things and blings. Another one to try is Merry Christmas and all That Jazz along at 820 Decatur.
See the spectacular holiday lights at Celebration in the Oaks
From the 29 November until 3 January 2025, the Celebration in the Oaks in City Park is perhaps the biggest New Orleans family Christmas tradition, and has been running since the 1980s. It’s one of the most spectacular Christmas light shows in the country.
When it gets dark the park is transformed into a winter wonderland with over one million twinkling lights, towering Christmas trees, and decorations throughout the acres of holiday displays and attractions.
Stroll through the beautifully decorated scenery and the botanical garden, or self-drive through the 2.25 mile festive roadway. There are unlimited amusement rides, festive hot chocolates (to protect against the Christmas chill) and the scent of pine trees wafts through the air.
Tickets are on sale from November 1, with funds going to the park’s maintenance and beautification.
Join the Running of the Santas
As I said, New Orleans doesn’t need much of an excuse for a parade – or in this case, a fancy dressed boozy running race! This year the event is Saturday December 14 through the Warehouse District. Get your best Santa costume on and get your tickets for this fun run to get ito the spirit of the season.
Historic Homes Christmas Tour
The perfect tour for nosey parkers! Many of New Orleans’ famous historic homes join the city’s festive fun, decorating their exteriors and gardens with Christmas lights.
Head out to see these homes on your own, like Hermann-Grima House and Gallier House. Or you can join the annual Holiday Home Tour, held the weekend of 14-15 December and hosted by the Preservation Resource Center.
This fund-raising tour goes inside some of the beautifully decorated private homes in the historic French Quarter, St Charles Avenue and the Garden District. The houses are decorated with lights, wreaths, and other festive decorations.
You’ll learn about the stories of each location’s history during the tours, and the best thing of all; the money raised from the tours goes towards the preservation of these buildings, each an important part of the history of New Orleans.
NOLA ChristmasFest
Another family-friendly annual event in New Orleans, the NOLA ChristmasFest runs from 20-30 December, 2024.
Held at the New Orleans Convention Center, this indoor attraction includes the only ice-skating rink in the city, two miles of Christmas lights and lots of activities. There are carnival rides, ice slides made of real ice, a funhouse maze and a Snowy Summit Climbing Wall.
Children will get the opportunity to meet Santa Claus, Mrs Claus and Rudolph – taking a break from making presents in the North Pole to meet the children at Santa’s Grotto.
Tickets start at $25 for what is perhaps the most all-encompassing Christmas family day out in New Orleans.
Join the Jackson Square Caroling
There’s nothing that says Christmas in New Orleans more than a slide trombone in a Christmas carol! If you love a rumtpy singalong, then this one-off, one-hour event, to be held 22 December 2024, draws hundreds of locals, visitors and musicians to gather in Jackson Square and sing carols.
It’s a free event, put on by the Patio Planters from 7-8pm. Gates open at 6.30pm and complimentary song books and candles are given out. Dress warmly and get there early as crowds are huge. Or better still, make a booking at one of the surrounding restaurants and enjoy from the comfort of your table.
Stroll through Fulton Street
Down beside Harrah’s Casino is the magically decorated Fulton Street corridor, all lit up with festive bling for the holidays. This is a great spot for a selfie or photo op, no matter your age!
Think giant walk-through baubles strung with lights, a gigantic Christmas tree and fake snow all around. They call it Miracle on Fulton Street.
Events and Mass at St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square
The impressive St Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square, in the heart of the French Quarter, is one of the architectural highlights of New Orleans, dating to 1794. Built in Gothic style, it is the oldest Catholic cathedral in continuous use across in the United States.
Throughout December there are Christmas concerts. Plus Christmas Eve midnight mass and a 5pm vigil on Christmas Eve, for those who don’t want to wait up past Santa! There is also a Christmas Day service at 11am each year.
Check the Cathedral calendar for events and times.
Christmas Eve on the Mississippi River
Celebrate Christmas Eve with a cruise along the Mississippi River aboard the Creole Queen steamboat.
This quintessential New Orleans experience includes a delicious Creole dinner and a live jazz band playing holiday favorites like you’ve never heard them before with brass. After dinner, enjoy a cocktail and the Mississippi River breezes on the promenade deck.
Christmas Eve bonfires along the Mississippi River
Head about 30-40 miles up river from New Orleans to experience one of Louisiana’s oldest traditions. According to folklore, early Cajun settlers in this area, expelled from Nova Scotia in the 1750s, used to light bonfires to guide the way for Papa Noel, aka Santa Claus.
Today hundreds of bonfires are set on the levees on the banks of the Mississippi River in St James Parish, Gramercy, Lutcher, and Paulina, for the annual celebration. Huge wooden pyres are carefully constructed in a pyramid shape with what looks like a ladder climbing them, then lit at dusk.
It is possible to simply turn up for the spectacle, or you can book a Gray Line tour to guarantee a front row seat and a hot chocolate.
Teddy Bear Tea at The Roosevelt Hotel
Bookable throughout December, the Teddy Bear Tea is another family friendly day out that promises to instil the magic of Christmas in young children.
Tickets are pricey, upwards of $80 but it’s a fully interactive show where the kids will get to meet Santa Claus, Mrs Claus and more holiday friends. Snacks, holiday tea and desserts are provided for children, while adults can imbibe on sparkling wine and mimosas to calm the Christmas spirit.
The Teddy Bear Tea experience includes “story time” with Mrs Claus and a range of other activities. But best of all, each child leaves with a famous Roosevelt Teddy Bear, as a sweet memento of an incredible time.
Stroll along Canal Street
Canal Street divides the Downtown Business District from the French Quarter. It has trolly lines up the middle for the red Christmas themed streetcars that come and go from Harrahs Casino and their Christmas village, and all the way out to Audubon Zoo and the Garden District.
Check out the majestic Ritz Carlton Hotel, which is decked with Christmas lights. Step inside and you’re greeted with a lobby filled with Christmas trees, and maybe this year they’ll have another gingerbread SS Bingle ship! You’ll see live performers along the street, vendors selling festive treats and Christmas decorations taking over the windows and doorways of businesses.
It also hosts the annual Krewe of Jingle Parade featuring elaborate floats, marching bands and more, at the beginning of December.
Réveillon dinners
For foodies, Réveillon dinners are another New Orleans tradition and a highlight of a festive trip to the city. Dating back to the 1880s, these lavish meals are put on after midnight mass, often not starting until 2 in the morning!
Whilst lots of families still partake in this late night tradition, for those not wanting to wait up, Reveillon dinners have been adapted to a more sociable hour and are offered in many of New Orleans’ best restaurants across the holiday season.
Menus typically feature traditional Creole dishes and Christmas themed drinks, often with three or four courses. Oyster soup, bread pudding and roasted duck are just some of dishes typically served, though each restaurant offers something unique.
Mr. B’s Bistro, Antoine’s, Arnauds, Court of Two Sisters, Galatoire’s, Dickie Brenan’s Steakhouse, Muriel’s on Jackson Square, the Italian restaurant Osteria Lupo, Atchafalaya and the Creole restaurant of Commander’s Palace are all great options for a Réveillon dinner in New Orleans.
Bourbon Street Christmas Eve parties
If you’re on a kid-free Christmas break, or the little ones are with grandma for Christmas Eve, then Bourbon Street is the perfect place to head. Warning: it’s a riot of in-your-face neon lights, sounds and crazy sights!
This iconic street is overwhelming for the first-timer to New Orleans. Lined with bars and souvenir shops, it’s loud and brash, and you’ve got to walk it at least once. After then I prefer to walk along parallel Royal Street.
But if you’re after live music, pumping club bangers or a civilized cocktail bar (my four favorite New Orleans bars are in this post), you will find the perfect venue in which to see in Christmas Day.
If you’re looking to eat out on Christmas Eve too, then make sure to book in advance, as the city’s best eateries will fill up fast throughout the holiday season.
Audubon Zoo lights and Luna Fete
Audubon Zoo is a great place to visit year-round for animal lovers, home to a range of animals including endangered species like the Sumatran orangutan, Louisiana pine snakes, critically endangered Blue-Crowned Laughingthrush, whooping cranes, Mississippi sandhill cranes, several species of endangered storks, clouded leopards, Mexican grey wolves, red wolves, bongo antelope, and eland.
The zoo also hosts a “Louisiana Swamp” exhibit, displaying some of the creatures found locally, like black bears, cougars, North American river otters and raccoons.
However, the Christmas holiday season represents an even better time to visit the zoo. On select nights from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day, the zoo puts on an incredible light display, featuring life size replicas of zoo animals. And the Luna Fete featuring arts and crafts tents, gift vendors, games and live entertainment ensures that the animals on display are only one part of the spectacle!
The zoo also partners with the local children’s hospital, giving visitors the chance to make Christmas a little brighter for those struggling during the festive period.
Get your skip-the-line Audubon Zoo tickets here >
Catch a show at the Saenger Theatre
The historic Saenger Theatre on Canal Street has been drawing festive crowds since it opened in 1927, and always offers a great festive program of shows, performances and special events.
This iconic building is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the only surviving Saenger Theatres left in America. It is home to one of the world’s largest organs, a 2,000-pipe Robert Morgan masterpiece, that was installed back in the 1920s when the theatre first opened.
For Christmas 2024, the Saenger Theatre is putting on an array of shows including a musical performance of the hit Christmas movie, Elf and the Tony Award-winning autobiographical musical Cher, about the legendary singer’s life and career. There is also a ballet performance of the Nutcracker and a performance of Juvenile.
The Victory Belles Holiday Show
At the National WWII Museum each December, the Victory Belles, who perform throughout the year, put on a holiday show featuring classic Christmas tunes from the 1940s. This nostalgic musical performance is packed with festive cheer and a touch of patriotic history, providing a unique way to celebrate the holidays in New Orleans.
It’s an especially great option for those interested in combining entertainment with a visit to one of the city’s best museums. A buffet lunch is typically provided with your ticket.
Christmas shopping at the French Market
The French Market is a great spot for last-minute Christmas shopping, and a fun-filled social evening. The market is packed during the holiday season with stalls selling unique, locally made gifts and mouthwatering New Orleanian cuisine.
At weekends, there is also live entertainment, and plenty of places to grab a drink or two, the perfect way to spend a festive evening in the city.
Spot Mr Bingle and Cajun Santa
This is a bit of an unusual one! Mr Bingle is a snowman character, created by department store Maison Blanche, which became Dillards, in the 1940s. The store is no longer (it’s now the Ritz), but Mr Bingle has become synonymous with Christmas in New Orleans.
You’ll see the friendly snowman popping up all over the city.
But also look out for Cajun Santa Claus, or Papa Noel, who rides a boat towed by alligators, and in some households in Louisiana, it is shoes, rather than stockings, that children leave out for Cajun Santa Claus to fill with gifts.
These guys are likely to make an appearance at all manner of festive events in the city during the season. Keep your eyes peeled!
New Year’s Eve in New Orleans
If you are planning to stick around in New Orleans to see in the new year, then you have made a good choice. The city knows how to throw a party, with Jackson Square playing host to free concerts and family-friendly events.
Expect a huge fireworks display over the Mississippi River at midnight, and if you’re in the mood to carry on the party and start the new year off with a hangover, then many of the Bourbon Street bars and clubs are open well into the early hours. In fact, Conde Nast named New Orleans as one of “the best places to go for New Years” in 2024.
See more of my New Orleans posts
I’m planning my next (and 9th) visit to NOLA at the moment, but in the meantime you might to check out:
The Totally Awesome Guide to New Orleans featuring 20 things you might love.
My favorite 7 hotels in the French Quarter for easy access to everything!
How to Spend One Day in New Orleans, if you’re just in town for work or heading out on a cruise and want to see the very best of the city.
Check out my 4 favorite jazz bars in New Orleans, to get your feet tapping!
