Your guide to Christmas and holiday events in New Orleans
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Canal Street gets decorated for the holidays with lights, bows and garland. Photo: Zack Smith Photography/neworleans.com
It's the most wonderful time of the year in New Orleans.
What's happening: We go big with special meals for Christmas, picture-perfect hotel lobbies, giant menorahs and bonfires to welcome Papa Noel.
- Then we ring in the New Year with the Sugar Bowl and fireworks on the Mississippi River.
Here are a few of our favorite ways to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's Eve in New Orleans.
💡 See the lights at Celebration in the Oaks. You can drive, walk or bike. (More light shows)
🎉 Go to a parade. The Children's Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade and the Krewe of Krampus both roll this Saturday. (Full parade guide)
🕎 Light the giant menorah and eat a latke at Chanukah at the Riverwalk. (Details)
- The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans also plans to build the world's tallest Lego menorah on Dec. 5. (Details)
📸 Take a picture in one of the beautifully decorated hotel lobbies like The Roosevelt. (More lobbies)
🎄 Decorate your Christmas tree. You can cut one down at a farm on the North Shore. (Tree farm guide)
🍴 Eat a traditional réveillon dinner that's only available this time of year. (menus)
🎵 Listen to a free concert at St. Louis Cathedral. The Ashé Powerhouse Theater is offering free shows this year too. (Schedule)
🕯️ Sing with strangers at Caroling in the Square on Dec. 17. (Details)
🩰 Dance with the Nutcracker at one of the ballet performances across the city.
⛸️ Ice skate with Santa at NOLA ChristmasFest at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. (Details)
🤳Take a selfie at JAMNOLA's holiday funhouse that's decorated with oversized nutcrackers and presents.
🤩 Admire the festive decorations on St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street.
🔥 Feel the burn at a bonfire welcoming Papa Noel. Algiers Point has its bonfire Saturday. Others happen Christmas Eve on the levee in St. James Parish. (Details)
⚡ Marvel at the art installations at Lune Fête. (Schedule)
🧑🎄 Give Santa your wishlist at the mall or one of the meet-and-greets around town.
- New Orleans' famous 7th Ward Santa or Chocolate Santa died in 2020, but Gentilly Santa is trying to fill his black boots.
🐱 Purr with The Amazing Acrocats at Meowy Catmas with holiday-themed tricks. (Details)
🥂 Drink a holiday cocktail. Brandy milk punch, anyone?
🏈 Watch the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome.
⚜️ Count in the new year at Jax Brewery with the fleur-de-lis drop. (Details)
Go deeper:
Editor's note: This story was updated Dec. 15 with additional information.