How to get discounted tickets for Celebration in the Oaks
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Celebration in the Oaks has a driving, walking and biking tour. Photo: Courtesy of City Park Conservancy
New Orleans' annual Christmas lights show is offering half-price tickets this season after residents complained about the price creeping up over the years.
Why it matters: The Celebration in the Oaks driving tour was $19 per car in 2020. It's $40 this year.
The big picture: City Park Conservancy is adding "value nights" for the walking and driving tours.
- The discounted $20 tickets are available every Wednesday and Thursday, except for Christmas Day.
- "We're hoping it makes it much more affordable," says Julie LaCour, the director of Celebration in the Oaks.
How it works: The driving tour is a 2.25-mile route through the park with more than 1 million lights.
- Tickets for that are priced per vehicle and do not include access to the amusement park and botanical garden. That comes with the walking tour pass.
Between the lines: You'll get discounted prices if you combine the tours, too. It will be $20 per vehicle and then $10 per person for a walking tour.
- The walking tour includes unlimited rides, marshmallow roasting and other activities.
Zoom in: The park is also continuing its bike nights, which LaCour said have doubled in popularity in the past year.
Zoom out: Celebration in the Oaks is City Park's biggest fundraiser, providing about 10% of the park's annual budget, officials say.
- It opens for the season on Friday and runs through Jan. 3. It's closed Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
- City Park officials estimate about 120,000 people visit the light show annually.
- Buy tickets.
Go deeper: How your Christmas cards are helping New Orleans City Park
