15+ Christmas and holiday events in New Orleans
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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.
The big picture: We go big with special holiday meals, picture-perfect hotel lobbies and bonfires to welcome Papa Noel.
- Then we ring in the New Year with the Sugar Bowl and a new block party 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. (Discounted tickets)
- Christmas in Lafreniere Park is open for the season too. (Schedule)
🎉 Go to a parade. The Children's Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade and the Krewe of Krampus both roll this Saturday.
- The West End Boat Parade is Dec. 14. (Details)
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📸 Take a picture in one of the beautifully decorated hotel lobbies like The Roosevelt. (Our favorites)
- JAMNOLA also is doing a holiday pop-up. Check it out before the made-for-social-media funhouse closes Jan. 6 on Royal Street and moves to Frenchmen Street. (Details)
🍩 Decorate Hannukah donuts and make a menorah on Dec. 15. (Tickets)
🍴 Eat a traditional réveillon dinner that's only available for the holidays. (Menus)
🎵 Listen to a free concert at St. Louis Cathedral. John Boutté kicks off the series on Wednesday. (Schedule)
🕯️ Sing with strangers at Caroling in the Square on Dec. 22. (Details)
🩰 Dance with the Nutcracker at one of the performances at the Orpheum, the Saenger, the Mahalia Jackson and the Jefferson Parish Performing Arts Center.
- The New Orleans Ballet Association puts on a kid-friendly, one-hour version on Sunday.
⛸️ Ice skate with Santa at NOLA ChristmasFest at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The indoor wonderland opens Dec. 20. (Details)
🤩 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 next weekend in St. James Parish. (Details)
🧑🎄 Give Santa your wishlist at the mall or one of the meet-and-greets around town.
- New Orleans' famous 7th Ward Santa, known as Chocolate Santa, died in 2020, but Gentilly Santa is trying to fill his black boots.
🎁 Buy a gift with a New Orleans twist. (Ideas)
🐱 Purr with The Amazing Acro-Cats at Meowy Catmas with holiday-themed tricks. Shows start Thursday and sell out quickly. (Tickets)
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🍹 Drink a cocktail at a holiday pop-up bar. (Fun options)
🍿 Watch a Christmas movie. The Prytania has classic cartoons with crafts and popcorn throughout the month. (Schedule)
🕎 Celebrate Hannukah at the Pelicans game on Dec. 30 with a menorah lighting and kosher bites. (Tickets)
🏈 Watch the Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day at the Caesars Superdome. (Tickets)
- The Sugar Bowl Parade rolls on New Year's Eve through the French Quarter. (Route)
⚜️ Count down to the new year at the city's inaugural "New Orleans Eve" block party in the French Quarter and watch the fleur-de-lis drop. (Details)
Go deeper:
- 5 Christmas tree farms near New Orleans
- Where to take your guests for the holidays
- Where to find holiday pop-up bars in New Orleans
- Indoor things to do in New Orleans
- Our favorite French Quarter restaurants
