Where to Celebrate the Holidays in New Orleans
Forget milk and cookies this year, it’s time for beignets and café au lait. Celebrate the holidays in New Orleans with Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery for a December unlike any other. Traditions take on an entirely new meaning with bonfires by levee to the tales of Papa Noel— who delivers gifts from the bayou in a boat pulled by a team of eight alligators in lieu of a sleigh and reindeer. No matter how or what you celebrate, join us this December in New Orleans for holiday events to remember.
Light up the night at the levee bonfires. The holidays kick off with the Algiers Bonfire on December 7th where bonfire sculptures ignite the evening, food from local vendors, and live musical performances. Continue the celebration at the Festival of the Bonfires from December 13th – 15th. Expect Cajun-style bonfires, family-friendly activities, live music, and more. The season culminates with a trip outside of New Orleans for the Christmas Eve Bonfires that light the way for Papa Noel.
Young ones (and the young at heart) will enjoy impressive holiday light displays during Celebration in the Oaks across 25 acres of New Orleans City Park and the Audubon Zoo Lights. Grab a warm cup of cocoa and wander through an illuminated wonderland.
Stroll through the French Quarter and Garden District holiday home tours for a festive, self-guided outing celebrating the beautiful architecture of New Orleans. In addition to tours of the holiday-decorated homes, guests can expect boutique vendors and live music performances.
Hop on The Streetcar to Explore the Garden District.
Photo by Part Time Tourists.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas— NOLA ChristmasFest that is. From December 20th – 31st, the New Orleans Ernest M. Morial Convention Center turns into a family-friendly winter wonderland with an indoor ice-skating rink, carnival rides, a gingerbread house showcase, and more.
Save your sugar plums, and indulge in a traditional Creole feast at a Réveillon dinner. Throughout the month of December, New Orleans restaurants serve their spin on the traditional nineteenth-century Christmas Eve meal with a modern twist. For those feeling spirited, Réveillon on the Rocks dinner.