The holiday guide
From the day after Thanksgiving to Twelfth Night, the city celebrates in its own way. Dates change each year — follow the links for the latest schedules and tickets.
Late Nov – early Jan, nightly
City Park
One of the country's best-loved holiday light shows winds through City Park's ancient live oaks, with a lighted walking trail, rides and holiday treats.
Details & dates on NewOrleans.com →Mid-Dec – late Dec
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
The city's indoor winter wonderland: an ice skating rink, ice slides, rides, holiday characters and a giant gingerbread village — no snow required.
Details & dates on NOLAChristmasFest.com →Sunday before Christmas
French Quarter
Thousands gather with candles and song sheets in front of St. Louis Cathedral for a candlelit sing-along that has been a local tradition for generations.
Details & dates on FrenchQuarter.com →All December
Restaurants citywide
A revived Creole tradition: multi-course prix-fixe holiday menus at classic and new New Orleans restaurants, from turtle soup to bread pudding.
Details & dates on FrenchQuarter.com →Christmas Eve
River Parishes, upriver
Towering wooden bonfires along the Mississippi levee are lit to guide Papa Noël — a Cajun-country tradition worth the short drive.
Details & dates on NewOrleans.com →Late Nov – Dec
Harrah's / Fulton Street
A block-long holiday display with nightly 'snowfall', twinkling lights and music in the Warehouse District.
Details & dates on NewOrleans.com →All season
The Roosevelt & more
The Roosevelt's famous lobby turns into a tunnel of white lights and birch branches. Grab a Sazerac and bring a camera.
Details & dates on FrenchQuarter.com →December
Jackson Square
Free evening concerts of jazz, gospel and classical music inside America's oldest continuously active cathedral.
Details & dates on NewOrleans.com →
Beignets For Santa Greeting Card
Skip the milk and cookies.
Crawfish Boil Ornament
The ornament that starts the story every year.
Cajun Night Before Christmas: 50th Anniversary
Santa on the bayou. Read it out loud.
Coffee & Beignet Candle
Smells like a morning in the Quarter.