7 New Orleans Holiday Events

Lobby Hopping!

The holidays can be spent in many different ways in New Orleans. You can make them as busy as you want, and you can also make them as relaxed as you want. I lean towards making them more relaxed and easy, as I grew up in a retail family business that made Christmas chaotic and all about other families. It was enjoyable during that time, but as I get older I like a soothing holiday spirit about me. I’ll give you several options of how you might want to spend your days here, and you can pick and choose the activities that suit your interest the most. There’s tons to do for all ages, and I think you’ll notice that on this list.

Stroll the French Quarter Holiday Lights

Outside of Bourbon Street, there are so many enjoyable streets to stroll down and see Christmas decorations and lights. Going in the evening can be lovely, and during the day you can see holiday displays in the windows of stores. You cannot go wrong with a walk through the beautiful neighborhood of the French Quarter. Check out my blog on other great walkable neighborhoods as well.

Lobby Hop at the Decorated Hotels

One of my favorite things to do is lobby hop to see the decorations at different hotels downtown. The Ritz Carlton, Windsor Court, and the Roosevelt are my favorites, and it’s an activity I love doing with a friend or two. You can walk to so many in the area and see what they have to offer, and stop in one of their bars for a quick cocktail to refuel.

Make Réveillon Dinner Plans

Many restaurants put on Réveillon dinners during the holiday season in New Orleans. The history of Réveillon dinners goes back to eating after midnight mass, but many restaurants have adopted this tradition and put their own twist on it. It also often lasts for several weeks starting on December 1st, so you can get a chance to experience it without having to worry about missing it on Christmas Eve. Each restaurant is different, so you’re sure to find one that you will love.

Do Some Holiday Shopping on Magazine Street

An easy shopping experience for you can be strolling along Magazine Street and visiting the local stores and shops. It’s one of my all-time favorite things to do all year, but seeing how their inventory shifts a little during the holiday season makes me giddy. You won’t be able to help getting into the spirit of the holidays when you’re surrounded by delightful New Orleanians who are happy to help you find the perfect gift.

Check out City Park During the Day

City Park is such a peaceful place to go during the day, especially on the weekdays when you can have much of it to yourself. Starting at Thanksgiving, City Park gets all dolled up for Celebration in the Oaks (which I’ll mention later), so you can see the lights hanging from the trees and in the lawns but aren’t lit up yet during the day. I’d recommend City Park any day of the year, but the holidays are special because of the lights. Take the train around it to see more.

Enjoy a Holiday Cocktail

Who does’t love a holiday cocktail? I know I do! Many of the bars around the city will do a couple or more of their favorite holiday cocktails, and it is our duty to go and enjoy them. Some of the named places I’d recommend are the Sazerac Bar in the Roosevelt where they have a menu of fun cocktails. Barrel Proof gets a total interior makeover and it looks like Christmas threw up in it. And Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 is fantastic for some tiki cocktails. So many places to choose from - those are just a few.

Take a Ride on the Streetcar

One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is to grab a hot chocolate or an adult beverage of some sort and hop on the streetcar. Being able to sit and enjoy the beautiful homes along St. Charles Avenue that are all lit up for the holidays is something you really cannot experience anywhere else in the world. It's a very low cost activity that brings a lot of enjoyment and ease to an evening when you want to do something special for holiday fun. If you haven't done it yet, I highly recommend adding it to your short list.

Working a Holiday Market!

There are many public and private holiday events in New Orleans. Some are free, and some you must pay for. Whatever you’re fancy is, you can find plenty of fun holiday events throughout the city, and I’m going to list a few that you might find interesting. Here is a good list to get you started on your holiday adventures in New Orleans.

Celebration in the Oaks

One of the most enjoyable events in New Orleans in my opinion is Celebration in the Oaks. Much of the park is lit up spectacularly with lights in all kinds of figures and shapes. It’s something I’ve done since I was a child, and I still feel the magic as an adult. Riding the ferris wheel or the train around the park is a bonus if you want to go into the amusement park section of City Park. The Botanical Gardens are also a favorite.

NOLA Christmas Fest

For a little over a week, you can hit the convention center downtown to see if all decked out for Christmas at the NOLA Christmas Fest. There are a bunch of activities for kids of all ages, like an ice skating rink and an ice slide. The tickets are rather reasonable for all the activities you have to choose from, so if you’re up for some great kid entertainment, this is a solid event for the holidays.

Caroling in Jackson Square

There’s not much quite so magical as having your little candle burning with hundreds of other people in Jackson Square singing Christmas carols. You’ll even receive a song sheet so you can sing along to the beautiful Christmas songs. It’s hard to describe how awesome it is, and if you happen to be in New Orleans that one day of the year, I highly recommend you attending.

Holiday Home Tours

On the same day as the Caroling in the Square, and put on by the same nonprofit organization, you can tour some French Quarter homes for a fee by Patio Planters. A second one on a different weekend in the Garden District is the Preservation Resource Center’s Holiday Home Tour. People generously open their homes for peepers like you and me to see how they live, and are sometimes even there to tell stories about their residences. I’m a big fan of these events. They’re really fun to do with friends.

Festive Parades

In early December you can catch two parades: the Manning Family Children’s Hospital parade that rolls in the heart of downtown, and the Krampus Parade, that rolls in the Bywater. We all love a good parade in New Orleans, and if you’re visiting during this time, I would recommend checking them out. Another very unique parade to attend is the Lights on the Lake parade, which is essentially a boat parade. It's something you won't see many other places, so check it out if you can make it to the Lakefront. New Orleans parades are always something special, and it’s always a good thing to support a children’s hospital and the wild side of Christmas with Krampus.

Teddy Bear Tea at the Roosevelt

Are you a fan of tea time? I know I am! Teddy Bear Tea is an adorable event geared towards the little ones, but adults don’t have to worry - there are adult beverages to sip on as well. This tradition for many people is a playful way to spend an afternoon enjoying all things Christmas and holidays in our most photographed hotel for their lights. What a great way to have some quality time and enjoyment with a kiddo during this time.

Holiday Markets/Craft Fairs

You’re talking to someone who’s been a vendor at these markets for my own products, and I can tell you…they are so cool. The talent that people have blew me away when I started to attend as a vendor, so if you’re looking for things to buy that are beautiful and unique, this is the place to go. So many different markets are all over the city starting from October and going to close to Christmas. I 100% think this is a fantastic way to see New Orleans artists at their finest.

Garden District Home Decorated for Christmas

You’re in for many treats if you’re headed to New Orleans for the holiday season. There’s a bunch of stuff from which to choose, and all of it’s worth doing. Each year I enjoy switching it up a little, as well as keeping some of the most special things to me in the rotation. Good meals with the people you love, home peeping, catching the lights in the park, and local art purchases are all awesome and fun things to do. I’m so excited to provide this list to you, and I know it’s going to help enhance your stay in our beautiful city. Happiest of holidays!

If you liked this blog, you might also like to know where to stay in New Orleans when you're visiting for the holidays and my holiday gift guide.

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