Description

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Christmas in New Orleans is comprised of event after event spanning the last week of November to the last week in December ending with New Year's Eve. The events are unique, holiday oriented, and are all family friendly with special rates and deals for kids and seniors.

City Park's Celebration In the Oaks:  This is said to be one of the best holiday lighting displays in the country. This walking path, amusement park, synthetic ice rink, and train route has become the gem of New Orleans' Christmas celebrations. Encompassing the City Park Botanical Gardens, Storyland, Carrousel Gardens, and the Amusement Park, and surrounding grounds, Celebration in the Oaks is as popular with locals as it is with tourists and visitors. An estimated 120,000 people visited the display in 2010, making it one of the most visited events and shows in New Orleans. Look for special events on special days like "snow day" at Dreyfous Meadow, which is free and open to the public. The synthetic ice rink, a gift from the New Orleans Saints and Coca Cola, is at the center of the fun near the Mr. Bingle statue, both well worth a visit. Catch the mini City of New Orleans train setting with its buildings made from raku fired clay and resembling real life locations in the Big Easy. The city is laid out by trains and streetcars lighting up as they bustle along the tracks. Cajun Village, the Botanical Garden's Poinsettia Tree, Toyland and the giant light up T-Rex attacking the roller coaster are all highlights of the display. The tickets average $7 dollars and children under three are free. The amusement park rides and the train ride through the rest of City Park are additional charges. Allow three hours to see the entire display, four if you have small children along. Make sure to bring your camera and check listing for days when Santa might be arriving.

Christmas Parade and the DDD Block Party: The Downtown Development District, an organization dedicated to promoting business and living in the downtown area, plans several amazing events throughout the month of December, including the New Orleans Christmas parade. In conjunction with several other sponsors, the DDD organizes a fourteen-float parade that rolls down Canal Street along with marching bands, The Big Easy Roller Girls, and other groups that represent the Big Easy. Look for a celebrity Captain, Santa, and the elves bearing gifts and great holiday throws. After the parade, visit the block party that transforms the entrance of the Roosevelt Hotel into a winter wonderland of food, prizes, petting zoos and more. The Reindeer Romp and Run are also planned by the DDD in conjunction with other sponsors. This event gives kids a chance to run a half-mile race down Canal Street, and then enjoy the mini festival along the river where they can win prizes, have their faces painted, and join in on the family scavenger hunt that will take them to all the major Canal Street landmarks and the River Walk.

Fulton Street:  For years now, Fulton Street has been the starting point for all New Orleans' Christmas Celebrations. It just isn't Christmas in the Big Easy until Fulton Street lights its rotating color Christmas trees, and begins its holiday snow displays. The snow comes every fifteen minutes and, don't worry, it's synthetic, so you won't slip or get wet. The tunnel of colorful trees ends at the back of Fulton Street with a larger, more-heavily decorated tree.

Caroling In The Square:  Caroling in the Square is perhaps one of the most amazing things to behold all season long. This event brings tourist and locals, like moths, to a candle-lit Jackson Square for caroling. Led by local musical talent, the crowd is handed the lyrics and candles to complete what has been called the most moving event all season long.

St. James Parish and the Bonfires:  While New Orleans is more than just its city limits, the city's Christmas celebration is just the same. For years, the small towns of Lutcher and Gramercy in St. James Parish have built bonfires along the Mississippi River to light the way for Santa Claus. The nearly two hundred bonfires are lit on the levee within minutes of each other, in what has been considered the biggest and best Christmas Party on the planet.

The easiest way to keep up with all the events happening in the Big Easy during the busy Christmas holiday season is to regularly check the NewOrleans.com calendar.

Details

Hours:  Hours of operation vary for different events.

Cost:  Most Christmas events in New Orleans are free and open to the public, however, be prepared to take on some costs when visiting Celebration In The Oaks. Make sure to check for senior citizen discounts and discounts for children.

Locations:  The French Quarter, Canal Street, City Park, and surrounding areas outside of the city limits.

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