French Quarter Festivals, Inc.
Marci Schramm, Executive Director
400 N Peters, STE 205
New Orleans, LA 70130
www.fqfi.org


Contact:
Rebecca Sell, Marketing Manager
Phone: (504)522-5730/Cell: (504)343-5559
Email: rebecca@fqfi.org

NEW ORLEANS, LA (November 20, 2014) -Named a "World's Best City" by Travel + Leisure readers (one of only two American cities to make the list) and recipient of the prestigious World Tourism Award, New Orleans-- one of the world's most fascinating cities-- is where the holiday season shines bright! French Quarter Festivals, Inc. proudly announces details of the 30th Anniversary Christmas New Orleans Style (CNOS).

CNOS, a month-long collaboration between French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) and the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC), has helped the city establish itself as one the world's top holiday destinations. Throughout December, FQFI works closely with retailers, restaurants, hotels, arts, and community organizations to produce and promote over 70 quality holiday events that have helped local businesses and the tourism industry stay aglow during a traditionally slow period; the economic impact has been tremendous for the city and state. FQFI Executive Director Marci Schramm said, "For the last 30 years, Christmas New Orleans Style has brought tremendous joy to visitors and locals alike. From our St. Louis Cathedral concerts to beloved traditions like Celebration in the Oaks, December is a showcase of the best the city has to offer. Plus, our incredible weather, sense of tradition, and southern hospitality can't be beat."

Christmas New Orleans Style 2014 continues the popular tradition of free concerts at St. Louis Cathedral and features several festive, citywide events such as: nightly excursions through the magnificent lighting display at City Park's Celebration in the Oaks; family activities including children's teas and cookie decorating; historical characters strolling and caroling in the French Quarter; holiday cruises on the Steamboat Natchez; theatrical and musical performances; special tours of private residences, bed and breakfasts, and antebellum homes dressed in holiday finery; concerts at the Ogden Museum; a Christmas parade down Canal Street; and a Reindeer Run for children. More than 70 activities are planned, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy incredible dining, shopping, and culture. Click here to read a full overview of this year's special events.

Cathedral Concerts
CNOS celebrates New Orleans rich musical heritage with jazz musicians, gospel choirs, classical ensembles, and others performing the sounds of the season with concerts in St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. Concerts at St. Louis Cathedral take place at 6 p.m. on December 1-4, 7-10, and 14-18th. In addition, a CNOS preview concert takes place Thursday, November 20th at 6:30 p.m. to coincide with the French Market's tree lighting at Washington Artillery Park. Another concert, the annual St. Louis Cathedral Basilica Holiday Concert takes place Sunday, December 21 at 5:30 p.m., prior to Caroling in Jackson Square. Enjoy performances from Symphony Chorus of New Orleans, Leroy Jones, Crescent City Brass Quintet. Betty Winn and One A-Chord, Ellis Marsalis, Shades of Praise, Rachel Van Voorhees, Tim Laughlin, French and Belgian Songs for the Holidays with Helen Gillet and Friends, St. Raymond / St. Leo Voices of Greatness Gospel Choir, O Holy Night of Opera, Hot Club of New Orleans, Ronnie Kole, and Karol Mossakowski, Young Artist in Residence, St. Louis Cathedral. All concerts are free and open to the public. Click here for a full schedule.

New for 2014: Reveillon on the Rocks
The Reveillon dinner has been celebrated in homes and restaurants all over New Orleans since the 1850s. This year, FQFI asked local bartenders to create both classic and original cocktails to celebrate Reveillon one-sip-at-a-time. Beginning December 1st and continuing until the last toast on New Year's Eve, and at some spots lasting through Twelfth Night (January 6th), over 20 bars and restaurants will say "Cheers to the Holiday Season" with a variety of spirited libations. Participants include: Antoine's Hermes Bar, Arnaud's French 75, Cane and Table, Cure, Erin Rose, Pat O'Brien's, Three Muses, and Upperline Restaurant.

Reveillon Dinners
Reveillon, an adaptation of a traditional Creole holiday dining custom, will be celebrated nightly in 48 restaurants throughout the city. Menus showcase the feasts of Christmas past, present, and future: Four Reveillon restaurants - Antoine's, Galatoire's, Commander's Palace, and Tujague's - are more than 100 years old and feature classic Creole cuisine. Contemporary Reveillon utilizes preparation techniques and products of the modern day not necessarily available to the original Creoles and can be enjoyed at August, Kingfish, Restaurant R'evolution, The Pelican Club, and many more. Reveillon menus are offered only once a year, making CNOS the only time guests can enjoy this authentic taste of New Orleans. New participants include: Dickie Brennan's Tableau, Latil's Landing at Houmas House, Richard Fiske's Martini Bar and Restaurant, Rue 127. Click here for more details about Reveillon.

Cooking Demonstrations
CNOS serves up a series of free cooking demonstrations from many of New Orleans' the finest chefs. FQFI, NOTMC, and WWL-TV team up to bring the "12 Days of Reveillon." For three weeks beginning December 8th, WWL-TV will showcase New Orleans' great chefs, preparing items from their 2014 Reveillon menus each morning between 8 and 9 a.m.

Chefs include: Antoine's Michael Regua, Arnaud's Tommy DiGiovanni, Brigsten's Frank Brigtsen, Galatoire's "33" Bar and Steak's Michael Sichel, Galvez Restaurant's Laura Cedillo, Kingfish Kitchen and Cocktails' Greg Sonnier, Martinique Bistro's Eric Labouchere, Muriel's Jackson Square's Erik Venéy, NOLA's Josh Laskay, Palace Café's Jason Ameen, and Richard Fiske's Martini Bar and Restaurant's Nick Gile. Chefs will share favorite holiday recipes with menu samplings for those in attendance. The Chef's Holiday Cooking Demonstrations are sponsored by Louisiana Cookin' Magazine.

Papa Noël Rates
CNOS gives the gift of a memorable holiday encounter that can only be experienced in New Orleans. Travelers can take advantage of special offers at nearly 60 of the city's finest hotels and bed and breakfasts that feature attractive nightly Papa Noël discounted rates and luxurious value packages to visitors as their gift of the season. New participants in 2014 include: Blake Hotel, Degas House, Grenoble House, Inn on St. Ann, Inn on St. Peter, Inn on Ursulines, Lamothe House, and Pontchartrain Hotel.

For complete information and schedules visit followyourjoy.com or fqfi.org. For a free booklet, select "guidebook" on followyour.joy.com and complete the form.

About French Quarter Festivals, Inc.
Christmas New Orleans Style is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (www.fqfi.org ), the 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, which also produces French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron in April and Satchmo SummerFest in August. French Quarter Festivals, Inc. promotes the Vieux Carré and the City of New Orleans through high quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of this unique city, contribute to the economic well-being of the community, and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans. For more information on all FQFI festivals and events, call (504) 522-5730 or visit online at www.fqfi.org.