FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:

Amanda Frentz
Media Manager
AFrentz@nocp.org

New Orleans (November 3, 2016)

WHAT: With more than a million dazzling lights and breathtaking displays, Celebration in the Oaks in New Orleans City Park is an annual holiday tradition for families in the Crescent City and across the country. Friends and families can kick off the 30th annual opening with an early glimpse of the stunning holiday displays at one of three Celebration in the Oaks preview parties. Tickets are on sale now at CelebrationInTheOaks.com.

"New Orleans City Park is the perfect place to host this annual holiday event. The train ride through the oaks is a unique and special experience," said City Park Director of Public Affairs, John Hopper. "The Park's oaks are swathed in thousands of lights with different themed displays within 25 acres of the Park. Celebration in the Oaks is an enduring family tradition for tens of thousands of visitors."

PREVIEW PARTY:
Adults are welcome to the Celebration in the Oaks Preview Party to view the holiday displays with exclusive access to the Botanical Garden and Train Route. Live entertainment will entertain audiences on four separate music stages. Those 21 and older can ring in the holiday season along with open bars. Holiday cocktail attire is required.

WHERE: New Orleans Botanical Garden

WHEN: Friday, November 18, 7:30 pm-11:00 pm

COST: $100 in advance and $120 at the door.
Friends of City Park ticket price is $90 in advance

JINGLE BELLS & BEER:
Please join us for our holiday event created just for young adults - and those young at heart! Jingle Bells & Beer will be so much good fun you'll land on Santa's Naughty List! Guests can experience all the rides within City Park's Carousel Gardens Amusement Park under the beautiful lights of Celebration in the Oaks. Craft beers will be available for tasting, domestic beer and "munchies" will be provided from local food vendors. Dancing to live music, featuring Hazy Ray will make your bells jingle! Guests must be 21 years old or older. The attire is casual.

WHERE: Carousel Gardens Amusement Park

WHEN: Saturday, November 19, 7 pm-10 pm

COST: $40/person in advance; $45/person day of event
Friends of City Park members: $35/person in advance, $45/person day of event

FAMILY PARTY:
Families will enjoy unlimited Amusement Park rides, including the miniature train and historic carousel, unlimited food and entertainment during the Celebration in the Oaks Children's Preview Party: New Orleans Premier Holiday Family Event. Stilt walkers, balloon clowns, and more will have both children and parents giddy with the holiday spirit.

WHERE: Carousel Gardens and Storyland

WHEN: Sunday, November 20, 5 pm-8 pm

COST: Early Admission: 5 pm - (6 pm) 8:30 pm
Tickets: $40/person in advance
Children under 2 receive free admission
and
General Admission: 6 pm - 8:30 pm
Tickets: $30/person in advance
Friends of City Park members: $25/person in advance
Children under 2 receive free admission

CELEBRATION IN THE OAKS:
The weeks-long event following the parties:
City Park's famous oaks are swathed in hundreds of thousands twinkling lights, with breathtaking light exhibits that are displayed throughout 25 acres of the Park. While there are many traditional displays like the Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, Mr. Bingle, and the Cajun Night before Christmas, there are also many new wonders this year.

- A Beacon to Celebration-a 15' tall lighthouse
- Star Bright-an iridescent dodecahedron
- Hanukkah menorah and dreidels

"Celebration in the Oaks is a wonderful display that people come from all over to enjoy," says John Hopper, Chief Development and Public Affairs Director. "These new exhibits are an example of the creativity our team has with lights and engineering."

WHERE: New Orleans Botanical Garden, Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, and Storyland

HOURS: The 2015-2016 season: November 25 - January 1
Closed: November 28, 29, 30 and December 1, 24, 31
Sunday - Thursday: 6 pm -10 pm Friday & Saturday: 6 pm -11 pm
OPEN Christmas night

COST: Tickets: $9/person
Children under 3 and Friends of City Park: Free
Train Ride: $5
Amusement Park Rides: $3/single ride ticket (excludes train)
$18/unlimited ride band (includes train)

For more event details or to purchase Celebration the Oaks or Preview Party tickets, visit CelebrationInTheOaks.com or call (504) 483-9415.

New Orleans City Park
City Park is distinguished by its large menu of sports and recreational activities, attractions for children, and its natural beauty. City Park has a special place in the hearts of generations of New Orleanians and is a must visit for visitors to the city. As a popular place to picnic, play a favorite sport, wander through its gardens or take a boat ride- the Park receives millions of visitors each year. It is located in the heart of the city and is the largest recreation area for the entire metropolitan area. Attractions include: City Putt, New Orleans Botanical Garden, Storyland fairytale playground, the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, and numerous athletic venues. The 1,300 acres of parkland provide enjoyment for young children playing on our playgrounds and walkers, joggers, and bicyclists winding through the Park's streets and trails.

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