13 Things to Do this December in New Orleans

New Orleans in December is one for traditions, both old and new. This year, enjoy holiday traditions like Réveillon dinners, Celebration in the Oaks, NOLA ChristmasFest, and the Children’s Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade. Whether you’d like to book a room at a particularly festive hotel or simply stop in to see the lights, there’s something for everyone this holiday season in New Orleans. Here are our top things to do this December.

Walk or drive through Celebration in the Oaks

A beloved New Orleans tradition, Celebration in the Oaks lights up City Park every holiday season, and this year is no different. Hop in your car and wind your way through two and a half miles of the park illuminated with lights displays. Or, walk through the illuminated Botanical Gardens and channel your inner child at Carousel Gardens Amusement Park. Book your tickets here and enjoy the holiday magic on select dates from November 29 to January 3.

Go Holiday Shopping

Browse bookstores, boutiques, museum gift shops, and art markets of New Orleans to find unique gifts for your loved ones this holiday season. Magazine Street is lined with shops, but you can find lots of options here. How about a set of glassware from Sazerac House for the home bar? Or a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork made by a local artist? There’s no shortage of creative gift ideas when it comes to holiday shopping in New Orleans. Be sure to check out Museum Store Sunday at various local museum gift shops.

Catch the Holiday Parade 

The third annual Children’s Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade will roll on December 7 at 11 a.m. You can expect large, pageant-style floats with animatronics, local musicians atop the floats singing carols, helium balloons, and Santa Claus, of course! There will be a post-parade celebration with music, food, and more at Lafayette Square. You won’t want to miss this world-class holiday parade. 

Go ice skating at NOLA ChristmasFest 

The indoor Christmas festival known as NOLA ChristmasFest returns to the Convention Center with lots of seasonal cheer. An ice slide, ice skating rink, yuletide market, gingerbread village, and photos with Santa are just a few of the highlights. NOLA ChristmasFest is open December 20-30.

Head to the theater for dance, musicals, and more 

December is the perfect month to find live theater in full swing here in New Orleans. See “Elf” at the Saenger Theatre from December 3-8. New Orleans Ballet Theatre presents a traditional "Nutcracker" at the Orpheum Theater. For a different kind of December show, check out the Prohibition-era Jazz Age show Speak(Easy) from Mélange Dance Company. Check out our fall theater guide here and plan to see a show or two this December. 

Participate in the Réveillon Dining Tradition 

Réveillon is a holiday dining tradition that historically began at midnight on Christmas Day. Dating back to the 1800s, Creole New Orleanians would feast on lavish meals following midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Restaurants across the city have adopted this tradition, offering decadent multi-course Réveillon feasts throughout the entire month of December. 

Go on a Holiday Home Tour 

Every year during the holidays, New Orleanians decorate their homes in the most festive seasonal décor, and some even open their doors for public viewing. The Preservation Resource Center’s Garden District Holiday Home Tour features a selection of private Garden District homes, live musical performances, a festive boutique, and more on December 14 and 15.

Then on December 22, the Patio Planters community organization offers their self-guided French Quarter Holiday Home Tour, featuring several elegant and historic residences throughout the Vieux Carré. This home tour raises funds for Caroling in Jackson Square, which takes place later that day in the French Quarter.

From December 27-29, enjoy Friends of the Cabildo's Creole Christmas Holiday Home Tour featuring historic homes such as BK House & Gardens, Gallier House, and others in festive holiday dress. 

Catch a Holiday Concert 

Get into the spirit of the season with holiday concerts at St. Louis Cathedral. If you love those classic holiday tunes, you won’t want to miss the Louisiana Philharmonic’s Classical Christmas or Holiday Spectacular. Lastly, you can also enjoy the aforementioned Caroling in Jackson Square on December 22. 

See the Holiday Lights 

New Orleans is a festive city year-round, and the holidays are no different. Visit the city’s most popular sights for a look at how we decorate for the season. St. Louis Cathedral is a great starting point, followed by Canal Street, and the lobbies of various hotels. Greenway Supernova, a lights festival on the Lafitte Greenway, returns from December 12-14.

Attend a Saints or Pelicans Game 

Fall sports are in full swing come December, and our two professional leagues are very busy playing at home. The Saints will host the Los Angeles Rams, Washington Commanders, and Las Vegas Raiders at Caesars Superdome this December. Over at the Smoothie King Center, the Pels have seven home games scheduled for December. College football fans can also enjoy the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on December 19 and the Allstate Sugar Bowl on January 1, 2025. 

Celebrate Hanukkah and Kwanzaa in New Orleans 

Celebrate the tradition of Hanukkah from December 25 - January 2 in New Orleans with lots of latkes and seasonal cheer. Our favorite festivities will return, like the Mobile Menorah parade and Saba’s L’chaim Lounge drink specials. Find more info on Hanukkah in New Orleans here. Look to the Ashé Cultural Arts Center for Kwanzaa celebrations held in the last week of December. 

Check out Jingle Jam

Jingle Jam is a new exhibit and photo-op at JAMNOLA. Open now through January 6, visitors can go on a topsy-turvy holiday stroll through the 17 exhibits, plus Jingle Jam. Ideal for all ages, you'll encounter larger-than-life crawfish, a bling bayou with a golden gator, and so much more! Ticket prices start at $32 for adults (13 & older) and $24 for kids (3-12). Kids under 3 are free.

Ring in the New Year, NOLA-Style 

New Orleans is a great place to ring in the New Year, with celebrations galore featuring live music, delicious food, and fireworks, of course. At Jackson Square, New Orleans Eve is a concert and countdown with live entertainment from Tank and the Bangas, Bonerama, and DJ RQ Away. This year, the Allstate Sugar Bowl will be held on New Year’s Day, but the parade is scheduled for New Year’s Eve at 3 p.m. The Louisiana Children’s Museum also hosts Noon Year's Eve, a celebration for kids during the day before the adult celebrations kick off that night. Check here for the latest on New Year’s celebrations, and may the party begin! 

For even more events, activities, and can’t-miss celebrations this holiday season, visit https://holiday.neworleans.com.