11 Things to Do this December in New Orleans

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. This holiday tradition will run from November 27 through January 1. Tickets are on sale November 1.

The fifth annual Manning Family Children's Holiday Parade will roll on Saturday, Dec. 5. You can expect large, pageant-style floats with animatronics, local musicians atop the floats singing carols, helium balloons, and Santa Claus, of course! You won’t want to miss this world-class holiday parade rolling through the French Quarter and downtown. 

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 23 - January 2.

Though the tradition began in the River Parishes, there’s a celebration in New Orleans every December that kicks off the holiday season. Hop on the ferry and cross the Mississippi from the French Quarter over to Algiers Point. Each December, this quaint community hosts their own event celebrating the time-honored Louisiana tradition with performances from local groups, food, drink, and art vendors, and the lighting of the bonfire, which structure varies by year. The Algiers Bonfire + Concert returns on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 2-6 p.m.

December is the perfect month to find live theater in full swing here in New Orleans. Enjoy Broadway in New Orleans at the Saenger Theater with “Buena Vista Social Club” from December 8-13 and Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas" from December 15-20. Le Petit Theatre stages "The Secret Garden" from December 3-27. Check out our fall theater guide here and plan to see a show or two this December. 

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 Homes of the Garden District features a selection of private Garden District homes, live musical performances, a festive boutique, and more from December 12-13.

Then on December 20, 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.

Get into the spirit of the season with holiday concerts. 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 20. 

Fall sports are in full swing come December, and our two professional leagues are very busy playing at home. The Saints will host the Green Bay Packers at Caesars Superdome on December 6. Over at the Smoothie King Center, the Pels have several home games scheduled for December. College football fans can also enjoy the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on December 23.

New Orleans is a great place to ring in the New Year, with celebrations galore featuring live music, delicious food, and fireworks, of course. In the French Quarter at Woldenberg Park, New Orleans Eve features live performances from local musicians. This open-air concert is free to attend, and attendees may bring camp-style chairs as well as outside food and drink. The concert begins at 9 p.m. and goes until the countdown at midnight.

Earlier in the day, the Louisiana Children’s Museum 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!