Celebration in the Oaks

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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 28, 2025 through January 1, 2026. Tickets are on sale November 1.

Holiday Shopping

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Children's Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade

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Hartley Wasser, New Orleans & Co.

The fourth annual Children’s Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade will roll on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 12:30 p.m. 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. 

NOLA ChristmasFest

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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 20-29.

Algiers Bonfire + Concert

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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 Sunday, Dec. 7 from 2-7 p.m.

Plays, musicals, dance, and theater

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Photo credit: Marc J. Franklin

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 "Back to the Future: the Musical" from December 9-14 and "Hell's Kitchen" from December 30 - January 4. Bring the whole family to experience the magic of the holidays with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra as they perform the film score along with the delightful family-friendly classic, “The Muppet Christmas Carol.” Check out our fall theater guide here and plan to see a show or two this December. 

Réveillon

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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. Check here to see who's participating.

Holiday Home Tours

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Holiday Concerts

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Holiday Lights

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Photo Credit: Justen Williams

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 11-13.

Saints + Pelicans + College Bowl Games

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Hanukkah and Kwanzaa Celebrations

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Paul Broussard
Celebrate Hanukkah and Kwanzaa in New Orleans

Celebrate the tradition of Hanukkah from December 14-22 in New Orleans with lots of latkes and seasonal cheer. 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. 

New Year's Eve

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