Christmas, New Orleans Style mixes history with delicious food, beautiful music and hundreds of things to see and do around the city. Whether you’re looking for exquisite culinary delights, traditional holiday concerts or something fun to do with the kids, the options are just about unlimited this holiday season in the Crescent City.
Celebration In The Oaks
A must see for children of all ages is City Park’s Celebration In The Oaks. Music and millions of festive lights illuminate the Botanical garden, Storyland (a children’s theme park) and Carousel Gardens (an amusement ride area). While you’re there, make sure to take a ride on the mini-train around the park to see light decorations that you can’t see anywhere else and adults will want to try the hot-buttered rum at the full service café.
Concerts in St. Louis Cathedral
St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest continuously operating cathedral in the United States hosts Christmas New Orleans Style concerts just about daily from now until December 20th. The music varies from big easy jazz to holiday carrols to classical music and comes from talented local choirs and favorite New Orleans musicians. The concerts are free and open to the public, but you’re encouraged to get their early to get your spot.
Réveillon Dinners
Throughout the month, a number of the best restaurants in the Crescent City celebrate with Réveillon Dinners. These historically French dinners, have a New Orleans influence and draw from the Creole culture of the area to create large, luxurious and extravagant meals. The meals include turtle soup, gumbo, roasted duck and many other favorites. These meals cost between $30 and $60 for a four course meal. Read Réveillon Dinners, New Orleans-style on our sister site New Orleans Restaurants for more details and information about participating restaurants.
Royal Teddy Bear Tea and Children’s Holiday Choir
Mr. and Mrs. Claus are joined by the Royal Teddy Bear for tea and more at the Royal Sonesta Hotel for a holiday adventure that you and your young ones won’t forget anytime soon. Make your reservations now for the holiday tradition that includes a festive menu and elaborate program. Also, in the days leading up to Christmas, the Royal Sonesta will be filled with the sounds of Children’s Holiday Choirs from area schools singing holiday favorites.
Christmas Eve
Bonfire Tours
A Louisiana tradition, dating back to the 1700’s is lighting bonfires along the Mississippi River to guide the way for Papa Noel (the Cajun Santa Claus) through bayou country. Gray Line has two special Christmas Eve tours that showcase the mammoth fires, including one with a special dinner at the San Francisco Plantation, a historic plantation build in 1849 in St. John the Baptist parish.
Steamboat Natchez
The crew of the Steamboat Natchez has a special Christmas Eve planned with mouthwatering entrees like house-made ham, Creole fried turkey, prime rib of beef or pecan-cursted redfish. The steamboat sets sail at 7:30 for a two hour long cruise along the beautiful Mississippi River.
That’s just a handful of the holiday events this year in New Orleans. No matter what you plan to see and do when you’re in the Crescent City, it’ll be a memorable Christmas season.
