Holidays in New Orleans

Christmas In New Orleans

Christmas New Orleans-Style

Christmas is a truly special time in New Orleans. Garlands decorate the buildings and holiday lights illuminate the city. There’s a Christmas parade, caroling and the traditional Reveillon dinners that you have to experience. If you’re looking for that perfect gift for someone special, we are certain you can find it at one of the hundreds of stores in the Crescent City.
Holiday Tours of New Orleans

Tour the beautiful Celebration in the Oaks or view the spectacular bonfires that are lit along the Mississippi River during Christmas Eve.
NOLA Christmas Fest

NOLA ChristmasFest is tons of holiday fun with a real indoor ice skating rink, ice slides, a carousel, carnival rides, inflatables, Polar Golf, Santa and friends, gingerbread houses, decorated trees, and curling lanes! Come see Bouncy, the World’s Tallest Snowman!
Christmas Eve Celebration on the Steamboat NATCHEZ

Make memories this Christmas Eve on Mississippi River aboard the Steamboat NATCHEZ. The cruise will include a delicious holiday dinner buffet with reserved seating and live jazz. The cost is $85 per person. Boarding will begin at 6:30 p.m., with cruising from 7:30 until 9:30 p.m. Holiday attire is recommended. Reserve now!

New Year's Eve Jackson Square

There are hundreds of things to do New Year’s Eve in New Orleans, but the most exciting might just be the activities at the historic Jackson Square. Each year there is festive music from local entertainers, a unique Fleur De Lis drop and stunning fireworks exploding over the Mississippi River.
New Year's Eve Fireworks Cruise aboard the Steamboat NATCHEZ

The best view in the city of the “Symphony in the Sky” fireworks display is aboard the Steamboat NATCHEZ this New Year’s Eve. Enjoy an open bar, hors d’oeuvres and festive live entertainment. The cost is $125 per person. Boarding will begin at 9:30 p.m. with cruising from 10 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Holiday attire recommended. Reservation required. Click here.
New Year's Eve Gala aboard the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS

This year, the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS will be celebrating the New Year on the year with its sister steamboat the NATCHEZ. Along with the “Symphony in the Sky” fireworks display, you’ll enjoy an open bar, a holiday buffet, and live entertainment. The cost is $175 per person. Boarding will begin at 9:30 p.m., with cruising from 10 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Dress for the holidays and make reservations now.

Mardi Gras New Orleans.com

Think New Orleans and you probably think Mardi Gras. Most people have heard of Bourbon Street or at least have seen it on television, but it’s just one aspect of the carnival celebration in the city. The biggest part of this carnival is nearly a month-long affair with dozens of parades, hundreds of floats and an unforgettable atmosphere.
Mardi Gras Indians

St. Joseph’s Night

St. Joseph’s Night is traditionally the night that Mardi Gras Indians parade through their respective neighborhoods, dancing and chanting in the darkness in search of rival Indian gangs, showcasing their elaborate costumes and intricate beadwork to local residents and neighbors.

Mardi Gras Indians Super Sundays

There are three separate Super Sunday celebrations each year after St. Joseph’s Night on March 19th: Uptown Super Sunday, organized by the Indian Council; Downtown Indian Sunday, sponsored by Tambourine and Fan; and Westbank Super Sunday, put on by the Mohawk Hunters. Mardi Gras Indians from different areas of the city gather for parades, second lines, and to show off the artistry of their costumes and beadwork. Accompanying the parades are musical acts, food, activities for kids, and more!

New Orleans Restaurants

Make Valentine’s Day special. Review special offerings from some of the highest-rated restaurants in the United States.
Romance on the River

Reserve your Valentine’s Day cruise on the Steamboat Natchez. “Romance on the River” includes a welcome glass of champagne, hors d’oeuvres, buffet dinner, open bar, DJ for music and dancing, and a moonlit cruise on the Mississippi River! For reservations, call (504) 569-1480 or visit SteamboatNatchez.com.

St. Patrick's Day New Orleans

Here in the Big Easy, we celebrate this Irish themed holiday with multiple parades over a span of three weeks. Instead of beads like they throw from floats during Mardi Gras, during the Patty’s Day parades, there’s carrots, cabbages, moon pies, potatoes, and onions.

Italian-American Marching Club Parade

Sponsored by the Italian-American Marching Club, one of the largest ethnic organizations in the southeastern United States, the St. Joseph’s Day Parade is held annually and rolls through the French Quarter. Click here for photos of previous years’ parades!
Irish-Italian Annual Parade

The Irish-Italian parade always takes place the Sunday after St. Patrick’s Day. Starting at noon in Metairie (a suburb of New Orleans), the parade rolls down Veteran’s Boulevard and takes a traditional detour up and down Severn Avenue.

Easter In New Orleans

Easter in New Orleans starts with the outdoor church services spread across the city or you can head to St. Louis Cathedral to enjoy a traditional Mass in the historic church. After church, head over to one of the many fine New Orleans restaurants serving brunch. There are also at least four major Easter egg hunts every year. Wrap up the day by enjoying one of the three Easter parades. There’s something for everyone.

This link is not related to New Orleans only, but don’t miss it. These words have now been reprinted throughout the world: Easter poem.

Go 4th on the River!

New Orleans celebrates the birth of the nation with an annual fireworks display over the Mississippi River. The fireworks are shot off from dueling barges and there’s. Before the fireworks gather along the riverfront for activities and entertainment for the whole family.

Halloween In New Orleans

New Orleans knows how to celebrate Halloween. First, there’s Krewe of Boo, New Orleans’ official Halloween parade and Boo at the Zoo, a family-friendly Halloween event at the beautiful Audubon Zoo. For those that are brave, there are haunted hotels to stay in and haunted bars to visit. There are even tours that tell the ghost stories of the city and venture into the legendary above-ground cemeteries.

Thanksgiving In New Orleans

The residents of New Orleans love food. It could be why there’s no better place to spend Thanksgiving than the Crescent City. Whether it’s a meal at home or one of the many amazing restaurants, it’ll be delicious! Then, the next day go exploring at the city’s many shopping areas, like Magazine street that has six miles of locally owned stores. Also, Thanksgiving weekend is the Bayou Classic that pits the Southern Jaguars against the Grambling Tigers every year.