While Mardi Gras may be a big reason that New Orleans is a prime destination, Christmas in NOLA is very enticing as well!
This city is rich in centuries-old folklore which contributes to the unique holiday traditions still celebrated today.
From Christmas Eve bonfires along the Mississippi River to sumptuous Réveillon feasts, and caroling in Jackson Square to touring historic homes lit up for Christmas, there is no shortage of things to do in NOLA at the holidays.
Don't forget the things that make New Orleans a year-round destination! Check out our ghost, swamp, plantation, and riverboat tour posts.
Many of the above activities are included for free with the purchase of a tourist discount pass.
TIP: You will definitely want to take a look at the December Weather before you pack for your trip!
HOLIDAY-THEMED TOURS
Pay-What-You-Like Creole Christmas French Quarter Walking Tour
This Free Tours by Foot tour is designed to allow you to see the holiday lights while you are led through this historic neighborhood.
Learn about the Papa Noel story, traditional catholic creole Christmas observations, and Christmas bonfires.
You will also learn what makes a Creole Christmas decoration, which constitutes a Revellion dinner, and finish off with the option to enjoy a holiday cocktail.
You will also hear a few non-Christmas related stories, and learn about the distinct French Quarter architecture, the many traditions of the area, as well as its general history.
Grayline Tours has two coach tours planned for Christmas eve that take you to see the traditional Christmas activity of lighting huge bonfires along the Mississippi River.
2023 dates are yet to announced.
Read more about this unique holiday tradition below.
Bonfire Adventure Tour
A 6½-hour tour that includes a visit to the San Francisco Plantation where you'll have a holiday dinner will then ride the bus through St. James Parish to see the Christmas Eve bonfires. Details are yet to be announced for this tour.
Bonfire Express Tour
A 4-hour tour that takes you right to the bonfires. Details are yet to be announced for this tour.
Visit a Plantation for a Special Holiday Celebration
A unique way to celebrate the holidays is to visit one of the many historic plantations that surround New Orleans.
Some offer seasonal activities in celebration of Christmas, so check out our post about New Orleans Plantations to see what plantations you can visit.
New Orleans Drunk History Tour - Christmas Edition
The highly-rated Drunk History Tour, offered by Nawlins Theatrical Tours, is offering a Christmas edition.
Like the regular Drunk History Tour, the Christmas edition is a fun and informative tour about the history of some of the best bars in the French Quarter.
Taking this tour during the holiday season comes with the extra perk of enjoying the colorful Christmas lights strung on the bars and historic buildings you will visit on this tour.
You'll find a lovely lit Christmas Tree in the French Quarter at 749 Decatur Street.
The French Market, as well as several homes and businesses in the French Quarter, are splendidly decorated for the holidays.
In particular, the displays on Royal Street and Chartres Street are often very beautiful.
TIP: See our post on tours of the French Quarter. We offer a pay-what-you-wish tour of the French Quarter as well as a self-guided GPS-enabled audio tour and food and cocktail tours in the French Quarter.
LUNA Fête
LUNA Fête (Light Up NOLA Arts Fete) is a free outdoor exhibition of large-scale light installations that are placed throughout Downtown NOLA near Lafayette Square.
In 2023, event is going to take place from December 7th - December 10th.
These innovative works of art integrate architecture, motion graphics, sound design, and video-mapping practices.
While that sounds complicated, the result is simple: beautiful displays of light!
Installations lit up between 6 pm - 10 pm nightly.
In addition to seeing the installations, there will also be a nightly art market, drinks, and food from local vendors at Lafayette Square.
Every December, several upscale hotels dress up their lobbies for the holidays. The public is welcome to come in and take a look.
The Roosevelt New Orleans is one of these hotels. Santa Claus shows up for the lighting ceremony each year!
The Ritz-Carlton has Tea Time with Papa Noel and a Build Your Own Gingerbread House event while the Royal Sonesta has Christmas Tree Land.
Windsor Court boats one of the tallest Christmas trees in the city.
Harrah’s Hotel has an outdoor light display as well as a display of gingerbread house versions of recognizable New Orleans buildings.
NOTE: As of September 2023, The Royal Sonesta has indicated that they will have Christmas decorations and a Santa's Pajama Party on weekends at Restaurant R'evolution. The Ritz-Carlton will have a holiday tea time event with Papa Noel and a Gingerbread house-building activity as well.
Audubon Zoo Lights
In honor of the holidays, Audubon Zoo provides a lot of great things to see and do during their Zoo Lights event.
The main attraction is their lighting displays, many of which are designed to look just like some of the most popular animals at the zoo, including alligators, elephants, tigers, and more.
Aside from the holiday lights, there are also several fun activities such as photos with Santa Claus, creating your own lighting display, and riding the carousel or train.
NOTE: As of September 2023, the Audubon Zoo hasn't announced any plans for zoo lights this year. That said, they will be open for the winter and you can check their holiday schedule for more details.
Dating back to the earliest Cajun settlers, this tradition involves the creation of huge bonfires along the Mississippi River on Christmas Eve.
Most bonfires are set up in communities adjoining communities of Gramercy, Lutcher, and Paulina in St. James Parish, about 30-40 miles upriver from New Orleans.
Granted it is not easy for those without a car to see this incredible expansive stretch of bonfires.
Grayline Tours used to conduct two coach tours in the month of December, details of 2023 are yet to be announced.
This is one of the more popular traditions in New Orleans, and you will find several different restaurants and other locations offering a Teddy Bear Tea event.
In addition to holiday-themed tea, these events also often include either a visit with Papa Noel, free teddy bears, and/or various other treats and gifts.
Magazine Street's businesses are dressed up for the holidays. You'll have six miles of shopping, food, and entertainment.
Details of 2023 events are yet to be announced.
They will also have a Home for the Holidays event. This sale will feature home decor to help you spruce up your decorations for Christmas!
This is a great way to support local businesses so come on out and do some shopping on Magazine Street.
NOTE: The name of this event might be changed for 2023, but they do have plans for special activities and promotions during this holiday season.
Santa's Quarters
If you want to shop for Christmas decorations, there's no better store than Santa's Quarters.
This store is dedicated to celebrating the holiday spirit with a plethora of unique and wonderful decorative pieces.
Even if you don't intend to purchase anything, it's still a lot of fun to walk in and look at the various baubles and ornaments that they have for sale.
As part of New Orleans' Preservation Resource Center’s Holiday Home Tours, a holiday boutique will usually take place on in mid-Dec.
Held at the Trinity Episcopal Church at 1329 Jackson Ave., the market typically features items from local artisans and boutiques.
The market is free to enter, but the Holiday Home Tours does have a fee (see above). Dates are Dec 9th & 10th 2023.
NEW YEAR'S EVE
Christmas may be over, but NOLA doesn't stop celebrating until they ring in the new year!
There are all sorts of events, from free public gatherings to parties in clubs, New Year's cruises, and even events just for kids. Take a look below to find what's right for you!
Countdown in Jackson Square
This free annual New Orleans New Year’s Eve celebration culminates at midnight with the dropping of a fleur-de-lis from the top of JAX Brewery.
Afterward, there will be a grand fireworks display.
Rather than celebrate the new year at midnight, the Audobon Zoo holds a countdown at noon after a few hours of music, games, and prizes.
Pepsi is substituted for champagne, ensuring that the kids have something sweet and bubbly to drink as they ring in the new year!
This event is complimentary with admission to the Audubon Zoo. See more information here.
Sugar Bowl Parade
In celebration of the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day, the Sugar Bowl Parade will be held on New Year's Eve.
This parade begins at about 2:30 p.m. at the intersection of Elysian Fields Avenue and Decatur Street.
With a wide variety of floats, bands, and other participants, there will be plenty to see and do during this event.
They'll even be passing the Allstate Fan Fest on Decatur Street, where the parade will be broadcast from 2 pm to 5 pm.
Even if you're not interested in football, this should be a fun family activity!
TIP: The parade will be traveling down Decatur Street in the French Quarter. We recommend finding a good spot somewhere between Conti Street and St. Philip Street.
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve!
Although this event is typically held in New York City, they have since expanded the countdown to New Orleans.
When it's time for the Central Time Zone to celebrate, live segments will be shot in NOLA with an exclusive performance from the Allstate Fan Fest. Get all the details here!
Sarah first moved to New Orleans in 2001 to work for the American Red Cross of Southeast Louisiana. While working in the communities of New Orleans she fell in love with the unique culture of the Big Easy; it's food, music, architecture, wildlife, and most of all history. Read More...
Sarah began her career with FTBF, first as a guide, then as an owner/operator. She believes every day is a good day if she gets to impart her love of her beloved New Orleans with Free Tours By Foot guests. She especially likes to convert new Who Dat Saints Fans!
