Holiday Season in New Orleans

Holiday season in New Orleans is here! There is so much to do from now through till the new year, it’ll be tough to fit it all in. Of course, we follow the new year with only a brief rest period before revving up for Mardi Gras, then our spring events, leading into summer festival season… I guess the fun never stops! 

That being said, the holiday fun in particular is what we’ll be focusing on. We’ll help you plan for all the Holiday activities and events happening in December by highlighting some of our favorite! Here are some of the great sights and sounds of Holiday season in New Orleans!

Sights & Lights!

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Celebration in the Oaks

The always magnificent Celebration in the Oaks is running every day until January 1st! They are, however, closed on December 24th and 31st. 5pm-11pm Friday - Saturday, 6pm - 10pm Sunday - Thursday.

Check out this video to get a feel for the event, and click here to learn more!

Take a look at all the holiday fun at New Orleans City Park's Celebration in the Oaks! It takes 10 months of preparation to get ready for the event and each year we're so excited to share it with everyone. We know you'll want to attend!

For the second year, Audubon Nature Institute and Children's Hospital New Orleans have partnered to create a holiday tradition that transforms Audubon Zoo into a WILD, glowing wonderland. Audubon Zoo Lights presented by Children's Hospital New Orleans will bring the holiday spirit to thousands of families.

Audubon Zoo Lights

The Audubon Zoo Lights are the uptown alternative to Celebration in the Oaks. Tons of great activities for the whole family! The Audubon Zoo Lights will run every weekend through December, from 6pm - 9pm.

Check out the video for a short look at the event, and click here to learn more!

LUNA Fete

The truly awesome and inspiring festival of art, light and technology returns to downtown New Orleans from December 12th - 15th, 6pm - 10pm. You don’t want to miss this! Check out their website here— it features a fantastic video exploration of the event!

Music In The Air!

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St Augustine Cathedral Concerts

The historic staple of the Treme neighborhood puts on a number of free and open to the public concerts through December, typically running an hour and featuring a wide variety of performances. Head over to NewOrleans.com to check their upcoming concert schedule!

St. Louis Cathedral Concerts

This historic church is in Jackson Square, and dates back to 1794. Enjoy the beautiful architecture, along with a number of jazz, gospel, choir and pop performances put on through December, free and open to the public. Head over to NewOrleans.com to check their upcoming concert schedule!

Jackson Square Caroling

This exceedingly popular event is held on Sunday, December 22nd in Jackson Square. The square is filled with enthusiastic participants holding candles, and singing classic Christmas carols. The event is free and open to the public, though it is advised you show up early if you’d like to secure a spot in the park— the event is so popular, it sometimes exceeds the capacity of the park! For more information, check out the primary sponsors of the event, the Patio Planters, here.

Shop Till Ya Drop!

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Magazine Street

Magazine Street is a great uptown shopping strip, and is even more exciting in Holiday Season! Check out what the street has to offer here!

Piety in Exile Market

The Piety in Exile Market will occur twice in December, once on the 14th, and once on the 21st. The event occurs inside the New Orleans Healing Center.

Canal Place

Of course, there is the always reliable mall at Canal Place for the more high end shoppers out there! Check out what they have to offer here!