Expert Roundup of New Orleans Christmas Traditions: A Gumbo of Festive Cheer
‘Tis the season to be jazzy! New Orleans isn’t just about Mardi Gras and beignets (although we love both things!) Christmas time in New Orleans comes with its own melodies, mysteries, and merriments. Let’s dive into the festive roux and break down our expert roundup of New Orleans Christmas traditions!
Réveillon Dinners
A nod to the French Catholic heritage, Réveillon dinners date back to the early 19th century. The term réveillon means awakening, and in the early 1800s, everyone sat down for the meal after midnight mass. By the 1940s, the tradition had all but disappeared. However, in the 1990s, it was revived, with modifications to match the times, and has been increasingly popular ever since.
Today, the dinners are no longer at family homes but at the city’s top-tier restaurants at a more traditional hour. The menus are inspired by those enjoyed by Creole families who began the tradition, but with a little twist to show the uniqueness of each restaurant.
These dinner specials begin after Thanksgiving and are very popular, so we suggest making a reservation as soon as possible!
Bonfires on the Levee
Picture this: the Mississippi River levees illuminated with towering bonfires on Christmas Eve, guiding Papa Noël (Santa Claus) to the homes of Louisiana’s children. To attend this event, all you have to do is hop aboard the Algiers ferry and witness the largest holiday bonfire in the city! The bonfires pay homage to Louisiana’s old Cajun tradition; this event is a must for anyone celebrating their holidays in the Big Easy.
Caroling in Jackson Square
We hope you’ve warmed up your vocal chords! In the French Quarter, you’ll see carolers the Sunday before Christmas singing familiar carols that will make you feel merry and bright!
The Feast of the Seven Fishes
Our expert roundup of New Orleans Christmas traditions would be incomplete without this Italian tradition that many New Orleansians partake in on Christmas Eve. This seafood feast comes from southern Italy and is rooted in the Catholic tradition of abstaining from eating meat on the eve of a feast day. The meal consists of some sort of combination of anchovies, whittling, lobster, sardines, baccalà, smelts, eels, squid, octopus, shrimp, mussels, and claims. The feast can also include pasta, vegetables, baked goods, and wine. Each meal is different based on the host and attendees, but it will always consist of seafood.
The Running of the Santas
You’ve heard of dashing through the snow, but what about dashing through the streets? Every year, Santas of all shapes and sizes race through the Warehouse District in costume to add a little whimsy to the holiday season. Plus, it proves that even the jolliest of us can have a competitive streak! This event is Claus-tastic, and we highly recommend checking this out if you’re in town!
Holiday Home Tours
Have you ever wondered what it was like in some of the iconic New Orleans homes? If so, Christmas is your lucky time! New Orleanians decorate their homes in the most festive Christmas decor every year and open it to the public! The Preservation Resource Center (PRC) and the Patio Planters run the tours on select weekends in December. If you want to check out homes in the Garden District, PRC is for you, and if you want a tour of the French Quarter, Patio Planters is for you.
Festivities also include live musical performances, a festive boutique, and more! To view the schedule for 2023, click here.
Celebration in the Oaks
City Park's Celebration in the Oaks is an absolute must on our expert roundup of New Orleans Christmas traditions! This event is the park's largest fundraiser, beginning in the 1980s, with all proceeds going to the maintenance and beautification of the park. Guests can enjoy over a million twinkling lights through the 2.25-mile driving or reimagined walking tours.
The event also has unlimited amusement park rides, access to the Botanical Garden, and more! This event is an absolute must for anyone who loves the Christmas season.
If you want to learn about other events at City Park, check out our blog!
Roosevelt Hotel Lights Display
Do you want to know what walking in a winter wonderland feels like? One of the best ways to do so is to check out the lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel. For over eighty years, locals and visitors alike have been making this hotel one of their stops, which is why it’s on our expert roundup of New Orleans Christmas traditions! The lobby features birch branches, Christmas trees, more than 60,000 lights, and a gingerbread village illustrating the Louisiana classic “Cajun Night Before Christmas.”
Louisiana Philharmonic
Who doesn’t love a Christmas class with a twist? During the holiday season, the Louisana Philharmonic hosts a movie in concert! This year, you can relieve the classic Elf on a giant screen with the addition of every note played live by the symphony orchestra! Don’t be a cotton-headed ninny-muggins, and make this event a definite yes while in town! The event has two showings: December 22 and December 23 at The Saenger Theatre. Tickets can be purchased here.
Luna Fete
Luna Fete is a unique art festival that combines dynamic, contemporary art, film, and technology into a multi-day festival. The event features a silent disco, local vendors, yummy treats, and festive cocktails.
Stay at Creole Gardens and Complete Our Expert Roundup of New Orleans Christmas Traditions
Now that you have our expert roundup of New Orleans Christmas traditions handy, it’s time to finalize your travel plans! This holiday season, give yourself the gift of a relaxing, unique, and affordable stay at Creole Gardens! We are centrally located, meaning you can easily access all of the above events; plus, we are pet-friendly if you want to bring your furry friend along for the holidays! We also have complimentary breakfast and coffee service to help you start your day on the right foot!
To book your stay at Creole Gardens, click here.
If you want more inside tips and guides when visiting New Orleans, check out our blog!