Welcome to the most magical time of the year! We have compiled a list of activities for you and your loved ones to enjoy this holiday season in New Orleans!
Chanukah Events
Latkes with a Twist December 7; Jewish Children’s Regional Service (JCRS) will host its 11th Annual Latkes with a Twist featuring Chef Susan Spicer and Rosedale at Press St. Station.
Community Chanukah Celebration December 15; Free and open to the community! Live concert, holiday marketplace, and classic Chanukah favorites—fresh latkes and sufganiyot!
Chanukah at the Pelicans Game December 18; Enjoy a Chanukah happy hour at 6:00PM, then join Temple Sinai group to light the menorah on court and get pictures taken after the game. Tip-off is at 7:00PM.
JCC Chanukah Party December 18; A delicious luncheon filled with all the traditional Chanukah foods, including latkes and sufganiyot (doughnuts). After lunch, stay for some live music to bring in the holiday spirit. The Jewish Endowment Foundation generously sponsors this program.
Chanukah on the Avenue December 19; Outdoor Menorah lighting.
Things To Watch
Riverwalk Outlets Tree Lighting Ceremony November 25; Enjoy an evening filled with live music by Alicia “Blue Eyes” Renee, treats from Café Du Monde, and magical photo opportunities with Santa. Watch the lights turn on a 30-foot, beautifully decorated Christmas tree, marking the official start of the holidays in New Orleans.
Holiday Ribbon Cutting Reception November 25; The Ritz-Carlton invites you to watch and they unveil the hotel’s ornate holiday decorations, including the centerpiece: a larger-than-life replica of the Canal Street streetcar covered entirely in gingerbread and other confections. A new cast of notable Louisiana personalities will be depicted as passengers, come see if your favorite New Orleans celebrity is on board! Enjoy holiday refreshments as well as appearances from Papa Noel and the Victory Belles!
The Roosevelt Lobby Lighting December 2; Enjoy complimentary champagne, and toast to the start of the Holiday season at The Roosevelt New Orleans. Tourism executive, community leader and voice of the Saints Mark Romig will be the Official 2025 Lobby Lighter, flipping the switch to turn on 112,000 twinkling lights adorning our block-long lobby!
Rock Cats Rescue Presents Meowy Catmas December 4-21; Celebrate Christmas with us by watching cats jump through wreaths, ride in Santa’s sleigh, and perform an array of other seasonal tricks. Our real rescued house cats delight and amaze audiences of all ages!
Krewe of Krampus December 6; Step into the wild side of Christmas as the Krewe of Krampus marches through the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans for Krampus NOLAuf 2025, the city’s most creative, sustainable, and delightfully mischievous parade.
LPO Presents: The Muppet Christmas Carol December 12; The entire movie will play on the big screen while the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra performs the score live, bringing every song and moment to life in a way that can only be felt in person.
An Improvised Hallmark Holiday Special December 12; Short-form improv meets Hallmark movies! Expect romance, snowstorms, awkward encounters, and laugh-out-loud festive fun.
Movies Under The Stars December 13; Grab your blankets, bring the family to Spanish Plaza, and get ready for a magical night under the riverfront sky.
Lights on the Lake December 13; This family-friendly holiday event provides the best view of the annual West End Boat Parade.
NOBT Presents: The Nutcracker December 13-14 + December 19-23; Orpheum Theatre
Harry Shearer and Judith Owen’s Christmas Without Tears December 16; For the 20th year in a row in an intimate evening full of music, laughter and special guests, critically-acclaimed Artist and consummate stage performer Judith Owen and her husband, actor and humorist Harry Shearer (The Simpsons, Spinal Tap, Derek Smalls), will once again spread their special brand of yuletide cheer for the 2025 Christmas Without Tears! All proceeds benefitting Innocence & Justice Louisiana (formerly Innocence Project New Orleans). The evening will feature legendary vocalist Irma Thomas and piano man Jon Cleary!
Trans-Siberian Orchestra December 17; Smoothie King Center
LPO Holiday Spectacular December 18; This beloved annual tradition brings everyone’s favorite holiday classics to life in a festive and heartwarming concert for all ages. From timeless carols to spirited orchestral favorites, this program is sure to fill you with holiday cheer—culminating in a joyful audience sing-along.
Kermit Ruffins Presents: A Crazy Cool Christmas December 23; Chickie Wah Wah
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet December 26; Celebrate the season with America’s most beloved Nutcracker tradition! Tchaikovsky’s timeless score sets the stage for a Christmas your family will never forget.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas December 28; The program celebrates the anniversary of 40 years since the first Christmas album and includes dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting.
The Revivalist New Year’s Eve Ball December 31; Orpheum Theatre
Things To Do
Jingle Bells and Beer November 22; ‘Tis the season to bust out those ugly sweaters! City Park Conservancy’s adults-only holiday fundraiser features unlimited Carousel Gardens Amusement Park rides, food, entertainment, and of course, beer!
118th Annual Turkey Day Race November 27th; This Thanksgiving Day, the New Orleans Athletic Club hosts its 118th Annual Turkey Day Race produced by New Orleans Track Club.
Celebration in the Oaks November 28-January 1; The Park’s premier holiday fundraiser, Celebration in the Oaks garners over 135,000 visitors, celebrating what has become THE New Orleans family tradition. This incredible light festival has enchanted Park visitors since the 1980s and is vital to the Park’s maintenance, care, and beautification year round.
Holidays at Audubon November 28-January 4; This holiday season, Audubon Zoo and Audubon Aquarium are getting brighter than ever! From festive crafts and family activities to dazzling displays, photo ops with Santa, holiday-themed animal enrichment, and seasonal beverages – there’s no end to the holiday magic waiting for you! Holidays at Audubon is included in your admission or Audubon Membership.
Christmas in Lafreniere Park December 1-30; Driving tour, walking tour, and Santa mail center!
Teddy Bear Tea Weekends in December; For decades, children of all ages have experienced the magic of the yuletide season in our beautifully assembled North Pole. This year, the time-honored celebration will once more feature singing, dancing, story-telling, and appearances from Santa and Mrs. Claus! Indulge in decadent pastries and hot chocolate or sip on champagne as you pass on this tradition from one generation to the next!
Fifth Annual Pothole Christmas Tree Lighting December 5; Food, crafts, local artists, and tree lighting!
Christkindlmarkt December 5-7; German Christmas Market! 70+ vendors & local artists, holiday gifts, food & beverages, Glühwein, live music. FREE entry!
Santa’s Champagne Stroll December 6; Kick off the holidays on Magazine Street! Sip some free bubbly, stroll, and find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list!
Build Your Own Gingerbread House December 6-21; Children of all ages are invited to build a festive Gingerbread House at the Ritz-Carlton. Gingerbread House comes with all of the decorating essentials and holiday treats.
Bingle Bar December 6-24; Enhance your holiday lobby-hopping with festive to-go libations from the Bingle Bar, located on the third floor of the Ritz-Carlton.
Santa Paws & Pints: Pet Photos w/ Santa December 6; Come out for Santa pics with your fur baby, check out a few local vendors, raise your glass to help ARNO’s homeless dogs and cats, meet your new best friend, and take a chance on a raffle.
Pancakes with Santa December 6; Start your holiday season with pancakes and Santa! Join Urban South Brewery for a sweet morning of breakfast and photos for all ages!
Wreath Making Workshop December 6; Join Leigh Gradiz, Head Gardener at Longue Vue for a garden workshop! This workshop features wreath making using magnolia leaves from Longue Vue.
Manning Family Children’s Holiday Parade December 6; The parade will feature local and national television coverage, 30 holiday-themed floats, high flying helium balloons, more than a dozen dancing groups and marching bands to kick off the holiday season in New Orleans.
Papa Noel Tea December 6-30; The Davenport Lounge invites you for a special holiday celebration featuring an appearance by Papa Noel. Children will enjoy cookie decorating and holiday surprises. Reservations required.
Algiers Bonfire and Concert December 6; Join us in paying tribute to Louisiana’s river parish bonfire tradition, while listening to musical performances, eating food from local vendors, and shopping from local artisans at the holiday market.
Merry Market December 7; Enjoy Longue Vue’s annual holiday market and support local vendors this holiday season.
Pet Photos with Santa December 8-16; Mondays + Tuesdays at Oakwood Mall. Make the season paws-itively magical with a holiday photo starring your pet!
Lafreniere Park Christmas Market December 13; Shop with local vendors and find great gifts for your loved ones.
Holiday Arts Market in City Park December 13-14; Shop with 80+ vendors, enjoy culinary treats, and kid friendly activities!
A Very Merry Winter Market December 14; This year, local vendors will feature a variety of handmade specialty items including jewelry, art, candles, oddities, clothing, and other giftable goodies. This day of free entry allows guests to enjoy the first floor of the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum’s exhibits while supporting local artists and artisans.
Dark Christmas Market December 14; Step into a festive world where creativity meets merry at the Dark Christmas Market presented by Über Krampus, Captain of the Krewe of Krampus.This one-day holiday market brings together some of New Orleans’ most imaginative local artists for a celebration of creativity, community, and gift-giving.
Holiday Arts Market in Marsalis Harmony Park December 20-21; 80+ Gulf South art vendors, music, and culinary treats.
NOLA Christmas Fest December 20-29; From dazzling holiday displays—featuring a brand-new giant gingerbread house—to an expanded ice slide zone, a sparkling ice-skating rink, thrilling Carnival rides, and festive live entertainment, there’s magic for everyone. This year also introduces an extremely limited-capacity, exclusive experience: ice bumper cars
Caroling in Jackson Square December 21; The free community sing-along gathers thousands of people for a festive hour of holiday merriment, with carols led by local dignitaries and clergy. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. with Patio Planters volunteers stationed there to distribute complimentary song books and candles to participants in the non-denominational community celebration.
Holiday Home Tour December 21; French Quarter residents will open their holiday decorated homes for the self-guided walking tour!
Creole Christmas Holiday Home Tour December 27-28; Step back in time and join the Friends of the Cabildo for a delightful tour of the French Quarter’s most cherished properties. Adorned in traditional Creole Christmas finery, showcasing the unique style and charm of this historic era. The tour includes access to homes and courtyards of the Historic BK House & Gardens, Gallier House, Hermann-Grima House, 1850 House, Historic New Orleans Collection, and Spring Fiesta.
Things To Eat
Thanksgiving Lunch & Dinner November 27; The Windsor Court $110
Thanksgiving Brunch November 27; The Roosevelt New Orleans warmly invites you and your family to celebrate Thanksgiving with a lavish brunch featuring seasonal Southern-inspired dishes, bottomless mimosas, and live music.
Christmas Eve Reveillon December 24; The four-course feast is reminiscent of decadent post-Christmas Eve church service meals enjoyed by some of the first New Orleanians, who brought the tradition from their native France.
Christmas Brunch December 25; The Roosevelt New Orleans invites you and your loved ones to celebrate the magic of Christmas with a joyful brunch featuring seasonal holiday dishes, bottomless mimosas, and live music.
Christmas Day Jubilee December 25; Enjoy an enhanced four-course menu with Champagne.
Hanukkah Dinner December 26-January 2; Windsor Court $80
New Year’s Eve Celebration December 31; Let M bistro dazzle you with a five-course dinner perfectly paired with exquisite wines. Jeremy Davenport begins performing at 8:30pm and will host the countdown to a Champagne toast at midnight.
Enjoy the holidays, y’all!