Holiday Happenings Around New Orleans 2015

There is definitely no shortage of Holiday Events around New Orleans, here is a short list of some of our favorites!  And remember while you are about and about in the City remember to Shop Local! Just like the old days where families donned their Sunday Bests and took to Downtown to do all of their Christmas Shopping, support your local small businesses and Shop Local for the Holidays links below.

1. Canal Street Lighting Ceremony
Stroll along Canal Street and watch as the Downtown Development District and the Astor Crowne Plaza “flip the switch,” turning on more than 1 million twinkling lights on New Orleans’ grand corridor. With the donation of an unwrapped toy, kids can join Santa and decorate holiday cookies in the hotel’s St Charles Ballroom just off the lobby from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Santa will be there to hear your wish list for the holidays. Tuesday November 24^th @ 5:00 In Front of Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel More info Here

2. Small Business Saturday Second Line
Kicking off the local holiday shopping season with a Second Line! Join Broad Community Connections, WWOZ 90.7 FM, the Stay Local krewe, and Soul Brass Band as we dance our way to four trailblazing businesses on historic Bayou Road. Plus, Brandan "BMike" Odums, the artist behind Exhibit Be, will unveil his latest street art honoring community roots and local businesses. Saturday, November 28th 2015, 11:00am - 1:30pm - 2523 Bayou Rd, New Orleans  For More Info Click Here

3. Kenner Christmas Village
Transformed into a festive holiday village with beautiful Christmas lights, animated scenery, overlooking the tranquil pond.  Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays there is caroling, costumed holiday characters and Santa along with craft and food vendors and local entertainment.  Snow Every Weekend! Free Admission.
Fridays, Saturday, & Sundays starting Saturday November 28^th – December 20^th  5:30pm - 8:30pm -  405 Williams Boulevard, Kenner for more info call 504-468-7231

4. Holiday Movies on The Mississippi
The Downtown Development District and The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk present three weekends of FREE outdoor movie showings. In partnership with New Orleans Film Society
***The first 50 families to sign in at each movie will receive a commemorative fleece blanket***
Friday December 4th, 11th, & 18th @ 6:30 Riverwalk’s Spanish PlazaFor More Info
Friday December 4  – Polar Express
Friday December 11  – Home Alone
Friday December 18 – Elf

5. Miracle on Fulton Street
As you enter Fulton Street from Poydras Street you walk through a giant ornament with twinkling lights. Glittering trees and snowflakes will greet you on the other side. Our 30-foot Christmas tree welcomes you at the entrance from Lafayette Street.   "Snow,” which is rare for New Orleans, will fall at intervals throughout the day around the gazebo. Visit the Harrah's Hotel lobby to view a gingerbread replica of our casino. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season, all on Fulton Street in Downtown New Orleans. Starting December 4^th – 27^th @ Fulton Street  More Info Here

6. Krewe of Jingle

New Orleans’ official holiday parade, the “Krewe of Jingle,” will once again delight locals and visitors alike with authentic parade floats, marching bands, stilt walkers, Christmas characters and many more magical surprises.  Saturday December 5^th, 2015 1:00Download Parade Map Here! More Info Here

7. Downtown NOLA Saturday Shopping Spree
The Magic of the Season starts Downtown, bring back fond memories and create new ones. There will be Shopping discounts, restaurant specials, & entertainment.  Before the parade @ 11:30am Kinfolk Brass Band will be performing & after The Crew of Jingle enjoy all the shopping downtown has to office and @ 2:30 in front of Harris Casino the Bag of Donuts will perform. Click Here for More Info

8 .Reindeer Run & Romp
Calling all kids! The annual holiday fun run for kids on Canal Street! Rudolph, Santa and friends will jingle their bells to signal the start of the race. Participants will receive antlers, a race t-shirt and a bag of holiday goodies. After the race, “Romp” around the Riverwalk’s Spanish Plaza and enjoy healthy activities like yoga for kids & parents, pictures with Santa, music, games, crafts and more. Saturday December 12^th, 2015 - Registration 8:00 a.m., Race Start 9:00 a.m. - Canal Street, beginning and ending at the Riverwalk Spanish Plaza
For More info Click Here

9 .Orpheum Holiday Spectacular
Celebrate this holiday season the New Orleans way with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the legendary 610 Stompers! Gather the entire family for this musical journey through New Orleans, led by the legendary 610 Stompers and featuring singers, dancers and musicians representing our culturally diverse hometown. Saturday, December 12th @ 7:30PM & Sunday, December 13^th @ 2:30 PM For More Info Click Here

10 .Take a Street Car Ride down St. Charles Avenue
Board a Street car, grab a window sear and enjoy a ride down St. Charles Avenue to view the spectacular Mansions lit up for the Holidays. To purchase passes and view RTA schedules Click Here

11. NOLA Christmas Fest
10 Days of family fun in a safe, indoor Christmas Festival Featuring:  Indoor Ice Skating Rink, Carnival Rides, Kringle Carousel, Larger-than-Life Inflatables, Santa, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph and all their pals from the North Pole, A-maze-ing Life-Size Maze, Crafts for Kids, Over 70 Christmas trees decorated by local organizations, Festive lighting displays inside and on Convention Center Blvd. December 18^th – 27^th - New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Hall B More Info Here

12. Caroling in Jackson Square
Join in a truly moving annual tradition as Jackson Square brims with candlelit faces and song-lit spirits as high as the spires of the St. Louis Cathedral. Candles and song sheets provided. Gates open at 6:30 pm and Caroling begins promptly at 7pm. Free and open to the public. Sunday December 20^th, 2015 Gates Open at 6:30 begins at 7.  More Info Here

13 .Christmas Eve Bonfire Adventure Tour
Celebrate a time honored Louisiana tradition - the lighting of the bonfires on the banks of the Mississippi River includes round-trip narrated motor coach transportation and a guided tour of the San Francisco Plantation with Christmas Dinner @ the plantation included.  December 24, 2015 2:30pm – till – Departs from Gray Line Lighthouse Ticket Office (Toulouse St. @ the Mississippi River in the French Quarter). For More Info Click here Or take a ride down to St. James parish yourself and take a walk along the Levee to view all the magnificent bonfires, you won't meet a stranger.

14. Holiday in the Park: Lights at Lafreniere
Beautiful light display throughout the Park. Old favorites include holiday characters, the beloved Lombardi Trophy between two Saints Players, the Teddy Bear Factory, and Snowman Island!  The park sparkles for the holidays with thousands of twinkling lights and displays. **Saturday December 12^th  @ 9:30am is Snow day for kids 10 and under where they bring in 50,000 pounds of Snow** Runs from 12/4 - 12/30 Sunday – Thursday 5:30-9:30 Friday & Saturday 5:30-11:30 - 3000 Downs Boulevard, Metairie

15. Celebration in the Oaks

It is not Christmas in New Orleans without Celebration in the Oaks.  Tons of Beautiful in house crafted decorations and magnificent light displays which makes this New Orleans most Popular Holiday Attraction.  You can walk around the park and/or take a train ride.  Grab your tickets before you go! November 27^th 2015 –January 2^nd 2016 @ City Park More Info Here