‘Tis the season for free, funky music in New Orleans — it’s the winter holidays and that means festive celebrations all around town throughout the month of December. Like the French Quarter’s “Christmas New Orleans Style” free concert series at St. Louis Cathedral, the Warehouse Business District (WBD) too has its series of joyous community concerts this season. This Wednesday, December 4, “Christmas in the District“ presents the Grammy Award-winning Rebirth Brass Band at the Plaza at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center at 6 p.m.
The Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band plays free concert December 4 at Christmas in the District.
Not to be left out of the season’s holiday cheer, the WBD downtown riverside neighborhood west of Canal Street has launched its own public events program this year — “Christmas in the District” — from December 4 through January 5. The Warehouse Business District Association partnered with the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and NOLA Brewing Company to build a new holiday-themed, large-scale lights display celebrating the culture and history of New Orleans, located on the Convention Center Plaza, where a variety of events will also take place over the course of the five weeks.
The WWII Museum's Victory Belles at Christmas in the District on December 18.
This pop-up display features over 70 trees and digitally animated lighting effects synchronized to music. Drivers can also tune in to 93.9 FM on their car radio to enjoy Christmas music synchronized to the movements of the animated light display. A sort of winter version of Wednesdays at the Square will take place on Wednesdays leading up to Christmas week from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the “Christmas in the District” display with free concerts featuring local musicians. Special programming is also scheduled for December 14 and 30, with a closing event on January 5.
Everyone can enjoy the light display anytime now through January 5. The show operates Sunday through Thursday, 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm., and Friday and Saturday 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. during these dates. All events are free, all ages, and open to the public. During the Wednesday evening concerts and other special programs, food and beverages can be purchased from local vendors. “Christmas in the District” is located at the Convention Center Plaza (900 Convention Center Boulevard). The complete schedule of events is below.
Complete “Christmas in the District” 2013 Schedule of Events:
- Wednesday, December 4: Series Kick-Off Concert featuring the Greater St. Stephen’s Choir (5:30 p.m.) and the Rebirth Brass Band (6 p.m.)
- Wednesday, December 11: Free Concert featuring Flow Tribe (6 p.m.) and specials guest TBA
- Saturday, December 14: The 3rd Annual Running of the Santas (start 9 a.m.) — “Reindeer Rest Stop” at the Convention Center, with drinks available for purchase
- Wednesday, December 18: The National WWII Museum’s Victory Belles‘ “A Swingin’ Christmas” Carols Revue (5:30 p.m.)
- Monday, December 30: WWII Museum Presents: Jump, Jive and Wail: The Music of Louis Prima (6:00 p.m.)
- The Stage Door Canteen at The National WWII Museum presents the Big Easy award winning hit show Jump, Jive & Wail, featuring a spectacular cast of ten who bring to life Louis Prima’s legendary songs, musicians, vocals and dance. Enjoy such timeless Prima classics as Sing! Sing! Sing!, Just a Gigolo, Oh Marie, That Old Black Magic, and Basin Street Blues performed with the non-stop Prima energy that kept audiences cheering from New Orleans to New York, from Las Vegas to network television.
- Sunday, January 5: Christmas in the District Closing Program TBA (5:00 p.m.)
More Info: www.christmasinthedistrict.com, or call 1-855-477-8756
