Tis’ the season and we have rounded up a bunch of OffBeat-approved events for you to plan your days (albeit safely!) and nights celebrating the holiday in New Orleans. Read on to see our picks of where to eat, where to shop, and where to play.
Holiday Events
CAROLING IN JACKSON SQUARE (NOW AT NEW ORLEANS JAZZ MUSEUM), 400 Esplanade Avenue; December 20 at 7 p.m.
Caroling in Jackson Square, presented by Patio Planters of the Vieux Carre since 1946, will take place with a different twist this December 20, a la pandemic. On Sunday, December 20, the New Orleans Jazz Museum will welcome Caroling in Jackson Square, 2020 Style! to its grounds at 7 p.m. for one hour of holiday sing-along festivities. Song books and candles will be provided as usual. Masks, safety protocols and mindful distancing will be strictly enforced in accordance with State and City guidelines. For more information, click here.
FRENCH QUARTER HOLIDAY HOME TOUR, Various Vieux Carre residences; December 20 (1-4 p.m.)
Savor the holiday spirit virtually as Patio Planters of the Vieux Carre presents French Quarter residences dressed for the season. The tour includes interesting architectural styles and home furnishings, as well as a variety of collections of Christmas decorations. The tour will be offered as a complimentary, virtual tour beginning December 20, 2020. Please visit patioplanters.net to access the tour link or contact admin@patioplanters with any questions.
CELEBRATION IN THE OAKS, City Park, 2 Friedrichs Avenue; December 25-January 3
The 2020 season is the 35th anniversary of New Orleans City Park’s largest fundraiser, Celebration in the Oaks. This year it will be a driving tour with Add-On Activities in Carousel Gardens, too. Celebration in the Oaks in City Park is the most spectacular holiday lights festival in the country. City Park’s famous oaks are swathed in over a million twinkling lights and breathtaking light displays are scattered throughout the 2.25 mile driving tour of the Park. With more than 165,000 visitors pouring into the Park to see the magical winter spectacle in previous years, 2020 is a special year and City Park is planning a special event this year with a Driving Tour. Tickets (suggested price of $24.98 but patrons are welcome to donate more) are available for December 25-January 3 and must be purchased in advance here.
SUPERNOVA OUTDOOR LIGHT EXHIBIT & LUNA FÊTE, 2200 Lafitte Avenue (the Lafitte Greenway); Wednesdays – Sundays, 5-9 p.m. December 9 – 2
The Friends of Lafitte Greenway is teaming up with New Orleans Rec Department and LUNA Fête to host a free outdoor light based art exhibit in December. This will be the first program in its newest community space, the Greenway Plaza. The Plaza has transformed the former driveway and parking area of the old Brake Tag Station, which is New Orleans’ newest open-air, covered community space. Note: While the event is free, the Lafitte Greenway does rely on donations.
LIGHTS FOR LIONS, Aubudon Zoo, 6500 Magazine; now through December 30.
Did you know that most string lights are not bio-degradable and are dangerous to animals if they get tangled in the strands? The public can help by recycling unused or discarded lights and keeping them from going to a landfill. The Audubon Zoo will be collecting string lights for recycling this month as part of Audubon’s “Lights for Lions” conservation campaign to save lions in the wild. Take action with the zoo this holiday season and make a positive impact on the natural world. Tickets to visit the zoo are available here.
CAROLING DOWN THE RIVER, Creole Queen, 1 Poydras Street; Christmas Eve, December 24 at 5 p.m.
A three hour tour you say? Spend an enchanting Christmas Eve in New Orleans on the Creole Queen! Enjoy unparalleled views of the city from our elegant, garland-adorned dining rooms or from the open air of our upper deck. Have a true Christmas, New Orleans style experience with a delicious Creole dinner and a live jazz band playing New Orleans and holiday favorites. After dinner, enjoy your favorite cocktails and sweet Mississippi River breezes on the promenade deck as the city skyline slips by under a canopy of stars. Tickets are $89 for adults and $39 for kids and may be purchased here.
ARTIVISM DANCE STUDIO VARIOUS EVENTS, 8204 Oak Street
If you are looking for a way to work off holiday calories or for a class your kids can drop into while you shop, check out all the events lined up at Artivism Dance Studio this month which include a Nutcracker workshop and hip hop dance parties. Visit here. Pre-registration is required.
Holiday Shopping
NEW ORLEANS AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS SALE, 1417 Governor Nichols Street; December 19 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.)
In partnership with Black Men Build, join NOAAM to support Black-Owned businesses and institutions for upcoming the holidays. Local Black Business vendors, farmers, and artists and local artists will be in attendance and live music performances will include Scarab Shabazz, TheSmoothcat, and Godlee.
THE ANNUAL HOLIDAY FRUIT TREE SALE, Ye Olde College Inn Gardens, 3000 S. Carrollton Avenue; December 19 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.)
The Annual Holiday Fruit Tree Sale at Ye Olde College Inn Gardens will sell fruit trees from Becnel Farms Louisiana such as lemon, Navel orange, blood orange, Southern cherry, Key and Persian lime, Celeste fig, and from $40-$50 each.
EXILE MARKET, New Orleans Healing Center, St. Claude Avenue & Spain Street; December 19 & 20 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Each day features a different selection of 25 vendors, spaced out over the Healing Center’s big corner lot property at St. Claude Avenue & Spain Street. The organization states: “We held a very safe, and successful, Halloween Costume Boo-tique on the same space in October, and are pleased as punch to be able to open it up again for holiday shopping.” Dave Rebeck & Friends will perform and food and drink will be served. For more info, click here.
HOLIDAY DINING
COURT OF TWO SISTERS JAZZ BRUNCH WITH SANTA, 613 Royal Street; December 19 and 23
Since at least 1726, the property where the Court of Two Sisters restaurant is now located has been a significant cultural presence in New Orleans. Kids and adults now can make their own holiday tradition by having brunch with Santa Claus. Call (504) 522-7261 or email [email protected] for reservations (required) and information. Includes live Jazz entertainment, full brunch buffet, special kid’s buffet, visit with Santa and a gift for every child.
FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES, Gianna Restaurant, 700 Magazine Street; Christmas Eve, December 24 5 p.m.
“December is a time of celebration and tradition, and one of my most favorite times of year. I love the idea of sharing a Gulf seafood feast with family and friends,” says Chef Rebecca Wilcomb of Gianna. Join the Warehouse District Italian restaurant for its Feast of the Seven Fishes, a tradition imported from Italy. For reservations, click here.
HOLIDAY TEA AT WINDSOR COURT, 300 Gravier Street; Various dates through December 30
Whether it’s the Southern tradition of holiday tea, four-courses of French fare for Revéillon, or a Christmas menu fit for a king, Windsor Court is home to a variety of New Orleans’ favorite holiday meals and pastimes.If you’re looking to truly experience the seasonal grandeur, there’s no better time than during the traditional pastime of Holiday Tea in Le Salon. Don’t miss this elegant holiday tradition complete with delicate tea sandwiches, and holiday-themed scones and desserts. Tickets for kids are $49 and adult tickets cost $69. Get tickets and reservations here.
