4 Must-Have Holiday Experiences in New Orleans
In December and January, The Crescent City glistens with twinkling lights and bustles with exciting activities.
By Patricia Harrison
Everyone should stroll the historic cobblestone streets of New Orleans at least once in their lifetimes. While the city is a wonderful place to visit any month of the year, December and January are particularly lovely times to visit. That’s when the Crescent City bustles with holiday magic, including festive events and activities worth planning a trip around, and the temperature is cooler. The highs are often in the low to mid-60s, ideal for exploring with a light jacket or sweater. Add the following yuletide experiences to your winter itinerary.
Exciting Celebrations
In December and January, New Orleans’ events calendar is packed with unique happenings. Sing along to your favorite holiday tunes at Jackson Square on December 22, when thousands gather to carol by candlelight in front of St. Louis Cathedral. At St. James Parish on Christmas Eve, join in on bonfires on the levee bordering the Mississippi River, built to guide Papa Noël (Santa Claus) to homes in the area. Or marvel at the 600-year-old live oak trees in City Park, which are blanketed with twinkling lights. For those who celebrate the Festival of Lights, the Jewish Community Center’s Community Chanukah Celebration on December 19 features a menorah lighting, live music and delicious treats. On New Year’s Eve, a fleur de lis (a symbol of New Orleans) drops from a 25-foot pole at JAX Brewery in the French Quarter as fireworks fill the sky.
Carriage in the French Quarter
Immersive Tours
One of the best ways to learn about New Orlean’s storied past is under the care of a knowledgeable guide. Embark on a yuletide-themed ghosts and legends tour through the French Quarter — aptly titled Fa-La-La-Fright! — with New Orleans Secrets. Or opt for a culinary excursion with New Orleans Food Tours, which will give you the opportunity to try local delicacies such as pecan pralines, muffulettas and crawfish etouffee. If you love architecture, consider the Holiday Home Tour with the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans. On December 14 and 15, the organization will lead tours of several beautiful and lavishly decorated homes in the Garden District; the festivities also include live music and a pop-up boutique.
One-of-a-Kind Shows
Catch the New Orleans Ballet Theatre’s rendition of “The Nutcracker” at The Orpheum Theater, which brings the show to the stage for nine days in December. Or watch a thrilling adaption of “A Christmas Carol” by the talented group behind The Crescent City Stage at the Marquette Theater on the campus at Loyola University New Orleans. To catch sights of the city from the water, board the Creole Queen to enjoy a Creole buffet while you listen to music from a live jazz band. Or take the kiddos to NOLA Christmasfest, an attraction with an ice-skating rink, carnival rides, a gingerbread village and live stage shows.
Réveillon Dinners
Dozens of restaurants across New Orleans host Réveillon suppers. The meal has origins in the early 1800s, when New Orleans residents of French descent would feast after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The tradition has evolved into decadent multi-course dinners made by talented chefs, often throughout the month of December. Book a table at the legendary chandelier-bedecked Commander’s Palace, which has served fine Creole cuisine since 1880. Other options include The Bower, which is known for its dazzling vegetable-centric dishes, and Couvant, a romantic candlelit eatery at The Eliza Jane Hotel.
Historical Home in the Garden District
Where to Stay
The Eliza Jane New Orleans
This ultra-stylish 196-room property is situated in a collection of former 19th-century warehouses. That includes the building where its namesake — Eliza Jane Nicholson — made history as the first woman publisher of a major newspaper, The Daily Picayune.
Selina Catahoula New Orleans
Selina Catahoula is a 35-room boutique beauty tucked on a quiet street in New Orleans Central Business District. The rooms have charming historical features, including restored plaster and exposed brick walls, as well as modern options like bunk beds and rainfall shower heads.
The Omni Riverfront New Orleans
Situated within walking distance of the Mississippi River and the quirky Warehouse Arts District, coveted amenities at this Omni property include a 24-hour fitness center, Junior Chefs program for kiddos and a bistro-style restaurant and bar known for its cocktails.
The Royal Sonesta New Orleans
A swanky hideaway in the French Quarter, The Royal Sonesta has cozy rooms, some of which have balconies facing Bourbon Street, located within minutes of famous Crescent City attractions such as Jackson Square and Aquarium of the Americas.
Book these hotels, and more, using the TSA rate code in the GDS. Non-GDS users can book these hotels using tripXpress.
Banner photo: St. Louis Cathedral
