If you’ve ever thought of doing something completely different for the Holidays New Orleans is definitely the place to come. The Quarter, downtown, the hotels all are beautifully decorated in traditional style. Makes for a cozy celebratory place to be. The weather is nice and sometimes can be cold which is perfect for bundling up and enjoying wonderful food and spirits.
Walking through the French Quarter is definitely a treat when it comes to the holidays season with balconies decorated, shops decked out to celebrate the season, special menus in many restaurants with traditional fare. And of course the hotels bring out their best and beautiful decorations at this time.
Even our streetcars and steamboats are all decked in holiday style! Many hotels have special rates too, and it’s a good idea to plan this well in advance since at times like these many people from around the world like to do their Christmas in the Crescent City.
This is an updated version of the wonderful Louis Armstrong song.
In Jackson Square the annual candlelight caroling event draws young and old from all over the city in a traditional sign of fellowship and light. And many restaurants have a Revillion meal based a French custom from the old days where people would go to midnight Mass and then have a large meal afterwards. Although the mass at midnight is still popular the meal has shifted to a regular dinner time throughout the season with wonderful Creole style dishes and celebration spiced up with much toasting to the season.
There is a Santa Claus parade and a whole slew of beautiful French Quarter homes throw their doors open for tours where folks can revel in the beauty of home decorations and celebration.
Another popular tradition is the Celebration in the Oaks at City Park, where the wonderful Botanical Gardens are festooned with lights in the trees, and little holiday vignettes. There is an awesome Christmas tree made out of poinsettias. Great food and drink abounds as well traditional music. Little kiddies can enjoy the storybook village and kids of all ages can ride the carousel and the kiddie train.
As I mentioned many hotels dress their lobbies up in beautiful decorations. The most notable ones are The Roosevelt with its stunning lobby that many locals like to go to during the season because to them Christmas ain’t Christmas without a trip to the Roosevelt.
New Years Eve is another spectacular event down by the river near the French Quarter. Popular bands and international stars come and perform getting ready for the Fleur de Lis to drop from a pole on Jax Brewery and the awesome fireworks to blow at the first second of the new year. For the kiddies the Audubon Zoo hosts a Zoo Years Eve and the Children’s Museum in City Park hosts its own Noon Year’s Eve with games and entertainment a countdown in the middle of the day.
New Orleans does not lack for tons of things to do during the holiday season for adults and kids alike.
