We may not (usually) have snow, but Christmas time is truly magical in New Orleans. It couldn’t be other wise in such a spirited city! We want a party for an event, no matter how small, so when it comes to the holiday season, you know we’re going to go ALL OUT!
Have you ever thought about leaving the traditional behind and doing what YOU want to do for the holidays? Or maybe even giving yourself a break before or after the Big Day? If you decide to come to NOLA in the month of December, you’re going to find a plethora of fun activties, and when you’re tired out from all of that, a comfortable retreat to rest and relax at 1896 O’Malley House. We make your breakfast! No cooking or dishes to do!
Here are some of the fun things to do when you’re here in the Crescent City:
Have you ever had a beignet? If not, you have something great to look forward to, if yes, you know how wonderful they are! On December 2, the New Orleans City Park Festival Grounds will host the opens in a new window2017 Beignet Festival. Entry is free, and food and drink tickets can be had for $1 each. Try all kinds of delicious beignets and skip to the beat of live music all day from 10am to 6pm.
What kind of holiday would it be without a parade? The Krewe of Jingle rolls on Canal Street at 1pm on Saturday, December 2, 2017. You will see Christmas floats, marching bands, Elvis impersonators, Santa Claus and our beloved snowman helper, opens in a new windowMr. Bingle, along with all of the other elements that make New Orleans the pre-eminent parade city!
A uniquely Louisiana Christmas event is opens in a new windowBonfires on the Levee. This has been going on for years and years. This is just what it sounds like – big bonfires built on the shore of the levee. Depending on who you ask, the bonfires are meant to light the way for Pere Noel, or make a path to Midnight Mass. Bonfires are found in parishes all around New Orleans on Christmas Eve, even with opens in a new windowspecial tours for a great view. NOLA’s version will be held at Algiers Point on December 2.
A lot of singing goes on this time of year, from the annual opens in a new windowCaroling in Jackson Square (December 17th, 6:30pm – get there early!), to the historic opens in a new windowSaint Augustine Church (oldest African-American Catholic church in the United States!) Concerts in Tremé (December 2, 9 and 16th, at 4pm, donations gratefully accepted), to the famous St. Louis Cathedral concerts- which take place almost every night at 6pm from December 4-17. All concerts are free and open to the public.
These are far from the only seasonal events and activities to be found in New Orleans. You can wander through opens in a new windowCelebration in the Oaks, attend the LUNA Fête in Lafayette Square, or shop through opens in a new windowMerriment on Magazine or enjoy opens in a new windowChristmas Fest. No matter what you decide, you will return to a beautifully decorated bed and breakfast to recover!