Things to Do in New Orleans at Christmas: A Holiday Weekend
New Orleans celebrates Christmas with the same things it is famous for all year: great food, live music and a deep sense of tradition. Wrought iron balconies get wrapped in garland, the old Creole dining rooms bring back holiday menus, and the live oaks in City Park glow with lights. December weather is usually mild, so you can spend your evenings outside without bundling up like you would up north.
Here are the best things to do in New Orleans at Christmas, arranged as an easy two to three day plan you can shape around your group.
Before you go
When to visit
The holiday season in New Orleans runs from late November through New Year's. Early and mid December weekends are a good balance, with most events running and smaller crowds than the days right before Christmas. Around New Year's, the Sugar Bowl fills the city with football fans, so book early if your dates overlap. Seasonal events set their own dates and hours each year, so check current details before you plan around them.
What to pack
December days are often mild and nights can turn cool and damp. Bring layers, a light rain jacket and comfortable shoes for walking on uneven sidewalks. Pack one nicer outfit too, since some of the classic restaurants keep a dress code.
Getting around
The French Quarter and the Marigny are best on foot, and the St. Charles streetcar takes you to the Garden District and Uptown. City Park is a short ride away on the Canal Street streetcar line or by rideshare. You only need a car if you plan the drive upriver for the bonfires. For neighborhood picks and more places to eat, see our New Orleans 3 day itinerary.
Day 1: The French Quarter in holiday dress
Morning: Beignets and Jackson Square
Start the way everyone should: with beignets and café au lait at Café du Monde across from Jackson Square. Go early to beat the line. Then walk the square, where artists hang their work on the iron fence and St. Louis Cathedral rises over the trees. The cathedral often hosts holiday concerts in December, so check the schedule while you are there.
Afternoon: Balconies, shops and the Royal Street stroll
Spend the afternoon wandering Royal Street, which is quieter than Bourbon Street and lined with antique shops and galleries. Many of the townhouses and balconies in the Quarter are decorated for the season, so it is one of the best walks in the city for holiday photos. Stop at the Carousel Bar inside the Hotel Monteleone, where the bar slowly turns like a carousel while you sip a Sazerac or a hot drink.
Evening: A Réveillon dinner
Réveillon is one of the oldest holiday traditions in New Orleans. It began with Creole Catholic families who shared a big meal after midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Today many restaurants serve special Réveillon menus through December, which makes it easy to fit into any weekend.
Classic dining rooms like Antoine's, Arnaud's, Galatoire's and Tujague's are long time favorites for a holiday meal, and Commander's Palace in the Garden District is another beloved choice. Reserve well ahead and confirm which restaurants are offering Réveillon menus this year.
Day 2: Lights under the oaks
Morning: The streetcar and the Garden District
Ride the St. Charles streetcar, the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world, past the grand mansions of the Garden District and Uptown. Hop off to walk among the historic homes, many of them dressed for the holidays, and peek into Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 from the gates if it is closed to visitors. Finish with lunch and shopping on Magazine Street, which has miles of local boutiques, perfect for holiday gifts.
Afternoon: The Roosevelt Hotel lobby
On your way back downtown, stop at The Roosevelt Hotel just off Canal Street. Its long, elegant lobby is famous for its holiday display, with a tunnel of white branches and twinkling lights. It is free to walk through and one of the most photographed holiday scenes in the city.
Evening: Celebration in the Oaks
Celebration in the Oaks at New Orleans City Park is the city's signature holiday light show. Lights are strung through the ancient live oaks and across the park's gardens, and the Carousel Gardens amusement park with its historic wooden carousel is part of the experience. It is a family favorite, but it is just as fun for couples and groups of friends. Buy timed tickets in advance, especially for weekends.
Day 3: Pick your favorite
If you have a third day, choose the holiday experience that fits your group.
Caroling in Jackson Square
On a Sunday evening shortly before Christmas, thousands of people gather in Jackson Square with candles and song sheets for a big community sing along. It is one of the warmest and most local feeling holiday events in New Orleans. Check this year's date and arrive early to find a spot.
Bonfires on the levee
Upriver from the city, families in St. James Parish build tall wooden bonfires on the Mississippi River levee and light them on Christmas Eve. Local tradition says the fires light the way for Papa Noël, the Cajun Santa Claus. Towns such as Lutcher and Gramercy are known for them, and Lutcher hosts a bonfire festival in December. It is about an hour's drive from New Orleans, so plan where you will park and watch, and check local guidance before you go.
Music on Frenchmen Street
End your trip with live music on Frenchmen Street in the Marigny, where small clubs play jazz, brass band and blues every night. Many musicians work holiday songs into their sets in December. For a more traditional show, see a set at Preservation Hall in the French Quarter, and book ahead.
Tips for a smooth holiday weekend
- Book the tables first. Réveillon dinners and Celebration in the Oaks are the first things to fill up.
- Plan by neighborhood. Keep the Quarter on one day and the Garden District and City Park on another so you are not crossing town twice.
- Ride the streetcars. They are scenic, easy and part of the fun.
- Go to Café du Monde early. Morning lines move faster, and the Quarter is calm at that hour.
- Keep an evening open. The best nights in New Orleans often come from following live music you did not plan for.
Planning your New Orleans Christmas trip in Wander Off
Create an adventure for your New Orleans weekend and invite everyone coming along. Add Café du Monde, The Roosevelt, Celebration in the Oaks and your Réveillon dinner to the Plan tab by day, and let the group vote on whether the levee bonfires or Frenchmen Street makes the cut. Ask the AI Travel Concierge to find flights, stays and things to do, then book them in the Tickets tab. Every photo and video lands on the right day and place, so your shared travel photo album builds itself as you go. When you get home, make the adventure public so friends can copy your itinerary for their own holiday trip.
