NEW ORLEANS WILL Celebrate the Holidays with Four Fun Festivities

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The holidays in New Orleans are particularly magical. From the twinkle of lights at Celebration in the Oaks to the beautiful décor throughout the French Quarter and Central Business District, every part of the city feels festive and embracing of the Christmas season. There’s so much to see this time of year, but we’ve narrowed down your list with four things to do in New Orleans at Christmastime.

christmas-streetcar

Take a bedecked streetcar to one of several holiday festivities happening throughout New Orleans. (Photo courtesy dutchbaby on Flickr)

Kids’ Christmas Caroling

The Hotel Monteleone will host a concert series in their lobby (decked in lights, trees, and ornaments) featuring local school choirs. Children from several area schools like St. Anthony of Padua, St. Dominic School, and Country Day School will serenade concertgoers Monday through Friday starting December 8. Each free performance will last one hour. For a complete schedule, visit Hotel Monteleone’s blog.

Celebration in the Oaks

This perennial favorite is, incredibly, the work of just seven staff members at City Park. Acres and acres (25, to be exact) of the park are absolutely covered in glittering lights, providing a gorgeous backdrop to stroll the grounds and enjoy the Christmas spirit. Concessions are on site, as is a train that winds through the light exhibits. The event also features amusement park rides, holiday icons like Mr. Bingle, and dance and vocal entertainment.

Reveillon Dinners

New Orleans knows food, especially during the holidays. Reveillon dinners are a union of holiday traditions and our appreciation for gourmet cuisine. You’ll find several places offering these prix fixe, multi-course meals, from Arnaud’s in the French Quarter to Commander’s Palace in the Garden District. Menus vary, but typically one can expect traditional dishes with Louisiana roots, like baked oysters on the half shell, shrimp bisque, and chocolate pot de crème.

The Great Hall of Trees

Look for a special New Orleans Will Christmas tree at the Great Hall of Trees at NOLA ChristmasFest. We at the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau decorated our beautiful fir to reflect the soul of this city and all of its cultural treasures – because NEW ORLEANS WILL Celebrate! New Orleans will help others, too: the ChristmasFest also features an ongoing gingerbread house competition with proceeds benefiting Operation Homefront, a non-profit that provides emergency financial aid and assistance to military families.