Celebrate The Holidays
New Orleans Style


Réveillon Dinners

A New Orleans Creole dining experience that dates back to the mid-1800s. The Creoles celebrated the start of Christmas with a big family meal when they returned home from midnight mass. Today the best restaurants in town serve up decadent four-course holiday meals in the spirit of this classic tradition.

Réveillon Cocktails

This year, we asked local bartenders to create both classic and original cocktails to celebrate the Réveillon one-sip-at-a-time.

Réveillon (REH-vee-on)


A long dinner held on the evenings preceding Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The name of this dinner is based on the French word réveil (meaning “waking”), because participation involves staying awake until midnight and beyond.

Holiday Home Tours

Ever wondered what’s inside our beautiful historic, private homes? Home tours allow you to take a stroll inside and enjoy festive decorations and one-of-a-kind architecture at residences across New Orleans.

Celebration in the Oaks

City Park’s centuries-old live oak trees shine brilliantly with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights and breathtaking displays. This is one of the most spectacular holiday lights festivals in the country.

Bonfires on the Levee

A New Orleans Creole dining experience that dates back to the mid-1800s. Christmas arrives in a blaze of glory every year when huge, creatively built bonfires are lit at sundown on top of the Mississippi River levees. Lighting the way for Papa Noël, it’s a spectacular sight!

Papa Noël


Around the world Santa Claus has many names. But in a deep, swampy bayou of Louisiana, the Cajun Santa Claus is known as Papa Noël. Instead of delivering gifts by sleigh and reindeer, he travels in a boat pulled by eight alligators, with a snowy white one names Nicollette in the lead.

Today, hotels around New Orleans light up their lobbies and give the gift of discounted rates.

Holiday Shopping

New Orleans is a city unlike any other, and the same goes for our holiday shopping. Shop online or in store this holiday season to find the perfect present. 

Hazelnut on Magazine St.

Another favorite holiday tradition in New Orleans are festive concerts at St. Louis Cathedral and Ashé Powerhouse Theater. 

Blog Posts

Find the latest on holiday happenings, must-dos, gift guides and more this December in New Orleans.

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