It’s no secret that New Orleans is different from most places, and this certainly applies to how the city celebrates the holidays: stately homes are decked out to the max and, of course, there are plenty of gatherings where food is the main focus. If you find yourself in NOLA around the holidays, you’re bound to come across a few unique celebrations. Here are a few of the colorful, interesting, and unusual aspects of New Orleans during the holiday season.
1. It’s not too cold here.
Some years, the city has experienced mild snow flurries, but most of the time Christmas (and winter in general) is mild in New Orleans. With the average low for December at 45 degrees Fahrenheit and the average high at 65 degrees, our weather can’t be beat. The sun is usually shining all month long, too. We can’t boast the allure of a White Christmas like somewhere up north, but there’s a real advantage of getting out and about in the city without gloves and a heavy coat. However, when it is chilly, we’ve got something for that.
2. You can walk around with a hot cocktail.
Around this time of year, New Orleans bars are big on offering festive hot cocktails, and because we can take our drink to-go here, you can have one as a warming walking companion. A favorite from the list is the hot Irish coffee from Erin Rose, a fantastic bar at 811 Conti St. popular with both locals and tourists alike. What better way to take in the Christmas lights around town, go caroling in Jackson Square, or take in the holiday spirit than with a hot adult beverage in hand? Better yet, we’ve mapped it all out for you: check out our holiday cocktail crawl through the French Quarter here.
3. New Orleans loves festive cold cocktails, too.
The sweet and slightly spicy brandy milk punch is a popular holiday beverage here. Make a batch and have it out on Christmas morning – it has milk in it, so it’s acceptable to have early in the day. Take a look at some of our other favorite holiday cocktails here.
4. There’s a holiday cat circus.
A much-anticipated holiday tradition is the yearly visit from the Acro-Cats, a traveling band of trained rescue cats, for their “Meowy Catmas” special with performances just for Mew Orleans. Proving that cats can be trained, the show features felines doing tricks and playing music in the “Rock Cats” band. The show has garnered a bit of a cult following in New Orleans over the years. Combining humor with cat tricks, the human ladies of the Acro-Cats provide a super fun evening for both you and their furry friends. The Amazing Acro-Cat bus is also a mobile fostering unit for Rock Cats Rescue, helping cats and kittens across the nation find their furrever homes. Proceeds always benefit their cause of foster and rescue. Catch the show throughout December at the AllWays Lounge.
5. Visit homes decorated for the holidays.
Each December, the Preservation Resource Center and Patio Planters conduct holiday home tours featuring decorated homes in the French Quarter and Garden District. Simply driving through the city, you’ll come across multiple homes decorated for the holidays with bright lights, poinsettias, and wreaths. Join one of the guided tours, or go on a self-guided tour throughout New Orleans this holiday season.
6. We have an indoor ice skating rink.
It’s a part of NOLA ChristmasFest — a massive indoor celebration of all things Christmas that includes holiday characters, an ice slide, and an indoor ice skating rink. There’s also a Christmas tree display, which features more than 70 decorated trees.
7. You can get a Christmas king cake.
Carnival purists may scoff at the idea of eating king cake before Twelfth Night (January 6), the official beginning of Carnival, but if you’ve got a craving, you can get a seasonal version from Haydel’s Bakery. The famous Manny Randazzo King Cakes are also a great option if you want to indulge your Mardi Gras sweet-tooth at Christmastime.
8. We have a Christmas parade.
Another Carnival tradition crossing over into the holidays (that’s a little less controversial than an off-season king cake) is the annual Children’s Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade. In a city that is always in countdown mode to Mardi Gras, it’s a welcome sight to see the streets filled with people genuinely enjoying this time and place. The Children’s Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade rolls on Saturday, Dec. 7. It will include traditional carnival-style floats with riders with the addition of enormous helium balloons, à la the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. The parade is followed by an after-party celebration in Lafayette Square.
9. We have plenty of unique holiday traditions.
From Mr. Bingle – the city’s official holiday mascot – to Réveillon meals and bonfires for Papa Nöel, New Orleans has plenty of holiday traditions that reflect its unique history and diverse population. No matter what part of the city you’re in, the holiday season sure is special in New Orleans.
Lagniappe
For more New Orleans holiday traditions, including information on holiday concerts, shopping, lights displays, and food and drink, as well as special hotel rates, visit holiday.neworleans.com.