Throughout the holiday season, you can visit a wide variety of light displays and shows throughout the city. There is no better way to spread holiday cheer than admiring the twinkling lights and colorful displays in City Park, hotel lobbies, and beyond.
Celebration in the Oaks
This special, month-long lights show in City Park hosts hundreds of thousands of colorful lights and illuminated outdoor displays to showcase the holiday season in New Orleans. An annual tradition that began in the late 1980s, Celebration in the Oaks is a family-friendly event that only happens after dark.
Starting on Thanksgiving weekend, visitors are treated to a wide range of attractions by way of light displays. Take the 2.25-mile driving tour or walk through Carousel Gardens Amusement Park by foot to experience the lights. Perennial favorites include the animated Cajun Night Before Christmas display and the Who Dat Tree, imaginatively adorned in New Orleans Saints black and gold, and related football themes. Another favorite is New Orleans iconic snowman, Mr. Bingle, a holiday character beloved by generations of New Orleanians when he adorned the window of the old D.H. Holmes department store on Canal Street during the holiday season. Children and their parents are invited to take a two-mile ride on the miniature train that circles the park, passing underneath lit-up holiday displays and other special effects.
Hotel Lobbies
Many hotels in the French Quarter and CBD illuminate their lobbies with decorations– from lights and trees, to fake snow, and gingerbread houses. Thousands of lights are used to transform these spaces into a holiday dreamland. Even if you’re not staying at one of these hotels, it’s worth a visit. The Roosevelt includes a canopy of lights and an aisle of white Christmas trees, while the Ritz-Carlton has Santa’s toy shop. The Royal Sonesta has Christmas Tree Land, while the Windsor Court has one of the biggest trees in the city. Both Hotel Monteleone and Le Pavillon have various traditional decorations. Many participating hotels also offer Holiday Tea and visits from Santa, as well.
Greenway Supernova
Greenway Supernova is a free lights walk held on the Lafitte Greenway in Mid-City. It features installations from local artists and original art. Funds raised go toward the Greenway’s care and upcoming projects.
Lagniappe
Driving around town, you’ll find holiday decorations just about anywhere. From the Christmas Tree lighting in the French Market to illuminated houses along St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans really puts on a show when it comes to dressing up for the holidays. Take a streetcar ride when the sun goes down to see it for yourself.
Thursday, December 19th through Thursday, December 26th
From: 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Destrehan Plantation
The Spirit of Christmas Arrives in Destrehan
Thursday, December 19th through Thursday, December 26th
From: 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Destrehan Plantation
13034 River Road
Destrehan, LA 70047
(504) 453-5509
$5 per person; Free for children four and under. Purchase tickets at the door or ahead of time online at gnotrc.org.
Step into a holiday wonderland this season at “The Spirit of Christmas,” a dazzling family-friendly event and fundraiser benefiting the Greater New Orleans Therapeutic Riding Center (gnotrc.org GNOTRC). Presented in partnership with Destrehan Plantation (destrehanplantation.org), this festive experience lights up the season with fun, food, and holiday cheer for all ages. Held nightly from 5:30 to 9:30 PM, November 29 through December 26 (closed on Christmas Day), the event promises unforgettable memories while supporting a great cause.
Weather Notice: The event will be closed in case of rain.
Named after one of GNOTRC’s cherished therapy horses, Spirit, this event is more than just holiday lights – it’s an enchanting 1/4 mile walking tour through five acres of majestic oak trees, adorned with over 60 illuminated frames, 50 Christmas trees, and a magical lighted tunnel. And don’t miss “The Cajun Night Before Christmas” by Trosclair, adding a unique Southern twist to the festivities!
Activities for All Ages: Photos with Santa (check gnotrc.org for dates) Santa’s Workshop Duck races and holiday games Christmas caroling and cheerful stand-ins Light projections and sparkling decorations Holiday treats and snacks (available for purchase) Pony rides for the little ones (small fee applies) Admission is only $5 per person, and children four and under attend free. Plus, free parking makes it easy to bring the whole family.
Supporting GNOTRC’s Mission All proceeds from “The Spirit of Christmas” benefit GNOTRC, a nonprofit organization in LaPlace, LA, dedicated to providing therapeutic horseback riding for individuals with disabilities. Through the bond with a horse, riders experience improved balance, muscle control, confidence, and emotional well-being. This event will help sustain a year of programming, allowing GNOTRC to continue its essential work in the community.
Mark your calendar and bring the family to experience the season's joy at “The Spirit of Christmas.” This is a holiday event you don’t want to miss!
Event Details:
When: November 29 – December 26, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM (closed Christmas Day)
Where: Destrehan Plantation, Destrehan, LA, off Exit 6 from I-310
Admission: $5 per person; Free for children four and under. Purchase tickets at the door or ahead of time online at gnotrc.org.
Parking: Free
For additional information, sponsorship opportunities, or directions, please visit gnotrc.org or contact Anita Hefler, Executive Director of GNOTRC, at (504) 453-5509.
Come join “The Spirit of Christmas” and make brighter memories than the lights!
Celebration in the Oaks is an annual festivity consistently ranked as one of the best things to do in New Orleans during the holidays. From Thanksgiving through the New Year, enjoy one of the most spectacular, family-friendly holiday light displays in New Orleans and the country. Watch as the grounds of New Orleans City Park are transformed into 25 acres of dazzling lights and breathtaking, festive displays. The Park, Botanical Garden, Storyland, and Carousel Gardens Amusement Park are all captured with hundreds of thousands of lights to create a winter wonderland here in the Big Easy.
Enjoy the scene of illuminated oak trees with a Driving Tour throughout the Park. Over a million lights will be scattered throughout the 2.25-mile drive to set the scene for the holiday season to come. You can also book a Walking Tour, which includes access to Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and the Botanical Garden.
Adults ages 21+ can get a sneak peek of Celebration in the Oaks at Jingle Bells & Beer.
When isCelebration in the Oaks?
Celebration in the Oaks goes on for a whole month! This season, the New Orleans holiday tradition will run from November 29 and on select nights through January 3, 2025.
Where is Celebration in the Oaks?
Celebration in the Oaks is an annual holiday event in City Park. Choose from the Driving Tour or Walking Tour through the Garden. Those who arrive by private vehicles will find ample parking on-site to make seeing New Orleans Christmas lights easy. The entrance to the Driving Tour is 4 Frederichs Ave.
When did Celebration in the Oaks start?
Celebration in the Oaks started in the late 1980s at New Orleans City Park, filling the grounds with festive lights and decorations each year. The annual holiday tradition has since become a local favorite, drawing thousands of visitors to stroll through beautiful displays nestled among the Park’s historic oak trees and gardens.
Where can I find tickets to Celebration in the Oaks?
Where can I find more information about Celebration in the Oaks?
More information about Celebration in the Oaks can be found on their website.
Celebration's Preview Party 2024
What is Celebration's Preview Party?
Celebration offers two ticket levels so that you may design your own Preview Party experience!
Garden Party Ticket: Sip on signature cocktails and enjoy an array of bites from local restaurants in the New Orleans Botanical Garden. Tickets are $100.
Jingle Bells & Beer Ticket: Experience the excitement of the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park with unlimited rides, beer and merriment. Tickets are $40.
Both events are 21+. Proceeds benefit the continued beautification and preservation of New Orleans City Park’s 1,300 acres.
When is Celebration's Preview Party?
Celebration's Preview Party is on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Where can I buy tickets for Celebration's Preview Party?
Purchase your tickets for the Garden Party and/or Jingle Bells & Beer here.
Where can I find more information about Celebration's Preview Party?
Looking to learn more about Celebration's Preview Party? Find more information here.
Christmas Day Jingling through the Crescent Tour
Wednesday, December 25th
From: 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Departs from Gray Line Lighthouse
400 Toulouse Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 569-1401
Adults $55, Children $26
A fully narrated tour of New Orleans neighborhoods decorated for the holidays. See the French Quarter, Esplanade Avenue, Faubourg Tremé, City Park, Carrollton Avenue, St. Charles Avenue, Audubon Park, and the Garden District. A tour highlight and ultimate photo opportunity is strolling through the exquisitely decorated lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel, a longstanding local tradition.
The Spirit of Christmas Arrives in Destrehan
Celebration in the Oaks
Christmas Day Jingling through the Crescent Tour