NEW ORLEANS: YOUR ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY GUIDE
2025 CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY GUIDE FOR NEW ORLEANS
All month
Réveillon Dinners
Réveillon is a French/New Orleans holiday dining tradition. Dating back to the 1800s, Creole New Orleanians would feast on lavish meals following midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Restaurants across the city have adopted this tradition, offering decadent multi-course Réveillon feasts throughout the entire month of December.
Trees and lights
Visit the city’s most popular sights for a look at how we decorate for the season in the Crescent City. St. Louis Cathedral is a great starting point, followed by Canal Street, and the lobbies of various hotels - the display at The Roosevelt Hotel is famously elaborate - this year’s ‘Waldorf Wonderland’ lobby is adorned with over 112,000 lights, 1,600 feet of garland, and 4,000 glass ornaments.
Teddy Bear Teas
These family-friendly teas are held in the Roosevelt Hotel’s 'North Pole' and at the National WWII Museum. The event features singing, dancing, storytelling, gifts and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Festivals, events and parades
Dec 1st-Jan 3rd
Celebration In The Oaks
An incredible light festival that has enchanted Park visitors since the 1980s - one of the city’s best-loved festive celebrations.
11th-13th
Greenway Supernova @ Lafitte Greenway
An annual holiday lights exhibit on the Lafitte Greenway. Featuring collaborations with several artists, plus food and music, the Greenway transforms into a winter wonderland. More info
13th
New Orleans SantaCon 2025
Costumed bar crawl. More info
13th and 14th
Holiday Home Tours
A select group of New Orleanians decorate their homes for public viewing. The Holiday Home Tour features a selection of private homes, live musical performances, a festive boutique, and more. More info
14th-22nd
Hanukkah
Celebrations at various venues around the city.
18th-19th
The Nutcracker Experience
This isn’t a traditional escape room—it’s a free-roaming, story-driven experience where you explore at your own pace, solve puzzles when you choose, and wander through the Delaporte mansion however curiosity leads you. More info
20th - 29th
NOLA ChristmasFest
An ice slide, ice skating rink, yuletide market, gingerbread village, and photos with Santa. More info
21st
Caroling in Jackson Square
A free event, open to the public.
31st
New Year’s Eve
Enjoy the fireworks celebration on the river as the city welcomes in 2025.
Seasonal Shows (family friendly)
11th
A Christmas Carol (Staged Reading)
The Josephine
A one-night only staged reading of Patrick Barlow’s inventive re-imagination of A Christmas Carol, an intimate, lively retelling of Dickens’ classic, full of humor, heart, and holiday spirit. Info and tickets
12th
The Muppet Christmas Carol Live with the LPO
Mahalia Jackson Theatre
Featuring the complete film, with the score performed live-to-picture. Info and tickets
13th
OperaCréole Christmas Cantata: Ballad of the Brown King
New Marigny Theatre
Music and narration telling the story of one of the 3 Wise Men, King Balthazar; a dark-skinned man who traveled to Bethlahem to witness the birth of Jesus. Info and tickets
13th-23rd
NOBT Presents: The Nutcracker
The Orpheum Theatre
Come see this classic Christmas tale and experience the incredible talent that is New Orleans Ballet Theatre’s company of dancers, stunning sets and costumes, and the iconic score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Info and tickets
14th
Santa’s Pajama Party
Restaurant R’evolution hosts its annual festive event, where kids are invited to meet and interact with Santa and the Sugar Plum Fairy.
16th
Harry Shearer & Judith Owen's Christmas Without Tears
For the 20th year in a row in an intimate evening full of music, laughter and special guests, Judith Owen and Harry Shearer will once again spread their special brand of yuletide cheer. More info
18th
LPO: The Holiday Spectacular
The Orpheum Theatre
This beloved annual tradition brings everyone’s favorite holiday classics to life in a festive and heartwarming concert for all ages. From timeless carols to spirited orchestral favorites, this program is sure to fill you with holiday cheer. Info and tickets
19th-21st
The Nutcracker
Jefferson Performing Arts
Based on “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by E. T. A. Hoffmann. In partnership with Jefferson Ballet Theatre. Info and tickets
20th-21st
Delta Festival Ballet: The Nutcracker
Mahalia Jackson Theatre
With international guest stars including Sarah Lane (American Ballet Theatre) and Chun Wai Chan (New York City Ballet), outstanding local professionals and a youth corps of young dancers from the Greater New Orleans Area. Info and tickets
26th
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
The Saenger Theatre
Celebrate the season with America’s most beloved Nutcracker tradition! Tchaikovsky’s timeless score sets the stage for a Christmas your family will never forget. Info and tickets
31st
Noon Year's Eve
A party for children and families at the Louisiana Children's Museum, culminating in an explosion of colorful confetti and bubbles. More info
Seasonal Shows (adults only: burlesque, cabaret, drag)
13th
I Love Lefty Lucy
5pm @ AllWays Lounge
14th
JuJu's Chanukah Show
5pm @ AllWays Lounge
Rockin’ In A Winter Wonderland: Burlesque Revue
9pm @ AllWays Lounge
15th
Thugsy's Next Top Santa
10pm @ AllWays Lounge
16th
Thugsy's Holiday Lounge
7pm @ AllWays Lounge
Rose Red Cheeks: A Stephen King Christmas Cabaret
9.30pm @ AllWays Lounge
17th
How the Lynch Stole Christmas: A David Lynch Xmas Cabaret
8pm @ AllWays Lounge
18th
STARS OF THE STARS: SAGITTARIUS
7.30pm @ AllWays Lounge
19th
My Heart Belongs to Daddy, Santa Baby edition: A Burlesque Cabaret!
7pm @ AllWays Lounge
Puppy Love at Mistletoe Junction
7.30pm @ Twelve Mile Limit
20th
Diva Presents: Naughty or Nice?
10.30pm @ AllWays Lounge
23rd
The Essentials: The Holiday Show
8pm @ AllWays Lounge
25th
Secret Santa Cabaret
7pm @ AllWays Lounge
How the Drag Queens Stole Christmas
10pm @ AllWays Lounge
28th
Carina von Tuna: Nightmare After Christmas
7pm @ AllWays Lounge