New Orleans: December events, 2024
The city lights up for December, from Celebration in the Oaks to decorations all across the city.
(IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THEATRICAL EVENTS/SHOWS, SEE OUR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER ROUND UP HERE)
All month
Réveillon Dinners
Réveillon is a 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 (Full round up online next week).
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 Tea
This family-friendly event will be held in the Roosevelt Hotel’s 'North Pole', from Dec 1 - Dec 27. The month-long event features singing, dancing, storytelling, and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus. For more info and to book, see HERE.
Festivals and parades
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.
7th
Krampus NOLAuf Parade @ Bywater
The largest Krampus parade in all of America is here, presented by the one and only Krewe of Krampus! More info
Algiers Holiday Bonfire & Concert @ Algiers Point
Enjoy lively music, tasty food, a festive holiday market, and a stunning, 30-foot bonfire. More info
Children’s Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade
Expect large, pageant-style floats with animatronics, local musicians atop the floats singing carols, helium balloons, and Santa Claus, of course!
12th-14th
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. https://www.neworleans.com/event/greenway-supernova/53847/
14th
New Orleans SantaCon 2024
Get ready to jingle and mingle this Christmas Season - it's gonna be a holly jolly good time! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-orleans-santacon-2024-tickets-946595862707
14th
Running of the Santas 2024
Get ready to jingle all the way through the streets of the Big Easy, dressed as Santa Claus, for an unforgettable day of festive fun! More info
14th and 15th
Holiday Home Tours
Every year during the holidays, New Orleanians decorate their homes in festive seasonal décor, and some open their doors for public viewing. The Preservation Resource Center’s Garden District Holiday Home Tour features a selection of private homes, live musical performances, a festive boutique, and more!
18th-26th
Hanukkah celebrations at various venues around the city.
20th
NOLA ChristmasFest
An ice slide, ice skating rink, yuletide market, gingerbread village, and photos with Santa are just a few of the highlights.
22nd
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 edition)
3rd
The Nutcracker Suite, Dixon Hall @ Tulane
From an enchanting party, a dramatic battle and dancing dolls to a whimsical journey to the Land of Sweets, this magical tale is uniquely brought to life by over 100 participants. More info
3rd-8th
Elf @ The Saenger Theatre
Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. More info
4th-15th
A Christmas Carol@ Marquette Theatre
This thrilling adaptation uses only five actors to bring some of Dickens' most beloved characters to life. More info
5th
The Trojan Women, New Marigny Theatre
Set the morning after the fall of Troy, this play chronicles the fate of the last great women of Troy. This production will explore our current social and political climate and its effect on the women of this country and of the world. More info
5th and 19th
LPO: Classic Christmas @ The Orpheum Theatre
5th-22nd
The Amazing AcroCats present: MEOWY CATMAS
Celebrate Christmas (or Catmas) with us by watching cats jump through wreaths, pushing a sleigh, and performing an array of suitably seasonal tricks.
13th-15th
Elf Jr @ Westwego PAC
For younger children and families, this seasonal show is based on the cherished movie hit. More info
13th-23rd
The Nutcracker @ The Orpheum Theatre
The beloved two-act ballet returns this December! Performed by the professional company and the charming addition of over 120 local children. More info
17th and 18th
The Skivvies @ Le Petit Theatre
Wildly absurd musical theatre moments that are sure to bring joy and laughter during the holiday season. Surprise special guests join in the fun each night. More info
17th-22nd
The Cher Show @ The Saenger Theatre
For six straight decades, only one unstoppable force has flat-out dominated popular culture - breaking down barriers, pushing boundaries, and letting nothing and no one stand in her way. The Cher Show is her story. More info
21st and 22nd
The Nutcracker @ JPAC
Featuring a live orchestra, conducted by Maestro Dennis Assaf. More info
Seasonal shows (adults only edition)
10th
The Nightmare Before Christmas: A Cabaret of Spooks
Step into a darkly enchanting world, where the lines between spooky and sultry blur. More info
13th
Noël Cabaret Vampyre at The Original Nite Cap
Get ready for a world of dark glamour and enchantment with your favorite macabre Vamps for their annual unholy Holiday Celebration! Tickets
21st
Jingle All The Gay! @ The New Marigny Theatre
Kitten N’ Lou are thrilled to finally bring their biggest most bombastic production home to New Orleans.
How the Drag Queens Stole Christmas @ AllWays Lounge
Witness the unbelievable tale of how six drag queens saved Christmas in this Holiday Cabaret! More info
24th
Queer Christmas Eve @ AllWays Lounge
A festive celebration of love and diversity! Get ready to immerse yourself in a night filled with joy, laughter, and acceptance. Dress up in your most fabulous attire and let your true colors shine! More info
29th
Kwanzaa Pub Crawl
Get ready to groove and raise a glass as we celebrate the vibrant Black bars of New Orleans with a unique Kwanzaa Pub Crawl. More info
The city lights up for December, from Celebration in the Oaks to decorations all across the city.
(IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THEATRICAL EVENTS/SHOWS, SEE OUR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER ROUND UP HERE)
All month
Réveillon Dinners
Réveillon is a 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 (Full round up online next week).
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 Tea
This family-friendly event will be held in the Roosevelt Hotel’s 'North Pole', from Dec 1 - Dec 27. The month-long event features singing, dancing, storytelling, and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus. For more info and to book, see HERE.
Festivals and parades
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.
7th
Krampus NOLAuf Parade @ Bywater
The largest Krampus parade in all of America is here, presented by the one and only Krewe of Krampus! More info
Algiers Holiday Bonfire & Concert @ Algiers Point
Enjoy lively music, tasty food, a festive holiday market, and a stunning, 30-foot bonfire. More info
Children’s Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade
Expect large, pageant-style floats with animatronics, local musicians atop the floats singing carols, helium balloons, and Santa Claus, of course!
12th-14th
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. https://www.neworleans.com/event/greenway-supernova/53847/
14th
New Orleans SantaCon 2024
Get ready to jingle and mingle this Christmas Season - it's gonna be a holly jolly good time! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-orleans-santacon-2024-tickets-946595862707
14th
Running of the Santas 2024
Get ready to jingle all the way through the streets of the Big Easy, dressed as Santa Claus, for an unforgettable day of festive fun! More info
14th and 15th
Holiday Home Tours
Every year during the holidays, New Orleanians decorate their homes in festive seasonal décor, and some open their doors for public viewing. The Preservation Resource Center’s Garden District Holiday Home Tour features a selection of private homes, live musical performances, a festive boutique, and more!
18th-26th
Hanukkah celebrations at various venues around the city.
20th
NOLA ChristmasFest
An ice slide, ice skating rink, yuletide market, gingerbread village, and photos with Santa are just a few of the highlights.
22nd
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 edition)
3rd
The Nutcracker Suite, Dixon Hall @ Tulane
From an enchanting party, a dramatic battle and dancing dolls to a whimsical journey to the Land of Sweets, this magical tale is uniquely brought to life by over 100 participants. More info
3rd-8th
Elf @ The Saenger Theatre
Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. More info
4th-15th
A Christmas Carol@ Marquette Theatre
This thrilling adaptation uses only five actors to bring some of Dickens' most beloved characters to life. More info
5th
The Trojan Women, New Marigny Theatre
Set the morning after the fall of Troy, this play chronicles the fate of the last great women of Troy. This production will explore our current social and political climate and its effect on the women of this country and of the world. More info
5th and 19th
LPO: Classic Christmas @ The Orpheum Theatre
5th-22nd
The Amazing AcroCats present: MEOWY CATMAS
Celebrate Christmas (or Catmas) with us by watching cats jump through wreaths, pushing a sleigh, and performing an array of suitably seasonal tricks.
13th-15th
Elf Jr @ Westwego PAC
For younger children and families, this seasonal show is based on the cherished movie hit. More info
13th-23rd
The Nutcracker @ The Orpheum Theatre
The beloved two-act ballet returns this December! Performed by the professional company and the charming addition of over 120 local children. More info
17th and 18th
The Skivvies @ Le Petit Theatre
Wildly absurd musical theatre moments that are sure to bring joy and laughter during the holiday season. Surprise special guests join in the fun each night. More info
17th-22nd
The Cher Show @ The Saenger Theatre
For six straight decades, only one unstoppable force has flat-out dominated popular culture - breaking down barriers, pushing boundaries, and letting nothing and no one stand in her way. The Cher Show is her story. More info
21st and 22nd
The Nutcracker @ JPAC
Featuring a live orchestra, conducted by Maestro Dennis Assaf. More info
Seasonal shows (adults only edition)
10th
The Nightmare Before Christmas: A Cabaret of Spooks
Step into a darkly enchanting world, where the lines between spooky and sultry blur. More info
13th
Noël Cabaret Vampyre at The Original Nite Cap
Get ready for a world of dark glamour and enchantment with your favorite macabre Vamps for their annual unholy Holiday Celebration! Tickets
21st
Jingle All The Gay! @ The New Marigny Theatre
Kitten N’ Lou are thrilled to finally bring their biggest most bombastic production home to New Orleans.
How the Drag Queens Stole Christmas @ AllWays Lounge
Witness the unbelievable tale of how six drag queens saved Christmas in this Holiday Cabaret! More info
24th
Queer Christmas Eve @ AllWays Lounge
A festive celebration of love and diversity! Get ready to immerse yourself in a night filled with joy, laughter, and acceptance. Dress up in your most fabulous attire and let your true colors shine! More info
29th
Kwanzaa Pub Crawl
Get ready to groove and raise a glass as we celebrate the vibrant Black bars of New Orleans with a unique Kwanzaa Pub Crawl. More info