The luna, the better: LUNA Fête, in December
New Orleans: November and December events
It's the stretch between Halloween and Carnival, time to check out some of the city's best-loved festivals and any one of dozens of holiday-focused events. Here's a few highlights, by date:
NOVEMBER
All month
Celebration in the Oaks (through Dec 30th)
Entertainment, rides, and lights displays — and the party now extends into the Botanical Garden. More info
18th
Crescent City Clay Fest
10am @ Beanlandia. Vending and networking event with 50+ local ceramic artists and potters. More info
Sober Fest
11am @ The Sugar Mill. A place for those in recovery to gather and enjoy. The artist line-up includes Ivan Neville & Friends, George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, Camile Baudoin and the Trombone Shorty Academy. The festival is family friendly, including a Kids' Area. More info
19th
Po-Boy Festival 2023
10am @ Oak Street - 40 vendors, live music, kids' area, and of course the Po-Boy contests! More info
23rd
Human Horse Racing
11am @ Easton Park. The 4th annual, family-friendly, mini festival that centers around races of humans carrying humans. Live music, food trucks and vendors. READ OUR PREVIEW HERE! More info
25th
Bayou Classic
Annual fixture between the Tigers of Grambling State and the Jaguars of Southern University.
Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade Float
1.30pm @ Caesar’s Superdome. A showcase of floats, marching bands, military units, alumni krewes, and more.
Classic Fest
A post-Bayou Classic event with vendors, food, and entertainment. More info
DECEMBER
All month
Celebration in the Oaks (through Dec 30th)
Entertainment, rides, and lights displays — and the party now extends into the Botanical Garden. More info
2nd
NOLA Childrens' Hospital Holiday Parade
The 20-float parade will start from The French Market with an extended route through Downtown, and will end with a post-parade holiday experience and concert in Lafayette Square! More info
3rd
Merriment on Magazine
To kick off the holiday season, businesses will offer special treats and exclusive holiday offerings. More info
7th
LUNA Fête
Dynamic contemporary art, film, and technology in a multi-day large-scale public art festival. More info
Greenway Supernova
Annual holiday lights exhibited on the Lafitte Greenway. A family-friendly festival featuring collaborations with artists, with food and music. Through December 9th.
17th
Caroling in Jackson Square
6.30pm gates/7pm concert in Jackson Square Park. The annual tradition continues, with a candlelit concert for everyone in the heart of the French Quarter.
21st
NOLA Christmas Fest
Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, a beloved indoor, family-friendly holiday attraction. Through Dec 30th. More info
24th
Bonfires on the Levee
As many as 100 more more bonfires, stretching for miles along the bank of the Mississippi River. More info
Trees and lights
Celebration in the Oaks (through Dec 30th)
Entertainment, rides, and lights displays — and the party now extends into the Botanical Garden. More info
Christmas in Lafreniere Park
Holiday lights and displays featuring 10 million LED lights, a 60 foot Sea Serpent in the lagoon and an elegant princess in her illuminated, magical castle. Through Dec 30th.
Hotels and historic homes
Many hotels illuminate their lobbies for the month of December, and many are worth a visit. The Roosevelt Hotel is the most famous, with its canopy of lights. The Ritz-Carlton has a Santa-themed toy shop, The Royal Sonesta opens Christmas Tree Land, and the Windsor Court has one of the city's biggest trees. The Hotel Monteleone and Le Pavillon also have elaborate, traditional decorations, and most larger hotels will have holiday menus and Santa visits. See also the displays at Hermann-Grima House & Gallier House, The Williams Residence, and the Beauregard-Keyes House.
THANKSGIVING DAY EVENTS IN NEW ORLEANS
MORE NOLA CULTURE
It's the stretch between Halloween and Carnival, time to check out some of the city's best-loved festivals and any one of dozens of holiday-focused events. Here's a few highlights, by date:
NOVEMBER
All month
Celebration in the Oaks (through Dec 30th)
Entertainment, rides, and lights displays — and the party now extends into the Botanical Garden. More info
18th
Crescent City Clay Fest
10am @ Beanlandia. Vending and networking event with 50+ local ceramic artists and potters. More info
Sober Fest
11am @ The Sugar Mill. A place for those in recovery to gather and enjoy. The artist line-up includes Ivan Neville & Friends, George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, Camile Baudoin and the Trombone Shorty Academy. The festival is family friendly, including a Kids' Area. More info
19th
Po-Boy Festival 2023
10am @ Oak Street - 40 vendors, live music, kids' area, and of course the Po-Boy contests! More info
23rd
Human Horse Racing
11am @ Easton Park. The 4th annual, family-friendly, mini festival that centers around races of humans carrying humans. Live music, food trucks and vendors. READ OUR PREVIEW HERE! More info
25th
Bayou Classic
Annual fixture between the Tigers of Grambling State and the Jaguars of Southern University.
Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade Float
1.30pm @ Caesar’s Superdome. A showcase of floats, marching bands, military units, alumni krewes, and more.
Classic Fest
A post-Bayou Classic event with vendors, food, and entertainment. More info
DECEMBER
All month
Celebration in the Oaks (through Dec 30th)
Entertainment, rides, and lights displays — and the party now extends into the Botanical Garden. More info
2nd
NOLA Childrens' Hospital Holiday Parade
The 20-float parade will start from The French Market with an extended route through Downtown, and will end with a post-parade holiday experience and concert in Lafayette Square! More info
3rd
Merriment on Magazine
To kick off the holiday season, businesses will offer special treats and exclusive holiday offerings. More info
7th
LUNA Fête
Dynamic contemporary art, film, and technology in a multi-day large-scale public art festival. More info
Greenway Supernova
Annual holiday lights exhibited on the Lafitte Greenway. A family-friendly festival featuring collaborations with artists, with food and music. Through December 9th.
17th
Caroling in Jackson Square
6.30pm gates/7pm concert in Jackson Square Park. The annual tradition continues, with a candlelit concert for everyone in the heart of the French Quarter.
21st
NOLA Christmas Fest
Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, a beloved indoor, family-friendly holiday attraction. Through Dec 30th. More info
24th
Bonfires on the Levee
As many as 100 more more bonfires, stretching for miles along the bank of the Mississippi River. More info
Trees and lights
Celebration in the Oaks (through Dec 30th)
Entertainment, rides, and lights displays — and the party now extends into the Botanical Garden. More info
Christmas in Lafreniere Park
Holiday lights and displays featuring 10 million LED lights, a 60 foot Sea Serpent in the lagoon and an elegant princess in her illuminated, magical castle. Through Dec 30th.
Hotels and historic homes
Many hotels illuminate their lobbies for the month of December, and many are worth a visit. The Roosevelt Hotel is the most famous, with its canopy of lights. The Ritz-Carlton has a Santa-themed toy shop, The Royal Sonesta opens Christmas Tree Land, and the Windsor Court has one of the city's biggest trees. The Hotel Monteleone and Le Pavillon also have elaborate, traditional decorations, and most larger hotels will have holiday menus and Santa visits. See also the displays at Hermann-Grima House & Gallier House, The Williams Residence, and the Beauregard-Keyes House.
THANKSGIVING DAY EVENTS IN NEW ORLEANS
MORE NOLA CULTURE
