The Christmas schedule is somewhat abbreviated, but many events are taking place, including tours of decorated 19th century homes, bonfires, riverboat cruises, and a Christmas Day concert. There are public concerts every evening at St. Louis Cathedral. Also, there are Chanukah and Kwanzaa activities. New Orleans chefs will give free cooking demonstrations each evening. Following is a partial list of activities on tap.
Food and Drink
Of course, there will be Reveillon dinners at many restaurants, including Begue’s, The Bourbon House, Café Adelaide, Muriel’s,Upperline and Tujague’s. For those among us who enjoy liquid refreshments, Royal Street Antique shops will hold wine tastings and Gray Line offers its Southern Comfort Cocktail Walking Tour.Tours and Such
The Beauregard-Keyes House at 1113 Chartres Street built around 1826, will be dressed up for Christmas. There are hourly tours of the house, Frances Parkinson Keyes' doll collections, and more. On December 9-30, except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Celebration in the Oaks Walking Tour will be open at New Orleans City Park from 5:30-10:00pm.
On December 15, The National D-Day Museum at 945 Magazine Street will feature an informal lecture about Christmas during the WWII years, home & abroad. For an unusual evening, try the Christmas Eve Bonfire Cruise. The Creole Queen boards at 1:00pm and the Cajun Queen boards at 1:30pm, both returning at 10:00p.m. Included in the cruise is a lavish Creole buffet, open call-brand bar, and live entertainment. The boats will cruise up the Mississippi River to the huge levee bonfires from Gramercy to Lutcher. Papa Noel will bring gifts for everyone on board. Another riverboat option on Christmas Eve is the Steamboat Natchez at the Toulouse Street Wharf. The cruise is from 6:30pm-9:30 p.m. Their New Orleans Jazz Trio will play, and there is a holiday buffet with many bar offerings.
Shopping and Music
Merriment on Magazine Street takes place from 10:00 to 5:00 p.m. daily in the 1800-6100 blocks of Magazine Street. Here is a wonderful group of clothing shops and boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, gift and antique shops, and more. The French Quarter merchants are also open for business.{/p]
. On December 14, John Fohl, David Doucet and Theresa Andersson give a free holiday concert at 6:00 p.m. at St. Louis Cathedral. On December 18, the Shades of Praise Gospel group and Philip Manuel will entertain with a free holiday concert at St. Louis Cathedral at 5:00 p.m. Also on December 18, there will be “Caroling in Jackson Square” beginning at 7:00 p.m.
