If you are planning to be in New Orleans for Christmas, there are many ways to celebrate that are unique to the city.
New Orleans' premier Christmas event is Celebration in the Oaks. A beautiful light display in the ancient oak trees of City Park. This is a not to be missed event. Only the walking tour is open post-Katrina, but that's the best part anyway.One way is to enjoy the Garden District Mansions and the Creole cottages of the French Quarter beautifully decorated for Christmas.
Food
The famous Reveillon Dinners are held throughout the month, with many restaurants all over the city offering some special menus in the tradition of the old New Orleans Creole families.
Chef's Holiday Cooking Demonstrations
At the Shops at Canal Place on December 5, 6, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20,at 3 p.m., you can learn to cook some of our favorite Creole Dishes. For more information, call (504) 522-5730Holiday teas for the kidsA great way to enjoy some time with the children is to attend a Teddy Bear tea at one of the great venues in town. With a visit from Santa, music and goodies to eat, it's fun for all.
Holiday Tours
Historical characters stroll through the French Quarter all month, until Christmas Day, giving you the opportunity to talk with and hear stories from Louis Armstrong, Papa Noel, 19th century restaurateur Madam Begue, actress and dancer Lola Montez, "Buffalo" Bill Cody, and others. There are various holiday home tours in the Vieux Carre, as well as a free History of New Orleans Stroll led by the National Park Service, that begins daily at 11:30 a.m. Call 504-589-2636 for information. The Chef's Holiday Cooking Demonstration will be held at the Le Petit Theater from December 1-23, where local chefs share recipes and samples of their specialties.
On Christmas Eve, the Lighting of the Bonfires along the levees on Hwy. 44, is a display of enormous teepees, plantation houses, and riverboats made of timber, all to be lit in a spectacular show. Tours to the sites are available by bus as well on the riverboats the Creole Queen and Cajun Queen. On Christmas Day, Tony Green & Gypsy Jazz and Banu Gibson will hold a Christmas concert at the Orpheum Theater, at 5:30 p.m.
December 31 means the Jackson Square New Year's Eve Celebration, complete with fireworks as the lighted ball falls from the top of the old Jax Brewery. Several midnight riverboat cruises offer a different perspective of the revelry. The children can enjoy their own celebration at the Kid's New Year's Eve Party at the Children's Museum from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Chanukah
At Chanukah on the Avenue the traditional lighting of the Chanukah Menorah takes place at an outdoor ceremony on December 15, at Temple Sinai 6227 St. Charles Avenue at 7 p.m. On December 17, Chanukah at the Riverwalk displays the lighting of the largest menorah in Louisiana, with traditional and contemporary Jewish music and free latkes. This celebration is from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Spanish Plaza (Canal Street at the river)Of course,college sports fans will have plenty to keep them happy. The Sugar Bowl game
If you're here by choice or by chance during the holidays, we promise to keep you entertained, whoever you are.
