Deanie’s recommends Highlights of Christmas in New Orleans
Christmas New Orleans Style is truly THE best way to celebrate the holidays! All around town, there are extravagant decorations, one-of-a-kind events, and wonderful lighting displays that are all family friendly. With over 60 different holiday events plus numerous hotels offering special Papa Noël packages, here are Deanie’s 10 New Orleans holiday favorites to enjoy this season.
NOLA Christmas Fest
The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center brings Christmas to life with carnival rides, children’s crafts, a “Kringle Carousel,” Christmas trees decorated by local organizations, a life-size Maze, and even an Ice Skating Rink. Meet holiday characters like Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Frosty too! The 10-day indoor family festival takes place December 18-27.
Deanie’s Holiday Kids Sing-Along & Dance Party in the French Quarter
Deanie’s Seafood in the French Quarter continues its memorable family friendly holiday program, Deanie’s Holiday Kids Sing-Along & Dance Party. This interactive holiday program offered over four dates in December features a full buffet breakfast, face painting, arts & crafts, pictures with Santa, a Candy Land station, a visit from Deanie’s mascot “Pincher” the Crawfish, plus songs of the holiday season performed by New Orleans favorite son, Vince Vance & The Valianettes. Tickets are all inclusive.
{{cta(‘0fb0abcf-bb49-447e-bbf8-3cc3e7ef3098’)}}
French Quarter Hotel Holiday Lights
Hotels in the French Quarter offer some of the most stunning Christmas decorations in the city. Stroll through these hotel lobbies for beautifully decorated trees and artfully displayed lights. Walk by Deanie’s five holiday window displays on Dauphine Street along the way to the Roosevelt Hotel’s Waldorf Wonderland Lobby. Traipse through the Hotel Monteleone’s sparkling lobby, Windsor Court’s elegant atmosphere that makes one feel at home for the holiday, and The Ritz Carlton’s one-of-a-kind gingerbread display to get in the holiday spirit.
Celebration in the Oaks at City Park
Bring the whole family to enjoy a true New Orleans tradition – City Park’s Celebration in the Oaks, now in its 31st year. View hundreds of thousands of glittering Christmas lights, ride the train through the park, and don’t miss Mister Bingle. Choose from a walking or driving tour beginning Nov. 24 through Jan. 1, 2018 (see website for specific days/hours).
New Orleans Holiday Home Tours
Each year, Preservation Resource Council and Patio Planters conduct New Orleans holiday home and courtyard tours on select weekends in December. The tours take you through homes in the Garden District, New Orleans Arts District and French Quarter.
Free Photos with Santa in the French Quarter at Deanie’s
Enjoy a sip of cocoa and photo with Santa at our French Quarter location, 841 Iberville St. The holiday tradition continues from 6 to 10 p.m., Dec. 8-9 and 15-16.
Miracle on Fulton Street
Beginning Dec. 1 Fulton Alley will transform into Miracle on Fulton Street with lights, daily “snow” fall and holiday cheer through Dec. 23. During the first three weekends of December, on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. (Dec. 2-3, 9-10, and 16-17), guests can shop a holiday market, sip on festive drinks, take their photo with Santa, enjoy face painting and balloon art, and enjoy live entertainment.
Christmas New Orleans Style #FollowYourJoy hotel discounts & Reveillon Dinners
From traditional Reveillon Dinners at more than 50 restaurants throughout New Orleans to historic characters strolling the French Quarter to free concerts at St. Louis Cathedral and St. Augustine Church, Christmas New Orleans Style celebrates the best of the holiday season in the Big Easy.
Deanie’s Holiday Window Displays
Deanie’s in the French Quarter showcases holiday decorations collected over 50+ years by proprietor Barbara Chifici in our traditional department store display windows. Learn how the collection got started, and how Deanie’s is carrying on this tradition in its location in the former D.H. Holmes Department Store Annex at the corner of Dauphine and Iberville streets.
Holiday Movies on the Mississippi
The Downtown Development District & The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk present Movies on the Mississippi, part of the DDD’s Canal Street Home for the Holidays events. Watch holiday classics “Polar Express” Fri., Dec. 8 and “Elf” Fri., Dec. 15 at Riverwalk’s Spanish Plaza.