For the holidays, you can’t beat home sweet home!
Celebrate the holiday season with relatives, loved ones and new-found friends during a series of festive events presented by The Roosevelt New Orleans and the Downtown Development District. Now in its ninth year, Canal Street: Home for the Holidays is offering the joyful gift of giving during this holiday season, jingling bells inviting families and friends from all over the globe to join in for a month stuffed full of merriment in Downtown New Orleans!
Canal Street Lighting Ceremony – Nov. 22
Set your mood to sparkle-mode with a million electrifying lights when the Astor Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Quarter hotel and the Downtown Development District set Canal Street aglow at 5 p.m. Gambol along the illuminated historic corridor, and then join in on the jubilation inside the Astor Crowne Plaza’s St. Charles Ballroom to sip steaming apple cider or rich, hot cocoa — all while decorating your very own holiday cookie. Because the Astor has serious North Pole connections, Santa will be on hand to hear your holiday wishes and to encourage all good boys and girls to donate unwrapped, new toys for local charities.
Holiday Movies on the Mississippi – Dec. 2, 9 & 16
Once again, the Spanish Plaza at the Outlet Collection at Riverwalk will be airing several select holiday films for the whole family! Enjoy these outdoor, free movies showing the first three Fridays in December at 6:30 p.m. This year’s films include Home Alone on Dec. 2, Frozen on Dec. 9 and Elf on Dec. 16. Bring the kiddos; grab some popcorn and hot cocoa; and settle in for movies by the riverside!
Krewe of Jingle Parade – Dec. 3
Is it even a holiday in the Crescent City if there’s no parade? Of course not! That’s why the Downtown Development District and The Roosevelt New Orleans have teamed up again this year to present the Krewe of Jingle parade! Gaze in awe as their joyful floats pass by followed by our beloved, local marching bands, ebullient Christmas characters and more! Kicking off at Lee Circle Dec. 3 at 1 p.m., the Krewe of Jingle will roll down St. Charles Avenue to Canal Street and then back down Baronne Street to finish up on Howard Avenue. Throw me somethin’ mister Santa!
Reindeer Run & Romp – Dec. 10
With all of the fudge, cookies, fried turkey and candied ham, we have to remember to keep in shape even during this “feast-ive” time of year! Why not don your finest elf ears or glowing nose and join in on the annual Reindeer Run & Romp presented by Entergy New Orleans and the Downtown Development District? On Dec. 10, children of all ages will be lining up for a race down Canal Street that will begin at the ring of Santa’s jingling bells. All runners will receive a race t-shirt, a bag of holiday treats and a pair of antlers to wear during the race! Don’t forget to save your breath for a rollicking, wild romp after the run in the Outlet Collection at Riverwalk’s Spanish Plaza where attendants can participate in yoga for kids, games, music, crafts and more. Also be sure to get a picture with Santa!