Downtown Delights

Celebrate the festive holiday season in Downtown New Orleans where a host of jolly good fun for the whole family is happening all month long!

 

Miracle on Fulton Street
Harrah’s New Orleans Hotel and Casino once again presents a Miracle on Fulton Street with festive displays and performances scheduled all the way up to Christmas Eve. Experience an hourly snowfall, a magical gingerbread display inside the hotel lobby, holiday caroling by the Canterbury Carolers, an amazing LUNA Fête art installation with interactive illuminated orbs and more! The annual Miracle on Fulton Street also highlights local music with performances by artists like the Tin Men, Charmaine Neville, Benny Grunch & the Bunch and the Panorama Jazz Band. caesars.com/harrahs-new-orleans/shows/miracle-on-fulton-street

Teddy Bear Tea at The Roosevelt New Orleans
Voyage to the rooftops of New Orleans with Santa at The Roosevelt New Orleans’ annual Teddy Bear Tea. Meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus and a whole cast of holiday characters who are only interested in making this the most festive holiday event of the season! Kids of all ages will feast on holiday food, specialty teas and exquisite pastries, while mom and dad enjoy sparkling wine and mimosas. therooseveltneworleans.com/specials-and-packages/teddy-bear-tea.html

Holiday Movies on the Mississippi
Enjoy free outdoor holiday movies in the Spanish Plaza this holiday season presented by the Downtown Development District and The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk. For three weekends in December, you can bring your family and friends to revel in free movies on the Mississippi. The lineup is as follows: Home Alone on Dec. 2, Frozen on Dec. 9 and Elf on Dec. 16. Show up early because the first 50 families at each showing will receive a free fleece blanket! downtownnola.com/holidays/

A Vintage Christmas
On weekends and select weekdays during December, the National WWII Museum is presenting A Vintage Christmas with holiday performances by The Victory Belles at BB’s Stage Door Canteen. Relive holiday classics like “Do You Hear What I Hear,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “The Christmas Song,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.” The Victory Belles will be joined by Tom Hook as Burl Ives making this new Canteen production an old-fashioned event filled with fond memories of holidays past. nationalww2museum.org/stage-door-canteen/

The National WWII Museum’s Teddy Bear Tea
Bring the whole family for the perfect holiday experience at The National WWII Museum’s Teddy Bear Tea! Enjoy delectable sweets, festive food and holiday music from the Victory Belles. Along with holiday music and delicious bites, young attendees will enjoy a festive photo station, a special visit from Santa Claus and their very own teddy bear. nationalww2museum.org/stage-door-canteen/

Krewe of Jingle Parade
It isn’t a holiday in New Orleans without a parade! Join the fun on Dec. 3 for New Orleans’ official holiday parade as the Krewe of Jingle rolls with authentic floats, stilt-walkers, school marching bands, a huge cast of Christmas characters and more! The route begins in Lee Circle, travels up St. Charles Avenue to Canal Street and then comes back down Baronne Street to end on Howard Avenue. The frolicking and festive fun begins at 1 p.m., so don’t miss out! downtownnola.com/holidays/

Arts Council New Orleans’ LUNA Fête
Illuminate your holidays Dec. 7-10 with Arts Council New Orleans’ LUNA Fête in Lafayette Square. Enjoy three days of digital sculptures, illuminated installations, video-mapping projections and a local arts market designed to captivate and excite audiences of all ages. It’s a festival that “celebrates art through light and technology” presented by our city’s own talented imaginations using New Orleans’ iconic landscape as the canvas. artsneworleans.org/event/luna-fete/

Holiday Film Fest at Entergy Giant Screen Theater
Experience a mirth-filled, holiday movie extravaganza at the Entergy Giant Screen Theater this season! The Audubon Nature Institute presents screenings of festive favorites all throughout December, like The Muppet Christmas Carol, Frozen, Elf and The Polar Express. Bring your friends and family for an immersive experience at one of the largest screens in the region, featuring state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos multidimensional sound and a 4k digital projection system! newsroom.audubonnatureinstitute.org/entergy-giant-screen-theater-hosts-holiday-film-fest/

Reindeer Run & Romp
Roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, buttered rolls, candied ham, pumpkin pie … oh my! While there’s plenty to celebrate this holiday season, there’s no reason we can’t stay in shape at the same time. That’s why the Downtown Development District and Entergy are calling kids (of all ages) to join in on this annual holiday run for fun! Register for the Reindeer Run & Romp, taking place Dec. 10, beginning and ending in the Spanish Plaza at The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk. All participants will receive antlers, race t-shirts and a holiday goodie bag for joining, and, after the race, y’all can romp around the Spanish Plaza enjoying healthy activities, games and crafts. downtownnola.com/holidays/

LPO Holiday Spectacular
Celebrate the season with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra at The Orpheum theater on Dec. 9, 10 or 11 for their first Holiday Spectacular with the 610 Stompers! The “ordinary men with extraordinary moves” join the LPO for a journey around the world to see how different cultures make merry during this fabulously festive time of year. lpomusic.com/online/article/orpheum-holiday-2016

Jingle Bugs
The Audubon Nature Institute invites you to frolic among beautiful bugs at the Insectarium this holiday season. On Dec. 10, the Insectarium will host all kinds of festive activities — like the Gumdrop Hunt where you can test your knowledge of winter bugs, meet Santa Clause in the Hall of Fame and hear him spin a buggy version of that classic poem The Night Before Christmas. Bring the whole family to sample holiday treats like Peppermint Cricket Bark and Fruit Fly Cake, and meet Pupa Noel, who will be “hanging around” all day in the Metamorphosis Lab with his sleigh and eight tiny beetle-deer. audubonnatureinstitute.org/event/852-jingle-bugs

NOLA ChristmasFest
From Dec. 16-30, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center will be aglow with the holiday spirit. NOLA ChristmasFest is two weeks of family fun, featuring an indoor ice skating rink, carnival rides, Santa, Mrs. Claus and a whole cast of holiday characters, a life-sized maze, crafts for kids, lighting displays and much more! nolachristmasfest.com/

Creole Queen’s Cajun Holiday Tea with Papa Noël
Bring your family and friends for merriment on the Mississippi Dec. 17 and 18 aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen. Visit with Papa Noël, Mrs. Noël, a real alligator and other jolly characters, while enjoying a classic holiday tea and treats. Your jubilant cruise down the river will also include fun, festive activities like face painting, story time, magic tricks and more. bigeasy.com/learnmorea09002_CQCD

Louisiana Children’s Museum Kid’s New Year’s Eve Countdown
Why should kids miss out on ringing in the New Year? Take your family to the Louisiana Children’s Museum on Dec. 31, and create a one-of-a-kind paper bag party hat and noisemaker, and countdown at the stroke of noon with festive music, a balloon release and confetti drop! lcm.org/