New Orleans has long been known as one of the great Christmas cities in America, despite tending to be on the warmer side. You can ride one of the decorated streetcars to one of New Orleans’ classic restaurants such as Antoine’s, Brennan’s, Café Degas, Arnaud’s, or a bevy of others. There is also plenty of lesser-known fare for those looking to spend Christmas Day a bit off the beaten path. Kelly Schulz, Senior Vice President New Orleans and Company says that while pickings for restaurants may be a bit slimmer this year, you still have a host of options. “Taking advantage of one of the great New Orleans restaurants is a great way to spend the holiday in New Orleans,” Schulz notes. “There are so many wonderful, iconic restaurants where families have (in many cases) for generations chosen to have their Christmas Eve or Christmas Day meals there,” she goes on to add.
If you’re hosting friends or family for the holidays and looking to bring them out on the town for a taste of New Orleans, there are a bevy of sights to see beyond the restaurant scene. Schulz points out that NOLA Christmas Fest will be happening at the Morial Convention Center, allowing New Orleanians who may not see snow very often the rare chance to ice skate. She also adds that Celebration in the Oaks is an institution in the city at this point and has expanded to offering driving tours as well. “When it’s colder weather like we’ve been experiencing, it’s nice to get in the car and see all the beautiful lights and oak trees. They’ve done a wonderful job at City Park of making the park, which is beautiful on any day, really special for the holidays,” Schulz adds. She is also quick to note that Celebration in the Oaks is actually City Park’s largest fundraiser and is a huge driver for the success of the park.
New Orleans has gained a reputation as a city that really shows out for the Christmas season and Schulz notes that “Holidays New Orleans Style” is now celebrating its 40th anniversary and is a month-long celebration featuring holiday themed events across the city. “There are different caroling events, great shopping and dining, Celebration in the Oaks, New Orleans Christmas Fest at the Morial Convention Center … there are discounted hotel rates for visitors. There really seems to be something for everyone,” adds Shulz. She also emphasizes that the holidays are a chance for New Orleanians to fall in love with their own city all over again by going out and celebrating Christmas “New Orleans style”. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our local residents to realize that this is a wonderful place to visit, a wonderful place to live. The reasons we live here are the same reasons many people choose to visit here and spend the holidays here,” emphasizes Schulz.
For those looking for the full list of holiday activities, it can be found at neworleans.com