How to Spend Valentine’s Day in the French Quarter
This city’s sensual charms are undisputed, as New Orleans had been consistently rated as one of the most romantic cities in the world. Romance doesn’t necessarily need a special occasion, but if you happen to be here on Valentine’s Day there are few better places to be.
The French Quarter in particular has much to offer in terms of the romantic itinerary — from the scenic Mississippi River waterfront to strolling through the centuries-old district to enjoying dinner at some of the best restaurants in the country. Here are a few suggestions for what you can do in the French Quarter for Valentine’s Day.
Take a carriage ride
Time travel in comfort and see the French Quarter from a mule-drawn carriage, as one would have done a couple of centuries ago. You can book online or grab a first-come-first-serve French Quarter Mule Tour offered by Royal Carriages on Decatur right outside the Jackson Square gate, from 8 a.m. through midnight daily. One of the most popular tours covers the Quarter and St. Louis Cemetery #1. Private tours and wedding packages are also available.
Stroll the Riverfront and the French Market
You can access the mile-long Riverfront easily from the Jackson Square area. There you will find Woldenberg Park and a walkway called the Moonwalk, named after the former New Orleans mayor Maurice “Moon” Landrieu. The park is a popular spot to watch the people and the boats go by. There’s plenty of grass and benches, public art dots the space liberally, and you can enjoy street performances along the Moonwalk.
While you are at the Riverfront, you can’t miss the French Market across the street. The best way to experience it is to walk through its open-air mall, starting with the food stands and ending at Esplanade Avenue. As the oldest continually operating public market in the country since 1791, the French Market has the structure of a traditional European market. It covers roughly five blocks, from Cafe Du Monde on Decatur Street across from Jackson Square to the daily flea market at the end of Esplanade Avenue.
Shop the stalls with handmade art and jewelry, t-shirts, music, and more. Sample local food and cocktails from the food stands or the nearby restaurants sprawling in every direction, or pick up pralines and a beignet mix to take home from any of the surrounding retail shops.
Take a river cruise
If you want to get off dry land, Creole Queen’s Valentine’s Day cruise offers a romantic outing on the river. The paddlewheeler’s evening cruise boards at 6 p.m. and includes an open bar, complimentary champagne, live music, and an upscale Cajun buffet. Reservations are required, and you should dress to impress.
Walk down Royal Street
The 13 blocks of Royal Street from Esplanade Avenue to Canal Street in the French Quarter present a very different scene from Bourbon Street, which runs parallel only a block away.
The stretch between St. Louis and St. Ann streets is a pedestrian mall closed to traffic during the day daily. There you’ll find eclectic art galleries, funky boutiques, upscale antique shops, live music on many a corner, and lots of street performance art.
The scenic Royal Street is not only considered one of the best destinations in the country for antique shopping, but it’s also a sight to behold for its wrought-iron balconies and other charming architectural details.
Take in Jackson Square
Don’t miss this timeless landmark located in the very heart of the French Quarter. Known since the 18th century as Place d’Armes, it was renamed in honor of Andrew Jackson following the 1815 Battle of New Orleans.
Jackson’s bronze statue is the focal point of the square, surrounded by the lavish flora and facing the Mississippi River. Jackson Square is also a host to the open-air artist market and performance space, with local art displayed along the fence. You can get your sketch done, dance to a brass band, or have your fortune told.
Overlooking Jackson Square and the block-long row of the Pontalba Buildings, St. Louis Cathedral is one of the most instantly recognizable buildings in the world, and the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic Cathedral in the United States. Come inside to take in the Cathedral’s stunning interior. If you’re lucky, you may get to hear its bell or witness an occasional wedding party spilling out, followed by a second line.
Have dinner at a romantic restaurant
Few cities in the world have as many romantic restaurants as New Orleans, and you can have your pick of many stunners located in the French Quarter. Impress your date with a world-class meal in a historic setting at the trifecta of upscale Creole dining — Broussard’s, Arnaud’s or Antoine’s.
The back patio of the lovely Bayona, which is located inside a two-century-old Creole cottage on a quiet block of Dauphine Street, is as enchanting a setting as it gets. So is the candlelit Sylvain on Chartres Street, where the cocktails are top-notch and there’s a charming patio.
If you want something traditional yet sophisticated, we recommend Muriel’s Jackson Square for some excellent Creole cuisine and an unbeatable location (as the name suggests, it’s right on a corner of Jackson Square). Finally, the one and only Galatoire’s needs no explanation or additional incentive to visit.
Get a sweet treat
Don’t miss Croissant D’Or, tucked away between Royal and Chartres on Ursulines. Steeped in old-world charm, this Parisian-style patisserie has some of the best baked goods in the city. The sweet and savory croissants, and everything else you’ll find displayed in the gleaming glass case — the tarts and the tortes and the quiches — is delicious and served fresh daily from the bakery.
Finally, we can’t think of a more romantic sweet treat when in New Orleans than sharing Brennan’s “World Famous Bananas Foster.” This decadent dessert is made with bananas, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, rum, and vanilla bean ice cream. It’s traditionally flambéed tableside, and you can enjoy it with some bubbly in the restaurant’s lush courtyard.
Book Now
To enjoy Valentine’s Day in the Crescent City to the fullest, make sure to find the right hotel. Book a room at the French Market Inn, Prince Conti Hotel, Hotel St. Marie, or Place d’Armes Hotel to have the best of this historical and romantic city at your fingertips.
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Things to Do in New Orleans This February
Photo by David Fary
Mardi Gras comes on March 4, 2025, and there is a steady stream of events and entertainment leading up to it. February is not only packed with Carnival-related festivities though — let’s not forget the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day — plus there are a few low-key local annual events you might enjoy. Here are some upcoming highlights to make the most of this short but event-packed month.
Attend the Super Bowl
New Orleans is proud to host the 2025 Super Bowl, which will be held on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at Caesars Superdome, home of the Saints. The NFL, Roc Nation and Apple Music announced that 17-time Grammy award-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar will be this year’s halftime performer (maybe with special guests?). Even if you don’t attend the game itself, expect to find yourself part of one huge, citywide party.
Go See the Mardi Gras Parades
One of the best parties in the world is here! The Carnival season kicked off on January 6, known as Twelfth Night, or the Epiphany, with three parades, and will culminate as usual on Mardi Gras Day. A ton of parades will roll in February in the French Quarter, Marigny, Bywater, and Uptown. Do consider venturing outside the city too, if you can, as parts of the metro New Orleans, like Metairie, Covington, Slidell, and the West Bank have some of the most fascinating, fun parades of the Carnival season. You can’t catch them all, but you can try! See the full parade schedule here and read our Mardi Gras weekend guide to get the rundown of the Carnival festivities.
Eat King Cake
For those who aren’t aware, King Cake is a traditional cake typically served during Mardi Gras festivities. It’s socially acceptable to stuff your face with it anytime between January 6, when the Carnival season starts, and until Ash Wednesday. Also, per tradition, whoever finds a plastic baby in their slice has to throw the next party, or at least buy the next King Cake.
King Cake comes with many fillings although the traditionalists insist on the old-school rendition without any. It also comes in the Carnival colors of purple, gold and green, but then again you might see the “Who Dat?” versions in black and gold during the football season, honoring the Saints.
King Cake is a beloved Mardi Gras staple, and New Orleanians tend to have strong opinions about who makes the best King Cake in the city. One thing is for sure: Everywhere you go during Mardi Gras, from a grocery store to a parade party to a dive bar, King Cake will be there for the eating.
Take in the Art at First Saturdays
Head downtown to the Arts District to discover some of the city’s best galleries during this free event. First Saturday Gallery Openings are held every first Saturday of the month, down and around Julia Street, 6 to 9 p.m.
Celebrate Vietnamese New Year at Tet Fest
Tet Fest is held over the weekend at the Mary Queen of Vietnam Church at 14011 Dwyer Blvd. in New Orleans East. It’s a free celebration of Vietnamese New Year with live music, traditional dance performances, fireworks, kid-friendly activities, and an amazing variety of authentic Vietnamese food. The date changes annually, falling anywhere between mid-January and late February.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in One of the Most Romantic Cities
To be fair, this is a worldwide holiday. But Valentine’s Day (Friday, February 14, 2025) in New Orleans — with her wrought-iron balconies, historical buildings, and the possibility of music on every corner — is a special kind of unique. Check out our guide to “How to Spend Valentine’s Day in the French Quarter” for some ideas.
Celebrate Black History Month
Every year, citywide events of all kinds, including performances, are happening during February in celebration of Black History Month. Check the local listing as February approaches.
Explore the French Quarter
Whether you’re here with your sweetheart to celebrate Valentine’s Day or visiting with family or friends (or alone) for any other reason, Carnival season is one of the best times to explore the French Quarter. The spirit of revelry permeates the streets, and there are parades and block parties to stumble upon. Not to mention that many of the French Quarter’s facades, porches and balconies are decked in dazzling decorations, sporting purple, green and gold.
Plus, the winter temps are usually mild here, and pleasant enough to stroll down Royal Street to visit the galleries and the antique shops, for example. You can also take in a brass band performance at Jackson Square; visit the French Market to get a po-boy and some oysters; or scarf down some beignets at Cafe Du Monde. Take a tour, or just walk around and stare.
Are you planning to visit New Orleans this winter? We’ve got a fabulous lineup of events that celebrate the Crescent City’s unique culture. Visit FrenchQuarter.com/hotels to find your perfect historic French Quarter hotel that will put you right in the center of all of the action and within walking distance of many of New Orleans’ bars, restaurants and entertainment spots.
Happy February! Happy Mardi Gras!
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New Year’s Eve in New Orleans: What to Do and Where to Stay
From fireworks to balcony bashes, here’s how to celebrate New Year’s Eve in New Orleans!
It should come as no surprise that New Orleans does New Year’s Eve quite well. Both the city and the holiday are closely tied to the celebration, public revelry, and good fellowship. But many visitors may not expect how possible it is to have an intimate, (relatively) quiet New Year’s Eve in New Orleans. Of course, there are big celebrations within the French Quarter, but even in that storied neighborhood, a night out on December 31st can be both as raucous and as chill as you please.
Note that in New Orleans, the evening of the 31st is not a guaranteed chiller. While there have been New Year’s Eves in New Orleans characterized by heavy coats and cold winds off of the Mississippi, there is a chance the weather will be temperate, and even a little muggy. The point is: Bring cold-weather clothes but don’t be surprised if you won’t need them.
Here are some of our top picks for what to do on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans.
Dick Clark Rockin’ New Year’s Eve
Every year, Dick Clark Rockin’ New Year’s Eve production hosts its official Central Time Zone party in New Orleans near the historic JAX Brewery starting at 9 p.m. The show will be coordinated with parties in New York and Los Angeles, and will feature a musical lineup and special guests. The fleur-de-lis drop-off at JAX Brewery will be live-cast.
Photo: St. Louis Cathedral by Prayitno
Jackson Square
This is the big, obvious New Year’s activity in New Orleans — our version of the Times Square ball drop (although the actual ball drop is a fleur-de-lis drop, and that event has a party all of its own, see above). Jackson Square is a historic and iconic meeting space of the city of New Orleans, and is always a linchpin for local events.
Every year, admission to the square is free, although you’ll want to show up early in the evening if you don’t want to be crowded to the edge of the square (depending on your crowd tolerance, the latter scenario may not be such a bad thing). Within Jackson Square, there will be live music and general milling about. The end-of-the-year countdown culminates in the fleur-de-lis drop, followed by the fireworks over the Mississippi River.
The kiddos can have their New Year’s Eve fun at Audubon Zoo and Louisiana Children’s Museum
For the Kids
If you’re traveling with young children and have made the reasonable conclusion that popping bottles of Moët at midnight and a child’s sleep cycle don’t mix well — but also don’t want your kids to completely miss New Year’s Eve fun — consider some of the family-friendly annual events in the Crescent City.
You could take your kids to Zoo Year’s Eve at the Audubon Zoo, which “parties” from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a Pepsi toast, costumed characters, and of course, the Audubon’s wildlife menagerie (the event is included in the price of admission).
Or you could head to the Louisiana Children’s Museum for its annual New Year’s Eve Kids’ Countdown to Noon, which lasts from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. That party typically includes noisemakers, paper bag hats, and music, all set against the backdrop of the Louisiana Children’s Museum’s considerable range of kid-friendly displays and exhibits, appropriate for children aged from 1-12.
French Quarter Balcony photo by Lee Curran
Balcony Bashes
If you’re looking for a more traditional night of French Quarter-style partying, be on the lookout for balcony bashes at area bars — located all up and down the (in)famous Bourbon Street nightlife strip. Quite a few bars host popular annual parties with premium views.
A balcony bash is pretty much that — you’ll pay a cover and be allowed to plant yourself on a wrought-iron balcony overlooking the street below. Some bashes feature all-inclusive tickets that get you extras like an open bar and food. Either way, much bead tossing subsequently ensues.
With that said, a different take on the balcony bash is a French Quarter New Year’s Eve house party. Seeing as such houses usually have balconies that afford at least a decent view of the river, this is a good chance to see the fireworks while avoiding crowds. Of course, getting yourself into a house party is all based on your charm and who you know.
Enjoy a parade during the Allstate Sugar Bowl festivities
Allstate Sugar Bowl Parade
Need something to do during the day? Since 1935, the Sugar Bowl has been played in New Orleans, and while that event has since become the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the New Year’s Eve Parade associated with the game continues in more or less the same vein. The extravaganza is done Mardi Gras-style, so expect big floats, marching bands, plenty of throws (trinkets tossed to spectators), and a general overload of glitz and pageantry.
The parade begins at the “bottom” of the Quarter, where it meets Faubourg Marigny, at the intersection of Elysian Fields Avenue and Decatur Street, at 3 p.m. The parade proceeds into the French Quarter and rolls past some of that neighborhood’s most iconic landmarks, including the French Market and Jackson Square.
Eventually, the parade passes the WDSU stage at the Allstate Fan Fest on Decatur Street inside the JAX Brewery parking lot, where all performers will do a two-minute show. The parade ends at Canal Street.
For music enthusiasts, Hall Lang Syne is sure to please
Riverboat Cruises
Want the best view of the fireworks? Paddlewheeler Creole Queen offers an opportunity to ring in the new year with a New Year’s Eve river cruise that includes champagne toasts, live music, a dinner buffet, and party favors.
Celebrate NYE at some of the oldest bars in the country
LGBTQIA+ Parties
The French Quarter includes some of the oldest dedicated gay bars in the country, and a slew of venues in the lower portions of Bourbon Street, starting at around the 800 block, will be throwing New Year’s Eve parties. Expect DJs, dancers (of the go-go variety), and drag cabaret.
If that kind of thumping nightlife experience isn’t your thing, consider an evening at one of the city’s more laid-back bars, like Mag’s 940 (940 Elysian Fields Avenue), The Friendly Bar (2301 Chartres Street) and Big Daddy’s (2513 Royal Street) — all friendly spots that will certainly be celebrating, but perhaps minus the laser show and speakers.
Photo: Crescent Park by Infrogmation of New Orleans
Crescent Park
The Crescent Park is a public green space that has become a favorite means of watching events take place on the river. Positioned as it is along the Mississippi, the park offers fantastic views of the water, which means you’ve got a clear vantage point onto the annual fireworks show.
Usually, the park closes after dark, but on New Year’s Eve, it will stay open to the public till 1 a.m. There are three entrances to the space in Bywater and Faubourg Marigny, and both of those neighborhoods are thick with venues to celebrate in after the last firework pops off.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a view of the French Quarter
Where to Sleep
We’ve given you plenty of options on how to spend New Year’s Eve in New Orleans, but let’s face it: Once the confetti has been thrown, the champagne uncorked and the noisemakers put away, you need a place to sleep (and possibly sleep in, depending on how much fun you’ve had).
With that said, you want to pick the right hotel — one that has a mix of easy accessibility and cozy amenities. If you’re celebrating near Jackson Square, consider a room at the Place d’Armes Hotel. Want to be near the action on Bourbon Street? Try the Hotel St. Marie. Or position yourself near the river at the historic French Market Inn. Finally, the Prince Conti Hotel is a great choice if you would like to be close to Canal Street and within walking distance of several streetcar lines.
Enjoy your New Year’s Eve and Happy New Year!
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NOLA ChristmasFest
Photo courtesy of NOLA ChristmasFest on Facebook
There’s no shortage of unique opportunities this December to experience the holiday spirit, New Orleans style. We can’t promise snow, but the city will dazzle and enchant — as it does every year — with thousands of twinkling lights, themed displays, caroling, holiday concerts, special events for kids, and the decadent, traditional Reveillon dinners.
One of those unique opportunities to immerse yourself in wintery activities is the popular and family-friendly festival that celebrates all things Christmas. The annual NOLA ChristmasFest is the only indoor Christmas festival in the area. It takes place at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, kicking off on Friday, December 20, and wrapping on Monday, December 30, 2024.
The Convention Center Boulevard will be draped and dripping in holiday decorations and thousands of lights synced to holiday music, and NOLA ChristmasFest is packed with attractions and events, spread over its 300,000 square feet. The fest will once again feature a display of dozens of Christmas trees, face painting, ice slides, carnival rides, ice skating lessons, and much more (here’s the list of attractions this year). Also, check out height restrictions for some of the rides. Parents can take respite in the “adult lounge” (21 or over to enter) overlooking the ice rink.
The focal point of the festival is the New Orleans’ only, 52×140-foot ice-skating rink. Skate rentals are included in the admission price, but you’re also welcome to bring your own skates. Socks are required. Helmets are not required but are encouraged, especially if you have small kids.
The inflatables area is staffed with friendly elves (who will help supervise the kids). Holiday characters will be strolling by, and you’re welcome to take pictures with them. You can also take professional photos with Santa and his North Pole friends for an extra fee. Food will be available for purchase at the concession stands, plus wine, beer, and special holiday-themed cocktails.
Food and drink, face paintings, photos with Santa, and parking are not included in the ticket price. Kids aged two and under are admitted for free. The event is cashless. Tickets are $25 on weekdays and $30 on Saturday and Sunday (plus ticketing fees). Tickets are non-refundable and good for a single admission at the specific timeframe and the specific day you choose (this means timed entry on a specific day — it’s a popular event).
Parking is available in Lots F/G directly across from Hall I, for a $23 flat fee per day per car. You can pre-pay for parking here.
Coming to New Orleans for the holidays? Be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels!
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What to Expect at the 2024 Bayou Classic
Photo courtesy of Bayou Classic on Facebook
With Thanksgiving upon us, summer weather is truly over, and the fall schedule is packed with fun activities you can only find in New Orleans. One of those events is Bayou Classic, traditionally held during the Thanksgiving week.
Each November the Bayou Classic draws the fans and alumni of Southern University and Grambling State University to New Orleans to partake in one of the country’s greatest college sports rivalries. This year marks the 51st annual event, which has become much more than a football game, drawing more than 200,000 visitors to New Orleans.
The event stretches for two days and includes a fan fest, a parade, the Battle of the Bands, and, of course, the big game. The game kicks off on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at 1 p.m., at the Superdome (you can get tickets online or at the gate).
Photo courtesy of Bayou Classic on Facebook
The Battle of the Bands between the Grambling “Marching Tigers” and the Southern “Human Jukebox” on Friday, November 29, at 6 p.m., promises to be amazing (tickets). The Fan Fest is held on Saturday before the game at Champions Square.
The same two marching bands will lead the Annual Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade, also on Saturday, starting at 3 p.m., from the Superdome, and ending at Poydras and Loyola streets in downtown New Orleans. The parade will have the elements of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, floats, military units, and more. In other words, expect a great show.
Where to stay
To enjoy the best of the Bayou Classic in the Crescent City, make sure to find the right hotel in New Orleans. French Quarter is an ideal option for this event due to its proximity to the Superdome where the big game will be held. Also, the parade on Saturday is a short distance away, so you can get a front-row view of this amazing extravaganza.
And, since it will be Thanksgiving weekend, you can enjoy fine meals here on actual turkey day, or any day of the weekend, before heading to the Superdome. Walk around the French Quarter to check out the beginning of the Christmas light displays that deck out this historic neighborhood, and indulge in a wide range of boutiques and galleries on Small Business Saturday.
To enjoy the best of Thanksgiving in the Crescent City, make sure to find the right hotel in New Orleans. Book a room at the French Market Inn, Prince Conti Hotel, Hotel St. Marie, Place d’Armes Hotel, or Alder Hotel to have the best of this historical city at your fingertips.
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The Ultimate French Quarter Guide to Christmas in New Orleans
During the holiday season in New Orleans, the city’s predilection for spectacle goes into overdrive. Here are some of the sights and shows that make for an unforgettable December visit, plus our picks on where to eat, including some of the best Reveillon dinners going on in the city.
Photo courtesy of JAMNOLA
What to See
Christmas Eve Bonfires — On December 24 every year, bonfires will illuminate the levees on the opposite side of the Mississippi River. This is a Christmas tradition that likely dates back centuries; for more information on where to find the bonfires, contact your hotel concierge.
Holiday Concerts at St. Augustine Church — One of the city’s oldest African American churches, located in the heart of the historic Tremé neighborhood, the gorgeous St. Augustine Church will host a few holiday concerts throughout the month of December. Feel the spirit at this intimate congregation, and enjoy music in the fantastic interior of this cornerstone of local heritage.
‘Tis also the season for JAMNOLA! (The “JAM” part stands for “joy,” “art,” and “music.”) This December is your last chance to experience New Orleans’ cultural funhouse on Royal Street (2832 Royal Street in the Marigny, just a 15-minute walk from the French Quarter) before the brand new JAMNOLA Frenchmen experience debuts in January. Explore original exhibits that celebrate the city’s iconic music, food, and theatrics through the eyes of over 30 local artists. There are currently 17 exhibits, including larger-than-life crawfish (pictured above) and a bling bayou with a golden gator. For the holidays, there will also be a limited edition Jingle Jam holiday photo op. Ticket prices start at $32 for adults (13+) and $24 for kids (3-12). Kids under 3 are free.
Krewe of Krampus — Do you have a thing for the scary monster creatures from the Central European forests? Of course you do. Then you might want to check out the Krewe of Krampus parade through the Bywater (on Saturday, December 7, 2024). The parade starts at 7:30 p.m., and Krampus and his army of mischief will be handing out lumps of coal and, most likely, behaving badly. New Orleans loves its counterculture holiday traditions!
Running of the Santas — This annual event brings a pack of St. Nicholi (that’s a word, right?) to the Warehouse District, running from the “South Pole” (Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar) to the “North Pole” (Generations Hall). The boozy run is followed by the open bar and costume contest at Generations Hall. This year, the event falls on Saturday, December 14, 2024 (2-11:30 p.m.). The event is 21+; you can get your tickets here.
St. Louis Cathedral Concerts — Throughout the month, some of the city’s greatest musicians, representing genres as varied as jazz, indie folk, zydeco, and gospel, put on shows in St. Louis Cathedral, situated in the heart of Jackson Square. These free holiday concerts are open to the public and generally last for about an hour.
Photo courtesy of New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on Facebook
What to Do
The holidays are a busy time of year anywhere, but in New Orleans, our events calendar becomes particularly packed with festive things.
Walk the French Quarter — The holiday light displays in the French Quarter are nothing short of magical. We recommend strolling Royal Street and Chartres Street for the best lights. It gets dark by 6 p.m., which is a perfect time to take in a brisk walk and a good dinner.
Explore New Orleans residential architecture — It’s always fun to explore the different architectural styles of New Orleans’ many historical and heritage residences. It’s even more fun to do so when those houses are decked out in all of their December finery. As such, try not to miss out on the annual Holiday Home Tour, conducted by the Preservation Resource Center. The tours will be held the weekend of December 14-15, 2024 (tickets).
Ice skating — From Friday, December 20, through Monday, December 30, 2024, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center will be decked out with a million Christmas lights for NOLA Christmasfest, which will host an ice skating rink. We don’t often get to strap on skates in New Orleans, so expect to see a ton of locals sliding, slipping, and maybe even showing off some considerable skills on the all-too-rare ice. Get your tickets online early, it’s a popular event!
Jackson Square caroling — Every year, the Patio Planters organization pulls together a choral extravaganza in Jackson Square. Hundreds of candles illuminate the square as the annual caroling event renews itself. Song sheets and candles will be provided; the gates open at 6:30 p.m. and singing starts at 7 p.m., but we highly suggest you arrive early, as this is a very popular event (held on Sunday, December 22, 2024, this year).
What to Eat
If you are not a purist and are OK with eating King Cake before Mardi Gras season kicks off on January 6 each year, the Christmas King Cake is, truly, a brilliant invention, and the one that gives us King Cake in the season before Carnival. Because folks, you can never get enough King Cake. You can find Christmas King Cake at any local grocery or convenience store.
Derived from the French word for “awakening,” Reveillon originally was a meal served after midnight mass on Christmas Eve in Creole households. Today, the tradition has been refashioned into elaborate set-course meals served at some of the city’s finest eating establishments.
Some of the best Reveillon prix fixe dinners going on in the city include:
- Arnaud’s (813 Bienville Street)
- Bayona (430 Dauphine Street)
- Broussard’s (819 Conti Street)
- The Court of Two Sisters (613 Royal Street)
- Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse (716 Iberville Street)
- Gabrielle Restaurant (2441 Orleans Avenue)
- Galatoire’s (209 Bourbon Street)
- Luke (333 St Charles Avenue)
- Muriel’s Jackson Square (801 Chartres Street)
- Palace Café (605 Canal Street)
- Rib Room (621 St. Louis Street)
- Sylvain (625 Chartres Street)
- Tujague’s (429 Decatur Street)
What to Drink
If you’re visiting from up north, you may be a little bemused by how much New Orleanians bundle up on a “cold” 60-degree day, but hey, the experience of the weather is relative. What should be recognized as a universally good thing is liquid ways of warming up during the New Orleans winter.
If you need a pick-me-up that also happens to act as an internal hot blanket, pick up a steaming café au lait from Envie Espresso Bar & Cafe, which makes some of the finest coffee in the French Quarter. If you need a pick-me-up that will set you off in a not-quite-caffeinated but still pretty fun fashion, opt for a hot cocktail. New Orleanians tend to love traditional holiday drinks like mulled wine and hot buttered rum (the local version of the latter drink is always made with particular decadence).
Each year local bartenders create special holiday sippers to celebrate Reveillon on the Rocks. You can read about our favorite choices as we update them each year here. Good seasonal cocktails will also be on the menu at many of the area’s best cocktail bars, including Bar Tonique and Cane & Table, but even at casual Quarter dives, you’ll likely be able to score a nice frothy glass of “strong” eggnog — maybe not a hot drink per se, but sure to warm you up nonetheless.
Rudolph is great and all, but in South Louisiana, Christmas really calls for an alligator. Gaston the Gator joins Papa Noel for Cajun Holiday Tea with Papa Noel on the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen family-friendly outing. There’s holiday tea, face painting, costumed characters, and magic. This year, two cruises will be available, starting at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., on Sunday, December 8, 2024.
The most decadent after-dinner drink in New Orleans — if not in the world, honestly — is café brûlot, a ridiculous concoction assembled from dark coffee, orange peel, lemon peel, cognac, brandy, cloves, cinnamon, sugar, and big old fireball. We’re not kidding: Café brûlot is made tableside by knowledgeable wait staff who put on what is frankly one of the great performances of gastronomic theater.
The end result is a citrusy, pleasantly spicy, very strong coffee drink that paradoxically works to knock you out and lift your spirits. It’s not necessarily a Christmas cocktail, but the flavor and look of the drink is très yuletide. You can find this drink at old-line restaurants like Antoine’s, Arnaud’s, and Galatoire’s.
Photo courtesy of Trashy Diva
Where to Shop
If you’re looking for unique gifts, the French Quarter is full of small shops and boutiques that simply cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Start at the French Market where you will find over six blocks of shopping with a wide assortment of gifts including spices, candy, cookbooks, one-of-a-kind art, fashion accessories, and home decor items.
Stroll down Royal Street, particularly the pedestrian mall part, to find the right souvenir or keepsake for a loved one. Royal Street (and to a somewhat lesser degree, Chartres Street) is filled with art galleries and antique stores, each business curated by creative professionals who impart their unique aesthetic vision onto their goods.
Need a wig? Hey, we all need wigs, but we particularly need fabulously crafted wigs that represent the individual tastes of their creators and eventual owners — which is why we get the best wigs, and all sorts of other forms of beautiful accouterment, at Fifi Mahony’s.
Retro dresses and vintage wear from the ‘40s and ‘50s are pretty much a fashion lock, and if you agree — c’mon, you know you’d look right in that belted polka dot number — head to Trashy Diva, where fearless female fashion is the stock in trade.
Also, check out the annual holiday Piety Market at Hotel Peter & Paul (2013 Burgundy Street). This market regularly attracts some of the city’s most creative artists and theater veterans, who come together to provide an utterly unique showcase of bohemian bric-a-brac. Typically, this market is held every third Sunday of the month, but during the holidays another date might be added. Check the market’s Instagram page for updates.
Photo courtesy of Prince Conti Hotel
Where to Stay
During the holidays in New Orleans, many of the city’s Christmas festivities understandably revolve around the French Quarter. As such, if you want to be close to the holiday spirit, it makes sense to book accommodation where the best of the Quarter is at your fingertips.
The French Market Inn is positioned on Decatur Street, just blocks from Jackson Square, the lively upper end of Bourbon Street, and the busy thoroughfare that is Canal Street. Hotel St. Marie, on Toulouse Street, is located in the heart of the French Quarter right around the corner from some of the busiest blocks of Bourbon Street.
Between Dauphine and Bourbon streets, the Prince Conti Hotel is positioned just a few blocks from the beginning of the Royal Street pedestrian area, an area that’s brilliant for slow strolling and shopping. And just around the corner from Jackson Square, Place d’Armes has easy access to both the nightlife of Bourbon Street and the galleries and shops of Royal and Chartres streets.
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Things to Do in New Orleans in January
When the rest of the country is settling in after ringing in the new year, New Orleans is just getting started. Twelfth Night (January 6 every year) kicks off the Carnival season with three parades, paving the way for a multitude of festivals and other events stretching well into the spring.
Also, January is one of the coolest months in New Orleans, with the temperatures pleasantly hovering around the low to mid-60s. All you need is a light jacket and your stamina.
Here are the highlights of what’s happening in New Orleans this January.
Allstate Sugar Bowl
When: Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Where: Caesars Superdome
What: The popular college football tradition has continued for over eight decades. The Fan Jam tailgate party is held at the Champions Square at the Superdome. The annual Sugar Bowl Parade rolls through the French Quarter the day before the game. (Unfortunately, the 2025 game is sold out, but you can still attend its satellite events, like the parade.)
Twelfth Night
When: January 6; times of parades vary
Where: French Quarter, Uptown
What: The first day of the carnival season, known as Twelfth Night, or the Epiphany, kicks off with three annual parades. Phunny Phorty Phellows rides the streetcar from Uptown to Canal Street and back starting at 7 p.m. The beloved walking Krewe of Joan of Arc parade rolls at 7 p.m. from JAX Brewery in the French Quarter, and the Société Des Champs Elysée parade takes place starting at 7:30 p.m. on N. Rampart Street and Esplanade, going to the CBD. Like in previous years, it follows the N. Rampart/St. Claude streetcar route.
Commemoration of the Battle of New Orleans
When: January 8 every year, time TBA
Where: The Monument at Chalmette Battlefield (8606 West St. Bernard Highway, Chalmette)
What: This annual wreath-laying ceremony honors the troops of the Battle of New Orleans, plus there are crafts and cooking demos. Park staff and volunteers are dressed in period clothing to represent American and British soldiers and civilians, and there are military drills and period weapons firing.
Pardi-Gras
When: Thursday, January 16 – Sunday, January 19, 2025
Where: French Quarter
What: Pardi-Gras kicked off in 1997 and has been attracting Jimmy Buffet fans, known as “Parrot Heads,” plus other revelers who love a good “trop-rock” party ever since. In its third decade, “The Ultimate French Quarter Party” packs a few happy hours, a pub crawl, and lots of live music performances at several venues on Bourbon Street.
There is a second line on Friday, starting on the corner of Bourbon and Orleans streets and preceded by the Bourbon Street pub crawl. There’s also a street party on the 700 block of Bourbon Street on Saturday. Pardi-Gras is open to anyone, as long as you don’t mind hanging with the Hawaiian shirt-wearing, Margarita-sipping crowd.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
When: Monday, January 20, 2025
Where: Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard and Al Davis Park
What: On this day, the city of New Orleans throws a block party and a parade at the historic Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, and hosts a celebration program at Al Davis Park.
If you’re planning to visit New Orleans in January, be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels!
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Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival
Photo courtesy of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation on Facebook
New Orleans and her fans know that few combinations are more satisfying than gumbo, brass bands and cooler temps, and that’s what the annual Tremé Creole Gumbo festival serves up best, keeping it thematically simple but stellar in terms of its lineup of brass bands and food vendors.
The free festival returns to celebrate a decade of existence at Louis Armstrong Park (701 N. Rampart St.) on Saturday and Sunday, November 9-10, 2024. As in past years, the festival will show off New Orleans’ staple stew in all its savory varieties (sample-size portions will be available), from gumbo z’herbes and dark roux to vegan-friendly versions. Of course, there will be traditional gumbo — seafood, chicken and andouille, filé — and so on.
The Creole Gumbo Festival is touted as the “New Orleans’ Premier Brass Band Showcase” for a good reason. The world-famous, Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band along with the many of the local favorites, including the Hot 8, the Pinettes, and the Tremé brass bands, have all performed at the festival in the past. Also, as in the past years, there will be a kids’ area and an art market.
Armstrong Park is located along the RTA bus route 91 (Jackson-Esplanade), and the Rampart-St. Claude streetcar line, so using public transportation to get to the festival should be easy. If you’re driving to the fest, you can park in the parking lots of the Mahalia Jackson Theatre (enter via Basin Street). Additional parking is available in the lot across from Basin Street Station (501 Basin St.).
No pets and no recording are allowed, but you’re welcome to bring blankets and chairs. Check the festival’s website for updates on this year’s food and art vendor and music lineups.
Are You Eating Enough Gumbo?!
“First you make a roux…” Gumbo is synonymous with New Orleans, and everyone and their mama (especially their mama) will offer an opinion on how to make the best gumbo and who makes it best in the city (it’s usually the mama).
Luckily for us, many places in New Orleans make great gumbo. Anyone who lives here or visits can easily rattle off at least a few spots, high and low, where the gumbo is award-winning, and so special and delicious that trying it for the first time could go down forever as a life-changing experience.
Keeping in mind that every “Top Whatever Number of Best Gumbo in New Orleans” will always remain highly personal and incomplete, here are our current picks for best gumbo in the French Quarter.
Are you coming to New Orleans this fall? We’re jam-packed with festivals and celebrations, and the temps are perfectly mild! Browse our top recommendations for historic hotels in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels to find your perfect spot.
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Beignet Fest Returns in 2024
Almost any identifiably New Orleans menu item has a corresponding festival, but up until a few years ago, one of the city’s most iconic culinary treats was left without its own party. We’re referring to the beignet: little fried pockets of doughy goodness ideally dusted with alpine levels of powdered sugar.
Well, the beignet — the official state donut of Louisiana, if you were wondering — is no longer going without its own celebration thanks to the annual Beignet Festival, which returns on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
The daylong party will take place at the Festival Grounds in City Park (4 Friedrichs Ave.) and admission is $20 for adults and children under 12 with a paid adult are free. You can get tickets online, and there are also VIP and special pricing for krewe members. Feel free to bring (along with your appetite, of course) blankets and chairs, and don’t forget sunscreen and maybe a hat as the Festival Grounds doesn’t offer a lot of shade.
As you may expect, there’s going to be a whole lot of delicious sweetness going on (and a fair bit of savory too). The festival benefits the Beignet Fest Foundation, which funds programs and services for families impacted by autism. Beignet Festival founders Amy and Sherwood Collins created the foundation, and it uses the proceeds from the festival to create grants.
From traditional sweet treats swimming in powdered sugar to savory options bursting with seafood and cheese, Beignet Fest will feature dozens of beignet dishes from some of New Orleans’ best restaurants and food trucks. Like most New Orleans festivals, the festival also features live music, a kid’s village, and an artist’s market. There’s also a beer garden! This year, the fest features a robust music lineup, including Amanda Shaw, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, and more.
The fest offers more than just sweet donuts, of course. The past year’s favorite, The Ruby Slipper Cafe, for example, had been offering cochon beignets smothered in pork debris (gravy), and bananas Foster beignets along with Vietnamese coffee beignets.
Katie’s Restaurant has been doling out its delicious and generously sized crawfish beignets, while Loretta’s Authentic Pralines featured BBQ chicken beignets and crabmeat beignets stuffed with lump crab meat (voted the Best Overall Beignet in the past). Fear not, however, Loretta’s always brings its famous praline and chocolate praline beignets to the fest as well.
Oreo beignets from Luca Eats were the “Best Sweet Beignet” winners for two years in a row, while bacon and cheddar beignet from Howlin’ Wolf Den was one of the past winners in the “Best Savory Beignet” category.
There will be vegan and gluten-free beignets to accommodate every diet, and awards will be given in four categories once again: the “Best Sweet Beignet,” “Best Savory Beignet,” “Most Original Beignet,” and “Crowd Favorite Beignet.” Don’t forget to vote for your pick!
This year, expect 22 vendors and food trucks, from the returning favorites like Cafe Beignet, Loretta’s Authentic Pralines, and Ruby Slipper, to PJs Coffee and Valerie’s Snoballs.
You can park along perimeter streets and anywhere in the park that isn’t labeled “No Parking.” Blue Bikes will have a docking area located near the main entrance to the Festival Grounds if you’re considering biking. You can also hop on the Canal St. streetcar line. Get off at the end of Esplanade Ave. and Carrollton Ave., and follow the signage leading you to the entrance of the Festival Grounds. There will be additional pay-to-park options at Deutsches Haus (1700 Moss St.).
The festival is rain or shine, and no pets, please.
For more information, visit BeignetFest.com or Beignet Fest on Facebook and Instagram at @BeignetFest.
Need somewhere to stay during your visit? Book a stay at a historic French Quarter boutique hotel at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels!
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LUNA Fête Returns to the Arts District
Photo courtesy of Arts Council of New Orleans on Facebook
How would you like to add a free multi-block party that also happens to be a walkable art and technology experience to your fall roster of things to do? Not to mention, it’s interactive, kid-friendly, and full of light-based art.
LUNA Fête started as just one installation in 2014 on Lafayette Square (602 Camp St.) in downtown New Orleans. (It was a light and video projection illuminating Gallier Hall.) Since then, the celebration has spread from Gallier Hall to Piazza d’Italia. This year, the Fête will be held for four nights, on Thursday, November 14, through Sunday, November 17, 2024, from 6-10 p.m. nightly.
An annual presentation by the Arts Council of New Orleans, LUNA Fête marries art and technology in unprecedented ways, with emphasis on projection mapping, digital sculpture and light installations. LUNA Fête was originally envisioned as a five-year initiative intended to culminate in New Orleans’ 2018 tricentennial, but it continued, now in its 11th year. Each year the Arts Council grew the scope of its international partnerships with video-mapping artists and expanded the number of installations it commissioned and produced in New Orleans.
The idea of LUNA Fête hails from Europe. Take a visit to Lyon, France, in the winter, and you may see buildings crumble before your eyes, and then reassemble. What you are witnessing is a trick of art and illusion born partly from a digital process called “image mapping” at the Fete des Lumieres, an annual illumination festival that lights up Lyon each winter.
The process is different from just projecting an image onto a building. Instead, a 3D model of the building is used to create an optical illusion that gives the impression the building is moving and changing.
Projection mapping, as an art form, and as part of the free public festival, has been around in Europe but is relatively new to the U.S. It’s becoming more popular though, especially because it’s interactive, kid-friendly, and pretty incredible to see in person.
But projection mapping isn’t the entirety of LUNA Fête. Past installations include huge snow globes that transformed light into a paintbrush. The spheres were sensitive to light, so the audience could interact with them creating shapes and even their own portraits on the surface using flashlights, glow sticks, smartphones, or any other light-emitting device.
Other previously showcased pieces included audio and video installations with sonic lollipops, robot cave drawings, and a giant whale spouting techno music. As you might guess, all of the above goes over great with children, as do the stands on the street selling hot chocolate.
This year, the event’s artworks will explore the themes of Melody and Mythology with LED lights, lasers, and projected artworks. The campus includes a new premier projection mapping installation on Gallier Hall, an opportunity to host a private party in a LUNA VIP Suite, and a sponsor-branded block party along Lafayette Street leading into a unique light and music experience at the Piazza d’Italia.
LUNA Fête is especially popular with young children and families, inspiring the addition of the new Little LUNA Kids Corner. This kid-centered art space will feature a special art installation and encourage young children to dance and play in the light.
Finally, LUNA Fête’s 11th Edition will feature LUNA Lounge presented by the Downtown Development District, a VIP oasis nestled in the festival grounds. Tickets will include complimentary bites, drink tickets, dedicated restrooms, and exclusive art installations. They will be available on the event’s site starting on October 1, 2024.
Come see how Luna Fête brings technology, film and contemporary art together while using local iconic architecture in a unique, contemporary way!
Coming to New Orleans in the fall? Be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels!
