New Orleans is one of the best destinations to celebrate winter and the holidays, thanks to numerous activities, events, and festivals to brighten up the season. While many people see winter as the best time to hibernate, New Orleans’ residents celebrate their traditions and engage in fun adventures, like boat cruises and walking tours. It is the perfect time to experience the city’s culinary and nightlife scenes at their most impressive. Here are the 10 fun things to do in New Orleans in the winter months.
10 Reveillon Dinners
Reveillon Dinners is one of the most popular traditions in New Orleans that dates back to the 19th century. Reveillon is a French word meaning “awakening.” The celebration began in the 1800s by the earliest occupants in the city, the Creoles, and involved families coming together at the beginning of Christmas to share a meal after the midnight mass. Right now, the celebration’s focus is not entirely on families coming together. These dinners are offered in the city’s finest restaurants and menus inspired by the earliest settlers who began the celebration. It is one of the best fun things to do in New Orleans in the winter months.
- Dates: Christmas Eve (December 24) & New Year’s Eve (December 31)
9 Audubon Zoo Light Showcase
Happening from Thanksgiving to Christmas, this is a newer festival that features a display of sparkling lights. Life-size duplicates of zoo creatures are beautifully decorated during the light show. Vacationers can also explore some of the most impressive arts and crafts from tents built in the zoo, purchase some goodies from gift vendors, and engage in lively games. Live entertainment is always an important part of this amazing light festival. It is one of the best family-friendly holiday events to explore in New Orleans in winter.
- Location: Audubon Zoo
- Entrance fee: $10-18
8 Celebrate Christmas In the Oaks
Winter nights in New Orleans feature some of the most fascinating light displays in the country, and while there are several places in the city to experience these shows, the celebration is the Oaks is second to none! Happening every year in the city park, and the purpose of this event is to bring cheer among the locals and visitors who attend it. It's part of New Orleans tradition and has been celebrated in New Orleans for more than a decade now.
- Location: City Park, New Orleans
- Dates: November 24 through January 1
7 Go On Bike Tours
Winter in New Orleans features mild temperatures, and with the city’s spectacular, flat streets, biking is one of the favorite activities for the locals during the season. Several companies are offering amazing bike tours with some of the tastiest food. Confederacy of Cruises is one of the best companies to check when looking for fun bike tours with a lot of fun experiences. The fantastic bike rides give vacationers an incredible opportunity of exploring the prettiest neighborhoods in New Orleans, including Faubourgs.
- Cost of bike tour with Confederacy of Cruises: about $49 for a three-hour tour
6 Explore The City’s Arts Scene
While New Orleans is mostly known for its outstanding culinary scene and incredible drinks selection, its arts scene cannot go without mention. There are numerous museums and art galleries to see in winter, each offering unique, memorable experiences of the city. Prospect New Orleans offers amazing exhibits, bringing new art to the people with more than 20 venues spread throughout the city. Artists from different parts of the world help in developing these amazing projects. It is an incredible way of exploring the city through the eyes of some of the most talented artists in the world.
5 Cub Sugar Cravings At Brennan’s
One of the best fun things to do in New Orleans has some desserts at the Brennan’s Restaurant. For only $12, vacationers can have the world-famous bananas foster, which is one of the tastiest desserts offered in the eatery. Other items on the menu include Louisiana bread pudding, chocolate pave, and persimmon malva pudding. The restaurant was reopened recently and is a perfect place to satisfy sugar cravings.
- Price: $10-$12
4 Krewe Of Jingle Parade
Krewe of Jingle Parade is an event by the Roosevelt Hotel New Orleans and the Downtown Development District. The festival features holiday-themed floats, stilt walkers, live music, and marching bands, among others. During the celebration, the historic Canal Street is filled with parade-goers who match in beautiful colors and energy; Santa & Mrs. Claus make special appearances and sometimes visits by Frosty the Snowman. The event occurs at the beginning of December and is considered a perfect family-friendly activity for the holiday season.
- Location: Downtown New Orleans
- Admission: Free
3 Sip Some Holiday Cocktails In A Favorite New Orleans Bar
Drinking cocktails is one of the fun things to do in New Orleans, but holiday cocktails are magical and offer an amazing winter feeling. Many locals prefer passing time with their frozen eggnog daiquiris. However, hot cocktails are among the most impressive winter tradition in New Orleans. Get a delicious Café Brulot at Arnaud’s Restaurant or a hot coffee at Erin Rose. Many other bars and restaurants are joining the tradition as well, giving vacationers more options to enjoy the best New Orleans cocktails.
2 Meet Santas Along Fulton Street
Meeting or taking pictures with Santas is something many people love doing, especially kids. Every year, the locals wear their best holiday costumes and fill Fulton Street to experience the running of Santas. It is a perfect opportunity to take some awesome epic photographs for the holiday season. Once numerous Santas have filled the streets, they parade across the Warehouse District until they get to Generations Hall, where the people, together with Santas, engage in a party and dance their night away.
1 LUNA Fête
LUNA Fête is one of the most unique and interesting festivals in New Orleans. The festival was designed to connect the locals to contemporary art. It is an initiative by Arts New Orleans that lasts one long weekend and offers a breathtaking sight to explore. The spectacular light show gives incredible opportunities for the local artists to experience, as it aims to use the beautiful architecture of the city as a canvas for more fascinating light installations.
- Location: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Pedestrian Park
- Dates: December 15 – December 18
- Time: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm