Is New Orleans Good for Christmas
Are you looking for the perfect winter getaway for you and your family? Try something new this holiday season and visit New Orleans for Christmas! December in NOLA is truly magical. Visitors get to enjoy unique holiday festivities, sporting events, and family-friendly activities with excellent weather and fewer crowds. Plus, there is no better time to treat yourself to some iconic Louisiana-style cuisine with a cooking class from the New Orleans School of Cooking! Keep reading to learn more about why New Orleans is a fantastic place to celebrate Christmas.
Enjoy Delicious Local Creole and Cajun Cooking Classes in NOLA
Whether you’re a foodie or just looking for a great activity to do in New Orleans, we’ve got you covered! We offer top-rated Creole and Cajun cooking classes located right in the heart of the French Quarter. Learn to prepare authentic Louisiana-style dishes such as jambalaya, pralines, shrimp etouffee, and gumbo from expert chefs. We offer demonstrative culinary lessons as well as hands-on cooking lessons in NOLA, perfect for beginners and experienced cooks alike. Enjoy refreshing local libations plus a hand-prepared meal and gain some new culinary knowledge to share with friends and family back home! There’s nothing quite like learning how to cook flavorful and unique Southern-style dishes from an expert. We’ll share all the secrets and techniques that make Creole and Cajun food so special (and delectable)! Celebrate the holiday season and dive deep into the culture and traditions of New Orleans this Christmas with the New Orleans School of Cooking!
Celebrate the Holidays at City Park, New Orleans
A Christmas in New Orleans just wouldn’t be complete without a visit to City Park for the annual Celebration in the Oaks! This all-ages event is affordable and family-friendly, featuring a 2.25-mile stretch of dazzling Christmas lights and displays! The festival offers both driving and walking tours from November through New Year’s Day. In recent years, the park has also added an exciting bike night! This celebration is perfect for couples, solo visitors, and families with kids looking for the perfect way to kick off the holiday season.
Light Up the Night at a New Orleans Holiday Bonfire
If you want to experience Christmas in New Orleans like a local, make sure to check out the iconic Bonfires of the Levee just 30 miles upriver in St. James Parish, LA! This tradition dates back to the area’s earliest Cajun settlers, and according to legend, the bright bonfires light the way for Papa Noël (a.k.a. Santa Claus) and his reindeer through the dark night.
Catch NOLA’s Best Winter Football Game
For sports fans, Christmas is the ideal time to visit New Orleans! Catch one of the city’s premier winter football games at the annual New Orleans Bowl, held in the home of the New Orleans Saints, the Superdome. This year’s game is scheduled just before Christmas on December 23, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. and is a fun and festive way to experience NOLA sports culture for college football fans and families alike!
Go Caroling in Jackson Square, NOLA
Get into the Christmas spirit with some good old-fashioned holiday caroling in Jackson Square! Every year, local community and clergy members lead this fun, sing-along tradition for thousands of carolers, providing free songbooks and candles. This event is perfect for families looking for a fun way to be in community together and celebrate the holiday. Sing together and experience a unique NOLA tradition in the beautiful French Quarter! We also recommend stopping by the New Orleans School of Cooking for a Cajun dinner and cooking class to truly get into the Louisiana holiday spirit!
See the Nutcracker and Get Into the Christmas Spirit
For fans of music and theatre, we recommend checking out NOLA’s annual performance of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker”! This iconic Christmas ballet is truly unforgettable, featuring performers from around the world, amazing and ornate set design and costumes, and intricate puppets. Kids and grownups alike will love watching the amazing dancers leap and twirl through the air, telling this timeless holiday story. Create a memory like no other this holiday season in New Orleans!
Book Your Holiday Cooking Class in New Orleans Now
There is truly so much art, beauty, tradition, and culture to experience in NOLA this Christmas! What would the holidays be without some amazing food enjoyed together? If you’re looking for the best holiday dining experience in New Orleans, check out an interactive culinary class! Enjoy flavorful menu items like red beans and rice, chicken etouffee, yam-crab bisque, chicken creole, and more. Learn the secrets of Cajun cooking from an expert chef! We also offer specially curated private cooking classes and events, perfect for your next holiday party at the office or with family and friends. Our classes also make an excellent Christmas gift for any foodie in your life. Reserve your spot online today!