Enjoy Christmas New Orleans Style!

Twinkling lights, familiar rhythms of holiday carols, the comforting smell of pralines in the air, this could only be Christmas New Orleans style.  Why not consider spending Christmas or part of December in the Crescent City where you can take advantage of great discounts on accommodations, enjoy holiday musical events, extraordinary Christmas shopping plus the amazing traditional French Reveillon menus.  As New Orleans says, “Give yourself a Christmas Bonus, Baby!!”

Let’s start with the deeply discounted accommodations available in New Orleans during the holiday season.  Papa Noel room rates are available within many New Orleans districts starting as low as USD $59 per night at the French Market Inn, $79 at the Andrew Jackson Hotel or $99 at the Grand Dame of the French Quarter – the Hotel Monteleone where guests can enjoy a number of festive events during the hotel’s most favorite times of the years. If you’re interested the Arts District, try the W New Orleans from $99 or the JW Marriott New Orleans from $139.

Fun holiday events for the entire family in the French Quarter include:

• Chefs' Holiday Cooking Demonstrations
 at Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, December 1-23

• French Market Holiday Caroling, December 4
• Candlelight Tour of Historic Homes & Landmarks, December 9
• Monte the Lion’s Children’s Party at the Hotel Monteleone, Dec 10 & 17
• Merry Fishmas at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Dec 18 & 19
• Caroling in Jackson Square, December 19
• Christmas Eve at the St. Louis Cathedral, December 24

Of course, amongst the streets glowing with twinkling Christmas lights is the fantastic shopping found in the French Quarter – stop for a beignet and cafe au lait at Cafe Du Monde before visiting the French Market or head over to the Shops at Canal Place or Riverwalk Marketplace.   Once you’ve covered the downtown area, be sure to visit Julia Street, St. Charles Avenue, and Magazine Street, for more great shopping.

Reveillon Dinners are a French tradition featuring time-honored Creole cuisine all with a prix fix menu serving four or sometimes five courses in total.  With prices ranging from USD $38-95, patrons can sample delectable Creole delights like appetizers of Turtle Soup; classic Reveillon salad with Blue Cheese, walnuts, Louisiana Citrus and Cranberry Pesto; entrees of Crispy Duck with Red Currants; and desserts like White Chocolate Bread Pudding or Eggnog Creme Brulee.  

For more information on spending Christmas in New Orleans, visit New Orleans Online.