4 Holiday Events You Don’t Want to Miss In and Around New Orleans

Living in the NOLA area, you have a wealth of options available to you around the holiday season. With so many picks for shopping, dining and celebrating, it’s hard to know where to start. Are you interested in a delicious charity dinner or a rousing festival with lights and music? Whatever you’re after, you can find it in our area. Check out some of these top picks for holiday fun in New Orleans.

1. Celebration in the Oaks
1 Palm Dr, New Orleans

Celebration in the Oaks is a popular annual festival that takes place from late November through the first of January. At 6 p.m. every night, City Park comes alive with thousands of sparkling lights and holiday displays. You can get photos with Santa, board the rides in the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and take a train ride around the park. Admission is $9, but rides are ticketed separately.

2. NOLA ChristmasFest
900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans

NOLA ChristmasFest serves up daily fun between December 21 and December 31. You’ll find an ice skating rink, carnival rides, a snowball fight arena, kids’ crafts, beautifully decorated Christmas trees and more. Bring the kids and easily fill an entire afternoon.

3. Holiday Appreciation Event & Charity Bake-Off
34205 Hwy 433, Slidell

On December 14, the Bayou Haven Bed & Breakfast will host its Holiday Appreciation Event & Charity Bake-Off. The event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. For just $10, you’ll enjoy hors d’oeuvres, seafood gumbo, a dessert tasting and two drinks. You can also get your pictures with Santa here. The event is less than 15 minutes from our Springs at Fremaux Town Center apartment community, making it an easy pick for a special dinner. Proceeds from the event go to toys for the Children’s Hospital, so this is one festive evening you can feel good about.

4. Slidell’s Bayou Christmas
1701 Bayou Ln, Slidell

From December 14 through December 23, you can celebrate the holidays in Heritage Park at Slidell’s Bayou Christmas. The event is hosted by the Boys and Girls Club and includes live entertainment, food and drinks and plenty of festive displays to peruse. Over 80,000 animated lights highlight seasonal displays and dance to holiday music, creating a joyful atmosphere for the evening. Pick up handmade crafts for your Christmas gifts, and get a free picture in Santa’s Village. This celebration takes place just half an hour from our Springs at River Chase Apartments.

How will you celebrate the season around our Springs communities? Share your plans and ideas in the comments section below.