NEW ORLEANS - The holiday season is in full swing across Southeast Louisiana. WWL-TV is compiling a list of local favorite events, as well as some new events you might not have known about before.
This is a developing list of holiday events across southeast Louisiana. To add your event to this list, click here to send an email to the WWLTV.com team.
Select nights from November 23 - December 30, 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
$10 admission for Audubon members; $15 general admission; Children under 2 years admitted free
6500 Magazine Street, New Orleans, La. 70118
Audubon Nature Institute, nationally known for creating first-class family attractions, will add another one to its list in November with the premiere of Audubon Zoo Lights, a new holiday offering.
Audubon Zoo Lights will transform a large section of the zoo with elaborate light displays, many of them depicting zoo animals such as elephants, lions, flamingos, alligators and more.
"Audubon Zoo Lights presented by Children’s Hospital will bring the holiday spirit to our community by creating an enchanting nighttime winter dreamland in the heart of Uptown New Orleans," the Audubon Nature Institute says.
(Note: WWL-TV is a media sponsor for Audubon Zoo Lights)
Open November 23-25; November 30 - January 1; Fridays/Saturdays: 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.; Sunday-Thursday: 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Closed Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve
$28 "Straight to the Gate" ticket (Other packages available)
5 Victory Avenue, New Orleans, La. 70124
Information via neworleanscitypark.com:
"Celebration in the Oaks in City Park is one of the most spectacular holiday lights festivals in the country, with more than 165,000 visitors pouring into the Park to see the magical winter spectacle. City Park’s famous oaks are swathed in hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights and breathtaking light displays are scattered throughout 25 acres of the Park, including the Botanical Garden, Storyland, and Carousel Gardens Amusement Park."
Information via Louisianatravel.com
"The Great River Road between New Orleans and Baton Rouge can lay claim on one of the more unusual public December holiday lighting displays.
It’s here on the earthen levees containing the Mississippi River that local Christmas lights aren’t colored bulbs, but instead dozens of 20-feet-high flaming pyramids of burning logs."
December 20 - December 31; every day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
$20 single admission tickets;
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Blvd., New Orleans, La. 70130
Information via nolachristmasfest.com:
Now in its 6th year, New Orleans’ most exciting indoor holiday attraction, returns in December 2018. Packed with indoor family fun, this delightful family tradition features 150,000 square feet of rides, giant slides, a real ice skating rink and holiday décor that is sure to jump start any family into the holiday spirit.
(Note: WWL-TV is a media sponsor for NOLA ChristmasFest)
Friday, November 30 - Sunday, December 30, 2018
3000 Downs Boulevard, Metairie, LA 70003
$5.00 admission
"Enjoy a beautiful light display throughout Lafreniere Park! Exhibit features LED lights with fantastic displays such as a lighted 60-foot Sea Serpent in the lagoon, a princess and her magical castle & the gingerbread man!"
The 2017 Krewe of Jingle Parade was bigger and better than ever! Thank you to the The Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Pussyfooters, Edna Karr High School Marching Band, The Organ Grinders, The Sirens of New Orleans, Krewe of the Rolling Elvi, Blue Bikes New Orleans, Amelia Earhawts, Cabin Krewe, and all of the amazing performers and participants in this year's event! Happy Holidays from Downtown Development District of New Orleans!
Saturday, December 1; 1 p.m.
Free
Information via: Downtownnola.com
"Presented by the DDD & The Roosevelt New Orleans, catch Downtown NOLA’s Christmas Parade Saturday, December 1! The parade starts rolling at 1:00 p.m."
December 6 - 9; 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Lafayette Square
Information via artsneworleans.org:
"LUNA (Light Up NOLA Arts) Fête is a visionary initiative by the Arts Council New Orleans. We utilize local iconic architecture and contemporary light, sound installation, motion graphics, and video-mapping practices to create a series of artistic large-scale outdoor light installations across the city each December."
All aboard! THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride is coming to New Orleans this holiday season and tickets are officially on sale! Popular dates for this magical trip will sell out quickly, so don't wait! Reserve your seats now at http://bit.ly/2cQGKUX
December 6 - January 1
$60 Adult, $50 child (Additional Packages available)
Information via: nolathepolarexpressride.com
"Powered by Amtrak, this magical experience opens December 6th and runs through January 1st. Exact dates, times, and prices are available by visiting the Schedule & Tickets. Each ticket includes fantastic entertainment, delicious hot chocolate, a scrumptious cookie, and a keepsake sleigh bell to bring home. Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride!"
November 30 - December 26
Information via: caesars.com
"The Elves have been busily working and are eager to share a beautiful new light exhibit--you'll be surprised and amazed! November 30 - December 26 bring the whole family to share in the magic this holiday season at Miracle on Fulton Street. Featuring daily "snow", twinkling lights and a magical gingerbread display in the Harrah’s Hotel Lobby. Enjoy live music and visits with Santa on Fridays and Saturdays, November 30 - December 22, beginning at 6 p.m. The fun and excitement await at Miracle on Fulton Street."
December 1
Free
2015 4th Street, Kenner, La.
Information via visitjeffersonparish.com
"Celebrate the holidays in Kenner's Rivertown with a craft fair and activities followed by a movie in the park! The movie is The Star and will be outdoors so bring a chair or blanket!"
December 19
Tickets starting at $35
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans
Information via ticketmaster.com:
"The holidays rock a whole lot harder than they ever have thanks to Trans-Siberian Orchestra. By infusing seasonal classics with rock flamboyance, a symphonic sense of scope, and an eye-popping visual presentation complete with lasers and pyrotechnics, what began as a side project for a veteran group of American hard rockers has grown into one of today's top-selling acts, with over 10 million concert tickets sold since 1999."
December 7 - 16; Recurring weekly on Sunday, Friday, Saturday
6400 Airline Dr, Metairie, LA 70003
Tickets starting at $20 (Other packages available)
Information via: visitjeffersonparish.com
"Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil's former army commander. The dazzling score features well known standards including Blue Skies, I Love A Piano, How Deep Is the Ocean and the perennial favorite, White Christmas. An uplifting musical great for the Holiday Season!"
December 7; 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
$20 per mug
Old Mandeville Bars, Pubs and Restaurants
Information via Louisiananorthshore.com
"Start a festive holiday weekend in Old Mandeville on Friday, December 7 with one of the most anticipated culinary events of the holidays, "Sips of the Season." Grab your friends and join in the merriment of Christmas as you stroll Girod Street at dusk, stopping in to the brightly decorated shops and restaurants."
Tag a friend you want to bring to Christmas Past Festival in Old Mandeville on December 8! Join us for:🎄100+ artists and vendors🎄Live music🎄All your favorite Christmas characters like Santa, Frosty, the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who🎄Old fashioned horse and carriage rides🎄Train rides🎄A Children’s Village with tons of crafts and activities🎄All the best local food🎄Pet adoptions🎄And so much more! Admission is free. We’ll see you soon!
December 8; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Free
Old Mandeville Shops & Restaurants and Mandeville Trailhead
Information via Louisiananorthshore.com
"The City of Mandeville and the Old Mandeville Business Association (OMBA) present the 15th annual Christmas Past Festival on Saturday, December 8, 2018, all along Girod Street in Mandeville.
The event will feature more than 100 artists and craftsmen from across the Greater New Orleans area. This year’s festival theme “Christmas Past Classics” will give nod to classic holiday films including The Grinch, Santa Clause, A Christmas Carol, Elf and Polar Express. Admission to the event is free, and attendees are encouraged to get in the holiday spirit – costumes and holiday attire add to the festive atmosphere!"
December 8; 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Free
Lakeshore Drive from Pontchartrain Harbor to The Gazebo
Information via Louisiananorthshore.com
"The City of Mandeville and Old Mandeville Business Association (OMBA) present Winter on the Water, a fun family event for all ages, on Saturday, December 8, 2018 from 4pm to 6pm. The event celebrating winter and its holidays takes place along Lakeshore Drive from Pontchartrain Yacht Harbor to the Gazebo.
The fun begins with Santa's walking parade at 4:00pm at the harbor and concludes at the Gazebo's quaint stage, where Mandeville Mayor Don Villere welcomes the evening's performers. The mayor then conducts the lighting of the beautiful lakefront live oaks, and the event concludes with a lighted boat parade."
Friday, Nov. 30
Free
5:00 p.m. in Sidney Torres Park located behind the Government Complex at 8201 W. Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette.
Information via www.sbpg.net
The Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at 6:00 p.m. Festivities include photos with Santa, train rides, cookies and hot chocolate as well as performances and caroling by our own St. Bernard Parish School children. For more information please contact Lenor Duplessis at 504-278-4331.
December 15; Two rides at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm
Tickets range from $125 to $1000 (advanced purchase STRONGLY recommended)
Audubon Park Fly
Information via http://www.lasta.org/santa/
The Louisiana Steam Train Association (LASTA) will operate historic Southern Pacific steam locomotive #745 on this one day only holiday special, Saturday, December 15, 2018. This authentic Christmas holiday steam train will depart from the tracks on the Fly at the rear of Audubon Park and steam to Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World on the river next to The Morial Convention Center. Once at Mardi Gras World passengers will detrain and go inside for a festive holiday party that includes a special showing of everyone’s favorite Christmas movie, The Polar Express! Of course there will be hot chocolate and cookies for all to enjoy so wear your pajamas and bring a blanket to spread out and enjoy the movie!
Free
Dec. 7, Dec. 8., Dec. 14 and Dec. 15
Koop Drive directly behind the Kid's Konnection Playground in Mandeville
The 19th annual Holiday of the Lights in St. Tammany Parish kicks off Friday, December 7 at 5:45 p.m. on Koop Drive in Mandeville. The event is free and runs for two consecutive weekends; Friday Dec. 7, Saturday, Dec. 8, Friday, Dec. 14 and Saturday, Dec. 15 and will be open from 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. There will be entertainment from local schools and area performance groups and a special appearance by a live reindeer on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Santa will also be on-hand for pictures with children at $20 each, printed while you wait and refreshments available for purchase.
This is a developing list of holiday events across southeast Louisiana. To add your event to this list, click here to send an email to the WWLTV.com team.