NOLA in December 2025: Top 5 Things You Gotta Do!

So, you’re pondering a trip to New Orleans in December of 2025? Excellent choice! New Orleans during the holiday season really, truly comes alive with a unique blend of festive cheer, so, that famous Southern charm, too it’s almost, combined with, very, that unmistakable New Orleans vibe. It’s not your average winter wonderland; that’s for sure! This city is known for knowing how to throw a party, like your second cousin, and December is no exception. As a matter of fact, let’s take a look at five fabulous things to put on your list that will make your visit positively unforgettable.

1. Experience Celebration in the Oaks

Celebration in the Oaks is one of New Orleans’ most beloved holiday traditions, it could be that it truly embodies that spirit of the season. What you’re looking at here, essentially, is a massive light display throughout City Park, one of the largest urban parks in the United States, so you know it’s quite large! The park transforms into a dazzling winter landscape, alright it’s covered with literally hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, and features animated displays that very enchant people of all ages. A trip here isn’t complete without riding the miniature train, or perhaps without sipping on some hot cocoa as you stroll through the Botanical Garden, which, you know, it just glows. Plus, they really, often have musical performances to ramp things up a bit too! Just make certain you book your tickets beforehand, or it might get sold out, you know?

2. Catch the Caroling in Jackson Square

Alright, can you, anyway, think of something that would be more idyllic than singing carols in the historic Jackson Square? Well maybe sitting on a beach drinking a cocktail might feel more like paradise, but I digress. This annual event tends to be, usually, free and it, actually, draws crowds of locals and visitors who gather to sing holiday favorites by candlelight, you see it’s really, very pretty! It really usually takes place a couple of weeks before Christmas and it creates a very communal, very festive atmosphere that’s very uniquely New Orleans. That majestic St. Louis Cathedral offers something of a very stunning backdrop and the whole experience, alright, really captures that heart of the holiday season. It really often gets pretty crowded, so just arrive a bit early, and secure your spot and join in with that singing!

3. Indulge in a Reveillon Dinner

So, no trip to New Orleans is, actually, complete without really sampling their culinary scene, is that even a surprise to you? During December, really many restaurants feature special Reveillon menus. These Reveillon dinners are pretty, historically, elaborate Creole feasts that date back to the mid-19th century, so they’ve been happening for a while, you know? That, literally, typically includes, I mean, several courses and you know it just features traditional Louisiana dishes, which you know have modern twists. Just make certain that you get your reservations, due to that popularity because, you know, spots go really quickly during the holiday season, which really is kind of obvious! That food in New Orleans could be something else, very.

4. Take a Holiday Home Tour

Oh wow! Certain neighborhoods in New Orleans are rather famed for their grand architecture, you see, and these homes truly, actually, get decked out for the holidays in a seriously spectacular fashion, basically with elaborate decorations, glittering lights, too it’s almost the most elaborate, yet you could see. Lots of local organizations just offer holiday home tours that allow you to peek inside really these private residences and truly, actually, see that incredible seasonal decor up close. It just tends to be such a fantastic way to just experience, really, some local culture, very, and to basically admire that unique architecture of the city. Get your research going, to search up certain home tours, alright, and then you book your tickets! It may be slightly bougie.

5. Catch a Show at Preservation Hall

You know Preservation Hall could be considered as that most quintessential New Orleans experience! I mean it. This really iconic venue provides intimate, anyway, nightly shows featuring a traditional New Orleans jazz band. December is pretty, truly a really special time to go, alright, as they, like your, also often play holiday classics with something of that distinct New Orleans spin. Reservations might be heavily encouraged, you see, just because that space truly, literally is small, then it just gets full fast. Getting to Preservation Hall, alright, and then losing that soul with jazz, so truly does feel magical!