Best Things to Do in December in New Orleans

Come make a joyful noise this December with carolling Dec. 20 in Jackson Square, along with holiday concerts in the cathedral Dec. 1-18. Produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. as part of Christmas New Orleans Style, the music generally runs for an hour, starting at 6 pm. Music styles range from gospel to Cajun and jazz, with performers including Susan Cowsill, Sunpie Barnes and and the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band. This year's dates are Dec. 1-18. Established in 1720, this is the oldest active cathedral in the US. In 1964, the cathedral was given the status of minor basilica, one of only 15 in the US.

Thousands of costumed revelers will celebrate Christmastime festivities when the "Running of the Santas" returns to the New Orleans Warehouse District on Saturday, December 11. The fun kicks off at 3 p.m. from the "South Pole" located at Manning's where revelers can party with plenty of beer to live music. Admission is $20. Doors open at 2pm. At 6pm, the Santas will "RUN" from the "South Pole- Mannings" to the "North Pole –" Generations Hall" (only a few blocks). The "Runners" will assemble on Lafayette Street at the corner of South Peters. Costume contest at 8. Live music by Category 6 at Generations Hall. An estimated 4,000 participants will be dressed up as Santa, Mrs. Claus, Scrooge, Jingle Bells, Jack Frost, Old Man Winter and more.

Nothing like dancing around a roaring 20-foot high bonfire to get into the Christmas spirit. The tradition of lighting bonfires on the river levees dates back to the earliest Cajun settlers of the regions of southern Louisiana to the west and north of New Orleans. The idea is to light the away for "Papa Noel," the Cajun Santa Claus, on his airborne journey to the area. Most of the 100 or so towering infernos are set in communities in St. James Parish some 30-40 miles upriver from New Orleans. Closer to home, the Algiers Economic Development Foundation sponsors one annually,- this year December 4, 5-8:30 pm - on the levee in Algiers Point.

Leave it to New Orleans to give an old Creole holiday custom a deliciously modern spin. In this historically Catholic city, Reveillon (French for awakening) dinners were elaborate family feasts served after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. A typical menu might include eggs Sardou, turtle soup, oysters and grillades of veal, all accompanied by much toasting, well into the wee hours. Although the practice all but disappeared in the 1940s, local chefs, including Donald Link and Emeril Lagasse revived the celebration in the 1990s, and typically as many as 40 local restaurants offer seasonal holiday Reveillon menus during December. The oysters pictured are on the menu at Arnaud's. Many restaurants offer, including Antoine's, Broussard's, Country Club and Ralph's on the Park.

The annual NOLA Christmas Fest runs Dec. 17-22, and 25-30, a family extravaganza that is ideal for visitors too, especially because it is open on Christmas Day. Taking place inside Hall B at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, ChristmasFest is a family holiday home run - featuring ice skating with Santa, an army of inflatables, gazillions of lights, Christmas trees and nonstop holiday tunes will surely get you in the spirit of things. Can't make it down? Sign up online to join the live elf video chat Monday, December 20 at 5:30 PM from home. You can even submit questions in advance online!

LUNA Fête 2021 has a new home Dec. 16-19 this year –" the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Celebrating Earth and Space and the science and scientists that share their secrets, the eight edition of the festival takes place at the newly defined Convention Center Pedestrian Park. Created by artist Bart Kresa (known for creating Game of Thrones season finale projection mapping installation) will animate the Convention Center's Hall D facade with a seven-minute projection celebrating the beauty and fragility of our planet. A nightly arts market, delicious food, drinks, and other glowing features will be available to enjoy each night.

This month-long holiday light exhibit in City Park draws hordes of families and visitors up for a festive good time. Take a driving tour through the park to see more than a million lights decorating century-old live oak trees. Celebration in the Oaks is a New Orleans family tradition that's also a fund raiser for the park. Tickets are $39.99 per vehicle - up to eight passengers, or splurge on a limo for 15/$150. Add in the Carousel Gardens amusement park for $25, or $35 just for that experience. The 2.25 driving tour experience takes about 30 to 45 minutes but that doesn't include the line. So bring snacks.

Royal Sonesta New Orleans turns into Royal Snownesta for the holiday, with gobs of festive décor, memorable feasting and entertainment for all ages including Santa's Pajama Party at Restaurant R'evolution on weekends. Bring the kiddos in their jammies for a visit with Santa and cookie decorating while mom and dad slurp bottomless mimosas. At the Jazz Playhouse, Trixi Minx Productions presents Tease the Season Burlesque Ballroom on select Fridays in December with classic strip tease to live music. Ask about special cocktails like the Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned. Live jazz music is featured every night of the week at this classy club just off Bourbon Street.

Visiting hotel lobbies during the holidays is a thing in New Orleans. Really. Gaggles of ladies hire a driver to shuttle them around from hotel to hotel, so they can day drink champagne with impunity and gawk at the Christmas finery that festoons the lobbies of hotels in the French Quarter and CBD. Topping the list? The Roosevelt is beyond gorgeous, with its acres of marble and seasonal display of lights, trees and hand tied bows (bless their heart). The Windsor Court is a must see, with its 19 1/2-foot Christmas tree shimmering with 25,000 lights,a classic toy train traveling around the base. There's 10 more trees to eyeball, adding up to more holiday cheer. Holiday tea is especially popular here. The new Four Seasons is another must, with its Festive celebration that includes thousands of twinkling lights and the awesome Chandelier Bar, perfect for toasting. That's enough bling to jump start even the Grinch's holiday spirit.

The first Outlet Collection in any downtown city in America is here in New Orleans, an airy, light-filled shopping experience with river views. Close to the Convention Center, the Cruise Terminal and the French Quarter, the shopping Outlet Collection at Riverwalk does it up big for the holidays, from special in-store events - hello Santa! - to weekly outdoor themed movies for the family, screening at 6:30 pm Dec. 3, 10 and 17, with hot chocolate for the whole gang. And yes, shoppers, the siren call of and mouthwatering brands like Neiman Marcus Last Call, Kenneth Cole, Coach, Nordstrom Rack and Forever 21 is irresistible.