Christmas... New Orleans Style
By Rachel C Vella
New Orleans, LA -In New Orleans, we do the holidays with style. Christmas New Orleans Style starts December 1 with a plethora of actives, beautiful decorations and lots of New Orleans food! Ranging from holiday music... to cooking for the holidays... to walks through City Park, New Orleans is brimming with holiday fun.
This year, the French Quarter Festival, Inc is planning another wonderful holiday season through out the Vieux Carre. Several homes and museums will be all decked out in the season’s best décor and open for walking tours. Watch for strolling carolers in period costume. At 6:00 pm on December 16th, the gates of Jackson Square will open for an annual tradition of caroling in the Square. If you miss that night, check out Tuesday and Wednesday nights in December at the St. Louis Cathedral to hear sounds of the season from different New Orleans musicians. Celebrate in true holiday spirit at this event that is free and open to the public.
On Friday, November 30 and Saturday December 1 Exchange Place Alley will be all lit up with the Festival of Trees. Eight New Orleans artists donated their time and energy to create one of a kind decorated and sculptural holiday trees.
It can’t be the holidays without our favorite holiday dishes! Various restaurants are participating in Reveillon, a Creole Dining Tradition throughout the month of December. One favorite place to check out is the Pelican Club, where they have taken traditional Creole cuisine and pared it with more contemporary New Orleans dishes. Check out local chef’s doing cooking demonstrations at The Shops at Canal Place for tips on your next holiday meal.
Don’t forget about Papa Noël, because Santa loves New Orleans, too! He is flying all over town from "getting down" at the Hard Rock Café Breakfast with Santa to having tea at the Montelone Hotel with Ms. Claus and Monte the Loin. Papa Noel has been seen wandering the streets of the French Quarter checking to see who is naught and who is nice!
On Friday, November 30 and Saturday December 1 Exchange Place Alley will be all lit up with the Festival of Trees. Eight New Orleans artists donated their time and energy to create one of a kind decorated and sculptural holiday trees. These trees will be placed through out the French Quarter in the month of November for viewing and bidding on. The proceeds of the auction of the trees will go to Cops8, a Citizen Organization for Police Support of the 8th District (www.cops8.org). Saturday December 1 at 5:00 pm will be perfect time to stroll the alley to see these beautiful creations, while sipping on complimentary cocktail by Absolut. We will be announcing the auction winner of each tree and you can see all of them at one place lit up for your viewing pleasure.
A not-to-miss walking tour of elegant lights and botanicals is the Celebration of the Oaks. From the hand crafted miniature train set, to the historic Carousel, it will be a magical place that won’t be soon forgotten. And it all will end on December 24, Christmas Eve with a time-honored Louisiana tradition, the Lighting of the Bonfires on the banks of the Mississippi. Oh, I could go on about our wonderful holidays and our traditions, but I think it would be best if you just come experience it for yourself! 
