Things to Do in New Orleans on Christmas

New Orleans is a magical place on Christmas and visitors can enjoy a month long celebration of history, Christmas traditions and music. History buffs can take tours of historical homes decorated with Creole traditions, music lovers can see free concerts in the French Quarter and children can spend a day in the Audubon Aquarium or get their picture taken with Santa. New Orleans offers something to do every day throughout the holiday season.

Christmas at the 1850 House

Visitors can see what Christmas was like for the Creole's up close at the 1850 house. This French Quarter landmark is decorated inside and out with Creole Christmas traditions from the antebellum era. Tours run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday throughout December. Tickets cost $3 for adults and $2 for children and seniors.

Concerts in the St. Louis Cathedral

The St. Louis Cathedral, located in Jackson Square, hosts free concerts from December 1^st through the 23^rd. The concerts feature a mix of local choirs and jazz musicians playing classic Christmas music. The concerts start nightly at 8 p.m.

Merry Fishmas

Even the Audubon Aquarium gets in the holiday spirit. The aquarium hosts Merry Fishmas on December 18^th and 19^th. Children can see marine wildlife up close, have breakfast with otters, or visit a face painting booth. Adults can enjoy the Christmas decorations inside the aquarium. Merry Fishmas runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission costs $15 for adults, $11 for seniors, and $8 for children ages 2 to 12.

Miracle on Fulton Street

Every year Harris Casino hosts a Christmas village New Orlean's style on the small pedestrian street outside of the casino. From late November to January 2^nd, Fulton Street is covered with Christmas lights, fleur de lis ornaments and a Christmas tree from Macys. Children can get their picture taken with Santa on Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Vendors sale holiday themed food and drinks throughout the season and children can see live reindeer. Best of all, Fulton Street comes alive with faux snow periodically throughout the month, a rare occurrence in New Orleans.

Celebration in the Oaks

City Park decorates the oak trees, lagoons and bayous throughout the month of December. Visitors can take a walk through the Christmas light garden, visit a Cajun village decorated for the holidays, see the animated jazz band or take the children to the dinosaur exhibit or pirate ship, all decorated for Christmas. There is also an ice rink inside the park open nightly. Celebration in the Oaks is open Friday through Saturday 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $7 per person, free for children 3 and under. Train car rides throughout the lights are $3 per ride and the ice rink is $5 for a 30 minute session.

Harris Gets Into the Holiday Spirit, New Orleans Online.
December French Quarter Event Listings, French Quarter.com.
Celebration in the Oaks, New Orleans City Park.