Weekend Events: Dec. 8-10

 

Young Audiences Charter School, 1407 Virgil Street, Gretna. 

This new fully staged and costumed 40 minute production is designed for schoolchildren, but it also contains humor that parents and teachers will appreciate. The Wolf, the Woodsman, Mother and Grandmother are hilarious, operatic commedia dell’arte versions of the classic storybook characters. Little Red Riding Hood herself is wise beyond her years and has a LOT of surprises in store for the not-so-wily Wolf! 1-1:40 and 2-2:40 pm.

 

Celebration in the Oaks
New Orleans City Park. Visit a stunning Christmas Wonderland and enjoy the sight of magnificent light displays strung across the oaks. Enjoy Storyland, the Botanical Gardens, amusement rides and a miniature train that’ll take you around the park. $9/person. Free for Friends of City Park members and children younger than 3. 6-11 pm. Continues through Jan. 1.

 

 

Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Drive, Metairie. The story of 11-year-old Winnie Foster, a free spirit who longs for adventure. When she meets the Tucks – and discovers they hold the secret to everlasting life – she faces an extraordinary choice: return to her own family or join the Tucks on their never-ending journey. For more information, visit jpas.org. Ticket prices vary. 7:30 pm. Continues through Dec. 17.

 

 

 

The Shops at Canal Place Plaza. 333 Canal St., New Orleans. Calling all kids! The DDD and Entergy present the annual Shops at Canal Place holiday fun run for kids on Canal Street! Rudolph, Santa and friends will jingle their bells to signal the start of the race. Participants will receive bells for their sneakers, antlers, a race t-shirt and a bag of holiday goodies. After the race, “Romp” around … and enjoy healthy activities for kids and parents, music, games, crafts and more.

Registration 8:00am, Race Start 9:00am Preregistration available online at active.com.

 

St. Clement of Rome School, 3978 W Esplanade Ave S, Metairie. Please join in the SCR Gym to kickoff the Christmas season with a delicious breakfast, games, and pictures with Santa by Romaguera Photography. $10/person at the door. Babies 1 year and under are free. 9-11 am.

 

 

Mount Carmel Academy, 7027 Milne Blvd., New Orleans. Join for breakfast activities and Santa photos by Loupe Photography. For more information, email abelsome@mcacubs.org or all 504.288.7626, ext. 7104. $10/child, $12/adult. Children under one are free. 9:30-11:30 am.

 

AMC Elmwood Palace 20, AMC Westbank Palace 16. AMC has partnered with the Autism Society to bring unique movie showings. Visit amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films to confirm theater, date and time. 10 am.

 

Selfies with Santa

Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal Street, New Orleans. Canal Place is the official start and finish line for this year’s Reindeer Run! Stretch out the day with a stop in Canal Place to meet our “Stylish Santa” and score your selfie on the oh-so-fashionable Step & Repeat – red carpet style! Enjoy a fun Holiday Puppet Show by Calliope Puppets, live holiday music, special store promotions, and magical surprises at Canal Place throughout the day. 10 am.

 

 

St. Martin’s Episcopal School, 225 Green Acres Road, Metairie. Join St. Martin’s Episcopal School for Cookies with Santa. This  fun-filled event is for the entire family in Saints Hall on the St. Martin’s Episcopal School campus. Cookies with Santa is designed to appeal to children of all ages, but is especially magical for our youngest friends. Celebrate the holidays with cookies, hot cocoa, and a visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves. Take a picture with Santa, listen to storytelling by Mrs. Claus, create a holiday craft, ride the jingle bus, and enjoy holiday music. $10/family and includes a professional photo with Santa, courtesy of Wally Porter Associates. 10 am-noon.

 

 

Botanical Garden, New Orleans City Park. An introduction to the world of gardening. To register, call 504.483.9470. Ages 6-9. $17/person. 10 am-noon.

 

New Orleans Museum of Art. Explore the ancient Egyptian boat figures before creating your town ceramic ship. Ages 5-10. For more information, call 504.658.4100. $25/members, $30/non-members. 10 am-noon.

 

Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium. Celebrates the holidays with activities and treats for the entire family. For more information, visit audubonnatureinstitute.org. Free with admission. 10 am-4:30 pm.

 

New Orleans Museum of Art. Professional authors, actors and artists bring the world of children’s literature to NOMA in this family program. Ages 2-7. For more information, call 504.658.4128 or email education@noma.org. 11-11:30 am.

 

Celebration in the Oaks Run/Walk
New Orleans City Park. Join this Run/Walk on the south side of the park. For more information, contact Natalie at nweiss@nocp.org. 2-5 pm.

 

New Canal Lighthouse, 8001 Lakeshore Drive. Enjoy live music, food from local eateries, cocktails and craft beers, book readings, holiday photos, and the West End Christmas Boat Parade.Boat owners of all kinds, decorate their boats Holiday style and sail down the canal.  You can vote for the best one from the Lighthouse, that’s the starting point for the parade. Music by Benny Grunch and the Bunch. Free admission. For more information, visit saveourlake.org. 4-8 pm.

 

Holiday Spectacular
Orpheum Theater. The theater gets lit for the holidays with special help from the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the 610 Stompers. For more information, visit lpomusic.com. Ticket prices vary. 7:30 pm. Continues through Dec. 10.

 

Jewish Community Center, 5342 St. Charles Ave. JCC Sock Hops draw crowds of young dancers in grades 5 through 7 from the entire community. Each dance features a live DJ, who takes song requests, as well as a snack bar with soda, candy, pickles and popcorn for sale. $10/members, $14/non-members, $15/non-members at the door. 7:30-10:30 pm.

 

Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal Street, New Orleans. For the third year in a row, The Marine Corps Reserve will partner with Chevron and the Saenger Theatre to present the Marine Corps Band New Orleans’ holiday concert production of “Santa Meets Sousa”. An event for all ages, the performance is open to the public; however, the donation of a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots is appreciated. While admission is free, all seating is reserved and requires an event ticket, which will be available at the Saenger Theatre box office (1111 Canal Street, New Orleans) beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 8 through the show. Tickets are given out on a first come first serve basis. Toy donations will be distributed by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program during the holidays to greater New Orleans children in need. Toys, including stuffed toys, must be new and in original packaging. 7:30 pm.

 

 

East Jefferson YMCA, 6691 Riverside Drive, Metairie. Bring the entire family for a fun pancake breakfast with the theme “Breakfast at Whooville.” Call 504.888.9622 for more information. Free for members, $5/non-members. 10-11 am.

 

St. Alphonsus Church, 2030 Constance Street, New Orleans. Enjoy a Christmas favorite, MetroPelican Opera’s “Hansel & Gretel” (45 minutes long). Children ages 10 and under are admitted free-of-charge, and will have a wonderful opportunity for a visit with Santa away from crowded malls in a much more inspiring environment. Admission for adults is $10, which includes 3 drinks (wine/beer/soft drink).  1-1:40 and 2-2:40 pm.

 

Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, 1307 Louisiana Avenue, New Orleans.Featured will be several of New Orleans’ finest musicians, including sopranos Phyllis Treigle and Melissa Brocato, tenor Kevin Rouchell, and organist Brian Morgan, Director of Music. The Good Shepherd Choir will be heard in Gregorian Chant.Composers included will be Adolphe Adam, Theo Brandmüller, Allan Caron, Gene Clarke, Carson Cooman, César Franck, Calvin Hampton, Nicola A. Montani, Flor Peeters, Ned Rorem, and Pietro A. Yon. The repertoire performed will be a mixture of the familiar and unfamiliar. There will be no charge for admission, though a free-will donation will be accepted. For further information, please telephone 504.227.3793. 4 pm.

 

Christmas New Orleans Style Concert Series
St. Louis Cathedral. Enjoy gospel music by The Boutté Family.  All concerts are free and open to the public. Concerts begin at 6 pm and last approximately one hour.

 

For more Holiday fun, click here.