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Get ready for the most wonderful time in the best city in the world – New Orleans! Here are the best events happening around the city during the month of December.
1 SAT
Art of Giving
Ogden Museum of Southern Art. The Center for Southern Craft and Design invites you to its annual holiday shopping event featuring all your favorite local makers! Enjoy mimosas, music and crafts, while shopping for unique, handmade gifts for friends, family and yourself! Members receive 15% off their purchase and a complimentary mimosa. 10 am-2 pm.
Jazz Brunch Saturdays at Pythian Market
234 Loyola Ave., New Orleans. Treat yourself to a variety of brunch offerings from our 13 different vendors while sippin’ on $6 mimosas and $7 bloody marys from Bar 1908. While you eat and drink, you’ll also enjoy the eclectic sounds of a New Orleans-based live Jazz band. 11 am-3 pm.
Harlem Globetrotters
Smoothie King Center, 1501 Dave Dixon Dr. Spreading joy around the world through the game of basketball, the Harlem Globetrotters don’t often lose. For more information, visit harlemglobtrotters.com. 2 pm.
Ringing in the Arts
Gretna Farmers Market, 300 Huey P Long Ave., Gretna. Enjoy Gretna’s third annual evening of fine art, music, and refreshments in an outdoor gallery against the dramatic backdrop of a quaint, historic city. 5-8 pm.
2 SUN – Hanukkah Starts
On Your Feet! The Musical
Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St. A jukebox musical that played on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre, based on the lives and music of 26-time Grammy Award-winning husband-and-wife team Gloria and Emilio Estefan. Tickets starting at $49. 1 pm & 6:30 pm.
Chabad-Chanukah at The Riverwalk
Riverwalk Spanish Plaza, 1 Poydras St. A public menorah lighting and grand Chanukah celebration. Attended by community and civic leaders along with hundreds of community members and tourists. Kosher food, Jewish music, children’s program and entertainment, Chanukah materials. 4:30-6:30 pm.
Pat O’Brien’s 85th Anniversary Party
Pat O’Brien’s Bar, 718 St. Peter St. Every 5 years, Pat O’s throws a party that is not to be missed and this is no exception. For more information, visit patobriens.com. Noon-2 am.
3 MON
New Orleans Cooking Classes: Taste of Louisiana
Southern Food & Beverage Museum, 1504 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. Weekly cooking classes and lunch demonstrations in the state-of-the-art Rouses Culinary Innovation Center by Jenn-Air. Learn about the food of New Orleans and Louisiana while you eat an amazing lunch in the museum! Tickets available at natfab.org. Continues Dec. 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, and 27.
ReFresh Project Community Garden Farmers Market
300 N. Broad St. This weekly Monday market offers local produce, homemade kimchi, cocoa fruit leather, pesto and salad dressing. 4-7 pm. Continues each Monday in December.
4 TUES
Craft Happy Hour: Star Books with Yuka Petz
Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Learn how to make the deceptively simple star book, which relies on just three folds for its elegant form. Each page opens with a dynamic map fold and the whole book can be tied together and hung as a star-shaped ornament. $20/Member, $25/Non-member. 6-8 pm.
5 WEDS
Truffle Honey Holiday Concert
4747 W Napoleon Ave., Metairie. The “Truffle Honeys” are a female trio of singers consisting of Soprano I, Jennifer Messina, Soprano II, Barbara Bedestani and Alto, Sarah Martzolf. Join the trio for their holiday Concert at Jefferson Parish Libraries East Bank location. Free event. 7-8 pm.
6 THURS
Elton John: Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour
Smoothie King Center. After more than half a century on the road and an unparalleled career that has redefined the cultural landscape, Elton John has claimed his place as a true global icon. Don’t miss his final tour! 8 pm.
7 FRI
Shrimp Boil
NOPSI Hotel, 317 Baronne St. Peel & eat Louisiana jumbo shrimp, potatoes, corn and smoked sausage for $20. As always, the undercurrent bartenders will have all the refreshing cocktails needed while you eat and listen to live music. 5-8 pm. Continues on Dec 14 & 21.
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Dr., Metairie. The dazzling score features well-known standards including Blue Skies, I Love A Piano, How Deep Is the Ocean and the perennial favorite, White Christmas. An uplifting musical great for the Holiday Season! Purchase tickets at jpas.org. Showtimes on Dec. 8-9, 14-16 and showtimes vary by day.
Let It Snow
Rivertown Theater for the Performing Arts, 325 Minor St., Kenner. A delightful mix of holiday standards and classic hits that is sure to have you and yours “rockin around the Christmas tree.” Showtimes Friday and Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm. Continues Dec. 8-9, 14-16, and 20-23.
8 SAT
Allstate Sugar Bowl Celebration in the Oaks Run/Walk
City Park Storyland. This relaxed 2-mile course takes participants through New Orleans City Park during their annual Celebration in the Oaks light display. After the race, participants can enjoy free refreshments and complimentary entry into the Botanical Garden, Storyland and Carousel Gardens, before the gates are open to the general public. $25/Person, $20/Children ages 10-under. 3-5 pm.
Holiday Spectacular with the 610 Stompers
Mahalia Jackson Theater, 1419 Basin St. The LPO celebrates the season with special help from New Orleans’ own band of “Ordinary Men with Extraordinary Moves” – the 610 Stompers – and special guest local artists. Tickets vary by seating. 7:30 pm.
9 SUN
An Edible Feast
New Orleans Museum of Art. A private curator-led gallery tour of “The Orléans Collection” will be followed by a champagne reception, featuring delicacies from New Orleans’s leading pastry chefs. During the reception, Susan Pinkard, culinary scholar and author of “A Revolution in Taste: The Rise of French Cuisine, 1650-1800”, will discuss the history of desserts and champagne in early modern France. Reservations required: $90/Nonmember, $75/members. 7-9 pm.
12 WEDS
Harrison Avenue Marketplace
801 Harrison Ave. Come out with family and friends to see Shard Shop NOLA at The Harrison Avenue Marketplace! A family event with over 75 local vendors offering delicious meals, handmade crafts, and information. 5-8:30 pm.
14 FRI
Caroling at Christmas in the Park
Lafreniere Park, 3000 Downs Blvd, Metairie. Come and enjoying the musical stylings of the Genesian Players singing at Lafreniere’s Christmas in the Park! $5/Vehicle. 7-8 pm.
Jerry Seinfeld
Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St. America’s premier comedian performs his signature stand-up routine. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com. 7 and 9:30 showtimes.
15 SAT
New Orleans Ballet Theatre Presents The Nutcracker
Orpheum Theater, 129 Roosevelt Way. A two-act ballet, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Ticket prices and showtimes varies by seat/day. Continues on Dec. 16, 22-23.
37th Ole Man River Half & 5K
Mississippi River Trail, Gretna. The Ole Man River race is open to all runners and walkers, NOTC members and nonmembers alike. This year’s event benefits the Legacy Donor Foundation, a non-profit providing education and public awareness activities about organ, eye and tissue donation. For more information, visit runotc.org. Half marathon begins at 8 am. 5K starts at 8:15 am.
Lights on the Lake Holiday Bash
New Canal Lighthouse, 8001 Lakeshore Dr. The sixth annual Christmas boat parade, all featuring holiday light displays, will glide down the New Basin Canal into Lake Pontchartrain. There will also be a raffle, music from local choirs, pictures with Santa, food and drinks from local restaurants, holiday cocktails, craft beer, book readings and more. 4-8 pm.
Harry Connick, Jr. – A New Orleans Tricentennial Celebration
UNO Lakefront Arena, 6801 Franklin Ave. Harry will play a very special show at UNO Lakefront Arena to benefit the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, which he co-founded in the Ninth Ward in the aftermath of Katrina. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com. 7:30 pm.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis
Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St. The program includes dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting. Experience the magic as the spirit of the season comes alive with their signature sound. Ticket prices varies by seat. 8 pm.
16 SUN
Caroling in Jackson Square
Jackson Square, 700 Decatur S. A holiday tradition that has been going on since 1946, Christmas Caroling in Jackson Square is a joyful, fun experience that thousands of people participate in every year. 7-9 pm.
17 MON
Movies in Metairie: Will You Be My Neighbor
3747 W. Esplanade Ave., Metairie. Free moving screening, drinks and snacks courtesy of the JCC. 12:30-2:30 pm.
19 WEDS
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Smoothie King Center. TSO’s annual multi-sensory extravaganza, which sells out venues year after year, has cemented the group’s status as a must-attend, multi-generational, holiday tradition. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com. 7:30 pm.
20 THURS
NOLA ChristmasFest 2018
900 Convention Center Blvd. One of the Gulf Coast’s largest indoor holiday events featuring ice skating and slides on real ice, holiday characters, amusement rides, inflatables, and more Christmas themed fun. 11 am-9 pm. Continues through Dec 31.
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra: Baroque Christmas
First Baptist Church, Covington. Featuring Handel’s ‘Messiah’ and more. $20-$140/ticket. 7:30 pm. Continues Dec 21.
21 FRI
Salon Series: David L. Harris presents a Nat King Cole Halliday
Preservation Hall, 726 St. Peter St. David L. has graced legendary concert halls, such as the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, NY, The Lincoln Center in New York, NY, and The L’Olympia Music Hall in Paris, France: and has played beside some of the most astonishingly talented bands and vocalists. $35-$65/Person. 12:30-3:30 pm. Continues on Dec 22.
23 SUN
New Orleans Saints vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Purchase your tickets at ticketmaster.com. 3:25 pm.
24 MON
Christmas in Lafreniere Park: Free Entry Night
3000 Downs Blvd, Metairie. Special free entry to the sparkling light display at Lafreniere Park in celebration of Christmas Eve. Dusk-11:45 pm. Continues on Dec 25.
25 TUES – Christmas Day
26 WEDS
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker
Saenger Theatre, 1111 Canal St. Presenting world class Russian artists, hand-painted sets, Russian Snow Maidens, and jubilant Nesting Dolls-Great Russian Nutcracker brings the Christmas spirit to life for all ages. Experience the Dove of Peace Tour, spreading goodwill in over 100 cities across North America. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com. 3 & 7 pm showtimes.
Shen Yun
Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts. The world’s premiere classical Chinese dance company, Shen Yun brings to life a lost culture through profoundly beautiful art. For more information, visit shenyunperformingarts.org. $85-$155/Person. 2 & 7 pm.
28 FRI
“It’s All About New Orleans”
Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Dr., Metairie. This very special concert is an exciting celebration of the music of New Orleans, dedicated to the legacy of New Orleans’ First Lady of Jazz, Ms. Germaine Bazzle, and the Jazz Master, Mr. Ellis Marsalis, together again for the first half of the evening’s program. Ticket prices vary by seat. 8 pm.
30 SUN
New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers
Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Purchase your tickets at ticketmaster.com. Noon.
31 MON
Allstate Sugar Bowl New Year’s Parade
The parade will begin at the intersection of Elysian Fields Avenue and Decatur Street. The United States Air Force Honor Guard will be marching and the Mardi-Gras style parade will feature floats, bands, and much more. For more information, visit https://allstatesugarbowl.org/allstate-sugar-bowl/new-years-eve-parade/. 2:30 pm.
New Year’s Eve
The Westin New Orleans Canal Place, 100 Iberville St. Join for this annual event. Guests will be treated to two floors of live entertainment, an inspiring menu, champagne toast, and panoramic views of an impressive riverfront fireworks display at midnight. 7 pm-1 am.
New Year’s Eve Celebration
The Cannery, 3803 Toulouse St. Enjoy an open bar, gourmet food by Toulouse Gourmet Cateringand plenty of dancing! A rooftop champagne toast with a view of the city’s fireworks at midnight and then a continental breakfast to cap off the night. Tickets are available at cannerynola.com/nye. 8:30 pm-1 am.
Big Night New Orleans
Hyatt Regency New Orleans, 601 Loyola Ave. The countdown to 2019 is on and Big Night New Orleans will be hitting the Hyatt Regency in downtown New Orleans. Big Night New Orleans is part of the largest New Year’s Eve series in the country: Big Night America! A portion of the proceeds will benefit Son of a Saint. For more information, visit bignightneworleans.com. 9 pm-1 am.