As a Christmas fanatic, I am always looking for all of the free or close to free Christmas festivities in the New Orleans. Sometimes, I will save up and dole out the extra cash to enjoy a memory, but, in general, New Orleans has so many other activities to enjoy during the holidays that I limit my paid fun.
This year I am sharing all of my options up front so that you too can decide how you plan to celebrate your Christmas season in the city:
Free Christmas in New Orleans
November 21 (FREE)
2:00 The Ritz
Holiday Ribbon Cutting Reception
4:30-6:30 The Riverwalk Outlets
Christmas on Spanish Plaza
4:30 – 5:30 Lighting of Canal
November 24 (FREE) – Gretna
Light up the Huey Holiday Lights Display
Dusk
November 28 (FREE) – The Roosevelt Hotel
The Roosevelt New Orleans Waldorf Wonderland
5:00 PM
December 2 (FREE) – 11AM
The parade will start from The French Market with an extended route through Downtown, and will end with a post-parade holiday experience and concert in Lafayette Square.
December 2 (FREE) – Gretna Farmer’s Market
8a – 12p
December 2 (FREE) – Downtown Gretna
5p – 9p
In the heart of historic Old Gretna at the Gretna Market Pavilion on Huey P. Long Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets, Gretna’s annual fine arts festival includes live music, local artists, and refreshments
December 2 (FREE) Algiers
Algiers Holiday Bonfire and Concert
4:30p – 8:30p
December 3 (FREE) – Gretna
Gretna Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
5:30p -7:30p
December 7-10 (FREE) – Ernest Morial Convention Center
6p – 10p
December 9 (FREE) – Riverwalk Outlets
Movie Under the Stars
Elf
5:30p – 8:00p
December 15 (FREE) Gretna
7p – 9p
December 16 (FREE) – Riverwalk Outlets
Movie Under the Stars
The Polar Express
5:30p – 8:00p
December 16 (FREE) – St. Joseph Church
Living Nativity (Gretna)
6p
Other Christmas in New Orleans Events
November 23 – Dec 30 ($25+ per person) – New Orleans City Park
6p – 10p Mon- Thurs
5p – 11p Sat & Sun
November 24 – Dec 23 ($25/person)
McGee’s Swamp Tours
Atchafalaya Christmas Swamp Tour
November 24 – Dec. 31 ($55/kid, $80/adult)
Windsor Court Holiday Tea
November 25 ($10 person) – the Prytania at Canal Place
Movies with Santa
Arthur Christmas
10a
November 26 ($72/kid, $95/adult) – Roosevelt Hotel
Held every Sat/Sun until December 16
Daily December 20-27
December 1- 17 ($75-$100 per tent) – Gretna
6p – 10p
December 1-30 – $10/car – Lafraneire Park
Lafreniere Park sparkles for the holidays with millions of twinkling lights and displays.
Sunday – Thursday: 5:30p – 9:00p
Friday – Saturday: 5:30p – 10:00p
December 2nd ($10/person) – the Prytania at Canal Place
Movies with Santa – Jack Frost
10a
December 2-3 – Gretna (meal cost)
10a – 12p Saturday
9:30a – 11:30a Sunday
Dec 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 22-23 at Royal Sonesta
($89/adult, $55 child)
Restaurant R’evolution in Royal Snownesta
11am
December 2-3, 9-10, 16-21 ($75/person)
Papa Noel Tea at the Ritz-Carlton
11am & 2:30 pm
December 9 ($10/person) – the Prytania at Canal Place
Movies with Santa – Elf
10a
Dec 9-10, 16 – 21 $195/house
Ritz- Carlton Gingerbread Workshop
December 16 ($15 person) – Prytania Theatre
Prytania’s Very, Merry Christmas Party 2023
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Charlie Brown Christmas
10a
December 16 ($10/person) – the Prytania at Canal Place
Movies with Santa – How the Grinch Stole Christmas
10am
December 21-30 ($25/person+) – New Orleans Convention Center
December 21 ($15 person) – Prytania Theatre
Prytania’s Very, Merry Christmas Party 2023
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Frosty the Snowman
10a
December 22 ($15 person) – Prytania Theatre
Prytania’s Very, Merry Christmas Party 2023
Year Without a Santa Claus
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
10a
December 23 ($10-$15/person) –
Movies with Santa
Polar Express
Prytania’s Very, Merry Christmas Party 2023
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Frosty the Snowman
10a
December 24 ($15/person) – the Pyrtania
Prytania’s Very, Merry Christmas Party 2023
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Charlie Brown Christmas
10a
To see more activities in and around New Orleans, visit:
What are your plans this holiday season? Let me know if I missed any freebies here in New Orleans.
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ordinarilyextraordinarymom 
You can tell which one is the influencer’s child in this photo lol
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