New Orleans - recently named one of the "Best Places to Go in 2018" by Frommer's Travel Guides and "One of the Best Food Cities in the World" by Food & Wine - will celebrate the 33rd annual Christmas New Orleans Style (CNOS) with Reveillon feasts at over 50 of the city's finest restaurants, 80 special holiday events including more than a dozen free concerts produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI), and Papa Noël hotel deals for all budgets.
CNOS is a collaboration between FQFI and the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC). Throughout December, FQFI works closely with local retailers, restaurants, hotels, arts and community organizations to produce and promote quality holiday events. FQFI President and CEO Emily Madero said, "As New Orleans prepares to celebrate its 300th anniversary - and FQFI its 35th - Christmas New Orleans Style will celebrate our cultural heritage and showcase the best of NOLA's emerging talent. Our concert lineup at historic St. Louis Cathedral and St. Augustine Catholic Church features the city's most beloved, talented musicians; at restaurants all over the city, diners can take a bite of history with a traditional Reveillon dinner or enjoy our haute cuisine by selecting a contemporary menu. From traditional to modern, we have so much to offer!"
Christmas New Orleans Style 2017 kicks off on Thursday, November 16 with the French Market District's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony followed by the French-American Chamber of Commerce's Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration on November 17. CNOS ends on Twelfth Night, January 6, 2018 when the Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc parades in the French Quarter and Phunny Phorty Phellows board the St. Charles Avenue streetcar to herald the start of Carnival. Other events include: nightly excursions through the magnificent lighting display at City Park's Celebration in the Oaks; ice skating, gingerbread houses, and carnival rides at NOLA ChristmasFest; holiday cookie decorating for kids at the Hilton Riverside; historical characters strolling in the French Quarter; caroling in Jackson Square; holiday steamboat cruises; theatrical and musical performances; special tours of private homes dressed in holiday finery; a Christmas parade down Canal Street; Reindeer Run for children; and a second-line for neighborhood students led by the Outlet Collection at Riverwalk's Singing Santa & the Riverwalk Jazz Band. More than 80 activities are planned, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy incredible dining, shopping, and culture.
St. Louis Cathedral and St. Augustine Church Concerts
Christmas New Orleans Style celebrates New Orleans' rich musical heritage with jazz musicians, gospel choirs, classical ensembles, and others performing the sounds of the season with concerts at St. Louis Cathedral located in Jackson Square and St. Augustine Church located in historic Treme. Concerts at St. Louis Cathedral take place at 6 p.m. on December 4-7 and 10-14. Another concert, the annual St. Louis Cathedral Basilica Holiday Concert takes place Sunday, December 17 at 5:30 p.m., prior to Caroling in Jackson Square. Concerts at St. Augustine take place at 4pm on Saturday, December 2, 9, and 16.
Enjoy performances from Ellis Marsalis, Beau Soleil Trio avec Michael Doucet, The Boutté Family, Don Vappie, and many more. All concerts are free and open to the public.
Reveillon Dinners
Reveillon, an adaptation of a traditional Creole holiday dining custom, will be celebrated nightly in almost 50 restaurants throughout the city. Menus showcase the feasts of Christmas past, present, and future: Four Reveillon restaurants - Antoine's, Galatoire's, Commander's Palace, and Tujague's - are more than 100 years old and feature classic Creole cuisine. Contemporary Reveillon utilizes preparation techniques and products of the modern day not necessarily available to the original Creoles. These meals can be enjoyed at The Grill Room, Restaurant R'evolution, Seaworthy, and many more. Reveillon menus are offered only once a year, making CNOS the only time guests can enjoy this authentic taste of New Orleans. New participants include: Cafe Dauphine, The Country Club, Curio, Fountain Lounge, The Old Coffeepot Restaurant, Public Service, The Royal House, and Tommy's Cuisine. Diners can indulge in Reveillon at Fountain Lounge for $24 or be treated to Commander's Palace decadent seven-course dinner for $100.
Reveillon on the Rocks
The Reveillon dinner has been celebrated in homes and restaurants all over New Orleans since the 1850s. Local bartenders now create both classic and original cocktails to capture the spirit of Reveillon, one-sip-at-a-time. Beginning December 1 and continuing until the last toast on New Year's Eve, and at some spots lasting through Twelfth Night (January 6), more than 20 bars and restaurants will say "Cheers to the Holiday Season" with a total of 35 spirited libations. In 2017 FQFI welcomes new participants Public Belt and The Sazerac Bar.
Cooking Demonstrations
Christmas New Orleans Style serves up a series of cooking demonstrations from many of New Orleans' finest chefs. FQFI, NOTMC, and WWL-TV team up to bring the "12 Days of Reveillon." For three weeks in December (12/7-22), WWL-TV will showcase New Orleans' great chefs, preparing items from their 2017 Reveillon menus each morning between 8 and 9 a.m. Chefs include: Joe Maynard (Criollo), Guy Sockrider (Tujague's), Matt Regan (The Bistreaux at Maison Dupuy), John Martin (Tableau), Jason Klutts (Kingfish Kitchen and Cocktails), Jana Billiot (Restaurant R'evolution), Eric Cook (Tommy's Cuisine), Tory McPhail (Commander's Palace), Daniel Causgrove (Seaworthy), Frank Brigtsen (Brigtsen's Restaurant), and Erik Veney (Muriel's Jackson Square). The Chef Holiday Cooking Demonstrations are sponsored by Louisiana Cookin' Magazine.
Papa Noël Hotel Rates
Christmas New Orleans Style gives the gift of a memorable holiday encounter that can only be experienced in New Orleans. Travelers can take advantage of special offers at more than 50 of the city's finest hotels and bed and breakfasts that feature attractive nightly Papa Noël discounted rates and luxurious value packages to visitors as their gift of the season. New participants in 2017 include: Terrell House Bed and Breakfast, Alder Hotel, Intown Suites, and NOPSI.
For complete Christmas New Orleans Style information and schedules, or to request a guidebook, visit fqfi.org.
