The holidays are a magical time of year, with family and friends traveling, shopping,
and feasting their way through the incredible wealth of experiences New Orleans has to offer. From musical acts to festive cocktails, artistic extravaganzas, and more, fill your stockings (and your calendar) with these Gulf South holiday happenings.
Briquette
A historic gem tucked cozily among the historic warehouse district, Briquette offers the finest in modern tastes and design. Featuring a signature open kitchen and an 18-foot seafood display, enjoy watching fresh fish being prepared before your eyes on red-hot briquettes while sampling an extensive wine list and beautifully crafted cocktails.
Spend Thanksgiving Day at Briquette, open from 11 am to 7 pm, for a three-course Thanksgiving dinner at $65 a person.
Discover more at briquette-nola.com.
New Orleans Creole Cookery
New Orleans Creole Cookery prides itself on offering the finest in Cajun and Creole cuisine in a stylish and innovative fashion that excites audiences and ignites appetites. With Carnival Season rapidly approaching, NOCC is your hub for families and friends to sit down for the finest in comfort dining.
Spend Thanksgiving Day at New Orleans Creole Cookery, open from
11 am to 7 pm, for a three-course Thanksgiving dinner at $65 a person.
Learn more at neworleanscreolecookery.com.
Royal Sonesta Hotel
Join us for Santa’s Pajama Party, inside Restaurant R’evolution at The Royal Sonesta New Orleans—a holiday experience for the entire family! Sip Lallier Brut Champagne while indulging in savory scones, gourmet tea sandwiches, and sweets. Our savory menu is crafted by Restaurant R’evolution’s Chef de Cuisine Chris Anderson, a Michelin Star chef. For those with a sweet tooth, the Executive Pastry Chef Danielle Vitale has created an indulgent menu of sweets to perfectly complement the holiday cheer.
Visit Eventbrite.com for tickets.
The Woodlands Resort
The Woodlands® Resort is proud to present the inaugural Songwriters Festival – three days dedicated to the craft of storytelling through music. From Dec 29, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026, visitors uplifted and enriched by immersive experiences, world-class cuisine, and unique songwriter sessions. With headlining performances by Darryl Worley, The Frontmen, and Neal McCoy, tickets are all-inclusive, covering luxurious resort accommodations, all food & beverage throughout the three-day festival, and access to intimate performances and curated experiences.
Learn more at woodlandsresort.com/offers/songwriters-festival.
Visit Oxford
Often described as the “Cultural Mecca of the South”, Oxford, Mississippi, is a community in perpetual flourish, where musicians, artists, and writers alike find inspiration in the town’s rich history, literary legacy, and charming community. With food galore, dazzling nightlife, and the inherent charm of a college town, Oxford is a place where visitors are treated just like family.
This holiday season, Oxford is proud to present the 6th annual Holly Jolly Holidays, a month-long celebration of all things Yuletide running from November 22, 2025, through January 4, 2026. Enjoy festive favorites including an outdoor ice rink, the sparkling brilliance of the Walk of Lights, the Peppermint Trail, and, of course, visits from Santa. There’s no place better to celebrate the Christmas season with family and friends alike.
Come experience why Oxford inspires and stays with you – long after you leave.
Learn more at hollyjollyoxford.holiday.
NOLA Christmas Fest
Let the Yuletide Roll! New Orleans’ most beloved indoor, family-friendly holiday attraction returns to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center from December 20 through December 29, 2025, celebrating 12 years of festive fun. Step inside 300,000 square feet of dazzling holiday displays—featuring a brand-new giant gingerbread house—and enjoy four exhilarating ice-slides, the city’s only real-ice skating rink, and thrilling Carnival rides. Guests can experience live entertainment, festive photo ops, and visits with Santa in a magical winter wonderland for all ages. This year introduces an exclusive, limited-capacity ice bumper car experience (separate ticket and reservation required—spots will go quickly!). Don’t miss Skating with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 21, featuring cocoa, coffee, and treats before regular hours.
Visit nolachristmasfest.com for tickets, session times, and details.
The Commissary
This Thanksgiving & Christmas, enjoy a bountiful feast prepared by The Commissary, a gourmet market, kitchen, and bar located in the Lower Garden District. Building on the culinary traditions of Dickie Brennan’s renowned restaurants, The Commissary offers take-home Thanksgiving packages featuring whole turkeys, seasonal sides, and decadent desserts – all made from scratch by our chefs. Skip the hassle of cooking at home and let The Commissary prepare a stress-free holiday meal for you and your loved ones.
Pre-order today at TheCommissaryNola.com.
Visit Natchez
Set high on a bluff above the Mississippi River, Natchez is a very special place, with beautiful architecture, historic homes, and Southern hospitality. But while Natchez is beautiful year-round, it’s particularly wonderful at Christmas.
Bringing the feeling of a classic Hallmark Christmas film to real, glittering life, Christmas in Natchez is a month-long event featuring the lighting of a 34-foot tree on Main Street. Natchez has celebrated the lighting of its Christmas Tree for many years and continues that tradition on the Saturday after Thanksgiving by kicking off the Christmas Season. The whole day becomes a show-stopping street party that includes: the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus and their friends who welcome children for pictures inside the Home Bank, a North Pole Playground with rides and fun activities for the kids, and food vendors lining the streets. Finally, the night ends with a glorious tree lighting ceremony, complete with synchronized pyrotechnics for a truly magical event you won’t want to miss!
Learn more at visitnatchez.org.
Junior League
The Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO), a women-led organization dedicated to strengthening the Greater New Orleans community, is excited to kick off the holiday season with its Holly Jolly Market on December 3 and 4! This year, we’re bringing the market to a new home at Ursuline Academy, where we can host double the number of vendors and offer more opportunities to find the perfect gifts!
Shop local and discover a curated selection of home décor, holiday classics, handmade treasures, and unique gifts for everyone on your list. Whether you’re hunting for something special for a loved one or that hard-to-shop-for friend, Holly Jolly Market is your one-stop destination for thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts.
Bring family and friends, soak up the holiday spirit, and make the Holly Jolly Market part of your seasonal tradition!
Learn more at jlno.org/holly-jolly-market.
Palm&Pine
Join Palm&Pine this Thanksgiving, 11 am-4 pm, for a $70 3-course Prix-Fixe (Little Kids $35 2-course available). Palm&Pine also offers Lunch every Friday in December from 11 am-2 pm, with the Annual P&P Holiday Special: 3 Course Lunch Extravaganza on Friday, 12/19.
Chile en Nogada and Tamales will be on the menu for dinner on Tuesday, 12/23 & Wednesday, 12/24. Finally, New Year’s Eve brings a Decadent 5-Course Tasting menu for $125 per person.
Reservations are required and are available now on Resy. •
