NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – New Orleans named a “World’s Best City” by Travel + Leisure readers and one of The New York Times “52 Places to Go in 2015” will celebrate the holidays with over 70 specia levents, Reveillon feasts at the city’s finest restaurants, and Papa Noël hotel deals for all budgets.
French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) proudly announces details of the 31st annual Christmas New Orleans Style (CNOS), where visitors and locals are invited to “follow their joy” throughout the entire month of December. CNOS is a collaboration between FQFI and the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC). Throughout December, FQFI works closely with retailers, restaurants, hotels, arts, and community organization to produce and promote quality holiday events; the economic impact has been tremendous for the city and state.
FQFI Executive Director Marci Schramm said,“Christmas New Orleans Style has helped the city establish itself as one of the world’s top holiday destinations. It truly is a showcase of the best New Orleans has to offer, beloved by locals and the many visitors who have made it an annual tradition. In 2015, we’re especially excited to bring back holiday concerts to St. Augustine Church in Treme; after several years, it’s wonderful to return to this historic neighborhood.”
Christmas New Orleans Style 2015 kicks off with three events on Thursday, November 19th: the first concert of the St. Louis Cathedral series (Dillard University Choir), French Market District tree lighting ceremony, and the French-American Chamber of Commerce’s Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration. CNOS ends Twelfth Night, January 6th, 2016 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; family activities including children’s teas and cookie decorating; historical characters strolling and caroling in the French Quarter; holiday cruises on the Steamboat Natchez; theatrical and musical performances; special tours of private residences, bed and breakfasts, and antebellum homes dressed in holiday finery; concerts at the Ogden Museum; a Christmas parade down Canal Street ;a Reindeer Run for children; and a second-line for KIPP students led by the Outlet Collection at Riverwalk’s Singing Santa & the Riverwalk Jazz Band.
More than 70 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 in St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square and, back by popular demand, St. Augustine Church in historic Treme. Concerts at St. Louis Cathedral take place at 6 p.m. on December 1-2, 6-9, 13-17, and 20th.
In addition, a CNOS preview concert takes place Thursday, November 19th at 6:30 p.m. to coincide with the French Market’s tree lighting at Washington Artillery Park. Another concert, the annual St. Louis Cathedral Basilica Holiday Concert takes place Sunday, December 20 at 5:30 p.m., prior to Caroling in Jackson Square. Concerts at St. Augustine take place at 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 5, 12, and 19th. Enjoy performances from Dillard University Choir, Bruce Daigrepont, Preservation Hall All-Stars, John Boutte, John Rankin, Don Vappie, St. Peter ClaverGospel Choir, Debbie Davis and Friends, Opera Creole, Lena Prima, Leroy Jones, Evan Christopher, and Zion Harmonizers. All concerts are free and open to the public.
