New Orleans doesn’t really have a winter as such, making the place a uniquely attractive all year round outdoors attraction.
But this certainly does not mean that the Yuletide season bypasses Louisiana’s capital. In fact, one of its most popular perennial crowd-pullers is its spectacular Celebration in the Oaks in City Park. The festival, which shows off some brilliant white lights, is now so popular that it draws visitors from as far afield as Mississippi and Texas.
This year’s festival begins – as usual – the day after Thanksgiving, November 29 this year, and runs until January 4 2014.
Around 165,000 visitors come to this dreamlike environment every year. Twinkling white lights – around half a million in total – adorn the famous oak trees and the whole park resembles a kind of miniature North Pole, complete with skating rinks, amusement parks and the internationally renowned Botanical Garden, Storyland, and Carousel Gardens.
The barmy weather (daytime highs hit the sixties) and the park’s stunning natural landscape make Celebration in the Oaks a truly unique holiday event. Visitors enjoy not only light displays but pathways full of Christmas trees, planted by local school groups.
Popular sights include the animated Cajun night before Christmas display, and of course, New Orleans’ very own snowman Mr. Bingle – a favorite character down the ages.
If you need somewhere to stay in NOLA over the holiday season then you are truly spoiled for choice. More than 50 hotels offer Christmas discounts in December. Why not stay in the city’s French Quarter? It could be the closest you will get in America to a walk around Paris.
New Orleans looks particularly delightful in the run-up to the festive season. It may not be snowing for real but the city is full of holiday cheer. If you would like to attend NOLA’s Celebration in the Oaks and require a ride around town, or need to get to a restaurant or hotel – we can help you. Simply give us a call at (877) 592-2226 and we will take care of the rest.