The kids are out of school for two weeks, and they are going to drive you INSANE. By the Saturday after Christmas, you are going to want to get out of the house and do SOMETHING, ANYTHING. That’s why we put together this list of nine things you can do over Christmas Break in New Orleans that will hopefully keep the kids entertained and you with a little of your sanity intact.
Celebration in the Oaks
This yearly event in City Parks runs through January 1st (closed Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve). There are rides, light shows, a special retelling of the Cajun Night Before Christmas, and plenty of lights along the 2-mile driving tour.
- Cost: $40 per car for the driving tour. If you combine the driving tour with the walking tour, the additional cost is $25 per person. If you want to do only the walking tour, it is $35 per person.
- Hours: Monday through Thursday 6-10 pm; Friday and Saturday 5-10 pm; Sunday 5-9 pm; Christmas Day 6-10 pm; Closed Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Purchase Tickets HERE
NOLA Christmas Fest
Ice skating, sliding down an ice slide, carnival rides, and tons of fun are happening in the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center now through December 29th.
- Cost: $25 per person Monday through Friday; $30 per person Saturday and Sunday
Christas In the Park
Nightly through December 30th at Lafreniere Park. 10 million sparkling LED lights, snow, entertainment, and more! Plus appearances from Santa, Rudolf, Frosty, and the Grinch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Nights.
- Cost: $20 in advance; $20 at the gate.
- Hours: Sunday through Thursday 5:30 – 9 pm; Friday and Saturday 5:30 – 10 pm
Kenner Christmas Village
Open nightly from 5:30 – 8:30 pm through December 31st! Snow, music, lights, and more with vendors and entertainment on the weekends! FREE
@heycaranoel Kenner’s Christmas Village lights! The village is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, from 5:30-8:30 #kennerlouisiana #cityofkenner #christmaslights #christmasvillage #rivertown #winterwonderland #nolachristmas #christmasinneworleans ♬ Winter Wonderland / Here Comes Santa Claus – From "Pitch Perfect 2" Soundtrack – Snoop Dogg & Anna Kendrick
Explore Downtown New Orleans
Head downtown and become a tourist in your hometown. Visit the Aquarium and Insectarium, hop on a streetcar and stop at Cafe Du Monde for some hot chocolate and beignets, visit the French Market, take a ferry ride, play at the Children’s Museum, or at the indoor play area in the Riverwalk. There is so much to see and do downtown that it would make the perfect day of fun for everyone.
Play Indoors
New Orleans is full of places to have fun indoors. From bounce houses to art to laser tag and skating, there is a lot of fun to be had around town.
Explore Nature at the Nature Center
New Orleans East is the place to explore Nature at the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center. There are two nature trails and exhibits for you to explore. Best part of the nature center? It’s FREE!
Go Lobby Hopping
Take another trip downtown or do this while you are down there playing tourist, and check out the hotel lobbies. Each one is decorated for the season and is beautiful.
Take a Road Trip
If you really need to get out of the house, try taking a road trip. We have a great list of 20 places in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, all within a three-hour drive of New Orleans. These will be a great way to get away for a bit and have some fun, or as we call it in my house, “forced family bonding time”. Just gas up the car and GO!
Whatever you decide to do, we hope you have a fun break with the kids and stay sane.
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