Stay in New Orleans in December
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December in New Orleans means Reveillon. This multi-course dinner tradition, rooted in 19th-century Creole custom, fills dining rooms at restaurants like Antoine's (open since 1840) and Commander's Palace throughout the month. Reveillon is the single most distinctive reason to be here now rather than, say, November.
Daytime temperatures tend to settle around 19°C (66°F), and nights dip near 12°C (54°F). The air along the Mississippi Riverfront carries a damp chill that mixes with the smell of woodsmoke and roasting pecans from street vendors near Jackson Square. City Park's ancient live oaks light up for Celebration in the Oaks from late November through early January. On December 24, bonfires line the levee in St. James Parish about 90 minutes upriver, a tradition that predates the Civil War. This is not Mardi Gras season. Holiday crowds appear, but they stay well below Carnival-week levels.
The trade-off is rain. December averages about 129mm across 9 rainy days, and Gulf fronts can swing temperatures by 10°C in a single afternoon. A 7°C morning might reach 20°C by 2 PM. Humidity sits around 80%, which keeps everything feeling damp even between showers. To be fair, none of this qualifies as severe weather. Visitors from cities like Chicago or Minneapolis tend to find a December trip to the Gulf Coast downright pleasant.
Why visit in December
- Mild temperatures between 12°C and 19°C make walking the French Quarter and Garden District comfortable all day, a relief from the summer months when heat indexes regularly exceed 38°C (100°F).
- Reveillon dinner season gives access to prix fixe Creole menus at restaurants that do not offer them the rest of the year, including multi-course feasts at Arnaud's and Galatoire's.
- Louisiana oyster season peaks in the cooler months, and December brings plump, briny specimens from harvest beds in Plaquemines Parish and Grand Isle.
- Weekday hotel availability stays strong through mid-December, before rates spike for the Christmas-to-New-Year's corridor.
Worth knowing
- Rain arrives on roughly a third of December days, and Gulf fronts can turn a warm afternoon into a cold, wet evening within an hour.
- Hotel rates in the French Quarter and CBD climb well above annual averages during the Christmas-to-New-Year's window, with some properties enforcing 3-night minimum stays.
- Several restaurants and smaller attractions close for 2-3 days around December 25, narrowing dining and sightseeing options mid-holiday.
- Side streets between nightlife corridors in the Marigny and Bywater can feel isolated after dark, particularly for visitors unfamiliar with the neighborhood layout.
Best for
Think twice if
December sits in the drier half of New Orleans's annual cycle, though 'dry' is relative for a Gulf Coast city. Cold fronts sweep through several times a month, each bringing a burst of rain followed by clearing skies and cooler air. The temperature swings can feel dramatic. One day you are comfortable in a t-shirt at 20°C, and the next a norther drops highs into the low teens. Mornings often start with ground fog along the bayous and City Park's lagoons, burning off by mid-morning. The persistent dampness makes even mild cold feel sharper than the thermometer suggests. Evening breezes off the Mississippi River add a wind chill that can push the feel closer to 5°C on the coldest December nights.
Seasonal caution
- Cold fronts from the north can temporarily push overnight temperatures near or below freezing (0°C / 32°F), particularly during the final week of December. These cold snaps rarely last more than 2-3 days but catch visitors off guard who packed only for mild weather.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16 | 8 | 112 |
| Feb | 19 | 11 | 102 |
| Mar | 22 | 14 | 152 |
| Apr | 25 | 18 | 112 |
| May | 29 | 22 | 167 |
| Jun | 31 | 25 | 182 |
| Jul | 31 | 26 | 193 |
| Aug | 32 | 26 | 211 |
| Sep | 30 | 24 | 165 |
| Oct | 26 | 19 | 78 |
| Nov | 21 | 14 | 85 |
| Dec | 19 | 12 | 129 |
Holidays and festivals in December
Public holidays
- Christmas Day(Christmas Day)25 December 2026
When is Christmas season in 2026?
27 November to 26 December 2026
Christmas season is a major cultural celebration in New Orleans. In 2026 it runs from 27 November to 26 December 2026.
Headline events
Celebration in the Oaks
Late November through early January (nightly)
City Park's flagship holiday light display drapes over a million lights across the park's centuries-old live oaks, with driving and walking routes through the Botanical Garden, Storyland, and Carousel Gardens. It is the largest holiday light event in the Gulf South and draws families from across Louisiana and neighboring states.
Best things to do in December
Reveillon dinner at a Creole restaurant
diningA multi-course prix fixe feast in the 19th-century Creole tradition, served at dozens of restaurants throughout December. Expect 4-6 courses with optional wine pairings, featuring seasonal Creole dishes not available the rest of the year.
Reveillon dinners are offered only during December, reviving a pre-Midnight-Mass feast tradition from Creole New Orleans.Booking tipReserve at least 2 weeks ahead for the final 10 days of December. Early December weeknights are easiest to secure.
Celebration in the Oaks evening walk
sightseeingWalk or drive through City Park's holiday light display, which stretches across the Botanical Garden, Storyland, and Carousel Gardens. The reflections off the park's lagoons double the effect on still evenings.
The display runs from late November through early January, but December evenings offer the fullest programming and longest dark hours.Booking tipWeeknight visits avoid the weekend crowds. Driving tickets sell out on peak nights, so purchase them online in advance.
Garden District holiday home tour
sightseeingWalk St. Charles Avenue and the surrounding blocks in the Garden District to see elaborate holiday decorations on the antebellum mansions. The scale of some displays rivals professional installations. You can smell fresh pine wreaths and hear brass bands rehearsing from the porches.
Homeowners decorate from late November through early January, but the displays peak in the 2 weeks before Christmas.Christmas Eve Bonfires on the Levee
culturalMassive bonfires built from wooden pyramids and other structures line the Mississippi River levee in St. James Parish, about 90 minutes west of New Orleans. The tradition dates to the 1800s and draws thousands of spectators who park along River Road.
A single-night event on December 24, with bonfires lit at dusk to guide Papa Noël (Cajun Santa) along the river.Booking tipDrive early in the afternoon. River Road fills up by 4 PM and parking is roadside on a first-come basis.
Live music on Frenchmen Street
nightlifeThe Marigny's 3-block music corridor hosts jazz, brass band, and funk acts nightly at venues like the Spotted Cat Music Club and the Maison. December's cooler air makes the walk between clubs far more comfortable than summer.
Comfortable evening temperatures and pre-holiday energy fill venues without the shoulder-to-shoulder density of Mardi Gras or Jazz Fest weeks.Booking tipMost venues on Frenchmen Street do not take reservations. Arrive before 9 PM to claim a spot on busy nights.
Swamp tour in the Barataria Preserve
natureDecember brings clearer skies, fewer mosquitoes, and a chance to spot alligators sunning themselves on banks before deeper winter cold pushes them underwater. The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park's Barataria Preserve, about 40 minutes south of the city, offers boardwalk trails and guided boat tours.
Mosquito populations drop sharply after the first cold fronts, and the thinning canopy from deciduous trees improves visibility into the swamp.Booking tipBook guided boat tours 3-5 days ahead for weekend slots. Self-guided boardwalk access is free and rarely crowded in December.
New Year's Eve on Jackson Square
eventJackson Square hosts the city's official countdown, culminating in a fleur-de-lis drop from the Jax Brewery building at midnight. The square fills with spectators and the surrounding French Quarter bars run late into the morning.
December 31 is the one night the square transforms into New Orleans's version of Times Square, with brass bands instead of pop acts.Booking tipNearby restaurants fill their New Year's Eve seatings weeks ahead. Book by early December for a table with a view of the square.
St. Louis Cathedral Christmas Eve Mass
culturalThe oldest continuously active cathedral in the United States (founded 1794) holds its Christmas Eve Midnight Mass on December 24. The candlelit interior, pipe organ, and choir draw both worshippers and visitors. The white facade glows against the holiday lights outside.
The Christmas Eve service is the most attended and atmospheric liturgy of the year at the cathedral.Booking tipSeating fills well before midnight. Arrive by 10:30 PM for a seat inside. Standing room outside the open doors is an alternative.
What to eat in December
In season: fruit
Satsuma oranges
Louisiana's satsuma harvest peaks from November through January. These small, sweet, easy-to-peel citrus fruits appear at the Crescent City Farmers Market and the French Market on Decatur Street throughout December.
On menus now
Gumbo
The cooler weather makes December the natural season for darker, richer roux-based gumbo. Chicken-and-andouille and seafood variations dominate menus across the French Quarter and Tremé.
Street food peaks
Pecan pralines
Louisiana pecans are harvested in October and November, making December pralines among the freshest of the year. Candy shops and street vendors along Royal Street sell them warm from copper kettles, the buttery-sweet smell drifting half a block.
What to drink
Café brûlot
A flamed coffee prepared tableside with brandy, cinnamon, clove, and citrus peel. Antoine's on St. Louis Street claims to have invented it. The warm spiced aroma fills the dining room in a way that fits December perfectly.
In markets
Louisiana oysters
Gulf oyster season peaks during the cooler months when water temperatures drop below 24°C. December specimens from Plaquemines Parish beds tend to be plumper and more briny than their summer counterparts, and raw bars across the city feature them prominently.
Festival food
Reveillon feast courses
Multi-course prix fixe menus featuring turtle soup, duck confit, oysters en brochette, and bread pudding with whiskey sauce. Over 50 restaurants offer these Creole holiday feasts throughout December, reviving a tradition from pre-Midnight-Mass suppers.
Regular events in December
Krewe of JingleFree
A holiday-themed parade that rolls through the Warehouse District and into the French Quarter, with marching bands, floats, and throws. It serves as a preview of Carnival parade culture for visitors who cannot make it for Mardi Gras.
First or second Saturday of DecemberNOLA ChristmasFest
An indoor holiday festival at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, with ice skating, holiday rides, a gingerbread village, and live entertainment. Aimed primarily at families with young children.
Throughout December (weekends and select weeknights)Running of the Santas
A festive fun run and pub crawl through the French Quarter, with participants dressed in Santa suits. The event raises money for local charities and typically draws several hundred runners.
Second Saturday of DecemberAllstate Sugar Bowl
A major college football bowl game held at the Caesars Superdome (opened 1975). The game brings fans from across the country and fills CBD and French Quarter hotels for several days.
December 31 or January 1French Market holiday shoppingFree
The French Market on Decatur Street expands its vendor lineup during December with seasonal goods, local crafts, and holiday-specific food items. Open daily throughout the month.
Throughout DecemberBest places this December
Jackson Square
historic squareThe historic square (established 1721) takes on a particular atmosphere in December, with holiday lights, street performers playing seasonal brass arrangements, and the open-air artist colony along the iron fence. The cathedral's white facade glows behind it after dark.
French QuarterNew Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)
museumFounded in 1911, NOMA sits at the heart of City Park and offers a warm retreat on rainy December afternoons. The adjacent Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden spreads across 11 acres of live oaks, and December's thinner canopy reveals sculptures otherwise screened by summer foliage.
Mid-CityLouis Armstrong Park and Congo Square
parkCongo Square, the historic gathering place where enslaved Africans preserved their musical traditions through Sunday drum circles, sits inside Louis Armstrong Park in Tremé. December's mild afternoons make the park comfortable for walking, and the cooler weather thins the usual crowd.
TreméThe Cabildo
museumBuilt in 1795 as the seat of Spanish colonial government, the Cabildo on Jackson Square is now a Louisiana State Museum. The room where officials completed the Louisiana Purchase transfer on December 20, 1803 remains part of the permanent collection.
French QuarterMagazine Street
shopping districtA 6-mile shopping corridor stretching through Uptown, lined with independent boutiques, antique shops, and galleries that lean into holiday displays during December. The oak-canopied sidewalks make for pleasant afternoon walks between stops.
UptownSaint Louis Cemetery No. 1
historic cemeteryFounded in 1789, the city's oldest cemetery is a striking collection of above-ground tombs. December's cooler temperatures and softer winter light make the guided walking tour far more comfortable than the summer equivalent. Tours are required for entry.
TreméCity Park
parkOne of the oldest urban parks in the country, stretching across 1,300 acres in Mid-City. Beyond its role hosting Celebration in the Oaks, December is a good month for the park's walking trails along Big Lake, the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, and the Botanical Garden.
Mid-City
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Insider tips
Reveillon dinners run throughout December, not only on Christmas Eve. Locals tend to book during the first two weeks of the month when availability is wider and the dining rooms feel less hectic. Weeknight seatings are particularly relaxed.
The holiday home decorations along St. Charles Avenue in the Garden District rival any organized light display. Walk or take the streetcar from Napoleon Avenue toward Audubon Park after dark for the best stretch.
Frenchmen Street in the Marigny is where locals go for live music. Bourbon Street draws tourists with cover bands and frozen daiquiris. If you want to hear real New Orleans jazz, brass band, or funk, spend your evenings east of Esplanade Avenue.
The St. Charles streetcar line doubles as a sightseeing tour of Uptown's decorated mansions during December. Ride the full route from Canal Street to the Riverbend. The trip takes about 45 minutes each way and costs a fraction of a guided tour.
If visiting between December 26 and January 1, call ahead for restaurant hours. Several close for a block of days around Christmas, and the ones that stay open fill quickly. Galatoire's on Bourbon Street is traditionally open, but smaller neighborhood spots in the Bywater and Mid-City may not be.
Avoid these mistakes
- Packing only light clothing because New Orleans is 'a southern city.' December cold fronts can push temperatures near freezing overnight, and the persistent dampness makes 10°C feel significantly colder than the same temperature in a dry climate like Denver or Phoenix. Visitors in t-shirts and shorts on a post-front morning are visibly uncomfortable.
- Booking an outdoor swamp tour without checking the 3-day weather forecast. A Gulf front passing through the night before can drop morning temperatures to 7°C with wind, and a boat ride through the bayou without shelter is genuinely unpleasant. Time your tour for the warmer day after the front clears.
- Assuming every restaurant opens on December 25. Christmas Day is one of the quietest days of the year for New Orleans dining. Many restaurants close entirely, and those serving holiday brunch fill their reservations weeks in advance.
- Driving to the Christmas Eve Bonfires on the Levee without a plan for the return trip. River Road between St. James Parish and New Orleans fills with traffic after the fires burn down around 10 PM, and the 90-minute drive can stretch past 2 hours. Consider staying overnight in Vacherie or Lutcher.
Practical tips for December
Book Reveillon dinners by early December if visiting during the final two weeks of the month. Arnaud's and Galatoire's fill their holiday seatings well ahead. The St. Charles streetcar runs extended holiday hours but experiences delays when special events close sections of the route. Carry cash for street musicians and small vendors near Jackson Square, as many do not accept cards. If attending Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at St. Louis Cathedral, arrive by 10:30 PM for a seat. Hotel cancellation policies tighten for stays spanning December 23 through January 1, so check the fine print before booking. Ride-share surge pricing spikes on New Year's Eve, particularly between 11 PM and 2 AM in the French Quarter and CBD. The Jazzy Pass from NORTA covers unlimited streetcar and bus rides and is worth the cost if you plan to ride more than twice a day.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit New Orleans?
December is one of the better months for a visit. Mild temperatures, a full holiday event calendar, and crowds well below Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest levels make it a comfortable window. The main trade-offs are rain (roughly a third of December days see some) and elevated holiday pricing at hotels. If you time your trip for early December, you get most of the seasonal atmosphere at lower cost and with easier restaurant reservations.
What is the weather like in New Orleans in December?
Mild and variable. Highs tend to sit in the upper teens Celsius (mid-60s Fahrenheit) with lows dropping into the low teens (low 50s Fahrenheit). Rain comes in short Gulf-front bursts, totaling a moderate amount across fewer than 10 wet days. Cold fronts can temporarily push overnight temperatures toward freezing, so layers are more useful than a single heavy coat. The persistent humidity makes cooler days feel damper than the raw temperature would suggest.
Is New Orleans crowded in December?
Moderately. The first two weeks of December see lighter tourist traffic than peak season. Numbers pick up from around December 20 through January 1, especially in the French Quarter, the Garden District, and along the Riverwalk. Even during the holiday spike, crowd density stays well below what you would experience during Mardi Gras in February or Jazz Fest in late April.
What are Reveillon dinners and where can I find them?
Reveillon is a multi-course Creole dining tradition from the 1800s, originally eaten after Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Today, over 50 restaurants in New Orleans offer Reveillon prix fixe menus throughout December. Commander's Palace, Brennan's, Arnaud's, and Galatoire's are among the best known participants. Most menus run 4-6 courses with optional wine pairings. Reservations are recommended, especially for the week of Christmas.
Do I need a car to get around New Orleans in December?
For the city itself, no. The St. Charles and Canal streetcar lines connect Uptown, the Garden District, Mid-City, and the French Quarter. Ride-shares fill the gaps for trips to the Bywater or Warehouse District. The one exception is the Christmas Eve Bonfires on the Levee in St. James Parish. That trip requires a car or organized shuttle, since there is no public transit to the levee from New Orleans.
Things to Do in New Orleans in December
Free cancellation New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation
Day trip: 5 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter with Small-Group Option
City tour: 3 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation New Orleans City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Day trip: 1 day, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans
Day trip: 7.8 hours, free cancellation.
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Free cancellation New Orleans Sightseeing City Tour
City tour: free cancellation.
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Free cancellation New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal
Cooking class: 2 hours, free cancellation.
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