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Ellen DeGeneres Lights Holiday Display In Jackson Square Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images

10 free holiday events happening in New Orleans, mapped

By Eric Craig Updated
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By Eric Craig Updated
Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images

The count down begins. Now that December is here, the year 2017 is almost over, but not without celebrating Christmas festivities. In fact, New Orleans has a variety of events happening across the city all month long—from light holiday fun to a mischievous parade.

Ordered by date, here are the best free Christmastime events you should attend. Did we miss any of your favorites? Feel free to send us an email.

Want to check out the best light displays in New Orleans during the holiday season? We have a map for that.

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Free concerts at the St. Louis Cathedral

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December 14, 19 — Starts at 6 p.m.

An extension of the Christmas New Orleans Style concert series, you’ll be able to catch free jazz, Cajun, opera, Classical, gospel, and Latin performances in one of the oldest building in New Orleans.

615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, LA 70116

A post shared by @petit.emeline on

12 Crafts of the Holiday Season: Teen Holiday Craft

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December 16 — Starts at 10 a.m.

This New Orleans library will host a DIY crafting session on do-it-yourself body butter. This program is geared toward teenagers.

3014 Holiday Dr, New Orleans, LA 70131
(504) 596-2641
(504) 596-2641

A post shared by Friends Of NOPL (@friends_nopl) on

Happy Hour at Duncan Plaza

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December 14 — From 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The New Orleans Downtown Development District will host free holiday festivities, including live music, food trucks, activities, and a holiday toy and book drive.

343-349 Loyola Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 658-3200
(504) 658-3200

A post shared by David (@davidnola) on

Movies on the Mississippi

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December 15 — Starts at 6:30 p.m.

If you’re looking to catch a couple of free holiday-centric flicks this season, the Downtown Development District and The Outlet Collection will hold two movie screening outside of the Convention Center. Elf will screen on December 15.

145 Julia St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Free concerts at the St. Augustine's Catholic Church

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December 16 - Starts at 4 p.m.

Part of the Christmas New Orleans Style concert series, you’ll find three hour-long concerts (themed under gospel, jazz and soul) at this historic Treme church.

1210 Governor Nicholls St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 525-5934
(504) 525-5934

A post shared by Peter Patout (@peter.patout) on

Rosa F. Keller Library & Community Center holiday activities

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December 16 — 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

At this event, you’ll find holiday treats, crafts, and a special guest for the kids.

4300 S Broad Ave, New Orleans, LA 70125
(504) 596-2660
(504) 596-2660

St. Nick Celebration at the French Market

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December 16, 17 — From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Every Saturday and Sunday leading up to Christmas, the French Market Corporation will host live music, an art market, and several child-friendly activities.

French Market Pl, New Orleans, LA 70116

Caroling at Jackson Square

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December 17 — Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

One of the highlights of the holiday season in the French Quarter is this 71-year-old tradition. Feel free to come empty-handed and with an urge to sing. Candles and music sheets will be provided.

700 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 658-3200
(504) 658-3200

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East New Orleans Regional Library holiday crafts

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December 17 — From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

This New Orleans library will provide supplies for children to create their own holiday ornaments.

5641 Read Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127

A post shared by Evacuteer.org (@evacuteerorg) on

Waldorf Wonderland

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November 28 to January 1

One of the largest and free light displays in the city is held at The Roosevelt New Orleans in the Central Business District. This year the hotel has over 60,000 lights and 46 Christmas Streets in its lobby.

130 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 648-1200
(504) 648-1200

Also featured in:

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Free concerts at the St. Louis Cathedral

615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, LA 70116

December 14, 19 — Starts at 6 p.m.

An extension of the Christmas New Orleans Style concert series, you’ll be able to catch free jazz, Cajun, opera, Classical, gospel, and Latin performances in one of the oldest building in New Orleans.

615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, LA 70116

A post shared by @petit.emeline on

12 Crafts of the Holiday Season: Teen Holiday Craft

3014 Holiday Dr, New Orleans, LA 70131

December 16 — Starts at 10 a.m.

This New Orleans library will host a DIY crafting session on do-it-yourself body butter. This program is geared toward teenagers.

3014 Holiday Dr, New Orleans, LA 70131
(504) 596-2641
(504) 596-2641

A post shared by Friends Of NOPL (@friends_nopl) on

Happy Hour at Duncan Plaza

343-349 Loyola Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112

December 14 — From 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The New Orleans Downtown Development District will host free holiday festivities, including live music, food trucks, activities, and a holiday toy and book drive.

343-349 Loyola Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 658-3200
(504) 658-3200

A post shared by David (@davidnola) on

Movies on the Mississippi

145 Julia St, New Orleans, LA 70130

December 15 — Starts at 6:30 p.m.

If you’re looking to catch a couple of free holiday-centric flicks this season, the Downtown Development District and The Outlet Collection will hold two movie screening outside of the Convention Center. Elf will screen on December 15.

145 Julia St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Free concerts at the St. Augustine's Catholic Church

1210 Governor Nicholls St, New Orleans, LA 70116

December 16 - Starts at 4 p.m.

Part of the Christmas New Orleans Style concert series, you’ll find three hour-long concerts (themed under gospel, jazz and soul) at this historic Treme church.

1210 Governor Nicholls St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 525-5934
(504) 525-5934

A post shared by Peter Patout (@peter.patout) on

Rosa F. Keller Library & Community Center holiday activities

4300 S Broad Ave, New Orleans, LA 70125

December 16 — 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

At this event, you’ll find holiday treats, crafts, and a special guest for the kids.

4300 S Broad Ave, New Orleans, LA 70125
(504) 596-2660
(504) 596-2660

St. Nick Celebration at the French Market

French Market Pl, New Orleans, LA 70116

December 16, 17 — From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Every Saturday and Sunday leading up to Christmas, the French Market Corporation will host live music, an art market, and several child-friendly activities.

French Market Pl, New Orleans, LA 70116

Caroling at Jackson Square

700 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116

December 17 — Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

One of the highlights of the holiday season in the French Quarter is this 71-year-old tradition. Feel free to come empty-handed and with an urge to sing. Candles and music sheets will be provided.

700 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 658-3200
(504) 658-3200

East New Orleans Regional Library holiday crafts

5641 Read Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127

December 17 — From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

This New Orleans library will provide supplies for children to create their own holiday ornaments.

5641 Read Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127

A post shared by Evacuteer.org (@evacuteerorg) on

Waldorf Wonderland

130 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA 70112

November 28 to January 1

One of the largest and free light displays in the city is held at The Roosevelt New Orleans in the Central Business District. This year the hotel has over 60,000 lights and 46 Christmas Streets in its lobby.

130 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 648-1200
(504) 648-1200