Why you should visit New Orleans this December (hint... it's 76º)
I’m a huge proponent of traveling for the holidays. When my family lived in Milwaukee we would head way down south to the Caribbean to escape the arctic weather that invariably came every December. For the past few years, my husband and I have picked this tradition back up even though we’re hardly leaving frigid weather. We’ve gone to French Polynesia, Europe, and this year we’re leaving the northernmost Caribbean city and headed to the Lower Antilles, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas.
If you’re looking to stay in the continental U.S. this festive season then you strongly consider a trip to New Orleans. December is one of the quietest times in the city so there are lots of available hotels (ask me about the Virtuoso properties that I can get you VIP treatment at), fun events, and a fraction of the crowds compared to the fall or spring. There are some unique holiday traditions in New Orleans and my top three are below:
Luna Fete- As one of New Orleans’s most unique festivals, LUNA Fête returns December 12-15 to celebrate the holidays, Crescent City-style. LUNA Fête (which stands for Light Up NOLA Arts) blends New Orleans’ historic architecture with contemporary light and video mapping technology, sound installation and motion graphics.
Taking place in Lafayette Square and along Lafayette and Fulton streets, video mapping is projected onto Gallier Hall, while other light activations take place along the streets. The festival is free and open to the public, and has nightly projections every hour on the hour. It is a great family event!
Christmas Eve Bonfire on the Levee- There are many colorfully imaginative traditions dating back to the earliest Cajun settlers of the regions of southern Louisiana to the west and north of New Orleans. One of them is the lighting of the bonfires along the Mississippi River on Christmas Eve.
These bonfires, erected on the river levees by the keepers of this old tradition, are intended to light the way for “Papa Noël,” the Cajun Santa Claus, on his airborne journey to the area. Or, according to some sources, the bonfires may have also been a way of lighting the path to the nearest Catholic church for Midnight Mass.
Réveillon Dinners- The tradition of the Réveillon dinner (pronounced ‘rĕ -vē -ŏn) began with French colonists during the early 19th century. In preparation for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, many would fast all day and then feast on big, hearty meals following service. We’ve both adopted and adapted this tradition for modern times: the entire month of December, celebrate Réveillon with prix-fixe menus at New Orleans restaurants that consist of seasonal flavors and time-honored cooking techniques, as well as more contemporary cuisines and flavors.
Unique holiday traditions, great food, and Cajun Eggnog Daiquiris will make your December visit to New Orleans the start of a holiday tradition!