Holidays

New Orleans Holiday Gathering Guide

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's in New Orleans. Plan a holiday gathering for 11-30 guests.

Last updated: January 2026

Why cook Thanksgiving dinner in your tiny kitchen when you could gather the whole family in New Orleans?

Holiday gatherings in NOLA offer something most cities can’t: a city that’s already celebrating. The decorations are up, the food is incredible, and nobody has to host at their house.

Why New Orleans for the Holidays

Skip the hosting stress. Nobody has to clean their house, cook for 20, or argue about who’s hosting this year.

Better food. Your aunt’s casserole is fine, but have you had Thanksgiving at Commander’s Palace?

Actual activities. Instead of watching football in someone’s basement, explore a new city together.

Neutral ground. No in-law politics about whose house you’re going to.

Thanksgiving in New Orleans

Why It Works

New Orleans does Thanksgiving differently. The city embraces it with Cajun-Creole twists—turducken instead of turkey, oyster dressing instead of stuffing, pecan pie that’ll ruin every other pie for you.

Where to Eat Thanksgiving Dinner

If you don’t want to cook, these restaurants serve excellent Thanksgiving feasts:

Restaurant Style Reservation needed
Commander’s Palace Elegant, multi-course feast 6+ weeks ahead
Brennan’s Classic, celebratory 4+ weeks ahead
Atchafalaya Family-style, casual 3+ weeks ahead
Broussard’s Traditional with Creole flair 4+ weeks ahead

Cook at Your Rental

For groups of 15-30, cooking together can be the whole point:

Order in the main course:

  • Whole Foods, Rouses, and local restaurants offer prepared turkeys and sides
  • Cochon Butcher sells incredible prepared meats
  • Order a turducken from local shops

Cook the sides together:

  • Assign dishes to different family members
  • Big rental kitchens can handle multiple cooks
  • Make it a collaborative event

Hire a private chef:

  • Many local chefs offer Thanksgiving catering
  • They handle everything—you just eat
  • Cost: $75-150/person including food

Sample Thanksgiving Weekend

Wednesday:

  • Arrivals throughout the day
  • Grocery run, setup
  • Low-key dinner at the house
  • Drinks, catching up

Thursday (Thanksgiving):

  • Watch the parade on TV
  • Cook together or head to restaurant
  • The big meal
  • Post-dinner walk in the neighborhood
  • Pie, drinks, conversation

Friday:

  • Leisurely breakfast
  • Explore the city: French Quarter, Garden District
  • Pool time at the house
  • Leftovers dinner

Saturday:

  • Activity day: WWII Museum, swamp tour, or Magazine Street shopping
  • Final family dinner out
  • Toasts, photo sharing

Sunday:

  • Brunch together
  • Departures

Christmas in New Orleans

The NOLA Christmas Vibe

New Orleans decorates beautifully—French Quarter balconies draped in lights, historic homes in the Garden District going all out, bonfires on the levee on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Activities

  • Celebration in the Oaks: City Park transforms into a light display wonderland. Drive through or walk.
  • Reveillon Dinners: Historic multi-course holiday feasts at restaurants like Antoine’s, Arnaud’s, and Galatoire’s.
  • Christmas Eve bonfires: Head to St. James Parish to see massive bonfires lit along the levee.
  • St. Louis Cathedral: Midnight mass in one of America’s oldest cathedrals.
  • Christmas Day: Most restaurants are closed, so plan to cook at your rental.

Sample Christmas Trip (Dec 23-26)

Dec 23:

  • Arrivals
  • Evening stroll through decorated French Quarter
  • Dinner at the house

Dec 24:

  • Brunch out
  • Gift exchange at the rental
  • Drive to see bonfires on the levee (evening)
  • Midnight mass at St. Louis Cathedral (optional)

Dec 25:

  • Christmas breakfast together
  • Pool time (yes, it’s often warm enough)
  • Christmas dinner at the house
  • Games, movies, family time

Dec 26:

  • Boxing Day exploration
  • Reveillon dinner at a historic restaurant
  • Departures

New Year’s Eve in New Orleans

Why NOLA for NYE

Bourbon Street drops a giant fleur-de-lis at midnight. The entire city becomes a party. No last call means the celebration goes until you decide it’s over.

NYE Options

For party people:

  • Bourbon Street countdown (massive, chaotic, memorable)
  • Frenchmen Street for live music at midnight
  • Private parties and galas at hotels

For a quieter celebration:

  • Nice dinner out, then watch fireworks from the riverfront
  • Rooftop bar with skyline views
  • Celebrate at your rental with champagne and your crew

Sample New Year’s Trip (Dec 30 - Jan 1)

Dec 30:

  • Arrivals
  • Dinner at the house or casual restaurant
  • Early night—save energy for tomorrow

Dec 31:

  • Late breakfast
  • Explore the city or pool day
  • Pre-game at the house
  • Nice dinner (book months ahead)
  • Head out for countdown
  • Celebrate until whenever

Jan 1:

  • Very late start
  • Recovery brunch
  • Black-eyed peas for luck (NOLA tradition)
  • Low-key final night

Jan 2:

  • Departures

Where to Stay

For Groups of 11-30

Castleday Retreats — Three private villas in the Bywater, each sleeping up to 30. Private pools, full kitchens perfect for holiday cooking. Space for the whole extended family.

The Syd — Multiple villas in the Lower Garden District, each sleeping up to 22. Shared heated pool and hot tub. Central location.

What Matters for Holidays

  • Full kitchen: You’ll be cooking at least some meals
  • Big dining area: Space for everyone at one table
  • Common area: Room to gather for gifts, games, conversation
  • Multiple bedrooms: Grandparents, kids, couples—everyone needs their space
  • Pool: Yes, even in winter. New Orleans weather is mild.

Holiday Planning Tips

Book Early

Holiday rentals book 6-12 months ahead. Thanksgiving and NYE are especially competitive.

Restaurant Reservations

For Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and NYE dinner—book 2+ months in advance. Popular spots fill fast.

Weather

  • Thanksgiving: Usually 50s-60s. Pack layers.
  • Christmas: 40s-60s. Occasionally warm enough for pool.
  • New Year’s: 40s-60s. Bring a jacket for late nights.

Grocery Delivery

  • Instacart and Shipt deliver in New Orleans
  • Rouses is the best local grocery chain
  • Stock up before the holiday—stores close

Budget Expectations (Per Person, 4 Days)

Style What You Get
Budget ($350-450) Good rental split many ways, mostly cooking at house
Mid-range ($600-800) Nice rental, mix of cooking and dining out
Splurge ($1000-1500) Best rental, fancy restaurant dinners, all the extras

Excludes flights

Why It’s Worth It

Nobody remembers the Thanksgiving where everything went smoothly at someone’s house. They remember the year you all went to New Orleans.

Holidays are about being together. New Orleans just gives you a better backdrop for it.

Book Your Holiday Gathering

For holiday groups of 11-30: