That’s right, we’ve got a week left until Thanksgiving and the holidays are here!
Here are our weekend picks for kicking off your holiday season:
Fri. Nov. 22, 2019
What: French Market Tree Lighting Ceremony
When: 5-7 p.m.
Where: Washington Artillery Park across from Jackson Square
Price: Free
Kick off the holiday season in the French Quarter with the lighting of the tree across from Jackson Square. Festivities start at 5 p.m. with entertainment from the National Park Service Arrowhead Jazz Band and a performance by the Heritage School of Music before the official lighting at 7 p.m. Click here for more details.
What: Crescent City Sport opening reception
When: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: The Historic New Orleans Collection
Price: Free
“Crescent City Sport: Stories of Courage and Change” tells 20 tales of athletic prowess that have shaped our local community on and off the field. The stories include the first women to play at the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club, the formation and integration of the Sugar Bowl, and New Orleans Saints’ return after Hurricane Katrina. There will also be narratives from rowing, sailing, boxing, baseball, basketball, roller derby, horse racing, and cycling, all of which have played a part in New Orleans’s history since the Civil War. Click here for more information.
Sat. Nov. 23, 2019
What: Congo Square 30th Anniversary Celebration & Fundraiser
When: 6-10 p.m.
Where: Ashe’ CAC
Price: $30
Drummers, dancers, a drum ensemble, food, photographers and artists will be showcasing their work at this celebration of one of New Orleans’ most historical sites. Click here for more information.
What: Jingle Bells and Beer: Celebration in the Oaks
When: 7-10 p.m.
Where: New Orleans City Park
Price: $40
Get to see the lights at City Park before Celebration in the Oaks opens to the public at this adults-only party. Guests can experience all the rides within City Park’s Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, under the beautiful lights of Celebration in the Oaks. Domestic and craft beers will be available to sample throughout the amusement park. Bonus points if you wear your favorite ugly Christmas sweater. Click here for tickets.
Sun. Nov. 24, 2019
What: Draw-a-thon 2019
When: ends at 6:30 a.m.
Where: the Green Project
Price: Free
You’ll have to get up early for this one! This annual event starts 6:30 a.m. Saturday and ends 24-hours later on Sunday. Visitors can come and go at any time, draw on the walls and floor which are covered with paper and cardboard or participate in one of the many artist led workshops held throughout the day. Draw-a-Thon’s drawing-centered workshops are designed for participants of any skill level and include bookmaking, mailable art, recycled paper making, screen printing, interactive sculptures created from repurposed materials, a live figure drawing workshop, animation, drawing game shows, drawing karaoke, and the signature Draw-a-Tron 3000, a machine that can draw anything you want. Click here for more information.
What: St. Catherine’s Day Hat Parade
When: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Pleasant Street and St. Charles Avenue
Price: Free
In Paris, women celebrate St. Catherine’s Day by donning hats, drinking champagne and parading in the street. We’re good at all those things in New Orleans, so the St. Catherine’s Day Hat Parade is a natural. The parade is open to women and girls of all ages; men and boys are, as always, welcome to tag along. Click here for more information.
