Free concerts will return to St. Louis Cathedral for Holidays New Orleans Style. Photo courtesy of French Quarter Festivals Inc.
Holidays New Orleans Style (HNOS) will return in 2021 with a series of free concerts at St. Louis Cathedral and, for the first time, at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, located in the Treme district. Jazz musicians, gospel choirs, classical ensembles and more will perform the sounds of the season with nearly three weeks of live performances.
A Christmas tree is lit at Oscar Dunn Park above Jackson Square throughout December.
Concerts at St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square take place at 6 p.m. on December 1, 5, 6, 13, and 15 with a special Christmas concert at 5:30 p.m. on December 19. Concerts at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 1313 Esplanade Ave., will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturdays, December 4, 11 and 18. All concerts are free and open to the public. Featured performers will include Susan Cowsill, The Zion Harmonizers, Vivaz Trio and Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes and the Louisiana Sunspots.
Wednesday December 1 6 pm-7pm | Susan Cowsill at Saint-Louis Cathedral
Saturday December 4, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. | Louis Ford and his flairs of New Orleans at St Anna’s Episcopal Church
Sunday December 5, 6-7 p.m. | The harmonizers of Sion at Saint-Louis cathedral
Monday December 6, 6-7 p.m. | Wanda Rouzan & Friends at Saint-Louis Cathedral
Saturday December 11 4 pm-5pm | Vivaz Trio at the Sainte-Anne episcopal church
Monday December 13, 6-7 p.m. | Original Tuxedo Jazz Band at St. Louis Cathedral
Wednesday December 15, 6-7 p.m. | Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots present a Creole Zydeco Christmas concert at Saint-Louis Cathedral
Saturday December 18, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. | Betty Winn and One Accord at St. Anna’s Episcopal Church
Throughout the season, HNOS will also be offering New Years Eve in over 25 of the city’s best restaurants, nearly 40 special holiday events, Santa Claus discounts provided affordable stays in the best hotels in town, and a purchase guide to guide gift givers through the many options at local retailers. The festivities began on November 10 with the decoration of Jackson Square and will continue until Twelfth Night on January 6, 2022, when the Joan of Arc’s Krewe parades in the French Quarter.
“We really can’t wait to kick off this season in a meaningful way in 2021.” said Emily Madero, President and CEO of French Quarter Festivals Inc. “Last year many of us weren’t able to celebrate together. This holiday season will be very special and we invite our locals and visitors to create new memories by enjoying all that Holidays New Orleans Style has to offer.
Below are other events taking place in the New Orleans area through the end of December. To verify ShiftedLive music listings for updates on holiday-themed concerts.
UNTIL JANUARY 2
City Park’s biggest fundraiser, Celebration in the Oaks presented by Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust, is the New Orleans family holiday tradition. This incredible festival of light has enchanted visitors to the park since the 1980s and is essential to the upkeep, upkeep and beautification of the park year-round.
Looking for the perfect holiday event? Look no further than JAMNOLA. As the holidays are in full swing, the JAMNOLA team have announced new additions to their 12-room exhibit from December through January 2, 2021.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 16 – SUNDAY DECEMBER 19
Arts New Orleans’ LUNA Party 2021 is presented by the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and New Orleans & Company offers a fresh take on partying, exploring a new location in New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Pedestrian Park. Celebrating Earth and Space, science and scientists who share their secrets, the eighth edition of the festival remains free and open to the public.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 17 – WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 22 and SATURDAY DECEMBER 25 – FRIDAY DECEMBER 30
Christmas, a dazzling, family-friendly seasonal event, offers your group the perfect opportunity to soak up the holiday spirit, have some fun and some joy. Discover a real indoor skating rink, ice slides, carnival rides, Santa Claus and his friends, gingerbread houses, decorated trees and more inside the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 18
Handmade wreaths will be auctioned off at Wacky Crown Festival at the Abita Springs Hotel at 7:00 p.m. in Abita Springs.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 21 and WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 22
Visit The Sazerac House and sparkle spirits throughout the month of December with cocktail-focused pairings, tastings and seminars that will be a part of your holiday traditions for years to come.
