United States, North America

New Orleans in December

Celebration in the Oaks lights in City Park, bonfires on the levee upriver on Christmas Eve, and reveillon dinners in the Quarter. Good value.

GoodCool, highs near 64F (18C)

French Quarter New Orleans, United States — New OrleansPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

December is a good month to visit New Orleans. Celebration in the Oaks lights in City Park, bonfires on the levee upriver on Christmas Eve, and reveillon dinners in the Quarter. Good value.

Weather: Cool, highs near 64F (18C)
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What December is like in New Orleans

December is cool and festive. Highs are near 64F (18C), evenings are crisp, and the city decorates for the holidays. Crowds are light for most of the month and prices are good value. Celebration in the Oaks lights up City Park, and many restaurants in the Quarter serve special reveillon dinners.

It suits families, couples and food lovers who want a holiday trip with character and do not need warm weather. It is too cool for lounging outdoors, so plan around walks, meals and music. For warmer days and parades, come back in February or March.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about New Orleans this month.

Celebration in the Oaks

City Park fills with holiday lights among the old live oaks, an easy evening out with kids.

Reveillon dinners

Many restaurants in the Quarter serve special holiday menus that carry on an old Creole tradition.

Bonfires on the levee

On Christmas Eve, bonfires are lit along the levee upriver from the city, a Louisiana tradition worth the drive.

What to pack for December

A warm jacket for cool evenings
Layers for mild afternoons
Comfortable walking shoes
A dressy outfit for a reveillon dinner

Our timing tip

Book reveillon dinners early in the month, since the popular menus fill up well before Christmas.

Book New Orleans for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in New Orleans
Opens a hotel search for New Orleans in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
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Vacation rentals in New Orleans
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in New Orleans
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in New Orleans for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in New Orleans

Full guide

The National WWII Museum

Plan a full day; it is one of the best museums in the country. Weekday mornings are calmest.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

The French Quarter and Jackson Square

Walk it early before the day-trippers arrive. Royal Street by day, Frenchmen Street by night, and Bourbon Street only if you want to.

Tickets and tours →

St. Charles streetcar and the Garden District

Ride the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world past the mansions to Audubon Park. Cheap, slow, perfect.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Frenchmen Street music

The locals' answer to Bourbon Street: three blocks of clubs with live bands from early evening on.

Tickets and tours →

City Park and the New Orleans Museum of Art

Giant live oaks, the free sculpture garden, and beignets under the trees. Bigger than Central Park.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park

The French Quarter visitor center runs ranger talks, and the Barataria Preserve boardwalk puts you in a real swamp a short drive away.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

For Mardi Gras, the two weekends before the final weekend offer full parades at lower rates and thinner crowds.
Stay in the Marigny, Bywater, or Garden District instead of the Quarter. You get quieter nights and are still a streetcar or short ride from the action.
Do the Quarter, Cafe du Monde, and Jackson Square before 9am. By late morning, cruise-ship and day-trip crowds arrive.
November and early December deliver spring-quality weather at off-season prices. It is the smart-money window.

Know before you go

Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with the highest risk from late August through September. A named storm can trigger closures or evacuations; buy refundable rates and insurance for late summer trips.
During the final days of Mardi Gras, parade routes close streets for hours and traffic across Uptown and downtown can gridlock. Many businesses close on Fat Tuesday itself.
Many old-line restaurants and some small museums close one or two days a week, often Monday or Tuesday. Check before you plan a special dinner.
Crawfish season runs roughly January through June, peaking in spring. Come in fall and the boils are mostly off the menu.

New Orleans in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit New Orleans?

December is a good month to visit New Orleans. Celebration in the Oaks lights in City Park, bonfires on the levee upriver on Christmas Eve, and reveillon dinners in the Quarter. Good value.

What is the weather like in New Orleans in December?

Cool, highs near 64F (18C).

Is New Orleans crowded in December?

December is one of the quieter months in New Orleans; most sights can be done without long waits.