34th Annual Christmas New Orleans Style Kermit Ruffins’ Kickoff to Christmas rings in the season

As New Orleans’ Tricentennial draws to a close, French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) proudly announces details regarding the 34th annual Christmas New Orleans Style (CNOS), an annual collaboration between FQFI and the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC).

Throughout December, CNOS 2018 will offer Reveillon feasts at over 50 of the city’s finest restaurants, 65 special holiday events including more than a dozen free concerts produced by FQFI, and Papa Noël hotel deals for all budgets. The month-long celebration begins on Friday, November 30 with Kermit Ruffins’ Kickoff to Christmas, a free event from 5:30-7:30pm at Washington Artillery Park that includes a performance by the Roots of Music. Produced in partnership with French Market Corporation (FMC), the night begins with FMC’s annual tree lighting and culminates in fireworks sponsored by The Berger Company and Hand Surgical Associates.

“What a fitting way to close out the Tricentennial of New Orleans but with the most authentic and family friendly of holiday celebrations,” said Mark Romig, president and CEO of New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation. “Christmas New Orleans Style brings together both locals and visitors alike to enjoy all of what our great city has to offer, especially during the holiday season. Whether it’s the many Revellion dinners, concerts, shopping, or the annual French Market tree lighting, no one quite does the holidays quite like New Orleans.”

CNOS ends on Twelfth Night, January 6th, 2019 when the Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc parades in the French Quarter and Phunny Phorty Phellows board the St. Charles Avenue streetcar to herald the start of Carnival. Other events include: nightly excursions through the magnificent lighting display at City Park’s Celebration in the Oaks; Audubon Zoo Lights presented by Children’s Hospital; ice skating, gingerbread houses, and carnival rides at NOLA ChristmasFest; historical characters strolling in the French Quarter; caroling in Jackson Square; holiday steamboat cruises; theatrical and musical performances; special tours of private homes dressed in holiday finery; a Christmas parade down Canal Street; Reindeer Run for children; and a second-line for neighborhood students led by the Outlet Collection at Riverwalk’s Singing Santa & the Riverwalk Jazz Band. Dozens of activities are planned, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy incredible dining, shopping, and culture.

Christmas New Orleans Style celebrates New Orleans’ rich musical heritage with jazz musicians, gospel choirs, classical ensembles, and others performing the sounds of the season with concerts at St. Louis Cathedral located in Jackson Square and St. Augustine Church located in historic Treme.Concerts at St. Louis Cathedral take place at 6 p.m. on December 3-6 and 9-13. Another concert, the annual St. Louis Cathedral Basilica Holiday Concert takes place Sunday, December 16 at 5:30 p.m., prior to Caroling in Jackson Square. Concerts at St. Augustine take place at 4pm on Saturday, December 1, 8, and 15. Enjoy performances from Magnolia Sisters, Leroy Jones, Shannon Powell, The Iguanas, Shades of Praise, and many more. FQFI president and CEO Emily Madero said, “These concerts support our mission to showcase our unique culture and heritage. We’re proud of the diverse lineup that represents 300 years of history, with genres ranging from Cajun to Gospel and Latin to Jazz!”

All concerts are free and open to the public. For a complete schedule visit fqfi.org.

Reveillon, an adaptation of a traditional Creole holiday dining custom, will be celebrated nightly in over 50 restaurants throughout the city. Reveillon menus are offered only once a year, making CNOS the only time guests can enjoy this authentic taste of New Orleans. Menus showcase the feasts of Christmas past, present, and future: Four Reveillon restaurants – Antoine’s, Galatoire’s, Commander’s Palace, and Tujague’s – are more than 100 years old and feature classic Creole cuisine. Contemporary Reveillon utilizes preparation techniques and products of the modern day not necessarily available to the original Creoles and is available at The Country Club, Muriel’s Jackson Square, and dozens more restaurants. New in 2018 is B’Reveillon (brunch) at Brennan’s, Cavan, Curio, Kingfish Kitchen & Cocktails, Sylvain, and The Rib Room. Also new is Petite Reveillon (small plates) served at Meauxbar Bistro, River 127 at The Westin Canal Place, Roux Carre, and The Rib Room. Other new Reveillon participants include: Bar Frances, Boucherie, Café Amelie, Emeril’s New Orleans, Gabrielle’s, GW Fins, Jayne, Longway Tavern, Messina’s at The Terminal, and River 127 at The Westin.

The Reveillon dinner has been celebrated in homes and restaurants all over New Orleans since the 1850s. Local bartenders also capture the spirit of Reveillon, one-sip-at-a-time with festive cocktails. Beginning December 1st and continuing until the last toast on New Year’s Eve, and at some spots lasting through Twelfth Night (January 6th), more than 20 bars and restaurants will say “Cheers to the Holiday Season!”

Christmas New Orleans Style serves up a series of cooking demonstrations from many of New Orleans’ finest chefs. FQFI, NOTMC, and WWL-TV team up to bring the “12 Days of Reveillon.” For three weeks in December (12/7-24), WWL-TV will showcase New Orleans’ great chefs, preparing items from their 2018 Reveillon menus each morning between 8 and 9 a.m. Chefs include: Juan Carlos (SoBou), Anthony Scanio (Emeril’s Delmonico), and Tenney Flynn (GW Fins). The Holiday Cooking Demonstrations are sponsored by Louisiana Cookin’ Magazine.

Christmas New Orleans Style gives the gift of a memorable holiday encounter that can only be experienced in New Orleans. Travelers can take advantage of special offers at more than 60 of the city’s finest hotels and bed and breakfasts that feature attractive nightly Papa Noël discounted rates and luxurious value packages to visitors as their gift of the season. New this year is a package offered at all New Orleans-area Hilton hotels offering guests an exclusive VIP experience at Celebration in the Oaks and discounted Reveillon meals. Other new participants include The Eliza Jane, Jung Hotel, New Orleans Marriott, and Renaissance New Orleans.

For complete Christmas New Orleans Style information and schedules, or to request a guidebook, visit fqfi.org.

Christmas New Orleans Style 2018 is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. in collaboration with New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation. French Quarter Festivals, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to drive economic impact through investing in New Orleans unique cultural industries. FQFI also produces French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron (April) and Satchmo SummerFest presented by Chevron (August).