Beauregard-Keyes House in Holiday Trim
December 4-30, except 12/25
10am - 3pm Monday - Saturday, Close at noon on December 13, 24, 31
1113 Chartres St
$5, $4 for Students & seniors, $3 for children 6-12
Step into Christmas past for a look at the House in Venetian style trim. Dressed in greenery velvet ribbons and lace, hourly tours include the 1826 house, Frances Parkinson Keyes' doll collection, folk costumes, and fans.

Breakfast with Santa
December 7, 14, 21
10am - 2pm
Bourbon Orleans Hotel, 717 Orleans St.
504.571.4631
www.bourbonorleans.com
$20 Adults, $12 Child (12 and Under), Children2yr & under are Free
December 7, 14, 21 Bring your family to have Breakfast with Santa and enjoy a wonderful breakfast buffet featuring scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, blueberry pancakes, mini waffles, donuts, muffins, hot chocolate, and more. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling Judy at 504.571.4631. All major credit cards accepted. Pictures with Santa available.

Café Beignet Celebrates the Holidays in Musical Legends Park
December 1 - 31
8am daily
311 Bourbon Street, Musical Legends Park
www.cafebeignet.com
Musical Legends Park celebrates New Orleans' "joie de vie". We love our music and stories as much as we love our city. Gather with locals over Café au lait and Beignets or a meal at our Café Beignet. December 6th features live music and a visit from the "Legend" in the Red Velvet Suit! 10am-noon & 1pm-3pm.

Caroling in Jackson Square
December 21
6pm, caroling at 7pm - 8pm
Jackson Square
504-523-7047
www.patioplanters.org
This is a Free event
Join in a truly moving 62-year-old tradition as Jackson Square brims with candlelight faces and song-lit spirits as high as the spires of the St. Louis Cathedral. Led by Patio Planters, the Social and Garden Club of the French Quarter. Candles and song sheets provided. Gates open at 6p and caroling begins promptly at 7p. For more information, call (504)523.7047 or visit www.patioplanters.org. Free and open to the public.

Cathedral Christmas Concerts
December 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22 & 23
6pm
St. Louis Cathedral at Jackson Square
504-522-5730

This is a Free event
Local choirs and New Orleans artists herald the season with nightly concerts of Christmas carols and gospel favorites in one of the country's most historic churches. The ecumenical celebration will make Christmas New Orleans Style one of your treasured memories.

Chef's Holiday Cooking Demonstrations
December 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 20
Weekdays at 3pm & Weekends at 10am
The Shops at Canal Place & Williams-Sonoma
504-522-5730
Free
Learn the secrets of local cuisine from the chefs who make New Orleans the culinary capital of the world! Acclaimed chefs from throughout the area share their favorite recipes at free cooking demonstrations and samplings that are guaranteed to spice up your holidays. Brought to you by Williams-Sonoma and the Shops at Canal Place. Space is limited, so come early! Demos start at 3p and last about 45 minutes.

Christmas Day at St. Louis Cathedral
December 25
9am & 11am
St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square at Chartres St
504-525-9585
Free
On Christmas Day, Masses will be held at 9am and 11am.

Christmas Eve at St. Louis Cathedral
December 24
St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square at Chartres St
504-525-9585
Free
Come celebrate, as we have for generations, by capping off your Christmas Eve with the pageantry of the traditional Midnight Mass. Doors open at 11:15pm. Christmas carols, with the St. Louis Cathedral Concert Choir, begin at 11:30p. Vigil Mass at 5pm on the 24th. Christmas carols with the St. Louis Cathedral Boy choir begin at 4:30p. On Christmas Day, Masses will be at 9am and 11am.

Celebration in the Oaks
November 28 - December 30
Sunday - Thursday, 6pm - 10pm, Friday 6pm -11pm
City Park
504-483-9415
www.celebrationintheoaks.com
$6 per person, children under 3 free
A month long holiday show featuring millions of twinkling lights throughout the Botanical Garden and Amusement Park. This year's premier family holiday tradition will include our new ‘Very Merry Maze', Dinobration, and a spectacular dancing light show. The historic carousel and train will complete your holiday experience. Fun for all ages!

Children's Holiday Cooking Workshop
December 22
1pm - 3pm
Hermann-Grima House - 820 St. Louis St
504-525-5661
www.hgghh.org
$25
19th-century culinary and visual delights await! Children bake, decorate, and enjoy old-fashioned holiday treats in the fully-restored 1830's kitchen at the Hermann-Grima House. Participants will also have a chance to explore this National Historic Landmark in all of its holiday grandeur. Come dressed to cook! Advance reservations required. For children 8 to 12 years of age.

Children's Winter Wonderland
December 13
420 Julia St at Louisiana Children's Museum
504-523-1357
www.lcm.org
$7 for nonmembers, free for members
Drop in throughout the month of December to help decorate a giant gingerbread village and enjoy other holiday activities. On December 13, enjoy Winter Wonderland, a special day of gingerbread cookie decorating, story times exploring different holiday traditions, choirs singing and festive backdrops for family photos. Standard admission for all events. Please visit www.lcm.org or call 504-523-1357 for more information.

Christmas Day "Jingling Through the Crescent"
December 25
10am -12:30pm
Departs from the Marriott Hotel @ 555 Canal St
800-535-7786 / 504-569-1401
www.graylineneworleans.com
Give yourself a holiday treat with a fully narrated tour of New Orleans! This motor coach tour covers the French Quarter, Esplanade Avenue, City Park, Lake Pontchartrain, St Charles Avenue, and the elegant Garden District decorated for the holidays. Advance guaranteed reservation required - call early.

Christmas Eve "Bonfire Adventure"
December 24
3pm-9pm
The Lighthouse at Toulouse St and the Mississippi River
800-535-7786 / 504-569-1401
www.graylineneworleans.com
Celebrate a time honored Louisiana tradition! This adventure includes a narrated motor coach tour, a guided tour of a River Road Plantation, a "Cajun Country" dinner, and viewing the bonfires that light the way for Papa Noel (our Cajun Santa Claus). Some walking necessary. Advance guaranteed reservations required - call early.

Christmas Eve on the Steamboat N NATCHEZ
December 24
Boarding opens at 6:30pm, Sailing 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Toulouse Street and the Mississippi River - Toulouse Street Wharf, Adjacent to Jax Brewery
504-586-8777 / 800-233-2628
www.steamboatnatchez.com
Celebrate under the stars of the Mississippi River. Enjoy our Steamboat Jazz Trio, holiday décor, festive holiday buffet and a beer, wine, and select open bar. From the heart of the French Quarter, our authentic steamboat takes you back to the holidays of New Orleans in the 1800's. Reservations required!

Creole Christmas
Friday, December 26 & Saturday, December 27
Tours start at 10:30am & 12:30pm both days
523 St. Ann St
504-523-3939
www.friendsofthecabildo.org
$15 per person, $12 Senior, Kids, FOC members
Take a walk with the friends of the Cabildo to visit three historic houses dressed in Creole Christmas decorations, followed by the Creole Christmas Story and refreshments.

Lives Remembered: Photographs of a Small Town in Poland 1897-1939
September 27, 2008 - January 11, 2009
9am-5pm
The National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine St
504-527-6012
www.nationalww2museum.org
$14 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, $6 for active military (with ID) and children under 12, Free for military in uniform, for children under 5 and Museum Members
This solemn exhibition illustrates Jewish life in Europe before the Holocaust through reproduction of more than 100 photographs of the small town of Szczuczyn, Poland. On loan from the Holocaust Museum and supplemented by Jewish artifacts from the Museum's collection, the exhibit puts a face on the millions of men, women, and children who perished in the Holocaust.

French Quarter Holiday Home & Patio Tour
December 21
2 pm - 4:30pm
Various addresses, Maps given with tickets
504-524-9595
www.patioplanters.org
$15
Savor the holiday spirit as Patio Planters, the Social and Garden Club of the Vieux Carre, present five beautiful French Quarter residences/patios dressed for the season. Features include interesting architectural styles and home furnishings as well as a variety of collections of Christmas decorations plus a visit from Papa Noel. The tour is a prelude to the highly anticipated, 62nd annual Caroling in Jackson Square later in the evening.

Gingerbread Junction
December 6 & 7

420 Julia St at Louisiana Children's Museum
504-523-1357
www.lcm.org
Build fond memories and construct a distinctive gingerbread house at a festive workshop that is fun for the entire family. Plus, catch the holiday spirit with seasonal arts and crafts, music and more. Workshop space is limited and advance reservations are suggested. Call (504)523.1357 or visit www.lcm.org for workshop times, fees and information.

Happy New Year! A Holiday Celebration
December 8 - January 6
Tours take place Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10am, 11am
Hermann-Grima House - 820 St. Louis Street
504-525-5661
$10
www.hgghh.org
We invite you and your family to come experience the indulgences of a 19th-century New Year's celebration at the Hermann-Grima House. The beautifully restored house museum, dressed in its holiday finery awaits you. Guided tours offer a wealth of sensory delights that recall the rich traditions of New Years' days past. Cooking demonstrations using traditional holiday recipes will be held on Thursdays throughout the month of December (free with regular admission.)

Historical Characters "Louisiana Living History Project"
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until Christmas
11am - 3pm
504-948-0323
www.fqfi.org
Free
The Crescent City's grand history comes alive this holiday season with guests from the past. Join these guests from the past for special presentations as they re-create the local traditions and customs of earlier times. Engaging performances really bring to life the music, humor, dance, and storytelling of New Orleans' past. Each stroll begins daily at 11a inside the Hotel Monteleone. The Historical Characters will then take to the streets of the elegant French Quarter and stroll along Decatur, Royal, and Chartres streets. Each stroll will conclude at 3 p.m., where the characters will gather inside Jackson Square. Inclement weather plan - the historical characters will stroll the Riverwalk and The Shops at Canal Place. For more information about the Historical Characters please visit http://www.anewmuse.com/CHARACTERS.htm

HNOC Holiday Home and Courtyard Tour
December 2 - 30
Tuesday - Saturday, 10am, 11am, 2pm, and 3pm
533 Royal St
504-523-4662
www.hnoc.org
$5 (tours only, no admission for the Shop or exhibitions)
Visit the festively decorated residence and courtyard of General and Mrs. L. Kemper Williams, founders of the Historic New Orleans Collection. Browse through The Shop at The Collection for unique gift items on your holiday list. For more information call (504).523.4662 or go to www.hnoc.org.

Holiday Tea & Tour at Longue Vue House & Gardens
December 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, & 30
1:30pm - 3:30pm
7 Bamboo Rd
504-488-5488x339
www.longuevue.com
$30
A perfect prelude to the holidays! Take a tour of the decorated home, enjoy a festive tea with friends, listen to lovely holiday sounds and find your entire holiday gift needs in the Shop at Longue Vue. Reservations are required and space is limited, so reserve your seat today!

Judith Owen & Harry Shearer's Holiday Sing-A-Long with Special Guests
Saturday, December 20, 2008
3:00pm and 8:00pm
Contemporary Arts Center - 900 Camp St., New Orleans
504-528-3800 (box office)
www.cacno.org
$20 general admission. $18 students & seniors. $15 CAC members.
The CAC presents actor/comedian Harry Shearer (The Simpsons, Le Show) and his wife, acclaimed singer/songwriter/humorist Judith Owen, in an evening of holiday mirth. The evening unites Christmas-lovers and Scrooges alike, in traditional and non-traditional holiday music, part performance, part sing-along. Both reverent and irreverent...a perfect seasonal kick-off.

Kids' New Year's Eve Party
December 31
9:30am - 2:30pm; Countdown at noon
Louisiana Children's Museum - 420 Julia St
504-523-1357
www.lcm.org
$8 for nonmembers, $2 for members
The Louisiana Children's Museum's New Year's Eve Party is back! The Museum celebrates with a countdown to noon, a confetti drop and a balloon launch. Paper bag party hats, bow ties, and live music add to the festivities. Please call 504.523.137 for more information or visit www.lcm.org.

Merriment on Magazine Street
December 1 - 24
10am - 5pm
700 - 6100 block of Magazine St.
504-342-4435
www.magazinestreet.com
This is a Free event
Visit Magazine Street for a unique shopping experience and to find everything you will need for the holidays. Join us December 1 through the 18th to sign up for a chance to win gift certificates. Celebrate on Magazine Street Saturday, December 20, with free refreshments and entertainment Go to www.magazinestreet.com for more information.

New Year's Eve on the Steamboat NATCHEZ
December 31
Boarding opens at 9:30pm, Sailing 10:30pm - 12:30am
Toulouse Street and the Mississippi River - Toulouse Street Wharf, Adjacent to Jax Brewery
504-586-8777 / 800-233-2628
www.steamboatnatchez.com
Your favorite New Years' memory! Enjoy good food, good spirits, dancing to renowned band "IVY", party favors, and the best seat in town for the community-sponsored midnight Fireworks Show. Docked in the French Quarter, our authentic steamboat and its terrific crew will make this night one to remember. Reservations required!

A NOLA New Year's Eve
December 31
9 pm- 12 midnight
Jackson Square in the French Quarter
985- 630-4604
This is a Free event
www.crescentcitycountdown.com
The Crescent City Countdown Club will present the traditional New Year's Eve festivities in the New Orleans French Quarter including live local music and a gumbo pot drop to launch the midnight barrage of fireworks over the mighty Mississippi River. Please call (985) 630-4604 for more information or visit www.crescentcitycountdown.com. Admission is free and begins at 9 p.m.

PRCNO Holiday Home Tour 2008
December 13 & 14
10am - 4:30pm
1329 Jackson Ave, Trinity Episcopal Church
504-581-7032
www.prcno.org
$35
Tour seven of the most magnificent private homes in the Garden District at the 33rd annual Holiday Home Tour. The money raised from the tour will fund the PRC's Homeowner Assistance and Neighborhood Recovery Fund.

Reveillon, A Creole Dining Tradition
December 1 - 31
Various Restaurants throughout the city
Creole families of yesteryear celebrated this traditional dining custom twice during the holiday season - on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Today's Reveillon has been expanded to include various dates during December so that everyone can share in this special holiday meal. Menus have been adapted to combine ageless Creole cuisine with more contemporary New Orleans dishes, but the spirit of the past remains.

Recalling Reveillon Revelry
December 8 - January 6
Tours take place Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm & 3pm
Gallier House - 1132 Royal St
504-525-5661
www.hgghh.org
$10
We invite you to come experience the warmth and extravagance of a 19th-century Christmas Reveillon at the Gallier House Museum. The Christmas Reveillon meal, still enjoyed throughout the city today, is the celebratory feast held after Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Guided tours of the completely restored house offer a wealth of sensory delights that recall the rich traditions of the past. The Victorian splendor of the Gallier House welcomes you and your family to experience an old fashioned New Orleans' holiday celebration.

Riverview Room New Year's Eve Celebration, N.O. at its Best
December 31
9pm - 1am
600 Decatur St, Suite 400, 4th level of Jackson Brewery
504-525-3000 / 888-236-8260
www.riverviewroom.com
$160
Celebrate the arrival of the New Year in style at the elegant Riverview Room in Jackson Brewery, the center of the city's New Year's Eve festivities! Your reserved seats for this "Times Square of the South" celebration include a full buffet dinner, premium open bar, champagne, favors, music by the Top Cats, and great views of the midnight ball drop and fireworks. All seating is reserved and sells out every year, so please call early. Cocktail attire, black tie encouraged.

Royal Teddy Bear Tea
December 13 - 23
11am and 3pm, 2 seatings
Royal Sonesta Hotel, 300 Bourbon St
504-553-2205
www.sonesta.com
Royal Teddy Bear Tea offers children and adults a whimsical afternoon celebration featuring a full tea menu, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Christmas storytelling and holiday sing-a-longs. Special treats include a keepsake cup and Royal Teddy Bear. Transformed into a magical wonderland, the Royal Sonesta will be brimming with holiday cheer and festive decorations.

Santa Versus The Snowman in 3D
November 14 - December 31
Various showings throughout the day
Entergy IMAX Theatre - Canal Street at the Mississippi River
504-581-IMAX / 1-800-774-7394
www.AudubonInstitute.org
Adults $8.50, Children (2-12) $5.50, seniors (65+) $7.50
The story of a lonely Snowman who gets caught up by wonders of Santa's Village, only to wage war because of the attention Santa gets at Christmas time. A hilarious battle ensues with holiday defense mechanisms such as hot chocolate squirt guns, giant Igloo Robot Walkers, and a 50-foot tall soldier by Santa.

St. Louis Cathedral Annual Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 21
5:30pm - 6:45pm
St. Louis Cathedral at Jackson Square
504*525-9585
www.stlouiscathedral.org
This is a Free event
What: The St. Louis Cathedral Concert Choir and Orchestra present their Annual Christmas Concert under the direction or Mr. Dreaux Montegut. The event is free and open to the public and is followed by Caroling in the Square sponsored by Patio Planters.

Tea Party for the Dolls
Saturday, December 13
2pm - 3pm; doors open at 1:45pm
1113 Chartres St
504-523-7257
$5 Children and Parents
Boys and girls enjoy a Christmas tradition at the Beauregard-Keys House. Bring your doll or toy and take part in a sing-along, listen to a story in the elegant ballroom by the old-fashioned Christmas tree, see dolls "at tea" and a Victorian doll house. Parents tour house and all guests have refreshments & meet Santa Claus.

Tinsel and Tonics
December 2 - 19
514 Chartres St
504-565-8027
$5
www.pharmacymuseum.org
The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum will be in holiday dress for the Christmas season.

Vieux Carre Children's Tree
December 3
Eighth District Police Station, 334 Royal St.
504-522-5730
www.fqfi.org
This is a Free event
Share the holiday fun as children from the French Quarter Schools decorate the neighborhood tree with handmade ornaments. Christmas music adds to the festivities. Refreshments for children provided.