NEW ORLEANS – The region’s favorite indoor holiday extravaganza NOLA ChristmasFest, presented by Coca-Cola, returns for its 10th anniversary and offers a variety of new activities and returning traditions over ten days of celebration. From Dec. 21 to Dec. 30, NOLA ChristmasFest brings the North Pole to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Families, friends and neighbors can explore the magic and festivities of the holidays at NOLA ChristmasFest in true New Orleans style.
“This year’s anniversary is momentous for NOLA ChristmasFest and for the Convention Center as a cornerstone holiday celebration for the Greater New Orleans community. As a special thanks to our patrons and guests for making NOLA ChristmasFest a part of their annual holiday tradition for ten years now, we are happy to present special anniversary ‘daily delights and festive programming,’ that enhance the sweetness of this year’s celebration,” said Michael J. Sawaya, Convention Center President and CEO.
10th Anniversary Exclusive Surprises and Special Programming:
- Dec. 21: Opening Day & Coca-Cola Giveaway (limited supply). Watch Saints versus Rams at the Polar Pub 7:15 p.m.
- Dec. 22: Skating with Santa (additional ticket required) 9:30 a.m., PJs with a DJ Dance Party 7:30 p.m. at the Holiday Stage
- Dec. 23: Mini-Christmas Parades at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Concert: Victory Belles 12:30 p.m. at the Holiday Stage
- Dec. 25: Mini-Toy Giveaway for kids under 12 years old.
- Dec. 26: Hot Cocoa Giveaway hosted by Sodexo Live (limited supply)
- Dec. 27: To be announced
- Dec. 28: Date Night Holiday Concert
- Dec. 29: PJs with a DJ Dance Party 7:30 p.m. at the Holiday Stage
- Dec. 30: Mini-Christmas Parades at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Returning and Enhanced Favorites:
NOLA ChristmasFest is bringing back a winter wonderland of indoor excitement and memorable experiences, including the popular Skating with Santa on a redesigned rink, expanded ice bocce lanes, almost 300,000 square feet of carnival rides for all ages, tasty holiday delights, cocktails at the Polar Pub, visits with Santa and friends, a gingerbread village, Big Freezy Ice Slides, heartwarming performances and Big Blast Blizzard thrill rides.
Tickets, Hours and Awareness:
Tickets provide guests with a block of time to enjoy. Most days include a morning and an afternoon session. Each session is 4.5 hours in length, except on Christmas Day. Morning sessions are 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and afternoon sessions are 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec 21: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Dec 22: Skating with Santa from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., general admission 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Dec 23: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Dec 24 – Christmas Eve: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Dec 25 – Christmas Day: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Dec 26 – Dec. 30: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Guests may purchase $25 tickets for weekdays and $30 tickets for Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are sold exclusively online at Plan Your Visit – Nola Christmasfest and are valid for a single admission on the specific day and session selected. A separate ticket is required to join Santa and his friends on the rink for the exclusive Skating with Santa on Dec. 22.
Reserved parking is highly recommended and can be booked in advance through ParkMobile.
A parent or guardian is required for admission of guests under 18. NOLA ChristmasFest 2023 is a credit card-only event, including ticket purchases and onsite concessions. For more information about NOLA ChristmasFest 2023, anniversary programming and a full schedule of events and activities, visit nolachristmasfest.com.
About the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC)
New Orleans is Built to Host! With 1.1 million square feet of prime exhibit space on one level, all under one roof, NOENMCC is the sixth largest Convention Center in the United States and provides the largest single exhibit space in the country. NOENMCC is a 2023 IAVM Venue Excellence recipient and is consistently named a regional top workplace by The Times- Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. Our recent LEED Gold certification makes NOENMCC the largest LEED-certified project in Louisiana and the largest convention center project in the U.S. certified under LEED v4.1 Operations and Maintenance, as well as the first convention center in the world to be awarded initial certification under LEED Gold v4.1 O+M. A leading contributor to the city’s robust tourism economy, NOENMCC event activity has produced $90.1 billion in economic impact since its 1985 opening.
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