From Metairie to Marrero, Jefferson Parish has plenty of holiday fun for families to enjoy during the 2024 Christmas season.?
Here's a look at everything that's planned so far:?
HOLIDAY LIGHTS
CHRISTMAS AT LAFRENIERE PARK:?The annual family-friendly light show and decorations will run Dec. 1-30 at the park, 3000 Downs Blvd. in Metairie. Hours for Sunday-Thursday are 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and for Friday-Saturday are 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Admission is $10 per vehicle.?
KENNER’S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS VILLAGE:?The lights display will run Dec. 1-31, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Heritage Park, 2015 Fourth St., in Kenner. Admission is free. Vendors and entertainment, music, food, arts, crafts and an appearance from Santa Claus will be available every Friday and Saturday. Be part of the opening night at Christmas Village for the Elvis My Way concert featuring Brandon Bennett 6 p.m. Dec. 1. Arrive early to catch the tree lighting at 5:30 p.m.?
LIGHTING OF THE OAKS: The City of Waggaman lights its 200-year-old Live oaks at Thomas Jefferson Park at 6 p.m. Dec. 1. The lights will be on every night through Epiphany on Jan. 6.?
PICNIC UNDER THE LIGHTS:?Reserve a personal bubble tent to dine under the lights on Huey P. Long Avenue while being protected from the weather. Available Thursday-Sunday in December between 6-10 p.m. Cost $75-$100 depending on size of the tent. Call 504-363-1580 for reservations.
PARADES
GRETNA CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING & PARADE:?Santa will parade down Huey P. Long Avenue and 5th Street to light the tree. There will be refreshments and treats for kids, plus the German-American Cultural Center will have pretzels, brats and beer for sale. Runs 5-7:30 p.m. Dec. 1. Find the route map here.?
CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL HOLIDAY PARADE:?The parade will be held Dec. 7 at 11 a.m., starting at the French Market with an extended route through downtown. It will feature 30 holiday-themed floats, helium balloons and more than a dozen dancing groups and marching bands.?
HARAHAN CHRISTMAS PARADE:?The annual event starts at noon Dec. 14 at the intersection of Hord Street and Jefferson Highway, proceeding in the westbound lanes of Jefferson Highway and disbanding at Folse Street.
SPECIAL EVENTS
RINGING IN THE ARTS 2023:?The outdoor evening of fine art and entertainment in downtown historic Gretna will be held Dec. 7, 5 p.m., at Gretna Market Place, 300 Huey P. Long Ave. Free. Wine/champagne will be for sale in “bottomless” wine glasses.?
CHRISTMAS IN LAFRENIERE PARK RUN/WALK:?The Crescent City Classic will hold a holiday two-mile run/walk on Dec. 7, 4 p.m., at Lafreniere Park, 3000 Downs Blvd. in Metairie. The course goes through the annual lights display. The event includes hot cocoa, visits with Santa and holiday costume contests. Participants get complimentary entry into both the Christmas in the Park Lights Driving Tour and the Walking Tour before gates open to the public. General registration is $30, until after Nov. 30 then it will be $35. Children 3-10 are $5 off, and 2 and under are free.?
LIGHTS ON THE LAKE:?Pontchartrain Conservancy's family-friendly celebration will be Dec. 14, 5 p.m., at the New Canal Lighthouse, 8001 Lakeshore Drive in New Orleans. The West End Boat Parade is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The event will include hands-on activities for the kids, food trucks, stilt walkers, choirs and dancing performances. Admission is $10 (free for children 5 and under).?
MUSIC, CONCERTS AND SING-ALONGS
MARINE FORCES RESERVE BAND:?The free concert, to be held Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m., at Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Drive, in Metairie, includes arts and crafts and kids’ activities, caroling, a tree lighting ceremony and an appearance by Santa. Reservations suggested.?
CHRISTMAS WITH THE KING: Elvis impersonator Brandon Bennett brings Elvis My Way, a free concert, to Kenner's Heritage Park, 2015 Fourth Street in Rivertown, at 6 p.m. Dec. 1.?
BAND OF EXCELLENCE CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office invites the best student musicians to perform a free concert in front of the Christmas tree at Huey P. Long Avenue and 6th Street from 7-8 p.m. Dec. 14.?
“HEAVENLY ROSE”:?The Jefferson Chorale, an affiliate of JPAS, will present free concerts under the direction of Louise Labruyere on Dec. 8, 4 p.m., at St. Agnes Church, 3310 Jefferson Highway in Jefferson and on Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m., at Good Shepherd Church, 5122 W. Esplanade in New Orleans.
LIGHT OF THE STABLE:?Divine Mercy Catholic Parish will host a free “Night of Christmas Music & Mission” on Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m., a holiday concert in the church sanctuary, 4337 Sal Lentini Parkway in Kenner. Festivities continue outdoors in Mercy Square with candlelit caroling led by the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School Choir and more. Santa will be on hand, and kids can take a ride on the Polar Express Train. https://divinemercyparish.org/lightofthestable.
ARETHA FRANKLIN CHRISTMAS SHOW: Rechell Cook rings in the season with the tunes of Aretha Franklin from 8-10 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Gretna Cultural Center for the Arts, 740 4th St. Buy tickets at gretnacca.com or by calling 504-331-1838.?
HERB ALPERT & LANI HALL - A CHRISTMAS WISH: The legendary Brazilian music performers and husband-and-wife team will sing favorites of the season along with?an eclectic mix of American standards, Brazilian jazz, some Beatles, some classic Tijuana Brass & Brazil '66 songs. Concert is 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Drive in Metairie.?
HOLIDAY PRODUCTIONS
"THE NUTCRACKER": The Jefferson Performing Arts Society production of the classic holiday ballet will be performed Dec. 21-22, 2 p.m., at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Drive, in Metairie. Tickets start at $30. www.jeffersonpac.com.
"IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE Y'ALL:"?Ricky Graham original play based on the holiday movie classic – New Orleans style! Runs through December at 7:30 Fridays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays at Kenner's Rivertown Theater for the Performing Arts.?
"ELF JR. THE MUSICAL:"?Based on the movie "Elf," the musical features songs by Tony Award-nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, with a book by Tony Award-winners, Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin. Runs 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays at?Westwego Performing Arts Theatre,?177 A-Sala Avenue. Tickets start at $35.?
FOOD AND FUNDRAISERS
COVENANT HOUSE LUNCHEON:?St. Rita Cascia Catholic Church in Harahan and the Knights of Columbus Marquette Council are seeking donations of prepared items for the annual Christmas Day luncheon for teens at Covenant House New Orleans. The luncheon serves approximately 180 residents of the house, which provides safe, stable housing to homeless and many trafficked teens, as well as to their young children. Those interested in donating should call or text Eddie Rafidi at (504) 382-0389 or Kelley Rafidi at (504) 382-7651.
JINGLE BELL BRUNCH: The East Jefferson YMCA will host a fundraising brunch on Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at Copeland Tower Ballroom, 2601 Severn Ave. in Metairie. The event includes live music, food, mimosas and Blood Marys, a silent auction, cash games, a headpiece contest and the 12 gifts of Christmas. Attire is holiday glam. Tickets start at $35.?
SIPPING WITH SANTA: Annual fundraiser for the Kenner Food Bank features a festive night at?Chateau Golf and Country Club from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 3 with holiday-flavored martinis, assorted wines, and delectable hors d’oeuvres. Includes pics with Santa and a Secret Shopping Village. Tickets start at $60.?
PHOTOS WITH SANTA
SANTA AT LAKESIDE:?Santa Claus will be available for photo ops with children in the Lakeside Shopping Center's center court daily through Dec. 24, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. See Lakeside's website for package prices or to book an appointment.
SANTA IN GENTILLY:?Santa is holding three chances for kids to get their pictures this year. He’ll be at Backatown Nola on Basin Street on Dec. 8 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m, SMGlam Bar on Dec.15 from noon to 3 p.m, and at Emline Store on Dec. 21 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and again on Dec. 23 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments must be booked in advance. Check @gentillysanta for information.?
PET PHOTOS WITH SANTA: Metairie Humane will host three opportunities for children and pets to take pictures with Santa Claus: Dec. 1, 1-4 p.m., at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 6017 Camphor St. in Metairie; Dec. 14, 1-4 p.m., at Ark Animal Hospital, 4211 Jefferson Highway; and Dec. 15, 1-4 p.m., at Chateau Veterinary Hospital, 704 W. Esplanade Ave. in Kenner. $20 for the sitting, a matted 4x6 photo and a USB flash drive with all photos. metairiehumane.org
EVENTS FOR KIDS
ST. NICHOLAS CHILDREN'S PARTY: St. Joseph's Church and Mother's Day Out School host a kid-friendly event with face painting, cookie decorating, games and arts and crafts, cake and a free professional photo with St. Nicholas every Saturday starting Nov. 30 from 1-3:30 p.m.?
MARKETS
MERRY MARKET:?The outdoor marketplace will be held at Longue Vue House and Gardens, just over the parish line at 7 Bamboo Road in New Orleans, on Dec. 1, 10 a.m. The event includes shopping with local vendors, crafts, music and photos with Santa. Free.?
VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS: Gretna's Annual Fine Arts Festival at Gretna Market Place, Huey P. Long Avenue between 3rd and 4th streets from 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Free admission, find more info at ringinginthearts.com
OLD METAIRIE FARMERS MARKET: A festive holiday market runs from 2:30-6:30 p.m. at Bayou Metairie Park 2713 Metairie Road! Santa will make an appearance from 3:30-5:30, and there will be a bounce house, face painting and craft station. Donations of new, unwrapped toys accepted for a toy drive. Free and pets welcome.?
LIVE NATIVITIES
LIVING NATIVITY IN GRETNA: St. Joseph Church presents a live nativity in front of the Christmas tree on Huey P. Long Avenue at 6 p.m. Dec. 22.?
Got an event to add? Email jeffersonparish@theadvocate.com