Growing up Filipino and Catholic, Christmas was always meant to be spent with family. The routine rarely changed — Christmas Eve was reserved for noche buena preparations and last-minute gift wrapping, followed by midnight Mass and a feast that lasted well past midnight. On Christmas Day, you either get to sleep in or the younger kids excitedly play with their newest gadgets. Occasionally, extended family or friends would come visit for a quick greeting before heading off to the next household on their list.
One odd year, neither my family nor my partner’s had anything planned. Before, we had to split our time between two, sometimes three, family gatherings. Since we didn’t have any obligatory appearances, we did something completely different.
We booked a Christmas trip to New Orleans, Louisiana.
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What is a Cajun Christmas? 🎅 🐊
Cajun Christmas is a unique blend of French heritage and the Creole culture of Louisiana. Papa Noël is Santa Claus; his sleigh is a flat-bottomed boat called a pirogue; instead of reindeer, alligators pull his pirogue.1 It’s whimsical, deeply rooted in local history, and completely unique to Louisiana.
Why New Orleans?
Aside from its rich history and festive reputation, my partner has been to New Orleans. He distinctly remembers the great food he got to devour and the architect that he knows I’ll admire. Plus, Condé Nast Traveler named New Orleans as one of the cities to explore during Christmas, and I was definitely intrigued.
A spontaneous holiday getaway quickly turned into our very first Cajun Christmas experience.
Highlights of our First Cajun Christmas in New Orleans 🎄⚜️
Bonfires on the Levee 🔥
This tradition is what sold us on visiting New Orleans, and we just had to see it in person. Dating back to early settlers, these massive bonfires were originally lit to help guide Papa Noël on his journey.
We boarded a bus from the French Quarter and traveled about an hour to the Mississippi River levee. When we arrived, we got to watch how the locals add their finishing touches and decorations to their logs—some nearly three times my height! At dusk, they started lighting their bonfires; fireworks were also on display to make sure Papa Noël wouldn’t miss the celebration.
The Red Canal Streetcars 🚃
Canal Street looked straight out of a Christmas movie. The light posts on Canal Street were covered with lights and topped with wreaths. The trolley had a touch of festive green, and that’s all it really needed. Simple, classic, and incredibly charming.
Hotel Lobby Hopping (A Must-Do!) 🌟
It may sound silly, but holiday hotel hopping in New Orleans is an experience in itself. It felt like each hotel was competing for the most impressive gingerbread display and Christmas décor—and we happily judged them all. The details are astonishing. We got to explore The Roosevelt, The Ritz-Carlton, Windsor Court, Hotel Monteleone, and Royal Sonesta.
The Roosevelt Hotel has been decorating its lobby for over 90 years! You walk in, and you can’t help but be awed and feel like you’re about to be hugged by birch trees filled with lights and ornaments.
Hotel Monteleone didn’t disappoint with their Carousel Bar. This was our first stop after our brunch. Perfect timing—we snagged seats while enjoying a Sazerac and a Vieux Carré before heading out.
The Ritz-Carlton has the biggest gingerbread streetcar I’ve ever seen. Plus, their lights hanging from the ceiling make their decor unique.
Royal Sonesta has endless rows of Christmas trees, creating a truly festive atmosphere.
Windsor Court has a massive tree, a miniature train circling it, and Santa himself—it felt nostalgic and joyful all at once.
Celebration at the Oaks ✨
If you’re traveling with kids (or just a kid at heart), this is a must-visit. You get to ride on the festive train that shows all the decorations in the park, learn about Cajun Christmas, make and eat s’mores, and enjoy a hot chocolate all in one location.
St. Louis Cathedral & Jackson Square
Decorated with wreaths and massive red ribbons, plus the gigantic Christmas tree across the street, is a must-stop. One thing we missed was their annual Christmas concert, since they had it the day before we arrived.
Tips & Takeaways:
- Weather, weather, weather – Yes, I know I always mention it pretty much in every post, but planning accordingly is a must. When we went in 2022, we experienced one of the coldest Christmas seasons in New Orleans. Locals we spoke with even said they weren’t used to that weather during the holidays.
- The Red Trolley – It’s the best option for transportation if you want to explore Canal Street, St. Charles, and the Riverfront. Who can say no to a rolling museum as your main mode of transportation?
- Hotel location – Hotels can be pricey during this season, but try to pick a hotel that’s close to Canal Street or a trolley station. We stayed at the Q&C Autograph Hotel, recently renovated and part of the Marriott collection.
- Snagging a seat at the Carousel Bar – It’s first-come, first-served. I suggest coming here early.
- Try a Réveillon dinner – From my understanding, it’s the Creole’s version of the Filipino’s noche buena — the family comes back for a big meal from a midnight mass. Restaurants do offer this tradition. I highly recommend checking the list of participating restaurants and making a reservation.
A Filipino-Catholic Christmas tradition took an unexpected turn with a spontaneous holiday trip to New Orleans. From Bonfires on the Levee and festive streetcars to hotel lobby hopping and Réveillon dinners, this Cajun Christmas experience blended culture, history, and holiday magic—proving that sometimes the most memorable traditions are the ones you create yourself.
I hope this inspires you to wonder about other traditions and wander during the holiday season. Have a safe holiday and a New Year. See you in 2026! In the meantime, as always…
Keep seshing and wandering, friends!
Hey there! Just a heads up – this post includes some affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products I actually use and love! Thanks for supporting this blog. 💜 Full disclosure here.
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