Disclosure :: This post is sponsored by New Orleans City Park.
Celebration in the Oaks – New Orleans City Park’s Spectacular Holiday Light Festival
Celebration in the Oaks in New Orleans City Park is the most spectacular holiday lights festival in the country.
Join your City Park family for this New Orleans holiday tradition, Celebration in the Oaks, with 25 acres of lights in the New Orleans Botanical Garden, Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, and Storyland. While you’re here don’t forget to ride the antique carousel and holiday train!
Use Parker’s Station Reservation: a reservation system for the holiday train.
Guests may upgrade their train ticket to purchase a reservation time to board the train. Guest using the Parker’s Station Reservation will not have to 
wait in the general admission line and can instead get a time to return and spend the time they would normally wait enjoying other parts of the event and return to the Parker’s Station Reservation line to board.
Special partnerships offer extra fun for the whole family.
A special partnership with WVUE FOX 8: A live FOX 8 morning show from Celebration in the Oaks with an extra hour of fun this year: Nov. 30th from 5 am to 10 am. WVUE FOX 8 is the official media partner for Celebration in the Oaks.
A special partnership with Hilton hotels of New Orleans: General Managers from area Hilton branded properties will judge the Christmas trees on Santa Claus Lane and award a $3000 cash prize to the winner. Hilton is the official hotel partner for Celebration in the Oaks. For a VIP Celebration in the Oaks experience, book the Papa Noel package at travel.hilton.com/new-orleans.
Mutt Mondays: A special partnership with SPCA of Louisiana: 12/3, 10, 17 – Bring dogs with you to the Botanical Garden and use the SPCA photo booth to take fun holiday photos with your friends – human and canine.
Celebration in the Oaks activities and special features this year include:
Yoga classes: December 5, 12, and 19 – Yoga under the Lights with April Dupre from Footprints to Fitness.
Storytime in Storyland: December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, and 18 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm – kids can hear local authors read stories under the Storyland Castle
Fountain of Joy in the New Orleans Botanical Garden
Holiday Crawfish Boil with Mushrooms in the New Orleans Botanical Garden
A streetcar added to the New Orleans scene on the train ride
An improved Victoria the UnicornAin Carousel Gardens Amusement Park – now she’s completely made of love and LED lights
Heaux Heaux Heaux tree decorations in the trees along Victory Avenue
A holiday village display in the New Orleans Botanical Garden Pavilion of the Two Sisters Annex
Merry KISS-mas ‘kissing booth’ under the Dripping Snow Tree in the center of the New Orleans Botanical Garden
Christmas classics in Campfire Village: grab a seat at a picnic table and enjoy family fun Christmas classics projected on to a large screen
Favorites back again for the 2018 Season:
Campfire Village in Carousel Gardens Amusement Park
‘Snow Show’ each night of the event – great for photos!
Marshmallow roasting over an open fire
Colossal Cotton Candy
Mister Bingle
Train Garden
Rides on the antique carousel (unlimited rides with the Straight to the Gate ticket option)
Christmas Trees on Santa Claus Lane: sidewalks in Carousel Gardens are lined with Christmas trees decorated by local schools and nonprofits. Be sure to check out the 2018 Hilton hotels of New Orleans winner!
Tree of poinsettias in the Conservatory in the New Orleans Botanical Garden
And more and more and more!
Be in the know before you go!
Where :: New Orleans Botanical Garden, Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, Storyland, Train Route
Address :: 5 Victory Avenue, New Orleans 70124 (the Park is large, always use this address to attend Celebration in the Oaks).
Hours :: The 2018-2019 season: November 23 – January 1; Closed: November 26, 27, 28, 29 and December 24, 31 Hours: Sunday through Thursday: 6 pm to 10 pm; Friday and Saturday: 5 pm to 11 pm; OPEN Christmas night
Cost :: Tickets: $10/person (Children under 3 and Friends of City Park members: Free)
Best Idea :: Straight to the Gate tickets: $28: Celebration in the Oaks admission, a unlimited amusement park ride band, and a dedicated entrance through the Storyland gate behind Humpty Dumpty and Little Bo Peep.
Train Ride :: $5; Amusement Park Rides: $4/single ride ticket (excludes train); $18/unlimited ride band (includes train)
