[Winston Chen, Unsplash]

NOLA to Get Festive with Annual Holiday Lighting of Canal Street

07:00 November 16, 2023
By: Burke Bischoff

NOLA's Lighting Up for Christmas

The Downtown Development District of New Orleans' annual Holiday Lighting of Canal Street will take place this year on November 21.

[Svetozar Cenisev, Unsplash]

This event will begin at 4 p.m. at Canal Place Plaza, which is located at 333 Canal St., with a visit from Santa, caroling by the Voices of Peter Claver, and more entertainment. Leadership from the DDD, city officials such as Mayor LaToya Cantrell, and others will say a few words before counting down to the millions of lights from S. Claiborne Avenue to the Mississippi River turning on right before 5:30 p.m.

"DDD is excited to kick off the holiday season with the lighting of Canal Street and beyond," Davon Barbour, president & CEO of Downtown Development District, said in a press release. "The holidays are a magical time in Downtown New Orleans, and we invite everyone to come enjoy the shopping, dining, beautifully decorated hotel lobbies, and 'only in New Orleans' experiences like the Children's Hospital Holiday Parade."

[Morgane Le Breton, Unsplash]

Beyond Canal Street

The DDD has also coordinated with the Riverwalk Outlets and the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for the event. So when the lights on Canal Street turn on, the lights on Convention Center Boulevard and the 30-foot Christmas tree in Spanish Plaza will also illuminate.

"The illumination of Canal Street is one of the many festive traditions heralding the holiday season's return to Downtown New Orleans. We can't wait to share in this special moment with our community and extend a warm welcome to everyone returning to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for the 10th anniversary of NOLA ChristmasFest," Convention Center President and CEO Michael J. Sawaya said in a press release.

"The Lighting of Canal Street is always a fabulous way to kick off the holidays," District B Councilmember Lesli Harris said in a press release. "District B will be represented at the event, and we are looking forward to a safe, healthy holiday season."

The event is free and the public is invited to take part in the New Orleans Christmas festivities and help countdown the lights. For more information about other holiday event that will be occurring in Downtown New Orleans, visit downtownnola.com/holidays.

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