Celebration in the Oaks Returns with More Holiday Magic
November 2, 2026
)
City Park Conservancy (CPC) welcomes the return of Celebration in the Oaks – November 27, 2026, through January 1, 2027 – with expanded light displays and reimagined experiences throughout New Orleans City Park.
A beloved holiday tradition since the 1980s, Celebration in the Oaks welcomes more than 185,000 visitors annually to experience over one million twinkling lights and hundreds of illuminated displays beneath the Park’s iconic live oaks. This year, CPC continues to build on that tradition with enhancements across both the Driving and Walking Tours offering new ways for families and friends to celebrate the season together.
“Celebration in the Oaks has been part of New Orleans’ holiday traditions for generations, and we’re excited to continue building on that experience,” said CPC President and CEO Rebecca Dietz. “Each year, we look for new ways to bring the magic of the season to life while preserving the traditions our community loves. This year’s additions reflect that commitment, creating even more opportunities for families and friends to make lasting memories in City Park.”
Updates and additions this year include an expanded Driving Tour featuring 45 exhibits along Palm Drive, a Mardi Gras-inspired tree display with a purple, green and gold light curtain and six-foot beads, and enhanced uplighting showcasing the iconic live oaks along Roosevelt Mall with thousands of bulbs. The Walking Tour also features new photo opportunities, including a brilliantly illuminated ancient live oak, an 18-foot walk-through mushroom and a 22-foot pure-white prism tree, along with a reimagined Peppermint Post Office. Guests aboard The Holiday Express presented by Ochsner Children’s will enjoy additional lighting and displays along the train route, including the Three Little Pigs, Mama Duck and Her Ducklings, and a 40-foot, three-dimensional “I Heart City Park” sign.
Value Nights return November 29 and December 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17, offering Driving and Walking Tour tickets for $25 and $20, respectively, a $15 discount. Bike Nights are back November 30-December 3 for $8 per cyclist, along with the Pedal Pit Stop at 1 Palm Drive offering refreshments, restrooms and seating.
The Celebration in the Oaks Dasher Pass also returns, offering expedited Driving Tour entry for an additional $40.Friends of City Park Members receive one free Dasher Pass Driving Tour.
Jingle Bells and Beer is back on Saturday, November 21 offering guests and exclusive preview of Celebration in the Oaks with open beer bars and entertainment. Carousel Gardens and Storyland will already be aglow with lights and festive displays offering a first look at the season’s sparkle before the full event opens to the public.
CPC will once again offer the Celebration in the Oaks Community Ticket Program, supported by Ochsner Children’s, providing complimentary Driving and Walking Tour tickets to eligible non-profit community organizations.
As CPC’s largest annual fundraiser, Celebration in the Oaks contributes nearly 10% of the Park’s annual operating budget, supporting its continued care and maintenance.
“What’s especially meaningful about Celebration in the Oaks is that the tradition gives back to the very place that brings us together,” said Dietz. “Every visit helps support the care of City Park, ensuring it remains a welcoming place for our community to enjoy throughout the year and for generations to come.”
Celebration in the Oaks is made possible by Ochsner Children’s, Fire on the Bayou, FOX8, La Calle 97.9, Magic 101.9, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com, The Burkart Family, Community Coffee, Entergy, Grayson Data Services, Hancock Whitney, Pelican Publishing, WRSTBND, Carman Industries, Coca-Cola United Bottling Company, The Duplantier Family, Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation, Hahn Enterprises, Henderson Hutter Group, Kidcam Camps, Lakeside Merchants Association, Louisiana Blue and Wheel Fun Rentals. For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit CelebrationInTheOaks.com.