2024 Christmas Events
November 29 – Light up the Huey Holiday Lights Display
DUSK
Get the holiday season started right by watching the trees light up all along Huey P. Long Avenue from 10th Street to the river, making Historical Gretna look magical!
December 1 – Gretna Christmas Parade & Christmas Tree Lighting Parade Route
5:00 PM -7:30 PM
Catch Santa parading on Huey P. Long Avenue (route to be announced). Watch Santa light the Christmas tree and enjoy the family friendly festivities. Refreshments will be available. The German- American Cultural Center will have pretzels, brats, and beer for purchase.
December 1-22 – Picnic Under the Lights
6 PM – 10 PM
Experience the Holiday Lights from a different perspective, inside a personal bubble tent! Available for rental from Thursday through Sunday for only $100-125 per night. Bring a picnic meal or drinks. Two sizes of tents fit 6 or 8 people per tent. For more information or to book your night, call (504) 363-1580.
December 1-21 – Passport to Christmas Promotion
Enjoy deals and discounts at local Gretna businesses with the passport for the entire month of December. To qualify for the prize drawing on December 21, collect 15 stamps from participating businesses for a chance to win a gift basket worth over $1000.
December 7 – St. Nicholas Children’s Party
Sponsored by St. Joseph Church and Mother’s Day Out School. Event for the whole family includes face painting, cookie decorating, games, arts and crafts, ice cream, cake, plus a gift and free professional photo with St. Nicholas for each child. Free to the public. St. Joseph Gym (7th and Newton Streets)
December 7 – Ringing in the Arts
5 PM – 9 PM
An Outdoor Evening of Fine Art & Entertainment in Downtown Historic Gretna. Join us for a magical evening under a covered outdoor gallery in the heart of historic Old Gretna at the Gretna Market Pavilion on Huey P. Long Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets. Gretna’s annual fine arts festival includes live music, local artists, and refreshments. Bottomless wine and champagne glasses will be offered for purchase. With the sale of each bottomless glass, patrons will get to cast their vote for favorite artist of the night. Free to the public. For more information, see their website at www.ringinginthearts.com or email ringinginthearts@gmail.com.
December 7 – Letters to Santa
8 AM – 12 PM
Let your little ones write their letters to Santa at the Gretna Farmers’ Market. Get your passport stamped while you’re there!
December 7 – 8 – Brunch with Santa at Legacy Kitchen –
Beginning for 10 a.m. with multiple seating time. Cost based on menu items ordered, free reservation requires. Call 504-513-2606 to make a reservation or visit www.OpenTable.com
December 8 – Brunch with Santa at Thanh Thanh
11:30 AM -1:30 PM Sunday
Treat your children to a most memorable breakfast with Santa at Thanh Thanh Restaurant, 131 Huey P. Long Avenue. Call 504-338-8578 for reservations.
December 14 – Shop the Huey Holiday Market
9 AM – 3 PM
Take advantage of a day of boutique holiday shopping inside and outside of the Gretna Cultural Center for the Arts while you sip on bottomless mimosas! Get all of your gifts in one place!
December 13 – Caroling
7 PM – 9 PM
Join our Barbershop quartet in Downtown Gretna for a holiday singalong! Bring the little ones to this family event. Song sheets will be provided. Bring your own chairs.
December 21 – Santa at the Market & Passport to Christmas Drawing
10:30 AM
Bring the little ones to visit with Santa Claus. Santa will draw the winner of the Passport to Christmas promotion.
December 22 – Living Nativity by St. Joseph Church
6 PM
In front of the Christmas tree on Huey P. Long Avenue and 6th Street.