Enjoy daily holiday festivities from December 20 through December 29.
NOLA ChristmasFest opens tomorrow for its 12th year, welcoming thousands of guests into more than 300,000 square feet of holiday magic, activities, rides and performances through Dec. 29 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Visitors can once again step into an indoor winter wonderland and skate on the beloved Big Freezy ice rink which still stands as the only ice rink in the Greater New Orleans area.
New for 2025, guests can experience the Big Freezy Ice Bumper Cars, a high-energy ride that lets visitors spin, glide and slide across the ice in a five-minute bumper car session. Because of high demand, ticket sales for Ice Bumper Cars are separate and reservations open at 11:00 a.m. the day before ride date, beginning Dec. 19. Riders must arrive at least 10 minutes before their scheduled time slot. A full breakdown of Ice Bumper Car regulations can be found on nolachristmasfest.com.
“We’ve brought an exciting new lineup of holiday experiences to NOLA ChristmasFest this year,” said Jim Cook, Convention Center President and CEO. “From our brand-new Big Freezy Ice Bumper Cars to the returning traditions that families look forward to every year, this festival continues to be one of the region’s most joyful and unforgettable ways to celebrate the holiday season.”
Other new attractions include the Snow Throw, allowing visitors to put their aim to the test with bullseye targets to hit. The Silent Night reflective area joins the lineup as a designated quiet space to allow visitors to take a moment and unwind from the fun or draft a personal holiday wish for the new year. Winter Wonders sponsored by Louisiana Children’s Museum is also making a debut on Dec. 22 and Dec. 29 with activities like a literacy nook, holiday corn hole, a winter sensory bin and building a snowflake suncatcher.
For more information about NOLA ChristmasFest 2025, programing and a full schedule of events and activities, visit nolachristmasfest.com.
NOLA ChristmasFest Tickets, Hours and Awareness:
Santa will make a special visit on Sunday, Dec. 21, 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. when he returns for the popular Skating with Santa experience. Special tickets for this exclusive session cost $65 for adults and $45 for kids. Purchase your tickets to skate with Santa and enjoy hot cocoa, coffee, doughnuts and other delights – all before the doors open for entry to the first regular session of the day.
To see a full schedule of events, visit nolachristmasfest.com/special-events/.
- Dec. 20: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Dec. 21: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- 9:30 a.m. Skating with Santa with separate ticket
- 12 p.m. Saints game playing at Polar Pub
- Dec. 22: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Dec. 23: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Dec. 24: Christmas Eve, 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Dec. 25: Christmas Day, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Dec. 26: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Dec. 27: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Dec. 28: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- 12 p.m. Saints game playing at Polar Pub
- Dec. 29: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
In an effort to ensure all families can experience the magic year after year, the Convention Center makes it a point to keep prices constant and affordable, remaining the same price since 2022. Tickets are $25 for weekdays and $30 for Saturdays and Sundays. Each ticket is valid for a single admission on the specific day and session selected. Each session is 4.5 hours in length, except on Christmas Day. Invite a friend and mark your calendars for NOLA ChristmasFest 2025 and Skating with Santa! Purchase tickets online at nolachristmasfest.com/plan-your-visit. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times during their visit.
NOLA ChristmasFest 2025 is cashless event, including ticket purchases and onsite concessions.
To take care of parking in advance, use ParkMobile. Click Here for ParkMobile Online Parking Reservations.
The Big Freezy and Festival Favorites:
This year, The Big Freezy returns as the only real ice-skating rink in the area, complete with magical indoor snowfalls at regular intervals. The Big Freezy zone also features the new Snow Throw, four dueling ice slides and the Polar Pub, a cozy spot for adults to enjoy festive cocktails. Whether you’re gliding across the ice or relaxing with a drink, this zone is a can’t-miss highlight of NOLA ChristmasFest.
Pictures with Santa:
Families can capture holiday memories with professional photos of Santa from Dec. 20–23. Prices vary based on photo size and package. For details on Creole Santa and Papa Noel’s schedule, visit NOLA ChristmasFest special events page.
About the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC)
New Orleans is Built to Host! With 1.1 million square feet of prime exhibit space on one level, all under one roof, NOENMCC is tied for the sixth-largest convention center in the United States. NOENMCC is a 2025 Exhibitor Magazine Centers of Excellence recipient and is consistently named a regional top workplace by The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. A recent LEED Gold certification makes NOENMCC the largest LEED-certified project in Louisiana and the largest convention center project in the U.S. certified under LEED v4.1 Operations and Maintenance, as well as the first convention center in the world to be awarded initial certification under LEED Gold v4.1 O+M. A leading contributor to the city’s robust tourism economy, NOENMCC event activity has produced $93.2 billion in economic impact since its 1985 opening.
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