2025 may be the longest decade we’ve ever survived. So much awfulness has been packed into it that it really does seem like much longer than one year. And yet it’s mostly over with, and the holiday season has arrived. After all the Scrooginess and Grinchiness we’ve witnessed, we all deserve to enjoy the season as best we can. Here are a few suggestions on how to make the most of the 2025 holiday season.
Holiday Bonfires and Lights
Louisianians have been burning bonfires along the Mississippi River for hundreds of years now. While the ‘River Parishes” (St. John the Baptist, St. James, and St. Charles) are the best known areas for this tradition, you can also see a bonfire right here in New Orleans on December 6 at the Algiers Point Batture. The event begins at 4:30PM, and will feature food, music, arts and crafts, and the main event: a 30-foot tall bonfire built by the NOLA Burners. If you want to experience beautiful Holiday lighting without leaving the East Bank, I recommend taking a trip uptown on the streetcar after dark, driving around the Marigny, Bywater, and other neighborhoods with creative decorators, or visiting City Park’s Celebration in the Oaks.
Holiday Markets
New Orleans’ Arts Council has listed a variety of holiday markets where you can find festive gifts and decorations. These include: the Christmas Market at Deutsches Haus (December 5-7), Merriment Night Market (December 6 at 3316 Magazine St., the City Park Holiday Market (December 13-14), and the Paradigm Gardens market (December 7 at 1131 S. Rampart). You can also find holiday themed items at the flea market sections of the French Market throughout December. One of my favorite places to find great gifts during the holidays – including the amazing greenery designed by the Judy Garlands – is the Merchant Market at 1150 Magazine St. If there’s someone in your life who’s hard to shop for, my go-to gift store is Hazelnut at 5525 Magazine St.
Volunteering
HandsOn New Orleans is the best “one stop shop” to find a charity that could use your help. Visit their website to search for the best fit for you (handsonneworleans.org). If you’re looking to volunteer at a soup kitchen during the holidays, some of the ones that need help are Second Harvest and the New Orleans Mission. If you’d like to donate food items for the needy, I recommend For the Love Of Pop Up Pantry, CrescentCare’s Food for Friends, St. Anna’s Episcopal Church food bank, and New Orleans Community Fridges. If you’re looking to donate toys to needy children, St. Anna’s has a toy drive going on now. To donate coats for needy children, visit the WGNO website for a list of drop-off locations.
Reach Out to People You Care About
I enjoy sending holiday cards to friends and loved ones each year. I also appreciate getting them, but the number one rule about sending cards in the 21st century is that you can’t expect reciprocation. Stamps are too expensive, and most people these days don’t bother with snail mail if they can avoid it. I just like sending cards, and the act of doing so gets me in the spirit of the season. If cards aren’t your thing, nothing beats a phone call. A lot of people feel lonely during the holidays, and will appreciate hearing from you, however you make contact. You’ll feel less lonely too.
Holiday Concerts and Performances
I realize not everyone is a fan of Christmas music. Especially if you’ve ever worked in retail. But if you do like it, there are a good many events that might interest you. The New Orleans Gay Men’s Chorus is having their annual concert on Friday, December 5 at the University of New Orleans Performing Arts Center. There are at least two performances of The Nutcracker (New Orleans Ballet Theatre at the Orpheum, and another performance at the Saenger). Harry Shearer and Judith Owens are hosting their annual Christmas show at the Orpheum on December 16, and the NOCCA foundation is hosting an all-star concert on December 6. These are just a handful of performances happening in the coming month.
NOAGE Events (And Others)
NOAGE is hosting a holiday potluck on Wednesday, December 17, 6:30-8:00PM at St. Anna’s Episcopal Church parish hall. Turkey and beverages will be provided, but we could also use some other main dishes, side dishes, vegan/vegetarian dishes, desserts, etc. Our monthly potlucks are always well-attended, especially during the holiday season. It’s a great opportunity to make new friends and celebrate the season with a friendly crowd. Adults of all ages are welcome. NOAGE will also be hosting a Coffee Talk at CrescentCare (1631 Elysian Fields Ave.) on Saturday, December 13, 10:30AM, and we’ll be happy to give you moral support to get through holiday challenges. Other NOAGE events in December include our Game Night at the Pride Center (Tuesday, December 9, 6-8PM), and our weekly walking group (Mondays, 4PM at Audubon Park). For more information about NOAGE and our events, visit noagenola.org.
There are plenty of other events happening throughout the next month. Be sure to check out Tony Leggio’s Under the Gaydar calendar in these pages or on the Ambush website to find other events.
But Also…
You don’t actually have to do anything you don’t want to do or struggle to meet other people’s expectations during the holidays. Whatever gets you through them with your health, safety, and sanity intact is what you should do. And however you decide to celebrate – or avoid celebrating – may you have a stress-free and enjoyable holiday season.
