Looking for holiday options close to home in Jefferson Parish?

There are dozens of festive options from Kenner, Metairie, Gretna, Westwego and more. 

This list will update through December, send suggestions to [email protected]. 

CHRISTMAS AT LAFRENIERE PARK: The annual family-friendly light show and decorations will run Dec. 1-30 at the park, 3000 Downs Blvd. in Metairie. Hours for Sunday-Thursday are 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and for Friday-Saturday are 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $10 per vehicle. lafrenierepark.org 

KENNER’S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS VILLAGE: The lights display will run Dec. 1-23, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Heritage Park, 2015 Fourth St., in Kenner. Vendors and entertainment, music, food, arts, crafts and an appearance from Santa Claus will be available every Friday and Saturday. www.kenner.la.us/ 

RINGING IN THE ARTS 2023: The outdoor evening of fine art and entertainment in downtown historic Gretna will be held Dec. 2, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Gretna Market Place, 300 Huey P. Long Ave. Free. Wine/champagne will be for sale in “bottomless” wine glasses. www.ringinginthearts.com

LUNA FETE WEST: RIVER CONNECTIONS: The free, outdoor interactive light installation at City Hall, 740 2nd St. in Gretna, Dec. 7-10 with shows at 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. The Gretna Amphitheater water-based projection will feature Lantern Puppets on Parade at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. at 1st and Huey P. Long Ave. in Gretna. (504) 363-1500 

HARAHAN CHRISTMAS PARADE: The annual event starts at noon Dec. 9 at the intersection of Hord Street and Jefferson Highway, proceeding in the westbound lanes of Jefferson Highway and disbanding at the intersection of Folse Street and Jefferson Highway. 

CHRISTMAS IN LAFRENIERE PARK RUN/WALK: The Crescent City Classic will hold a holiday two-mile run/walk on Dec. 9, 4 p.m., at Lafreniere Park, 3000 Downs Blvd. in Metairie. The course goes through the annual lights display. The event includes hot cocoa, visits with Santa and holiday costume contests. Participants get complimentary entry into both the Christmas in the Park Lights Driving Tour and the Walking Tour before gates open to the public. General registration is $35, $30 until Dec. 2. Children 3-10 are $5 off, and 2 and under are free. runsignup.com 

WESTWEGO SANTA PARADE AND WE GO WINTER WONDERLAND: Parade starts at 2 p.m. with route to be posted by the Westwego Volunteer Fire Company No. 1. Santa Claus will help light up Catfish Bourgeois Westwego Park at 6 p.m. Dec. 3 with food and drink vendors starting at 4 p.m. WEGO Winter Wonderland Facebook page 

NEW ORLEANS NIGHTMARE: KRAMPUS THE FRIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS: New Orleans Nightmare has transformed their haunted house into an immersive Christmas-themed scare experience with live performers, photo ops, mini escape rooms, themed refreshments and a retail store. Tickets start at $40 and sell out quickly. www.facebook.com/nolanightmare

SIPPING WITH SANTA: Chateau Golf & Country Club hosts the annual event along with with City of Kenner, Mayor Mike Glaser, Police Chief Keith Conley and Friends of Rivertown to benefit the Kenner Food Bank from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 12. There will be holiday-flavored martinis, wines, hors d’oeuvre, pictures with Santa and Santa’s Secret Shopping Village. 

TEDDY BEAR TEA: Bring the little ones for tea with Santa at the Gretna Cultural Center with live music, a hot chocolate bar, refreshments like tea sandwiches and cookies, treat bags and a teddy bear for every child, and bottomless mimosas for adults. Times at noon, 2:30 and 5 p.m. Dec. 15 and 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Dec. 16. Call (504) 210-5202 to make reservations. 

PERFORMANCES 

MARINE FORCES RESERVE BAND: The free concert, to be held Dec. 9, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Drive in Metairie, includes arts and crafts and kids’ activities, caroling, a tree lighting ceremony and an appearance by Santa. Reservations suggested. https://ci.ovationtix.com/35874/performance/11388689?performanceId=11388689 

DANNY O’FLAHERTY’S CELTIC CHRISTMAS: The yuletide customs that evolved over the centuries in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Cornwall, Brittany, Galicia and the Isle of Man will be highlighted in concert, with singers, bagpipes and Irish dancers, on Dec. 10, 2 p.m., at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Drive in Metairie. Tickets start at $25. www.jeffersonpac.com 

“A CHRISTMAS STORY:” The holiday classic hits the stage at Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts with shows Thursday through Saturday starting Dec. 1 through Dec. 17, starting at 7:30 p.m. except for Sundays which has a 2 p.m. start time. Tickets $39-$53. https://www.rivertowntheaters.com

CHRISTMAS CONCERT: The Jefferson Community Band will present a holiday concert Dec. 11, at 7 p.m., at First English Lutheran Church, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave. in Metairie. Tickets are $10; free 12 and under. Proceeds will benefit the Greater New Orleans Therapeutic Riding Center. www.jeffersoncommunityband.org

“PEACE ON EARTH” CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church will host a seasonal concert under the direction of Gregory Lambousy on Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m., at the church 146 4th St. in Westwego. Free.  olpsw.org

THE NUTCRACKER: The Jefferson Performing Arts Society production of the classic holiday ballet will be performed Dec. 16-17, 2 p.m., at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Dr. in Metairie. Tickets start at $23. www.jeffersonpac.com 

CHRISTMAS GALA AT GRETNA CULTURAL CENTER FOR THE ARTS: Hunter & the Sicilian Rat Pack Orchestra with guest vocalist Dody Piper will perform at the annual event, which runs 8-10 p.m. Dec. 16. Tickets $75 or $125 for VIP with reception at 6:30. https://www.visitjeffersonparish.com/

RECURRING EVENTS 

PHOTOS WITH SANTA: Santa Claus will be available for photo ops with children in the Lakeside Shopping Center’s center court daily through Dec. 24, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. See Lakeside’s website for package prices or to book an appointment. Meanwhile in Gentilly, Santa is holding three chances for kids to get their pictures this year. He’ll be at Backatown Nola on Basin Street Dec. 17 from 3 p.m. to 6 pm, and at Emline Store Dec. 21 between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and again on Dec. 23, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Appointments must be booked in advance. Check @gentillysanta for more information, added dates and to book a photo.

PICNIC UNDER THE LIGHTS: Reservations are open for the Picnic Under the Lights Tent, 1035 Huey P. Long Avenue in Gretna. Spots are available Dec. 1-17, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays. Cost starts at $75. 504-363-1580 

To view the full list for the New Orleans area, including Orleans, St. Bernard and St. Charles parishes, click here.