Singing Through the Season!

One of our favorite days of the year is the Sunday of the Jackson Square Caroling - this year, December 21!

That’s because earlier in the day, Patio Planters hosts its annual Holiday Home Tour, where French Quarter residents open up their houses! After that, there’s a free concert in the cathedral and then a procession to the park for the caroling.

You’ll find details and our tips below!

Meanwhile, remember that you’ll always find an amazing selection of happenings in and around the neighborhood on our French Quarter Events page. It’s stuffed with happenings we curate with our readers in mind!

Photo above: The annual Caroling at Jackson Square, 2024 - see details below

A performance by Trixie Minx added spice to the Storyville-themed 2025 Improv Gala, photo by Scott Saltzman

Glenn Miller in his studio, 1976, by Jean Carlisle, courtesy HNOC

Hottest Hell Tours

This stellar walking tour company gets its name from a letter the infamous mass murderer, the Axeman of New Orleans, wrote in 1919 when he claimed to be “a spirit and demon from the hottest hell.” He also claimed that he’d spare the occupants of any house where jazz was playing on March 19th, so as you might imagine, the entire city was swinging to music that night (This week’s lead story about Danny Barker has more details).

Hottest Hell Tours is owned by history professor Bond Ruggles, whose talented guides separate the fact from fiction. As Bond often says, “the actual truth is much more interesting!”

So if you have holiday guests looking for a fun and informative walking tour, these are the folks to check out! They’re FQJ sponsors and we love working with them - and sharing their tours with our own visitors!

FQJ Annual Sponsorships are available through invitation to other community-builders. Contact us now to find out details.

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Patio Planters Annual French Quarter Holiday Home Tour

Ticket pickup at the Cabildo, 701 Chartres Street

Sunday, December 21: Noon - 4pm

Editor’s note: These tickets are limited in number and usually sell out! Buy yours in advance!

• French Quarter residents will open their holiday-decorated homes for the self-guided walking tour.

• Online tickets are $35 each (children 12 and under are free.) Tickets purchased in person on the day of the event are $40 each (IF available).

• Pickup of tickets purchased online takes place in the alcove of The Cabildo (701 Chartres) from 11am - 3pm on Sunday, December 21st.

• Day-of-tour tickets may be purchased in the alcove of The Cabildo (701 Chartres) from 11am - 3pm, subject to availability.

Cathedral Concert

Saint Louis Cathedral at Jackson Square

Sunday, December 21: 5:30 - 6:30pm

• A beloved New Orleans holiday tradition at the historic St. Louis Cathedral - right before the annual caroling on Jackson Square.

Caroling in Jackson Square

Sunday, December 21: Gates open at 6:30pm

• The free community sing-along gathers thousands of people for a festive hour of holiday merriment, with carols led by local dignitaries and clergy.

• Gates open at 6:30 p.m. with Patio Planters volunteers stationed there to distribute complimentary songbooks and candles to participants in the non-denominational community celebration.

Thank you, Patio Planters, for hosting the annual Jackson Square caroling for 81 years!

Two of our favorite holiday happenings take place this year on Sunday, December 21: the French Quarter Holiday Home Tour, followed by Caroling in Jackson Square. They’re both produced by Patio Planters of the Vieux Carre´!

As you might imagine, the caroling event is a costly and privately-funded endeavor, and the Holiday Home Tour and the Secret Gardens Tour (every spring) are actually fundraisers to help Patio Planters foot the bill.

So when you purchase a ticket for the Holiday Home Tour, you’re contributing to the cause!

Patio Planters is made up of 600 members who are dedicated to the preservation and beautification of the French Quarter. If you love the Quarter, we urge you to join - you can join as a non-voting member even if you don’t live in the neighborhood and support their many community projects!

The vibrant guest star who stole the show in 2024, Helen McKamey, who’s 100 years old.