The 300,000-square-foot indoor festival runs December 23 through January 2 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, with Twinkle Twirl and Polar Putt joining returning favorites.
Costumed holiday performers at NOLA ChristmasFest in New Orleans.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- NOLA ChristmasFest will run for 11 days from December 23, 2026 through January 2, 2027 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
- The 300,000-square-foot indoor event brings back ice skating, ice slides and family rides while adding Twinkle Twirl and a second Polar Putt mini golf course.
- General admission is priced at $25 on weekdays and $30 on Saturdays and Sundays, with tickets sold for specific dates and sessions.
- The event is cashless, and guests under 18 must have a parent or guardian present at all times.
(NEWS) NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, United States, 2026-Oct-02 — /Travel PR News/ — New Orleans is adding an indoor winter playground to its year-end travel calendar, with NOLA ChristmasFest returning for 11 days from December 23, 2026 through January 2, 2027.
The holiday event will fill 300,000 square feet of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, giving families visiting New Orleans a weather-independent attraction built around ice skating, rides, games and seasonal entertainment. Organizers are framing the 2026 edition around a “Rooted in Tradition” theme while adding two new experiences to the established lineup.
Among the returning attractions are The Big Freezy ice rink, the Big Freezy Ice Slides, Big Blizzard Blast and the Kringle Carousel. New for 2026, Twinkle Twirl will place riders inside ornament-shaped cars for a spinning holiday ride, while Polar Putt expands the event’s arctic-themed mini golf offering with a second course that includes three holes made of ice.
The event’s official visitor information lists general admission at $25 on weekdays and $30 on Saturdays and Sundays, plus ticketing fees. Most dates are divided into timed sessions lasting 4.5 hours, while Christmas Day and New Year’s Day operate on special schedules. Tickets are tied to a specific date and entry period, and organizers advise visitors to book early because individual sessions have limited capacity.
NOLA ChristmasFest will operate as a cashless event for both admission and onsite concessions. Guests under 18 must have a parent or guardian present at all times, and individual admission is required for guests aged two and older. Food and beverages, selected add-on activities and parking are not included in general admission.
The festival’s location at the convention center places it close to New Orleans’ riverfront and central visitor districts, making it an easy addition for families spending the Christmas and New Year period in the city. Full operating hours, session availability and ticket information are available through the official NOLA ChristmasFest planning page.
