NEW ORLEANS –There are lots of choices for holiday fun in New Orleans, but the most activity in one place this year will be in Algiers during the Algiers Holiday Festival and Bonfire November 26-December 10.
Of course, the centerpiece of the Algiers Holiday Festival is the annual bonfire, constructed by the New Orleans Fire Department on the levee adjacent to the ferry terminal. The bonfire was a holiday tradition prior to Katrina and was revived in 2010 by District C Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer with help from AEDF. This year’s event is supported by the State of Louisiana and City of New Orleans.
This year’s pyre on December 3 will include a massive art installation, FLOODWALL, featuring 700 drawers collected by artist Jana Napoli after Hurricane Katrina as a way of documenting what was lost in the storm. The work has been on exhibit in various places around the world, including in Poland, from where it will return in time for its final exhibit at the bonfire. The purpose of burning the art is for the public to participate in a collective final release of Katrina woes. 
Live music will begin at 5 p.m. with featured artists including Wanda Rouzan and a Taste of New Orleans, the U.S. Navy Brass Band, James Andrews and Glen David Andrews. A riverboat parade with Santa will precede the igniting of the bonfire at approximately 8:30 p.m. Food and beverages from local vendors will be available for sale.
But the weekend before and the weekend after will also offer holiday festivities. Holidays on the Point on November 26 will feature activities at businesses throughout Algiers Point.
- Ferry Little Christmas. Join Friends of the Ferry at the Algiers Ferry Terminal at 6:15 p.m. and enjoy a pub crawl that includes drinks at Crown & Anchor Pub, pizza and burgers at Gulf Pizza and finally, entertainment at the Old Point with Gal Holliday.
- Enjoy breakfast with coffee on November 26 and 27, plus soup, pizza and more at Gulf Pizza, 446 Pelican Avenue. 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. each day.
- Purchase a premium live Christmas tree and benefit the Hubbell Library, New Orleans oldest library, at the same location. Baked goods, gifts, local art, books from Pelican Publishing, jewelry from Jamie Stank, and other New Orleans jewelers will also be on sale. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on November 26 and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on November 27.
- Hand Blow glass ornament classes or buy them ready-made at Rosetree Glass, 446 Vallette Street. Hand blown gifts such as the Mardi Gras Pumpkin TM in traditional colors and this year see a new series of pumpkins called TeamkinsTM. Reservations required for classes.
- Kids can play and take part in craft projects across the street at Confetti Park and meet Katy Kupcake at Kupcakes, Etc., 502 Pelican Avenue. She will share her favorite sweet treats of holiday flavored cupcakes and beverages. Times TBA.
- Join Mrs. Claus at a holiday green market that will include cheeses and artisan breads at Bed & Breakfast on the Point at 405 Delaronde Street. 11 a.m.-mid-afternoon.
- Discover a varied assortment of jewelry, painting, and other handcrafted treasures while treating yourself to happy hour pricing all day or try the winter cocktails at Crown & Anchor English Pub, 201 Pelican Avenue. Every art purchase includes a chance to win a gift certificate for dinner for two at a local restaurant. Artists include Beatrix Bell, C.C. Miranda, Bridgette LaGarde, Pamela Reed, Kevin Jones, Penny Baker, and Michael Schiavone. 11 a.m.- til
- International School, 502 Olivier Street, will hold an open house beginning at 11 a.m.
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Dry Dock Cafe, 133 Delaronde Street. Live entertainment featuring Some Like It Hot, 7 p.m.- 10 p.m.
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Old Point Bar, 545 Patterson Street. Live entertainment all evening
A new addition to the holiday line-up will be held on December 10 when Old Algiers Main Street Corporation presents the first annual Noel on Newton.
OAMSC has also asked commercial properties to light up their facades for the first annual Light Up Algiers Contest. Winners will be announced at the December 10 event with prizes awarded to the top three commercial and top three residential winners. To participate, email info@oldalgiersmainstreet.org. The Algiers Point Association, Tunisburg Association and the Algiers Riverview Association have been asked to spearhead lighting efforts in residential areas.
“We are taking New Orleans holiday traditions in a new direction – to the West Bank of the city,” said AEDF President Chris Kane. “We have events for adults and for families throughout December, and we expect to have record people visit our community this holiday season. This is a fun way to generate economic opportunities and show off our culturally diverse historic neighborhoods.”
Visit algierseconomic.com for updates.
