For 31 days, feasts and finery await you in every corner of town. A chorus of voices is going to lift your spirit to new heights while inside the St. Louis Cathedral. Southern Belles and Papa Noel will be greeting you beneath iron laced balconies and in cozy courtyards. Antique streetcars will guide you to the 2011 Paradise of Lights among the huge oak tress of City Park.

You can meet up with family and friends, and go to brunch and listen to jazz. Or maybe stroll along the myriads of shops on Royal in the French Quarter. Stop in at Razzle Dazzle and do some shopping. Then move on into the Arts district and Magazine street.

Live cooking demonstrations, carolers, cuisine on the river, or brunch on the patio. This is Christmas in New Orleans. All month long you will celebrate the Season and the Senses. You can't miss Christmas all month long in New Orleans. Make reservations today! Christmas In New Orleans

Christmas New Orleans Style is actually celebrated starting on Wednesday the 1st and truly there's no place like New Orleans for the holidays during Christmas New Orleans Style, a celebration of uniquely New Orleans holiday activities taking place throughout December.

If you are a foodie, you have to experience the magic of the season in a city steeped in traditions of the past, but with the food, music and good times of today. More than 100 festivities are planned during the month-long event, showcasing the cultural diversity that adds spice to the gumbo of New Orleans' heritage.

NEW ORLEANS- French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI), in partnership with New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation presents the 26th annual Christmas New Orleans Style. Throughout the month of December, FQFI actively enlists local businesses, restaurants, hotels, and community organizations to produce quality holiday events and a celebration that is uniquely New Orleans.

Originally founded as a way to attract tourists during the traditionally slow month of December, Christmas New Orleans Style has grown into a very successful month-long festival helping New Orleans businesses, arts community, and the tourism industry with activities drawing in locals and visitors alike, generating tremendous economic impact for the city and state.

FQFI Executive Director Marci Schramm commented, People who visit us in December enjoy not only the wide array of activities, but also enjoy the incredible sense of tradition, southern hospitality, and community celebration. We also can't forget the beautiful weather in Louisiana during this festive time of year.

Christmas New Orleans Style continues the popular tradition of free concerts at St. Louis Cathedral -with music for every taste; candlelight caroling in Jackson Square is an annual favorite, along with events such as: nightly excursions through the magnificent lighting display at City Park's Celebration in the Oaks; free cooking demonstrations at Canal Place; levee bonfire celebrations welcoming Papa Noel; family activities including children's teas and craft workshops; historic characters strolling and caroling in the French Quarter, holiday cruises on the Steamboat Natchez; festive theatrical and musical performances; special tours of private residences decked out in holiday cheer; tours of antebellum homes dressed in 19th century holiday finery; museums, bowl games, great shopping, and more! Visitors can learn the secrets of local cuisine from acclaimed chefs from throughout the area as they share their favorite recipes at free cooking demonstrations with samplings that are guaranteed to spice up the holidays. More than 100 activities are planned, with plenty of opportunities to come out and play in New Orleans during Christmas New Orleans Style.

Reveillon Dinners

Reveillon, an adaptation of a traditional Creole holiday dining custom, will be celebrated nightly during the Christmas season in 36 restaurants throughout the city. Menus combine ageless Creole cuisine with more contemporary New Orleans dishes, and the spirit of the past remains. In fact, four of the Reveillon restaurants Antoine's, Commander's Palace, Galatoire's and Tujague's are more than 100 years old! Reveillon menus are only offered once a year, during December, and guests can enjoy the authentic taste of New Orleans during Christmas New Orleans Style.

Cathedral Concerts

Throughout the month of December, jazz musicians, gospel choirs, classical ensembles and other New Orleans musical groups herald in the season with concerts in one of the country's most historic churches, St. Louis Cathedral, in the heart of the French Quarter on Jackson Square.

Cooking Demonstrations

Throughout the month of December, Christmas New Orleans Style offers up a series of free cooking demonstration by some of the finest chefs from New Orleans' most beloved restaurants. French Quarter Festivals, Inc, in partnership with New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, and The Shops at Canal Place, bring 12 unique dishes and acclaimed chefs from throughout the area including Chef Ben Thibodeaux of Palace Cafe, Chef Isaac Pappion of The New Orleans Grill at the Windsor Court, and Zoe's Chef Robert Bustillo Jr. to share their favorite holiday recipes at free cooking demonstrations and samplings that are guaranteed to spice up the holidays. The Chef's Holiday Cooking Demonstrations take place at the Shops at Canal Place, on weekdays at 3 p.m. and 10 a.m. on Saturdays.

Papa Noel Rates

Christmas New Orleans Style offers visitors (and locals too) an exciting and memorable holiday encounter that can only be experienced in New Orleans. Travelers can take advantage of special offers at over 40 of the city's finest hotels as they offer very attractive Papa Noel discount rates to visitors as their gift of the season.

For complete information and schedules, visit www.neworleansonline.com or www.fqfi.org. For a free booklet and calendar, call 504-522-5730, e-mail info@fqfi.org, or write to French Quarter Festivals, Inc., 400 North Peters Street, Suite 205 New Orleans, LA, 70130.

For more information about all the things to see, do and eat year-round in New Orleans, visit: www.neworleansonline.com, the official tourism website for the city. For more information about French Quarter Festivals, Inc., please visit www.fqfi.org or call 504-522-5730.