Packing List
December Packing List for New Orleans — What to Wear & Bring
December in New Orleans is mild but damp — 65°F highs, 47°F lows, and 9 rain days. The city's holiday season is in full swing: Celebration in the Oaks lights up City Park, Reveillon dinners at restaurants like Antoine's and Galatoire's require your best smart-casual outfit, and the French Quarter decorates lavishly. The humidity makes 47°F feel colder than it reads, so layering is essential. Pack a warm jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes for the cobblestones, and rain gear for the frequent December showers.
Averages 47–65°F, ~9 days of rain
Clothing
December evenings in New Orleans drop to 47°F, and the Gulf humidity amplifies the chill — walking the Celebration in the Oaks light displays in City Park or the evening Reveillon dinner walk through the French Quarter requires a jacket warm enough for damp, 47°F air.
December's 18°F daily temperature swing from 65°F to 47°F makes layering critical in New Orleans — a sweater over a long-sleeve top handles both a sunny afternoon browsing the antique shops on Royal Street and a chilly evening ride on the St. Charles streetcar.
Full-length pants are essential for December's 47°F evenings in New Orleans — jeans paired with boots are the city's winter uniform for everything from po'boys at Parkway Bakery to cocktails at the Sazerac Bar in the Roosevelt Hotel.
Reveillon dinners are a New Orleans holiday tradition — restaurants like Antoine's, Galatoire's, and Arnaud's offer prix-fixe menus through December and enforce dress codes. Pack at least one polished outfit with flat dress shoes for these iconic dining experiences.
New Orleans embraces the holiday season with caroling in Jackson Square, Christmas concerts at St. Louis Cathedral, and decorated bars throughout the Quarter — a festive outfit participates in the city's joyful holiday energy.
Footwear
December's cooler temperatures make boots practical and comfortable in New Orleans — the French Quarter's cobblestone streets on Royal and Chartres remain slippery in the rain, and flat-soled boots with grip handle both the terrain and the 47–65°F temperature range.
December's 9 rain days flood the French Quarter's low-lying blocks — water-resistant boots keep feet dry during the December rains while looking polished enough for Reveillon dinner reservations and holiday events.
Reveillon dinners and holiday parties at New Orleans' fine dining restaurants require polished footwear — but the walk from parking through the Quarter's uneven sidewalks means flat or very-low-heeled dress shoes are the practical compromise.
Accessories
December's 47°F lows feel colder in New Orleans' damp Gulf air — a warm scarf and light gloves are welcome during evening walks through the Celebration in the Oaks displays in City Park, where you'll be outdoors for 1–2 hours in the dark.
With 9 rain days, December in New Orleans is consistently damp — a compact umbrella or rain jacket is essential gear for holiday shopping on Magazine Street, browsing the French Market, or walking between Reveillon dinner venues.
The French Quarter's holiday crowds, Jackson Square's caroling events, and Celebration in the Oaks draw large gatherings — a secure crossbody bag keeps valuables safe while your hands are free for hot chocolate and beignets from Café Du Monde.
December's clear days in New Orleans feature low-angle winter sun that hits your eyes directly during walks along the open Riverwalk and through the Garden District — UV protection remains relevant even in winter.
Local tips for New Orleans in December
- 1.Celebration in the Oaks in City Park runs from late November through early January and features over a million lights — the walking paths through the live oaks and around the lagoons are gorgeous but fully outdoors in 47°F December air. Dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes for the 1–2 hour walk.
- 2.Reveillon dinners are unique to New Orleans — this Creole tradition of elaborate multi-course holiday meals runs throughout December at restaurants like Antoine's (the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the US), Galatoire's, and Arnaud's. Reservations fill weeks in advance, and most enforce a smart-casual to business-casual dress code.
- 3.New Year's Eve in New Orleans centers on Jackson Square's countdown and the Fleur-de-Lis drop, with celebrations spilling across the French Quarter and Frenchmen Street. Dress in warm layers — you'll be standing outdoors from 10 PM to well past midnight in 47°F temperatures, and the crowd heat only helps so much.