Kermit Ruffins will be ringing in the season in style on Friday, November 30 at the French Market's Christmas tree lighting ceremony. This free event will be held at Washington Artillery Park (across Decatur from Jackson Square) from 5:30-7:30p. It also includes a performance from the Roots of Music kids. 

Other seasonal events over the coming month include nightly excursions through the magnificent lighting display at City Park's Celebration in the Oaks; Audubon Zoo Lights; ice skating, gingerbread houses, and carnival rides at NOLA ChristmasFest; historical characters strolling in the French Quarter; caroling in Jackson Square; holiday steamboat cruises; theatrical and musical performances; special tours of private homes dressed in holiday finery; a Christmas parade down Canal Street; Reindeer Run for children; and a second-line for neighborhood students led by the Outlet Collection at Riverwalk's Singing Santa & the Riverwalk Jazz Band.

St. Louis Cathedral and St. Augustine Church will continue their Christmas free concert series traditions this year. Concerts at St. Louis Cathedral take place at 6p on December 3-6 and 9-13. The annual St. Louis Basilica Holiday Concert takes place on Sunday, December 16 at 5:30p prior to caroling in Jackson Square. St. Augustine Church concerts start at 4p.

St. Louis Cathedral concerts

Monday, Dec. 3: Magnolia Sisters
Tuesday, Dec. 4: Leroy Jones
Wednesday, Dec. 5: Rachel Van Voorhees
Thursday, Dec. 6: Lyle Henderson and Emanuel
Sunday, Dec. 9: Shannon Powell
Monday, Dec. 10: Topsy Chapman & Solid Harmony
Tuesday, Dec. 11: The Iguanas
Wednesday, Dec. 12: Shades of Praise
Thursday, Dec. 13: Christmas Organ Spectacular featuring Emmanuel Culcasi
Sunday, Dec. 16: St. Louis Basilica Annual Christmas Concert

St. Augustine Church concerts

Saturday, Dec. 1: Philip Manuel
Saturday, Dec. 8: Kim Che're
Saturday, Dec. 15: Lawrence Cotton Legendary Experience