New Orleans’ Christmas parade, organized by the Krewe of Jingle is an annual holiday festival in Downtown featuring authentic Christmas-themed floats, marching bands, stilt walkers, and other live entertainment. Typically held in early December, the Krewe of Jingle Parade starts at 1 p.m. at Lee Circle and marches to the French Quarter. The Parade makes a U-turn on historic Canal Street and finishes at Howard Avenue.
Canal Street is one of the most popular spots to watch the parade as it gets filled with people releasing festive throws and goodies. The highlight of the parade is a special appearance by Mr. and Mrs. Claus, The Gingerbread Man, Mr. Bingle, Frosty the Snowman, and other popular culture characters. Ghostbuster mobile is one of the most popular floats at the parade. Altogether, there are about a dozen floats and over 50 elements at the parade that is usually led by a celebrity Grand Marshal. As all parades in New Orleans, it will have a carnival flare with hundreds of dancers and dance troupes, lavishly decorated cars and floats, and live jazz music.
The parade inspires the Downtown shops to introduce all kinds of special offers and promotions. Hoping to take advantage of the crowds floating downtown to catch the parade, retailers organize the annual Downtown NOLA Saturday Shopping Spree event where participating shops offer a bonus 15 percent off as an incentive to shop local.
