A Celebration in the Oaks

One of the first things we did was to take a tour of the Celebration in the Oaks – a month long holiday show featuring millions of twinkling lights throughout the Botanical Garden and Amusement Park. The evening was beautiful – as we found most nights to be in New Orleans. We paid our $6 entrance fee each and entered City Park where millions of lights twinkled in the famous Oak trees and throughout the flower beds. Performances were going on with school children singing Christmas Carols and actors doing skits. What struck us the most was the story behind Papa Noel. It was recreated in lights and we watched in amazement as Papa Noel’s skiff was drawn by alligators through the bayous so he could deliver his presents. Each culture is so different – building stories out of what they have.












When we came across the laser light show done to the song

“I want a hippopotamus for Christmas” – we both cracked up and I had to wait through 3 showings while The Man tried to film it on our camera for my brother. That song played over and over in my head the rest of the evening and on into the next day! Even now that I’ve written it – well – there it goes again!


They had a wonderful model train display going that included streetcars rattling around the buildings depicting downtown New Orleans and other areas. It was ringed round with wide-eyed children pointing out the little people in the train and streetcars. We soon became part of the crowd with mouths agape and fingers pointing – children again ourselves! Model railroads do that don’t they?



From there we came across a garden filled with birdhouses that depicted different houses throughout New Orleans. My voice could be heard calling to The Man as I came across another one – ‘Over here! Take a picture of this one!’ or

‘Here’s another hon!’



It was a wonderful twinkly experience! Children and adults laughing with delight and the promise of Christmas in the days yet to come.