Searching for a Christmas party venue in New Orleans that truly sparkles? From candlelit courtyards and Art Deco glamour to skyline views and chic riverfront vibes, these special event spaces wrap your celebration in twinkle lights, evergreens, and unmistakable NOLA cheer. Each one brings its own holiday personality—perfect for company gatherings, client appreciation nights, and friends-and-family fêtes.
Here are some of our favorites:
The MISI by Messina’s
Holiday vibe: Chic riverfront glow with modern magic
We’re starting with New Orleans’ newest venue—tucked into the French Quarter with twinkling views of the Mississippi. Perched inside the historic JAX Brewery, The MISI pairs floor-to-ceiling river vistas with polished interiors—black, gold, and warm woods—and breezy balconies.
Style it: Go contemporary with a winter-citrus palette (emerald + champagne + matte black), velvet lounge nooks, and frosted eucalyptus runners. Add a photo moment framed with mirrored ornaments and disco-ball garlands.
Menu ideas: Raw Gulf seafood bar on illuminated ice, rosemary-smoked beef tenderloin sliders, cranberry-citrus spritzers, and petite bûche de Noël bites.
Best for: Trend-forward brands • Cocktail-forward parties • Photo-worthy views
Messina’s at the Terminal – New Orleans Lakefront Airport
Holiday vibe: Art Deco sparkle meets Champagne countdown
Marble, terrazzo, and 1930s details set a glamorous backdrop from the Grand Atrium to the Walnut Room and observation deck—classic grandeur that feels made for a holiday countdown.
Style it: Lean into Old Hollywood with a monochrome tree, brass candlesticks, and black-tie tablescapes. A champagne tower beneath the murals is a showstopper.
Menu ideas: Oysters Rockefeller shooters, carving station with rosemary jus, martini + espresso bar, and praline-dusted profiteroles.
Best for: Statement parties • 1920s/Art Deco themes • Receptions with lake & runway views
The Rooftop on Basin
Holiday vibe: Skyline sleigh bells at golden hour
Start with spiced wine on the terrace at sunset, then move into the glass-lined salon for stations, sweets, and dancing against the twinkling city lights. The Rooftop on Basin’s mahogany bar, antique chandeliers, and commissioned New Orleans architectural artwork mean it’s already dressed for the festivities.
Style it: Layer candle clusters, acrylic bar fronts etched with snowflakes, and a “mistle-toe-go” selfie corner. Add patio heaters and faux-fur throws for cozy lounge pockets.
Menu ideas: Chef-attended mac ’n’ cheese bar with truffle crumbs, citrus-glazed Gulf shrimp, mini pecan pies, and hot toddy service.
Best for: Skyline soirées • Small-to-mid size parties • Golden-hour gatherings
Canal Street Inn
Holiday vibe: Storybook Christmas in a historic Mid-City mansion
Garlands on grand staircases, jazz drifting through parlors, and a lantern-lit courtyard—like stepping into a classic holiday novel. A luxury historic inn, the Canal Street Inn, sits in the heart of Mid-City.
Style it: Tartan ribbons, taper candles, and heirloom-style ornaments. Create a fireside cocoa cart with house-made marshmallows and cinnamon sticks.
Menu ideas: Passed crab cakes with remoulade, roasted beet & goat cheese tartlets, and bourbon-pecan bread pudding minis.
Best for: Boutique corporate parties • VIP client mixers • Intimate, candlelit receptions
Fair Grounds Race Course
Holiday vibe: A New Orleans tradition dressed for the season
Deck the Club House and private suites with wreaths and ribbon; add carving stations and a jazz trio in Santa hats. Few venues deliver “classic New Orleans” like this iconic racetrack.
Style it: Evergreen runners with gilded horse-bit accents, vintage racing-program centerpieces, and a cocoa-and-cookies late-night bar.
Menu ideas: Prime rib with horseradish cream, jambalaya arancini, chicory-coffee tiramisu cups, and candy-cane French 75s.
Best for: Classic NOLA ambiance • Progressive receptions • Larger guest lists
Hotel Mazarin
Holiday vibe: French Quarter elegance with a twinkling courtyard
Evergreen swags, sparkling bistro lights, and champagne toasts under the stars—refined yet welcoming. Half a block from Bourbon and Royal, the Hotel Mazarin is perfectly placed to keep the celebration going.
Style it: White-and-gold tablescapes, crystal coupe towers, and string-quartet holiday remixes.
Menu ideas: Citrus-cured salmon canapés, duck confit spoons with satsuma glaze, and champagne-poached pear tartlets.
Best for: Black-tie receptions • Client appreciation nights • Festive cocktail parties
Jung Hotel
Holiday vibe: Winter-white glam with room to dazzle
Sleek ballrooms and soaring foyers on famed Canal Street transform from crisp contemporary to gold-kissed grandeur at the Jung Hotel & Residences.
Style it: Oversized wreaths, mirrored runners, and uplighting that shifts from winter white to midnight countdown.
Menu ideas: Action ribeye station with chimichurri, Gulf fish en papillote, chocolate-hazelnut croquembouche minis, and a French-75 cart.
Best for: Corporate galas • Plated dinners with dancing • Charity celebrations
Maison Dupuy
Holiday vibe: Courtyard Noël in the French Quarter
String lights, poinsettias, and a courtyard that glows at dusk—warm, welcoming, the Maison Dupuy is unmistakably New Orleans.
Style it: Candlelit café rounds, brass lanterns, and a caroling trio or acoustic jazz.
Menu ideas: Crawfish beignets, mirliton-and-shrimp dressing spoons, and hot buttered-rum bread pudding.
Best for: Mid-size celebrations • Courtyard cocktail hours • Festive holiday brunches
Holiday Party Planning: Your Merry-Making Checklist
- Set the scene: Evergreens vs. metallic-modern; lounge vignettes; and intentional lighting for a cozy glow (and great photos).
- Craft the menu: Carving stations, Gulf seafood displays, petite desserts, late-night beignets—plus thoughtful zero-proof pairings.
- Plan the flow: Sunset welcome, curated music moments, interactive chef stations, and a sweet send-off.
- Make it easy: Parking, AV, entertainment, and timelines—button up your logistics so you can celebrate.
Book Early—The Nice List Fills Fast
Peak dates in November, December, and early January go quickly. Share your guest count, neighborhood, and vibe—we’ll match you to the perfect venue and build a turnkey plan with catering, bar, décor, and timeline.
All venues listed above are exclusive Messina’s venues, which means seamless planning and chef-crafted holiday menus from a team that loves this season as much as you do. Explore additional spaces where we’re a preferred caterer across Greater New Orleans: https://messinascatering.com/venues/
Let’s make your New Orleans holiday party unforgettable.
Contact Messina’s Catering & Events to get started.