Christmas in the Park will dazzle Lafreniere Park with holiday lights starting Dec. 2

METAIRIE, La. (NOLA WEEKEND) - The 36th annual Christmas in the Park will kick off with an official lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, Jefferson Parish officials announced.

Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng and Councilman Dominick F. Impastato, III, along with other Jefferson Parish elected officials, will flip the switch for this annual display at the ceremony near the concession stand in Lafreniere Park. Special performances The ceremony will be followed by special performances at 6:30 p.m. for everyone to enjoy.

This year, Christmas in the Park will feature a new 28-foot-tall special attraction to celebrate the 36th anniversary, officials said. The annual exhibit showcases elaborate decorations, artificial snow and festive lighted displays constructed with more than 10 million LED lights throughout Lafreniere Park.

Guests can enjoy several lighted display themes, including Star Wars, Marvel and D.C Comics, Minions, Disney Princesses and a pirate ship. The attraction also features an interactive walking tour set to random scenes from Star Wars, Peanuts and other favorite classics.

Another attraction, Santa’s Express Mail Center, lets children view Santa’s elves building toys for all the good little girls and boys. Santa, Rudolph, Frosty and the Grinch will make special appearances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Plum Street Snoballs and local food trucks will be selling concessions nightly.

Driving and walking tours through the exhibit are available. Admission is $10 dollars per vehicle. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at https://lafrenierepark.org  via credit and debit cards only. No cash will be accepted at the gate. 

All vehicles must enter from West Napoleon Avenue and exit at Downs Boulevard. Upon entering the park, traffic will flow counter-clockwise around the park. The Downs Boulevard Park entrance will close daily at 5 p.m.  Event hours are Sunday thru Thursday 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 5:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.  The West Napoleon Avenue gate will close at 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

Christmas in the Park will be held nightly beginning Dec. 2 and ending on Dec. 30. Lafreniere Park will be closed on Christmas Day and will reopen on Dec. 26.

Lafreniere Park is located at 3000 Downs Boulevard in Metairie.

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