Coming this December!!!
Honey, the holiday season in New Orleans is about to snap, crackle, and pirouette its way into your heart with The Nutcracker Ballet—and you do not want to miss it! From December 13th to 23rd, the New Orleans Ballet Theatre (NOBT) is serving up Christmas magic at The Orpheum Theater, just a short streetcar shimmy from our fabulous Historic Mardi Gras Inn. And, gurl, have we got news—our inn is now proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated, plus we’ve had a glow-up renovation that would make even Tchaikovsky clap his hands and holler “Yas, queen!”
A Holiday Tradition with a NOLA Twist
This ain’t your average Nutcracker, darlings. NOBT’s production is where classic meets Crescent City charm. With a cast of incredibly talented professional dancers and over 120 local kiddos twirling and leaping their little hearts out, this two-act ballet is an absolute feast for your eyes and soul. The sets are stunning, the costumes are dripping in opulence, and that iconic Tchaikovsky score? Perfection. You’ll be transported to a magical world of sugarplums, snowflakes, and sassy mice plotting their takeover. (A mouse with an attitude? We stan.)
And let’s talk about the venue, shall we? The Orpheum Theater is a crown jewel of New Orleans. Built in 1921 and lovingly restored, it’s a masterpiece of old-school glamor—kind of like Cher, but stationary. The run time for this iconic production is about two hours, including one fabulous intermission, giving you just enough time to grab a cocktail and refresh your holiday spirit.
Stay in Style, Stroll in Comfort
When you book your stay at the Historic Mardi Gras Inn, you’re not just reserving a room; you’re joining the fam, sugar! We’re a short streetcar ride (or a leisurely stroll) to The Orpheum, and with one of those iconic New Orleans streetcar stops just steps from our front door, you can hop on a holiday-decked trolley and get whisked to all the city’s hotspots. (The streetcars are legit serving their seasonal best—think glitter, garlands, and major “Santa’s sleigh but make it public transit” vibes.)
Our location? Prime real estate, honey. We’re one block from the French Quarter, which means after soaking in the ballet’s cultural richness, you can dive into a more casual night of Crescent City revelry. Picture this: one evening, you’re sipping champagne in your Nutcracker best, and the next, you’re downing a po’ boy, exploring art galleries, and letting loose to some soulful live jazz. It’s all about balance, babe.
Make a Night (or Two) of It
Why settle for one magical evening when you can pack in all the holiday fun? Start your night at The Nutcracker, marveling at the dancers’ precision and grace, and finish it with a festive stroll through the French Quarter’s twinkling lights. From indulgent Creole cuisine to cocktails that will make you believe in Santa again, the Quarter is the perfect counterbalance to an elegant evening at the ballet.
And let’s not forget our city’s nightlife, which is just as fabulous as the ballet. Whether you’re feeling jazzy, hungry, or ready to shake it like a Polaroid picture, the French Quarter serves up whatever your heart (or stomach) desires.
Book Your Holiday Escape Now
The Nutcracker Ballet is a timeless treasure, but seats at The Orpheum fill up faster than Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve. And speaking of filling up, our cozy inn is ready to welcome you with clean, affordable accommodations and a staff that will treat you like one of their own. We may not promise sugarplum fairies in your room, but we guarantee a warm welcome, a lot of love, and maybe some tips on where to score the best beignets in town. For more information on accommodations call ud directly at 504.949.5815 OR 1.800.209.9408. Or visit us online at historicmardigrasinn.com.
This holiday season, let’s make merry like only New Orleans can—dancing, dining, and spreading joy like glitter on Bourbon Street. So grab your tickets to The Nutcracker Ballet, pack your sassiest holiday outfit, and come live your best life with us in the Big Easy. Because baby, the Crescent City doesn’t just do Christmas—it slays Christmas.
🎄✨ Come see us and let’s make this a holiday season to remember, one pirouette and po’ boy at a time. ✨🎄