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N O L A.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, D e c e m b e r 24, 2025
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HOLIDAY JUNCTION
Director of Photography David Grunfeld captured this magical moment when the City Park train’s 2-mile route passes in front of a line of trees bejeweled for Celebration in the Oaks, creating a quintessential image for New Orleans holidays.
Q&A WITH SANTA CLAUS
A one-on-one exclusive with the man in the red suit
BY SUZIE HUNT
Contributing writer On a recent afternoon, I was able to connect with Santa Claus while he was in Slidell (to meet some little boys and girls), and we spoke briefly about his busy holiday work schedule, what he does when he’s not checking his lists and building toys, that sort of thing. Here are a few insights from my conversation with the man in red. How do you prepare for the big night? Santa: There’s a lot of different things. But when it all comes down to it, I think about the red suit. When you put it on, it’s magical. That naughty and nice list must be a chore. How do you keep it all straight? It used to be a really big job, but now it’s all computerized. It’s one of the ways modern technology is helpful. When do you get your last update on the naughty list before the big trip? Asking for a friend, of course. It’s all digital now. I check it on Christmas Eve morning. It’s a tight window but
pretty accurate.
things will be better. It’s all I can do.
I’ll let my friend know.. Who handles all the checklists and scheduling? It’s a little mind-boggling when you think about it all.
What do you do with all those letters to Santa? The elves help me with the mail. The volume is tremendous.
Mrs. Claus takes care of the logistics. She’s very valuable in the grand scheme of things and does a great job.
Who’s your favorite reindeer? Rudolph, of course. He guides the way. I also make sure I have plenty of reindeer snacks for the others, so everyone’s happy.
What do you do in the off-season? Do you have a hobby? I play a little golf. Mainly, I like making toys.
Speaking of snacks, what do you carry in your sleigh to get you through the long night? Do you have an energy drink you prefer or do you prefer coffee? I don’t take much with me because of all the cookies and milk waiting for me. They keep me going.
You’re getting on in years, respectfully speaking. When do you plan to retire? I don’t have a retirement date in sight. I enjoy what I do. When you visit a local event, like Christmas Under the Stars (at Slidell’s Heritage Park), and children come to talk to you, what are their most common wishes? There’s a lot of requests for popular toys. It changes from year to year. What is hard is when they ask for things I can’t control, like “when will Dad come home?” or “Mom is sick, and can I make her better?”
PHOTO BY MATTHEW DOBBINS
Santa tells a few of his secrets.
That’s got to be tough. What do you do? I do my best to give them hope that
What’s your favorite cookie? That’s easy. Chunky chocolate chip. What do you do on Dec. 26? I snuggle in for a long winter’s nap. Well, thanks for your time. I know you’re a busy man this time of year. Very true. Merry Christmas to all!
The last blast
Make warm memories in the chilly holiday weather Hanukkah is over and Christmas is just a sleepless night away, but some holiday events keep on going. We’ve made a list (and checked it twice) of what’s still to come.
LIGHTING THE WAY CELEBRATION IN THE OAKS: City Park’s fundraiser features more than a million lights, running to Jan. 1. The 2-mile driving tour starts at 4 Friederichs Ave. in New Orleans, and the
walking tour, starting at 7 Victory Ave., includes unlimited amusement park rides and access to the Botanical Garden. Tickets start at $7. celebrationintheoaks.com. KENNER’S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS VILLAGE: The free holiday experience at Heritage Park in Rivertown, 2015 Fourth St., Kenner, will run from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to Dec. 31. Activities include lights, snow, music, food, arts and crafts, weekend vendors, live entertainment and a special appearance from Santa Claus. kenner.la.us. CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK: The 39th annual light exhibit is in Lafreniere Park’s South Mall parking lot, 3000 Downs Blvd., Metairie, located closest to the West Napoleon Avenue entrance. The lights will remain open from 5:309 p.m. weeknights and 5:30-10 p.m. weekends through Dec. 30, with more than 40 new displays with more than 10 million LED lights. Driving and walking tours are available. Admis-
sion is $20 per vehicle in advance, $25 at the gate. lafrenierepark.org. CREOLE CHRISTMAS: Destrehan Plantation will offer an evening tour of the house and a walking tour of the Spirit of Christmas Lighting in the Alley of Oaks through Dec. 30, with tours starting at 6, 6:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m. The light show features more than 100 lighted frames and 50 Christmas trees, along with a lighted tunnel. $5, 2 and under free. Destrehan Plantation is located in St. Charles Parish at 13034 River Road in Destrehan. www. destrehanplantation.org. LIGHTING OF THE BONFIRES: Each Dec. 24, the east and west banks of St. John the Baptist and St. James parishes are lined with hand-built bonfires that light the way for Santa Claus. The bonfires start at 7 p.m. Most are concentrated in Gramercy, Lutcher, Paulina and Garyville along La. 44.
FILE PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
Young visitors pop fog bubbles during City Park’s annual ä See HOLIDAY, page 2G Celebration in the Oaks in New Orleans in 2024.