Updated 2 Nov 2026 · recomputed nightly
Is December 2026 a good month to visit New Orleans?
Lively — the typical December day in New Orleans is busier than 56% of its year.
The weather is the trade-off here, not the crowds.
Calm · Lively · Busy · Packed rank a day against New Orleans's own year — not a headcount.
This month's verified events: New Orleans Eve (Holidays New Orleans Style) and Crescent City Countdown fireworks (31).
December sits between the seasons in New Orleans: mild and wet, around 18°C / 65°F with rain on about 11 days, Lively on 30 of 31 days — 1 day runs Busy or Packed.
Mostly yes, if the weather does not put you off. The typical December day in New Orleans is Lively, and only 1 of the 31 days in our window runs Busy or Packed. Expect around 18 °C by day, with rain on about 11 days. Public holidays in United States add to it. 68th ASH Annual Meeting (American Society of Hematology) falls on 12–15 December. No week of December is meaningfully quieter — the typical day is Lively throughout; pick by day instead. The crush is at Bourbon Street at night; the quiet is at Royal and Chartres by day. The calmest day is Tuesday 1 December, the busiest Thursday 31 December.
In short, a solid middle-ground pick.
Among the 12 months we forecast for New Orleans, December ranks 8th for crowd pressure. Its heaviest day is Thu 31 Dec, busier than 99% of the year; its lightest is Tue 1 Dec at 56%.
Preparing pays off in a month like this: timed-entry tickets and pre-booked tours turn the queue time into sightseeing time. see the options →
Pack for wet first — rain on 11 of 31 days.
A folding one lives in the day bag and weighs nothing.
See umbrellas →
Wet stone is the thing to plan around in a month this wet.
See walking shoes →
How busy is New Orleans in December?
The busiest day is the 31st. Away from those, most days sit Lively.
The month is not one thing: its lightest day sits at 56% of the year and its heaviest at 99%, so where you land inside it matters. Daylight runs about 10 hours.
Either side of it, November picks up and January picks up.
The calmest days include the 1st, 2nd and 3rd — 29 days share that level, so there is room to choose.
Tue 01 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Tue 1 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-01 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 02 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Wed 2 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-02 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 03 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Thu 3 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-03 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 04 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Fri 4 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-04 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 05 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Sat 5 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-05 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 06 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Sun 6 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-06 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 07 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Mon 7 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-07 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 08 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Tue 8 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-08 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 09 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Wed 9 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-09 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 10 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Thu 10 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-10 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 11 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Fri 11 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-11 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 12 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here · 68th ASH Annual Meeting (American Society of Hematology)
Record New Orleans on Sat 12 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. Why: 68th ASH Annual Meeting. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-12 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 13 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here · 68th ASH Annual Meeting (American Society of Hematology)
Record New Orleans on Sun 13 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. Why: 68th ASH Annual Meeting. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-13 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 14 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here · 68th ASH Annual Meeting (American Society of Hematology)
Record New Orleans on Mon 14 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. Why: 68th ASH Annual Meeting. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-14 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 15 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here · 68th ASH Annual Meeting (American Society of Hematology)
Record New Orleans on Tue 15 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. Why: 68th ASH Annual Meeting. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-15 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 16 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Wed 16 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-16 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 17 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Thu 17 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-17 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 18 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Fri 18 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-18 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 19 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Sat 19 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-19 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 20 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Sun 20 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-20 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 21 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Mon 21 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-21 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 22 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Tue 22 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-22 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 23 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Wed 23 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-23 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 24 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Thu 24 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-24 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Fri 25 Dec Lively busier than 58% of days here · United States public holiday
Record New Orleans on Fri 25 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. Why: United States public holiday. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-25 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sat 26 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Sat 26 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-26 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Sun 27 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Sun 27 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-27 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Mon 28 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Mon 28 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-28 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Tue 29 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Tue 29 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-29 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Wed 30 Dec Lively busier than 56% of days here
Record New Orleans on Wed 30 Dec 2026 is forecast Lively. The day in full, the year at a glance, and how this day compares: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-30 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Thu 31 Dec Packed busier than 99% of days here · New Orleans Eve (Holidays New Orleans Style) and Crescent City Countdown fireworks
Event on this day
New Orleans Eve (Holidays New Orleans Style) and Crescent City Countdown fireworks
31 Dec 2026The event day is Packed. our forecast
Record New Orleans on Thu 31 Dec 2026 is forecast Packed. Why: New Orleans Eve and Crescent City Countdown fireworks. Nearest calmer day: Wed 30 Dec (Lively). The day in full, the year at a glance, and what's worth booking ahead: https://avoid-crowds.com/new-orleans-louisiana/#d-2026-12-31 (Avoid-Crowds, as of 2 Nov 2026; recomputed nightly.)
Which week of December is quietest in New Orleans?
No week of December is meaningfully quieter — the typical day is Lively throughout; pick by day instead.
Can't move the dates? How to avoid the worst crowds
- Need flexibility? The 1st–30th is the month's calmest stretch — the easiest window to move around in.
- On the busy days, the walk-up queues for the big sights are the biggest time-sink — a timed-entry ticket skips them, which is where a busy month is won or lost.
Travelling on a busy day?
Timed-entry and skip-the-line tickets turn queue time into sightseeing time — sort them before you fly.
December weather in New Orleans
Mild — around 18°C / 65°F, with a light jacket for the evenings, with rain on about 11 days, so keep a layer handy.
Worth booking the marquee sights ahead for the busy days, but you can keep the rest of the trip flexible.
More about New Orleans in December
Based on: United States' public holidays · the official airport-arrivals pattern (BTS T-100, measured 2023–2025; airport-arrivals proxy for visitor volume) · five years of weather records (2019–2023) · confirmed event dates · the published cruise schedule
Every figure is recomputed nightly from real cruise schedules, public and school holidays, and long-run climate normals. Gaps are shown, not filled.
