Quick Details
4:00pm Departs Gray Line Lighthouse
Ages 6+ • Boarding begins @ 3:45pm
$ 150
4:30pm Departs Rouses on Vets
Ages 6+ • Boarding begins @ 4:15pm
$ 150
Experience Louisiana’s holiday bonfire tradition, throughout December, with Gray Line!
The small communities just upriver from New Orleans are home to a unique holiday tradition – building, lighting and gathering around towering bonfires along the Mississippi River levee to light the way for “Papa Noel,” Santa Claus, on Christmas Eve. A Gray Line exclusive, this intimate guided experience brings locals and visitors together for a private Cajun dinner and bonfire experience at Destrehan Plantation.
After a short motorcoach ride, you’ll arrive at Destrehan Plantation for a guided tour of the Big House and self-guided tour of the grounds, featuring the new Spirit of Christmas Light Exhibit. Continue the evening with a delicious Cajun-style dinner featuring local favorites that capture the flavors of Christmastime. Stop by the cash bar to purchase beer and wine, before heading to the bonfire site.
The highlight of the night is a private bonfire viewing, giving guests a preview of the Christmas Eve bonfires on the Mississippi River levee. Guests will learn more about Louisiana’s holiday traditions as they enjoy the warmth of a towering bonfire.
Dinner Menu: Salad, Jambalaya, Baked chicken, Vegetable of choice, Bread, and Dessert of choice (Bread pudding or Brookies); Served with Coke products, tea, and water
*Please note, a Self-Drive Option (No Transportation) is available. Guests who purchase the Self-Drive option should meet us at Destrehan Plantation at 5:00 p.m. for check in on the day of their tour. Note that ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber DO NOT SERVICE THE AREA. Gray Line bus transportation is by reservation only.*
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Gray Line Lighthouse Departure (4:00 p.m.)
– 400 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Bus will depart from the Gray Line Lighthouse at 4:00 p.m. and return at 8:45 p.m. *Guests should arrive 15 – 20 minutes before departure.*Rouses Market Departure (4:30 p.m.)
– 2900 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA 70002
Bus will depart from Rouses Market at 4:30 p.m. and return at 8:20 p.m. *Guests should arrive 15 – 20 minutes before departure.*Self-Drive Option – NO TRANSPORTATION (5:00 p.m.)
– 13034 River Rd, Destrehan, LA 70047
The tour will meet at Destrehan Plantation. Please arrive at 5:00 p.m. to check in with your Gray Line Tour Guide. Note that ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber DO NOT SERVICE THE AREA. Gray Line bus transportation is by reservation only. -
Gray Line Lighthouse Departure (4:00 p.m.)
– 400 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Please display your barcoded voucher as your ticket 15 minutes in advance of your tour time at our Lighthouse Ticket Office at Toulouse Street and the Mississippi River, directly behind the JAX Brewery.Rouses Market Departure (4:30 p.m.)
– 2900 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA 70002
Please display your barcoded voucher as your ticket 15 minutes in advance of your tour time at our departure point at Rouses Market.Self-Drive Option – NO TRANSPORTATION (5:00 p.m.)
– 13034 River Rd, Destrehan, LA 70047
Please check in with your Gray Line Tour Guide upon arrival at Destrehan Plantation. Note that ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber DO NOT SERVICE THE AREA. Gray Line bus transportation is by reservation only.If you have any questions, please contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone at (504) 569-1401.
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- Jambalaya
- Baked Chicken
- Vegetable of Choice
- Bread
- Dessert of Choice (Bread pudding or Brookies)
- Served with Coke Products, Tea, and Water
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- Beer ($3)
- Wine ($7)
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- Bonfire Viewing at Destrehan Plantation
- Round-trip Transportation: Departure from Gray Line Lighthouse OR Departure from Rouses Market (2900 Veterans Memorial Blvd); *Self-Drive Option Does Not Include Transportation*
- Cajun Dinner
- Guided Tour of Plantation House
- Self-guided Tour of Grounds
- Spirit of Christmas Light Exhibit
- Cash Bar Onsite (Beer & Wine)
- Expert Tour Guide Sharing Local History and Cajun & Creole Christmas Traditions
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- Gratuities (optional)
- Plantation Gift Shop will remain open until 7:50 p.m.
- Beer & Wine available for purchase at the Cash Bar
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- 30 minute Creole Christmas Tour of the plantation house is included. Guests will be able to explore the dependency buildings and self guided museums following the house tour.
- Guests will have access to the Spirit of Christmas Light exhibit on the plantation grounds will be included. This is a ¼ mile walk through the Alley of Oaks Area with over 75 lighted holiday displays.
- A portion of the ticket price will be donated to The Greater New Orleans Therapeutic Riding Center.
- Following dinner guests will gather at the bonfire site for the lighting.
- The gift shop will remain open until 7:50 when guests will board the buses for return to the City.
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Bookings are non-refundable. All sales are final.