NEW ORLEANS – This holiday season, The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk®, a development of The Howard Hughes Corporation®, is New Orleans’ gateway to experiencing the authentic local traditions and exciting events that make the Crescent City spectacular. From Christmas tree and grand Chanukah Menorah lightings to holiday performances and riverfront movie screenings, locals and visitors alike will find something to celebrate at The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk.
In addition to events, customers will enjoy exclusive holiday sales in addition to the regular 25-65% off savings at more than 75 stores.
• Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
On Tuesday, November 24, 2015, at 5:00 p.m., join The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk during the second annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Take in the twinkling lights and seasonal splendor as they light up downtown New Orleans with a beautifully decorated 50-foot tree standing tall in Riverwalk’s Spanish Plaza. Guests will enjoy complimentary food and beverage samples, live music and special guest appearances from Santa's friends.
The tree lighting ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m.
• Sounds of the Season
The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk debuts Sounds of the Season, a new holiday program featuring five weeks of nightly performances, occurring every Tuesday from November 24 through December 22, between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. The indoor events near the Food Court showcase local bands, chorales and ensembles performing seasonal entertainment in true New Orleans holiday spirit. The Sounds of the Season series offers guests a family-friendly activity to enjoy during their holiday shopping.
• Thanksgiving and Black Friday Shopping
Open on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk invites shoppers to get an early start on holiday shopping and beat the Black Friday crowds. But Black Friday enthusiasts are in luck too, as the center is open from Friday, November 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Customers will enjoy exclusive after-Thanksgiving deals in addition to the regular 25-65% off savings at more than 75 stores.
• Holiday Movies on the Mississippi
The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk and the Downtown Development District (DDD), in partnership with the New Orleans Film Society, present three nights of free outdoor screenings of holiday movie favorites, Polar Express, Home Alone and Elf, at the annual Holiday Movies on the Mississippi.
Free and open to the public, the events will be hosted at Riverwalk’s Spanish Plaza with the movies shown on a 26-foot movie screen.
• Friday, December 4, 6:30 p.m. – Polar Express
• Friday, December 11, 6:30 p.m. – Home Alone
• Friday, December 18, 6:30 p.m. – Elf
Food and beverage vendors will be on-hand, and the first 50 families in attendance each Friday will receive a free fleece blanket, courtesy of the DDD.
The film series is part of the DDD’s Canal Street: Home for the Holidays promotion that supports Canal Street retailers during the holiday season and encourages family-friendly activity along the Canal Street corridor.
• Holiday Art Market
The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk kicks off its inaugural schedule of Holiday Art Markets this year during December. Featuring local artists, vendors and craftsmen, the weekly bazaar will take place in Riverwalk's Spanish Plaza Friday, December 4, 11 and 18, from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. prior to the Movie on the Mississippi screenings.
• Downtown Shopping Festival
In partnership with the DDD, The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk and other downtown retail partners present the first annual Downtown NOLA Shopping Festival on Saturday, December 5. Live music and special holiday discounts will be available at all participating stores.
• Chanukah at Riverwalk
In celebration of the first night of Chanukah, Chabad of Louisiana presents the annual Grand Menorah Lighting in Riverwalk’s Spanish Plaza on Sunday, December 6, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The free and open-to-the-public event includes live music, a hot latke bar, dreidel house kid’s activity center, face painting and more.
• Reindeer Run and Romp
On Saturday, December 12, join the DDD on Canal Street during the annual holiday fun run for kids. Rudolph, Santa and friends will jingle their bells to signal the start of the race, and participants will receive antlers, a T-shirt and a bag of holiday goodies. After the race, take a “romp” around Riverwalk’s Spanish Plaza and enjoy activities like yoga for kids and parents, pictures with Santa, music, games, crafts and more. Registration opens at 8:00 a.m., and the race starts at 9:00 a.m.
• Riverwalk Gift Cards
New this season, patrons can give friends and family the ultimate, indulgent holiday shopping experience – a gift card to The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk. Gift cards are available for purchase on Level B next to Louisiana Tax Free Shopping and can be used at any participating retailer.
• Holiday Hours
The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk is offering special, extended shopping hours in December:
• Dec. 1-5 and Dec. 7-12, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Dec. 6, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Dec. 13 and 20, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Dec. 14-19 and Dec. 21-23, 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Christmas Eve, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk will be closed on Christmas Day and will maintain normal hours for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
• Parking
Customer parking is available in the Center-adjacent "Whale" Surface Lot and the Hilton World Trade Center Garage, operated by Riverside Parking (Hilton Hotel). The "Whale" Surface Lot is located at the corner of Convention Center Blvd. & Julia Street. The World Trade Center Garage is located at the corner of Convention Center Blvd. & Poydras Street. The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk shoppers can enjoy a discount validation program provided by the lot operators.
