Details announced for the third annual Children’s Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade, presented by Feed Your Soul

Nov 11

NEW ORLEANS – Details have been announced for the 3rd annual Children’s Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade which will take place in downtown New Orleans Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, starting at 11 a.m. The event, which has been nominated as a Top 10 holiday parade among USA Today readers, is back with a longer route and signature throws.

Celebrating the holiday season in New Orleans, the 30-float parade will include custom, holiday-themed floats that feature animatronic props, intelligent lighting systems, special effects and audio systems, along with traditional rider floats, bringing the joy and magic of the holiday season to tens of thousands of parade-goers, along with those tuning in from home via the WDSU broadcast.

“Children’s Hospital is proud to continue this new family tradition to help kickoff the holiday season here in New Orleans,” said Lucio A. Fragoso, president and CEO of Children’s Hospital New Orleans. “We invite the community to join us for a day of joy and fun as we celebrate the season of giving and gratitude, while supporting the vital, 70-year mission of your Children’s Hospital.”

The parade will also feature high-flying helium balloons, along with dozens of New Orleans’ beloved marching groups and bands, and of course, Santa himself with his cast of holiday characters.

“The holiday season is one of the most wonderful times of the year here in New Orleans,” said Barry Kern, president and CEO of Kern Studios. “Local families and tourists alike will line the streets of our traditional downtown route on December 7 as we enjoy the season like only New Orleans can. Kern Studios is proud to partner with Children’s Hospital again this year to bring kids and families this opportunity to experience joy and wonder.”

The Children’s Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade, presented by Louisiana Feed Your Soul, is made possible in partnership with Kern Studios, NewOrleans.com, the French Market Corporation, WDSU, Audacy and many other supporters. Sponsors include B1 Bank, Chick-fil-A New Orleans, the Downtown Development District, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Coca-Cola United, Ronald McDonald House New Orleans and Hornbeck Offshore.

“Louisiana is a premier destination for tourists and locals alike throughout the year, but especially during the holiday season – and there is no better place to kick off the holidays than New Orleans,” said Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. “With an expanded parade route, and so many wonderful downtown restaurants and experiences to enjoy along with the parade, the event will serve as a significant economic boost to downtown businesses, while also supporting the mission of our Children’s Hospital. The Louisiana Office of Tourism is proud to be a part of this special and uniquely Louisiana event.”

New this year, Children’s Hospital is partnering with the New Orleans Marriott family of properties to offer hotel and experience packages. Discounted room rates are being offered as part of the Papa Noel holiday package for parade weekend, and the New Orleans Sheraton and JW Marriott hotels are planning viewing parties with reserved balcony and street viewing areas available. A portion of proceeds will be donated back to Children’s Hospital through Children’s Miracle Network. Check out the participating properties event details and book your stay here.

The Children’s Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade will begin at the corner of Esplanade Avenue and North Peters Street, traveling North Peters to Decatur Street through the vibrant French Market toward Jackson Square and Oscar Dunn Park, where it will bring the joy and magic of the holiday season to life. The parade will then make its way back to North Peters, turning right on Canal Street, with a U-turn on Barrone Street, traveling back through downtown to Tchoupitoulas Street, ending at St. Joseph Street.

For those who can’t catch the parade in person, WDSU will be televising the parade live via a two-and-a-half-hour special broadcast. Programming will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a special half-hour introduction that highlights the impact of Children’s Hospital, shares inspiring patient stories and helps raise important funds for the hospital.

Finally, patients at Children’s Hospital have been busy decorating custom-made and adorned plastic ornaments that will be given out as signature throws this year. Each one-of-a-kind ornament includes a tag with the patient’s name.

To learn more about the Children’s Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade and sponsorship opportunities, visit nolaholidayparade.com.

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About Children’s Hospital New Orleans
Children’s Hospital New Orleans is a 263-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, including over 40 pediatric specialties, delivered just for children. With more than 600 pediatric providers, Children’s offers a comprehensive array of pediatric healthcare services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, the hospital operates a network of specialty clinics across Louisiana, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Lafayette, and Diamondhead, MS. Children’s offers primary care services at 14 convenient locations and remotely via its Virtual Care for Kids program. Children’s is a proud member of LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based, not-for-profit hospital system which also includes New Orleans East Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, East Jefferson General Hospital, Lakeview Hospital, and Lakeside Hospital. Learn more at chnola.org.

About Kern Studios
Rooted in the unique Mardi Gras culture of New Orleans, Kern Studios is the premier specialty fabrication company for parades, custom 3D props for outdoor advertising, and themed environments. Kern Studios strives to create memorable entertainment experiences that exceed clients’ expectations by combining tradition and innovation.

We are a family business that is currently on its third generation of leadership. With over 80 years of experience in the entertainment production space, we are confident in our ability to produce the finest work in any context. Kern Studios maintains a deep appreciation for the hands-on craftsmanship that built our business. What started in 1932 as a mule-drawn float on the back of a garbage wagon has become a global leader in parade and prop production. Learn more at kernstudios.com.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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