Join in a truly moving 63-year-old tradition as Jackson Square brims with candlelit faces and song-lit spirits as high as the spires of the St. Louis Cathedral.

Candles and song sheets provided. Gates open at 6:30 pm and Caroling begins promptly at 7pm. For more information, call (504) 523-7047. Free and open to the public.

Sunday, December 20, 2-4 pm , French Quarter

Savor the holiday spirit as Patio Planters presents beautiful French Quarter residences dressed for the season. Features include interesting architectural styles and home furnishings, as well as a variety of collections of Christmas decorations. The tour, which lasts from 2:00 PM till 4:00PM, is a fundraiser for the highly anticipated Caroling in Jackson Square later in the evening.

$20 Tickets (Children under 12 free) will be available at Creole Delicacies, 533 St. Ann St. (at Jackson Square).

Holiday Decorations 2007

Each year, a panel of Patio Planters judges boards the official judging vehicle (everything from a van to a limousine to an antique fire truck) and makes the travels through the Quarter in search of the best holiday decorations ... stopping along the way for food and drink, of course.

Patio Planters encourages everyone to decorate and contribute to the festive atmosphere of the French Quarter. The winners are announced every year on the following Sunday at Caroling in Jackson Square.

The categories are: Best Overall, Best Hotel, Best Commercial, Best Window/Door, and Best Balcony.

The 2009 Judging will be held Tuesday, December 15, 2009.

UPDATE: HERE ARE THE WINNERS!

The Patio Planters Board traveled through the French Quarter on the evening of December 15 to judge Christmas decorations, and have awarded the following category winners, to be announced at Caroling in Jackson Square. Each category winner will receive a plaque and a $100 gift certificate to Santa's Quarters on Decatur Street.

Best Hotel: Nine-O-Five Hotel, 905 Royal (Jane Morell, Proprietor)

Best Commercial: Razzle Dazzle, 524 Royal (Barbara Coe, Proprietor)

Best Door: 1300 Chartres Street (Levy Easterly, owner)

Best Balcony: 816 St. Philip (Lynne and Harold Neitzschman, owners)

Best Overall: K-Joe's Cajun and Creole Cuisine, 720 St. Louis (Kitsy Adams, Chef Joseph Faroldi, Travis Sealey, Proprietors)

And although there are no awards for this category, the Patio Planters Board would like to name the following as Honorable Mentions:

8th District Police Station, 334 Royal Street and the French Market Corporation Christmas Tree at Washington Artillery Park