Black Friday Shopping and More in New Orleans

Holiday Shopping Events Beyond Black Friday

Go beyond the frantic sales of Black Friday and check out these Christmas shopping events, activities, and other specials that often include entertainment and other fun in addition to gift buying opportunities during the Holidays in New Orleans. Included are sessions where you can blow your own glass ornament, enjoy Merriment on Magazine Street, St. Nicholas Day Fair in the French Market and more.

Downtown New Orleans

It's not quite the major shopping venue of years past when Canal St. was king, but downtown New Orleans is a great place to shop. Stores are less crowded than the suburban malls and the variety of shopping venues are incredible. (BTW, In addition to Black Friday shopping, you want to schefdule your Christmas shopping excursions during special downtown events.)

In addition to Canal Street, the unique galleries and shops in the French Quarter, are a traditional shopping venue for locals and tourists. Shops offer which offer everything from art, antiques, jewelry, coins, toys, clothes, accessories, and more. There a toy shop on the row of stores in the Pontalba on Jackson Square. And unique items can be found at the Historic New Orleans Collection on Royal Street and the Friends of the Cabildo shop in the Pontalba. Those purchases also benefit these worthwhile organizations.

Cross Esplanade Avenue for the quirky venues in the Marigny neighborhood for more unique gifts. Head to the Warehouse District (also known as the Arts District and the Museum District for more art galleries and the unique shops inside the musuems such as the Louisiana Children's Museum, the World War II Museum, and area art museums.

Downtown has malls too: Canal Place boosts Macy's along with upscale shops. There are wide scope of gift items available at the many stores and vendors inside the Riverwalk, which is also the site for a variety of Christmas and holiday events.

Magazine Street

Magazine Street might be the favorite "real New Orleans" shopping venue . Strolling this long uptown street is so interesting and pleasant. You'll find truly unique gifts at the varied shops. And shopping here is a way to support many local businesses and shop-owners.

The Malls

Local malls seem to open earlier each year, often following the lead of major anchor stores. They'll be plenty of sales, if you can find a parking space:

Downtown: Canal Place & Riverwalk

Westbank: Oakwood (It's right off the Crescent City Connection Bridge)

Metairie: Lakeside and Clearview

Kenner: Esplanade

Gulfport Premium Outlets

Lots of locals hit the road on Black Friday for a destination shopping trip. The Gulfport Premium Outlet stores, right off the I-10 in Mississippi, usually have a post-Thanksgiving weekend sale featuring Midnight Madness and the center's biggest sale of the year.

Gonzales Tanger Outlet

Another destination shopping hot spot is sure to be the Tanger Outlet Shopping Center right off I-10 in Gonzales, between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

In fact, the Gonzales Outlets usually doesnt even wait for Black Friday - The sales started at 10 pm on Thanksgiving night and continue through the weekend last year, along with specials and giveaways.

Midnight Openings (or earlier)

Here are some publicized midnight openings (or earlier)for Thanksgiving Black Friday sales from 2011. They may even go earlier this year. Stay tuned for updates. -Department and Big Box Stores: Target, Best Buy, Macy's and Sears opened at Midnight on Thanksgiving night. Some smaller stores in their malls followed their lead. Gulfport Outlet shops had Midnight Madness plans and those in Gonzales opened at 10 p.m.

Black Friday Pet Bargain?

Last year,the Louisiana SPCA held an animal adoption Black Friday sale this week for black dogs and cats at the shelter with a reduced fee will be $25. No word yet about 2012, but check with the shelter, they may give you a deal. Here's a list of other places to adopt a pet in New Orleans.