Kids and holiday-loving grownups find it entirely magical. Twenty-five acres of the enormous park (including Carousel Gardens and the fairytale-themed Storyland playground) is decked to the nines with light displays and other holiday decorations, starting on Thanksgiving Day. Celebration in the Oaks: City Park has been hosting this historic Christmas celebration for generations.Thoroughbred season at the Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots traditionally opens each year on Thanksgiving, and it's a big to-do. Thanksgiving: Lots of local restaurants offer up decadent Thanksgiving meals for both locals and out-of-towners (make reservations in advance), but the big excitement on Thanksgiving Day is at the racetrack.There's live music, of course, along with lots of shopping to be had in the many diverse shops and galleries of Oak Street. Over 30 vendors (mostly local restaurants coming out to play in street-casual mode) serve up traditional and unique po-boys to compete for a slate of prizes. Oak Street Po-Boy Festival: Head uptown to join thousands of locals in celebrating the humble (but glorious) New Orleans po-boy sandwich.Words and Music Festival: Sponsored by the good folks at Faulkner House Books in Pirate's Alley, this literary festival features readings, workshops, concerts, book signings, and more.

Big weather events in 2006