Trade the Snow for Brass: The "Big Easy Holiday Bash" is Bringing New Orleans Heat to Cambridge

Let’s be honest: by mid-December, the standard playlist of radio carols can start to feel a little repetitive. Sometimes, you need less "Silent Night" and a lot more brass.

If you are looking to trade the winter chill for the humid, high-energy vibe of the French Quarter, the Big Easy Holiday Bash 2025 is the escape you’re looking for. Running from December 11–13 at Arrow Street Arts, this isn’t your grandmother’s holiday recital. It is a three-night celebration of New Orleans R&B, swing, and the kind of soulful joyousness that only a big band can deliver.

The Vibe: NOLA Meets The Nightclub

Leading the charge is National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, alongside Grammy-winning vocalist Nicole Zuraitis.
The goal? To transport you from a chilly night in Harvard Square straight to a sweaty, sophisticated night out on Bourbon Street.

“We are going to bring a bit of the New Orleans brass band sound, mix it with the sophisticated orchestral sounds of Duke Ellington, and a bit of the nightclub sound for a unique experience you won’t find anywhere else,” says Marsalis.

The Nutcracker, Remixed

Perhaps the biggest draw for those of us who appreciate a good genre-mashup is what they are doing to The Nutcracker.

Forget the stiff tutus. This performance reimagines Duke Ellington’s legendary Nutcracker Suite through a lens of modern, kinetic energy. Award-winning choreographer Adrienne T. Hawkins has curated a visual experience that blends tradition with the streets.
To pull this off, she’s enlisted Russell Ferguson (Boston native and the Season 6 winner of So You Think You Can Dance) and Tron Hunt (co-founder of Slaughter House Poppin Sessions).
“The music was composed in the late 1800s, Duke Ellington upgraded it to a jazz feel in 1960, and we are upgrading the jazz feel to a contemporary visual,” explains Hawkins. “We have everything from krumping and popping to ballet.”

Why You Should Go

This event, co-presented by Bresette and Company, marks a major moment for Arrow Street Arts. If you haven't visited the venue (located in the old Oberon space) yet, this is the perfect excuse. It is quickly becoming a hub for accessible, community-focused art that feels vibrant rather than formal.
Whether you are a jazz head, a dance fan, or just someone looking for a holiday party that actually feels like a party, this is the ticket to grab.

The Details

• What: Big Easy Holiday Bash 2025
• Who: Delfeayo Marsalis, Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Nicole Zuraitis, and dancers including Russell Ferguson.
• When: December 11, 12, & 13, 2025 | 7:00 PM
• Where: Arrow Street Arts, 2 Arrow St, Cambridge, MA
• Tickets: Available now at
• ArrowStArts.org

Pro-Tip: This is a limited three-night engagement in an intimate venue. Grab your tickets early, grab a drink nearby in Harvard Square before the show, and get ready for the best jazz party of the season.