French Quarter Events

Our curated list of upcoming neighborhood happenings is updated each Tuesday, so check back often!

image: Orleans Street during New Year's fireworks, by Emilie Rhys.  See details for the 2024 celebration below!

FQJ’s Don’t-Miss List

December 18, Wednesday @6pm – 7pm

December 22, Sunday @5:30pm - 6:30pm

Holidays New Orleans Style: Cathedral Concerts

615 Pere Antoine Alley, Jackson Square

  • December 18, 2024 - 6-7pm
    Yusa & Mahmoud Chouki

    Sunday, December 22, 2024 - 5:30-6:30pm 
    St. Louis Cathedral Choir and Orchestra Concert

    Followed by Caroling in the Square - 7pm

December 10 - 22nd

The Week Ahead at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro

626 Frenchmen Street

  • ~ FQJ's Fave:  Masakowski Family Christmas Show, Dec, 22nd (perfect way to end the day after the Patio Planters Home Tour and Caroling on the Square!

    Click here for the full month's schedule and links to purchase tickets!

December 21, Saturday @6:30pm

20th Anniversary Home for the Holiday Concert

House of Blues, 225 Decatur Street

benefits the Daniel Price Memorial Fund for Aspiring Artists

  • The NOCCA Foundation and the family of Daniel Price are thrilled to announce the 20th anniversary celebration of Home for the Holidays on Saturday, December 21 at House of Blues New Orleans (225 Decatur Street). This year’s star-studded music lineup features Irma Thomas, Rebirth Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins, John Boutte, DJ Raj Smoove, Flagboy Giz and emcee Gralen Banks. 

    Tickets for the event start at $79.50 (including all taxes/ticketing fees) and are now available to purchase. Details about each ticket level can be found below.

    Sponsors of this year’s event include The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com, French Quarter Journal, and Sazerac.

    GOLD, SILVER, AND BRONZE TICKETS

    Gold, Silver, and Bronze-level ticket-holders are invited to the Home for the Holidays patron party from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. Patrons will be treated to back-to-back performances by two New Orleans legends: Irma Thomas and John Boutte! 

    Gold, Silver, and Bronze patrons will enjoy a buffet dinner and open bar during the patron party, plus a fabulous silent auction featuring artwork, experiences, and other items great for holiday gifting. Patrons will also have all-night access to the Parish Room, where there will be an open bar from 8pm until the end of the Home for the Holidays concert.

    The 80 Gold-level patrons will receive reserved seating in the House of Blues loge for the patron party and concert. Note that Gold tickets typically sell out, so please buy early!

    GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS

    General admission ticket-holders join the party from 8pm to midnight. This part of the evening features Kermit Ruffins, Rebirth Brass Band, DJ Raj Smoove, and Flagboy Giz, with emcee Gralen Banks, and surprise guests. General admission ticket-holders can also enjoy the Home for the Holidays silent auction until 9pm.

    ABOUT DANIEL PRICE

    Proceeds from Home for the Holidays support the NOCCA Foundation's Daniel Price Memorial Fund for Aspiring Artists, which honors the memory of NOCCA alum Daniel Price (Visual Arts, 1993) with scholarships for NOCCA students. To date, Home for the Holidays and the Daniel Price Fund have raised over $500,000 for NOCCA and its amazing students. 

    The Daniel Price Memorial Fund for Aspiring Artists was established following Price’s death at the age of 28 while protecting his wife from an assailant in San Francisco. Daniel's fund is part of the NOCCA Foundation's Student Support Program, which provides NOCCA's young artists with year-round support for training, supplies, and college scholarships.

    "Home for the Holidays was dreamed up by the Price family 20 years ago as a way to turn a profound tragedy into a celebration of Daniel's life and a legacy of support for NOCCA's young artists," said Adonis Rose, executive director of the NOCCA Foundation. "We’re excited to continue honoring Daniel’s legacy and further support our mission of investing in young artists and developing programs that encourage educational excellence and artistic innovation.”

December 22, Sunday @12pm - 4pm

Holiday Home Tour by Patio Planters

pick up tickets at the Cabildo, 701 Chartres, 11am - 3pm

  • ~ The money raised goes to support Caroling on the Square which the group has produced for the past 78 years!

    ~The self-guided walking tour includes interesting architectural styles and home furnishings, as well as a variety of collections of Christmas decorations. This December fundraiser is a prelude to and helps provide funding for the highly anticipated Caroling in Jackson Square later in the evening.

    French Quarter residents will open their homes for the self-guided walking tour between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Online tickets are $35 each (children 12 and under are free.)

    Pickup of tickets purchased online takes place in the alcove of The Cabildo (701 Chartres) from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM on Sunday, December 22nd.

    Day of tour tickets may be purchased in the alcove of the The Cabildo (701 Chartres) from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, based on availability. Tickets are $40. *Please note: We only sell a limited number of day of tickets to minimize disruption in the homes.

     FAQs

    Is this a guided tour?

    No, this is a self-guided tour. When you pickup your tickets, you will be given a map to all the homes that you can visit in any order you like and at your leisure.

    Are there minimum age requirements to enter the event?

    None at all. Children are welcome to attend and those age 12 and under are admitted at no cost. Please be aware that strollers may be difficult to maneuver in some homes due to space limitations.

    What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

    There are several parking options for the French Quarter, including street parking, pay lots, and various shuttle services.http://www.frenchquarter.com/parking-russian-roulette/

    How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

    Please feel free to email us at admin@patioplanters.net with any questions.

    Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

    No. We will have your name and number of tickets at the ticket pickup location in the alcove at The Cabildo 701 Chartres. Once we verify your name, we give you the appropriate ticket(s) and map to the homes.

    Do you offer refunds?

    Full refunds are available up to seven days prior to the event.

    What about rain?

    The self-guided tour will take place rain or shine.

    Are restrooms available on the tour?

    Restrooms will be available at one of the tour locations

December 22, Sunday @7pm - 8pm

Caroling in Jackson Square

by Patio Planters. Gates open at 6:30

  • Patio Planters of the Vieux Carre is pleased to present the beloved Caroling in Jackson Square tradition to visitors and locals alike on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 7-8 p.m. The free community sing-along gathers thousands of people for a festive hour of holiday merriment, with carols led by local dignitaries and clergy. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. with Patio Planters volunteers stationed there to distribute complimentary song books and candles to participants in the non-denominational community celebration.

December 27, 28, 29 - Friday, Saturday and Sunday @ 10am - 3pm

Creole Christmas Home Tour

Tour of six historic homes by Friends of the Cabildo

  • Tickets prices 
    $40 GA 
    $30 Members
    $30 Students (13-College) and Seniors ($65+) 
    12 & Under Free with Adult Ticket Purchase

    https://friendsofthecabildo.org/foc-events-calendar/

    Step back in time and join the Friends of the Cabildo for a tour of the French Quarter’s most cherished properties adorned in traditional Creole Christmas finery befitting the time and style of each historic residence! December 27th- 29th from 10 a.m, – 3 p.m. Historic Houses include Beauregard-Keyes House, Gallier House, Hermann-Grima House,1850 House, Historic New Orleans Collection and Spring Fiesta. All houses will have their courtyards open to enjoy on the tour as well. Don’t miss a chance to get out and enjoy the Christmas season in period-decorated historic homes.

    FAQs:

    Can I purchase my tickets the day of? Yes, you can purchase tickets at the homes via a QR code or at the 1850 House Museum Gift Shop 523 St. Ann St. 

    Do we have to print our tickets? All purchased tickets through out website and eventbrite will be on a will call list, but you may print out the tickets if you wish. Keep email confirmation handy as well. 

    Where are the historic homes located? They are all located in walking distance of each other in the French Quarter. A map will be provided to you once you check in or purchase tickets. 

    How long does the entire tour take? Typically two hours, but patrons have from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. to view the historic homes their courtyards, and presentations. 

    Where can we park? There are Premium Parking lots scattered through out the French Quarter. Paid street parking is two hours long. Please see closures that the city issues on their website https://streetwise.nola.gov/

    For any other questions please call us at (504) 523-3939 or (504) 524-9118

December 31 - Tuesday @ 9pm - 12am

New Year’s Eve Concert & Fireworks

Free concert at Jackson Square & Decatur Street with Tank & the Bangas, Bonerama, and Dr. RQ Away

  • ~Free Concert starts at 9pm, ending with fireworks at midnight

    ~ It’s produced by French Quarter Festival and it’s free! Attendees are encouraged to support the organization by donating here.

    ~ More details here.

January 6, Monday

17th Annual Joan of Arc Parade

Note: New later start time (8pm) and different parade route. Route may change before the parade as Chartres Street is slated to be undergoing major repairs.

  • Krew de Joan of Arc parades annually on January 6 in New Orleans in honor of the birthday of Joan of Arc and throughout the year promotes St. Joan and the city's French cultural heritage

    Celebrating St. Joan of Arc’s birthday and Twelfth Night, this annual  walking procession is a medieval-themed theatrical procession, inspired by Joan’s time in 1400s France.  Joan of Arc liberated the citizens of Orleans, France, from a British siege in her first victory in 1429—resulting in her moniker “The Maid of Orleans.” Our procession honors our own unofficial patron saint, The Maid of New Orleans: the beloved  golden French Quarter statue, a gift to the City of New Orleans from France in the 1950s, and our French history and heritage. It’s a short, family-friendly parade — quirky, whimsical and spiritual.  

  • Below are 50 upcoming events happening in the FQ and surrounding neighborhoods. Want even more? Click the button at the bottom, which will take you to our FB Events page.

  • Our events are curated. For a complete list of live music happenings in the city, check out WWOZ’s Livewire Music Calendar!

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