New Orleans Events, Tours & Nightlife 2025

Second lines through the Quarter, brass on Frenchmen, beignets at midnight, and riverboats at sunset. Use this guide to compare tickets, book must-do tours, and stitch together a New Orleans trip you’ll actually brag about.

Jump to: Live Music & Jazz Clubs · Shows & Concerts · Sports · Tours & Attractions · Food & Cocktail Tours · Festivals & Big Weekends · By Month · FAQ

Live Music & Jazz Clubs

From Preservation Hall traditions to Frenchmen Street jam sessions, you can catch brass, jazz, funk, and blues any night of the week. Book ahead for small-room legends and weekend sets.

Classic Rooms

  • Preservation Hall (French Quarter)
  • Snug Harbor (Frenchmen Street)
  • d.b.a. & The Spotted Cat (Frenchmen Street)
  • Tipitina’s (Uptown)
  • House of Blues (Quarter)

Shows & Concerts

Arena headliners, touring comedians, and special one-offs pop up year-round. Compare seats across marketplaces, especially for weekends and festival weeks.

Major Venues

  • Caesars Superdome (select concerts & events)
  • Smoothie King Center (NBA & concerts)
  • Saenger Theatre (Broadway & concerts)
  • Mahalia Jackson Theater (performing arts)
  • Fillmore New Orleans

Sports

Football Sundays, NBA nights, and college classics—grab seats early for rivalry or holiday weekends.

Home Teams & Events

  • New Orleans Saints (NFL) — Caesars Superdome
  • New Orleans Pelicans (NBA) — Smoothie King Center
  • College & special events throughout the year

Tours & Attractions

Walk storied neighborhoods, drift past cypress knees on a swamp boat, ride a river steamer, and explore historic estates along the river road.

Don’t Miss

  • French Quarter & Garden District walking tours
  • Cemetery & ghost history tours
  • Swamp & airboat tours (alligators & bayou)
  • Plantation tours (Oak Alley, Whitney, Laura)
  • Mississippi River cruises (Steamboat Natchez / Creole Queen)

Food & Cocktail Tours

Pralines, po-boys, gumbo, muffulettas, beignets—and cocktail history you’ll be quoting back home. Food walks and evening cocktail tours sell out on weekends.

Easy Wins

  • French Quarter food tour (small group)
  • Cocktail & history tour (21+)
  • Cajun/Creole cooking class
  • Beignets & café stops

Festivals & Big Weekends

Plan early—rooms go fast around major weeks and parades.

  • Mardi Gras (Feb/Mar): krewes, parades, balls; multi-week season culminating before Lent.
  • New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Apr/May): two long weekends of music & food.
  • French Quarter Festival (Apr): free stages all over the Quarter.
  • Essence Festival (Jul): concerts, culture, and speakers.
  • Halloween / Voodoo season (Oct): haunted tours, themed events.
  • New Year’s & Sugar Bowl (Dec/Jan): fireworks & football takeover.

New Orleans by Month

Weather, river levels, and festival calendars shift—book ahead for major weekends.

  • Jan–Mar: Carnival season peaks; mild temps.
  • Apr–Jun: Festival stretch; Jazz Fest & French Quarter Fest.
  • Jul–Sep: Hot/humid; great for indoor music & food tours.
  • Oct–Dec: Halloween energy, parades, and holiday events.

New Orleans FAQ

When should I visit?

Spring and fall for festivals and comfortable weather; winter is mild with lower rates outside Mardi Gras/New Year’s.

Do I need a car?

No—stay near the Quarter/Warehouse District; use streetcar, rideshare, or tour transport for swamps/plantations.

Where should I stay?

French Quarter or nearby Warehouse/Arts District for walkability; Garden District/Uptown for quieter nights with easy transit.

How do I save?

Bundle tours, book festival weeks far in advance, and compare tickets across marketplaces.