Top 10 Must‑Do Activities in New Orleans This January
January in New Orleans is unlike anywhere else in the world: while most are seeing the end of the holidays, we roll from one celebration to the next with the start of Carnival season on January 6. Indulge in a king cake (or two or three or six), check out the first parades of the season, ring in the new year NOLA-style, and catch a performance in the theater. Here are 10 things to do this January in New Orleans.
1
New Orleans is the perfect place to start the new year, with your pick of celebrations on New Year’s Eve and lots of fanfare on New Year’s Day with the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Plan to dine out at one of these restaurants to ring in the new year, NOLA-style, or check out the lights during the final days of Celebration in the Oaks. See what’s going on during the holiday weekend here.
2
Broadway in New Orleans is back with another production over the holiday weekend. Hadestown tells a modern interpretation of Orpheus and Eurydice, a tale of love and tragedy. See the show at the Saenger Theater from December 28-January 2.
3
January 6 marks the official start to the Mardi Gras season, which lasts this year through March 1. What better way to kick off our favorite season than with not one, not two, but four parades? On January 6, see the Krewe of Joan of Arc as it passes through the French Quarter on foot and horseback followed by The Société Des Champs Elysée a few blocks away. Uptown on St. Charles Avenue, the Phunny Phorty Phellows will parade via streetcar followed by the Funky Uptown Krewe.
4
Whether you like it traditional or unconventional, king cake season is here in abundance starting January 6. It’s considered by some bad luck to eat king cake out of season, but luckily for you most of January is in the clear and we couldn’t be more excited to finally indulge in our favorite seasonal treat. Check out some of our favorite king cakes here, and be sure to visit the King Cake Hub at Zony Mash Beer Project once the season gets started.
5The Danny Barker Banjo + Guitar Festival pays homage to New Orleanian musician, writer, instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, and lyricist, Mr. Danny Barker. Each January, his life and legacy are remembered and celebrated during a festival. Just as versatile as Barker was himself, the festival features a mixture of programming including live music performances, panel discussions and workshops, organized events and outings, second lines, and more. The festival is from January 12-15, 2022.
6
New Orleans’ funk, hip hop, spoken word, and soul band Tank and the Bangas are back in the Orpheum Theater to create an entirely new musical experience with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. If Mozart isn’t quite your speed, give this show a chance - you won’t be disappointed. The performance is January 14, 2022.
7January 17, 2022 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. New Orleans typically has plenty of community gatherings and volunteer opportunities to commemorate the day. Find City Year’s New Orleans Day of Service here. Check back for events as they’re announced, and in the meantime read up on some of the streets and parks in New Orleans named after Civil Rights leaders here.
8
Though it’s no longer Nutcracker season, New Orleans has plenty of dance performances this January. The New Orleans Ballet Association returns for the 2022 season, with the first show featuring German Cornejo’s Tango Fire at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. You won’t want to miss this exciting and sultry one-night-only performance on January 22. Marigny Opera Ballet continues its season with Paul Taylor’s masterpiece: Aureole (1962), along with the company’s popular Silk and Smoke (Gretchen Erickson) from January 28-30 at the Marigny Opera House.
9Le Petit Theater’s season rolls on with Choir Boy. This deeply-moving, Tony-nominated play follows the students of the Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys and their quest for gospel choir greatness. See the show from January 14-30.
10Get ready for one of the biggest shows of the year. Friday Night Fights will take over the streets surrounding 1632 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. for an evening of boxing matches, burlesque, and entertainment. The show is recommended for ages 18 and up. The show is Friday, Jan. 14; get your tickets here.
