New Orleans

New Orleans’ energy comes from the music, food, architecture, and local tradition that are all woven into everyday life.

• Joy Theater: The Joy Theater is a historic, 1,200-capacity venue in downtown New Orleans.² Once a movie palace, it now serves as a regular stop for concerts and live entertainment.²
• Smoothie King Center: Next to Caesars Superdome and a short distance from the French Quarter, Smoothie King Center hosts headlining concerts, NBA games, and major sporting events with seating for up to 17,500 fans.^3,4
• Caesars Superdome: Opened in 1975, Caesars Superdome is home to the Saints and one of the city’s defining event spaces.⁵ With a listed capacity of 74,295, it remains a major setting for football and large-scale events.⁵

Music runs through New Orleans, from brass bands and jazz to gospel, funk, and R&B.

• New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: Jazz Fest brings together local traditions and artists from around the world, with music, crafts, and food all part of the experience.⁶
• New Orleans French Quarter Festival: Held across more than 20 stages in the French Quarter, this free festival features over 1,700 local musicians covering jazz, R&B, gospel, classical music, and New Orleans funk.⁷
• Essence Festival of Culture: This citywide celebration is centered on music, speakers, vendors, and experiences across major downtown venues. Its emphasis on Black culture, wellness, and community has made it one of the city’s biggest cultural events.⁸

Sports fans in New Orleans show up with the same pride and noise that define its parades, brass bands, and festival crowds.

• New Orleans Saints: The Saints play in the NFL at Caesars Superdome and a central part of the city’s sports identity. The franchise’s history includes a Super Bowl XLIV title and multiple Pro Football Hall of Fame players.⁹
• New Orleans Pelicans: The Pelicans play in the NBA and call Smoothie King Center home, and have made nine playoff appearances since their inception.¹⁰
• New Orleans Jesters: The Jesters are New Orleans’ semi-pro soccer team and play at the 5,000-seat Pan-American Stadium in City Park.¹¹

Events in New Orleans, LA, make as much room for film, design, and comedy as they do for music.

• Art in Bloom: Presented through NOMA, Art in Bloom pairs floral design with visual art in one of the city’s best-known museum settings.¹²
• New Orleans French Film Festival: This long-running festival features French-language films from Europe, Africa, North America, and Louisiana.¹³
• Hell Yes Fest: This event has billed itself as the Gulf South’s largest comedy festival since 2011. Spread across multiple nights and venues, it features stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy.¹⁴