Here be dragons: Tet Fest in New Orleans
JANUARY IN NEW ORLEANS, 2025
Mardi Gras, king cakes, and Tet Fest are among the highlights for January 2025 in New Orleans (for theatrical productions and concerts, see our round up of New Orleans On Stage, January 2025).
5th
King Cake Hub Countdown
From Jan 6th, the King Cake Hub returns to Zony Mash Beer Project, with cakes from all over the city for sale. This countdown event has football, food, beer, dancing and an annual drag king and queen contest with fabulous costumes, games and entertainment for everyone.
6th
Twelfth Night, start of Carnival/Mardi Gras parades
The Krewe of Joan of Arc passes through the French Quarter on foot and horseback, with The Société Des Champs Elysée also celebrating downtown. Uptown on St. Charles Avenue, Phunny Phorty Phellows make their traditional parade by streetcar, followed by the Funky Uptown Krewe.
10th
Fan Expo
City-wide events for 3 days straight turn the city of New Orleans into a playground filled with cosplay, anime, horror, and gaming. There will also be huge celebrities in attendance, including Michael J. Fox.
16th-18th
New Orleans Cigar Box Guitar Festival
The Historic New Orleans Jazz Museum hosts a celebration of homemade string instruments. The festival will feature a wide variety of musical performers from around the world. neworleanscbg.com
16th
Teaser Fest
A four-day celebration of burlesque and New Orleans' unbelievable food, creative craft cocktails, and live entertainment.
18th
Harlem Globetrotters World Tour
The Globetrotters hit the court at the Lakefront Arena with their joyous, mischievous, showboating brand of basketball.
20th
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
New Orleans has community gatherings across the city to commemorate the day. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art offers free admission and New Orleans City Park hosts an annual day of service.
31st (through February 2nd)
Tet Fest
An annual winter festival celebrating the Vietnamese New Year. Attendees can enjoy traditional Vietnamese cuisine, dance and music, children’s activities, and stunning firework displays nightly.
Mardi Gras, king cakes, and Tet Fest are among the highlights for January 2025 in New Orleans (for theatrical productions and concerts, see our round up of New Orleans On Stage, January 2025).
5th
King Cake Hub Countdown
From Jan 6th, the King Cake Hub returns to Zony Mash Beer Project, with cakes from all over the city for sale. This countdown event has football, food, beer, dancing and an annual drag king and queen contest with fabulous costumes, games and entertainment for everyone.
6th
Twelfth Night, start of Carnival/Mardi Gras parades
The Krewe of Joan of Arc passes through the French Quarter on foot and horseback, with The Société Des Champs Elysée also celebrating downtown. Uptown on St. Charles Avenue, Phunny Phorty Phellows make their traditional parade by streetcar, followed by the Funky Uptown Krewe.
10th
Fan Expo
City-wide events for 3 days straight turn the city of New Orleans into a playground filled with cosplay, anime, horror, and gaming. There will also be huge celebrities in attendance, including Michael J. Fox.
16th-18th
New Orleans Cigar Box Guitar Festival
The Historic New Orleans Jazz Museum hosts a celebration of homemade string instruments. The festival will feature a wide variety of musical performers from around the world. neworleanscbg.com
16th
Teaser Fest
A four-day celebration of burlesque and New Orleans' unbelievable food, creative craft cocktails, and live entertainment.
18th
Harlem Globetrotters World Tour
The Globetrotters hit the court at the Lakefront Arena with their joyous, mischievous, showboating brand of basketball.
20th
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
New Orleans has community gatherings across the city to commemorate the day. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art offers free admission and New Orleans City Park hosts an annual day of service.
31st (through February 2nd)
Tet Fest
An annual winter festival celebrating the Vietnamese New Year. Attendees can enjoy traditional Vietnamese cuisine, dance and music, children’s activities, and stunning firework displays nightly.