In New Orleans for the week? We’re happy to have you here! And we know you’ll have a great time–because there are so many fun events going on in the city! Check out this week’s list of things to do. There’s plenty of stuff to help kick off your holiday season!
Thursday, November 18
New Orleans Fringe Festival
It’s a wild, wild weekend in New Orleans–well, wilder than usual, anyway! Thursday through Sunday, New Orleans celebrates a weekend of theatre as you’ve never seen it before–think sea monster aerialists, a freak show with real freaks, rock and roll science, and even theatre-in-a-truck! Fringe festivals are inspiring creative performance all over the world (they began in Scotland in 1947), and New Orleans is no exception. Don’t miss out on at least a few of the shows this weekend–all show tickets are $8. You also need a festival button for the low price of $3–you can pay at the first show you attend or online. And while plays are happening all over the city, stop by the “Free for All” tent and central box office to rest your feet and grab a drink in between performances! Full line-up of shows available.
Free-for-All Tent
Plessy Park
Triple Band Showcase
You can’t come to New Orleans without hearing some of our local music–and on Thursday night, you can see three bands in one great location–Tipitina’s Uptown! And in the Crescent City, we have a lot more to offer than just traditional jazz–although our rock musicians are just as informed by historical style as our traditional artists. First up is Debauche, a “Russian Hooligan-themed” NOLA favorite. Next, you can swing with The Local Skank, an all-girl (well, their drummer is a boy) ska band named for their favorite style of dance. End the night right with The Man Named Bones. Part performance artist, part rock star, he rolls off Delta Blues with punk intensity and local jazz, to boot. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased online. Doors open at 9:00 pm, show at 10:00 pm.
Tipitina’s
501 Napoleon Ave
Saturday, November 20
Sip + Swap
Are you a visitor looking to update your wardrobe with great New Orleans styles? Or perhaps a local, whose armoire is full of out-of-fashion garb? Do you like to drink? Then head to Vintage Uptown for the Sip and Swap this Saturday, presented by Ruffian Swap! For the price of admission, you can swap your bag of gently-worn clothes and accessories for a bag of new, stylish finds from your fellow Crescent City dwellers! Enjoy a wine tasting compliments of Krewe du Bizou Wines while you wait, locally-owned and sustainably-farmed. Event runs from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm; visit the Sip + Swap event website for more details, or to purchase tickets online. $15 advance, $20 at the door.
Vintage Uptown
4523 Magazine St
Monday, November 22
North RampART Festival
North Rampart Street has been an important player in New Orleans history for decades–touching Congo Square, Armstrong Park, and historic recording studios. On Monday, celebrate this thoroughfare with the North RampART Festival, featuring performances by Walter “Wolfman” Washington, the Treme Brass band, the New Orleans Young Traditional Brass Band, and others. There’s also food, art, and a kids’ area–be prepared for a day of fun and NOLA culture! Free, from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.
700 N. Rampart St
Tuesday, November 23
Canal Street Lighting Ceremony
It’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays–and New Orleans will look even more jolly when the Downtown Development District and Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel “flip the switch,” turning on more than one million lights up and down the city’s Grand Corridor: Canal Street. Once you’ve gazed in wonder at the city lit up in seasonal glory, get your holiday shopping started on Canal Street and in the French Quarter! Free, 5:30 pm.
Astor Crowne Plaza
739 Canal Street
