French Quarter Special Events

Here you’ll find:

  • On the Horizon: Special events in the months ahead

  • Don’t Miss: FQJ’s top special events for the coming week

  • The Long List: Keep scrolling for dozens more special events, curated for our readers

  • For regularly scheduled tours, talks, live music performances & more, see Weekly FQ Happenings ! 

    Photo: VOODOOFEST on Dumaine by Ellis Anderson for FQJ. See event details below!

On the Horizon

Save the dates for FQJ’s favorites!

Swampus Parade by Melanie Cole for FQJ

Don’t Miss List

September 15 through October 15

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Image: Azuquita La Cubana, performing Friday, 9/18, from NOLA Jazz Museum website

September 11–18, various times

CAIN: A Ballet Opera

Marigny Opera House, 725 Saint Ferdinand Street

Poster: Marigny Opera House

  • CAIN, a reimagined ballet-opera, resurrects the 1707 oratorio “Cain, overo il primo omicidio” by Alessandro Scarlatti, one of the most celebrated composers of the Baroque era. This somewhat obscure gem takes on new life in a fully staged ballet-opera.

    More info and tickets here.

Tickets

Saturday, September 19, 9:30am–3:30pm

Beautiful Spaces Symposium

The Historic BK House & Gardens, 1113 Chartres Street

Photo by Ellis Anderson

  • The annual Beautiful Spaces symposium focuses on preservation, legacy, and stewardship of historic properties in recognition of BK House’s bicentennial.

    Presenters include:

    • Robert Cangelosi of Koch & Wilson Architects

    • Jeff Porée, master craftsman

    • Ann Masson, architectural historian and preservationist

    • Joanna Caprera, Friends of the Cabildo tour guide and researcher

    ‍ ‍TICKETS

Tickets

Saturday, September 19, 11:30am – 4:30pm; members-only reception featuring Quintron 5:30 – 7pm

Bunny Day at HNOC

Day sessions: Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres Street

Vic and Nat’ly costume party, members-only reception: Historic New Orleans Collection, 520 Royal Street

Image: HNOC

  • From the 1980s on, cartoonist and writer Bunny Matthews captured the weird and wacky minutiae of New Orleans life through his signature characters, Vic and Nat’ly. With the opening and launch of HNOC’s newest exhibition and book, Bunny Matthews: His Life, Art, and Obsessions, the museum hosts Bunny Day at HNOC, a daylong celebration of the artist’s life and work.

    11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Author Talk and Book Signing. Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres Street. Doors at 11am

    Join authors Alison Fensterstock and Michael Tisserand for an inside look at HNOC’s new book, Bunny Matthews: His Life, Art, and Obsessions.

    1:30–2:30 p.m. “Where Y’at, Vic and Nat? A Talk About How Dey Tawk,”Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres Street
    Featuring Dr. Katie Carmichael

    3–4 p.m. Vic and Nat’ly Costume Contest, 520 Royal Street. Attendees are encouraged to preregister for the contest but may also sign up on the day of. More info and register

    4:30pm: Museum closes

    5:30–7 p.m. Members-Only Reception featuring Quintron: 520 Royal Street
    Open to HNOC members
    Register

    Join HNOC members, staff, and Bunny friends and family in raising a glass to Bunny Matthews: His Life, Art, and Obsessions, sponsored by the 2026 Bienville Circle. Capping off Bunny Day, this members-only reception features a performance by local legend and genre-defying friend of Bunny Matthews, Quintron. 

    MORE INFO ON BUNNY DAY

Tickets

Sunday, September 20, 6 – 9pm

VCPORA 2026 Annual Gala: Les Années Folles, Roaring ’20s: A Century of Preservation

Toulouse Theatre, 615 Toulouse Street

Image: Wiki Commons

  • To honor the organization’s formative years in the 1920s, you’re invited to celebrate with VCPORA in the speakeasy tradition in the red light of Toulouse Theater.

    Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, entrée and dessert stations!

    Music by Smoking Time Jazz Club, Alicia Renne a.k.a. Blue Eyes, and Mimi Guste!

    Get more info and tickets here!

Tickets

Wednesday, September 23, 6 – 8pm

Michalopoulos: The Art of Celebration documentary screening

New Orleans Jazz Museum, 400 Esplanade Ave.

Image: New Orleans Jazz Museum

  • Michalopoulos: The Art of Celebration is the documentary of James Michalopoulos. His coming to, settling in, and artistic journey in New Orleans was inspired by the city’s unique architecture and design, as well as our authentic local artists and musical performers. This film tells the story of his love for the city of New Orleans and the impact he’s had on the lives of so many people. This film is a part of the Friends of the Cabildo Film Series.

    Tickets

Thursday, September 24, 12 – 3pm

John Coltrane Day with the Congo Square Jazz Orchestra

New Orleans Jazz Museum, 400 Esplanade Ave.

Image: New Orleans Jazz Museum

  • Join New Orleans Jazz Museum in a celebration of Johnn Coltrane’s 100th birthday!

    Congo Square Jazz Orchestra will pay homage to him in the museum’s third-floor Performance Center.

    FREE! More Info

Thursday, September 24, 12 – 3pm

2026 Schwartz-Gage Award and Luncheon honoring Tony Marino

Latrobe’s On Royal, 403 Royal Street

Tickets must be purchased by 9/21/2026, 2:55pm

Image: Tony Merino, St. Joseph's Day 2026 by Ellis Anderson for French Quarter Journal

  • Every two years, the Vieux Carre Residents, Property Owners and Associates presents the Schwartz-Gage Award to a person who has made outstanding contributions the the preservation of the French Quarter.

    The award takes its name from Jackie Eugenie Chavanne Schwartz and Grace Chavanne Gage, two sisters who were active members of VCPORA in the 1940s and whose commitment to preservation in the Quarter still serves as an example to the organization.

    This year’s recipient, Tony Marino, has served on many preservation organizations. He helped in the creation of the first French Quarter Festival in 1984. His restoration of his own Greek Revival townhouse at 1028 Bourbon Street has received recognition from the VC Commission and in publications. Tony is current president of the Louisiana Landmarks Society and the founder of the St. Joseph Altar Society on Bourbon Street.

    Get tickets prior to 9/21/2026

Tickets

Friday, September 25, starts at 5pm

Krewe of Dolly Celebration of Life Parade

Armstrong Park to the New Orleans Jazz Museum

Image: Krewe of Dolly by Melanie Cole for French Quarter Journal

    • 4pm meet-up at Armstrong Park, 901 N. Rampart Street

    • 5pm march (see second image for route map)

    • Ends at New Orleans Jazz Museum, 400 Esplanade

    Dolly Parton may have passed, but 700 New Orleans women in the Krewe of Dolly will carry on her legacy by wearing big wigs, glittering rhinestones – and giving books to thousands of children.

    Read this moving tribute piece by Krewe of Dolly member Karla Marie “Karlita” Cochran: https://www.frenchquarterjournal.com/archives/krewe-of-dolly-tribute

Thursday, October 1 – Sunday, October 4

The New Orleans Ragtime Festival: 10th Anniversary

Events at:

New Orleans Jazz National Park, 419 Decatur

The New Marigny Theater, 2301 Marais Street

Steamboat NATCHEZ, 400 Toulouse Street

Other venues TBA

Image: Louis Ford, from NOLA Ragtime Festival

  • Single-event tickets are on sale for the New Orleans Ragtime Festival’s 10th Anniversary!

    “Four days of ragtime, dancing, history, live music, and New Orleans tradition — with performances throughout the city and Ragtime on the River aboard the Steamboat NATCHEZ.”

    Get tickets

Tickets

The Long List

  • Below are 50 upcoming events happening in the FQ and surrounding neighborhoods. Want even more? Click the button at the bottom.  
  • For a complete list of live music happenings in the city, check out WWOZ’s Livewire Music Calendar!
Cover of the French Quarter Journal featuring a decorative border and the title in large purple text, with a waterway map of the Mississippi River at the bottom.

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