As 2018 inches its way towards us, New Orleanians are putting the final touches on New Year’s Eve plans. Below, find a collection of events running through the weekend and/or January 1. Happy new year! If you’d like to see an event added, please contact [email protected].
NOLA Christmas Fest
The Fifth Annual NOLA ChristmasFest kicks off Thursday, December 21 and continues through Sunday, December 31. The popular family holiday extravaganza will feature the only indoor ice skating rink in New Orleans as well as two captivating, 120-foot real ice slides. Along with an expanded Gingerbread House Exhibit, there will be a 10-foot, walk-through gingerbread house for photos and visits with lovable characters.
Cost: $20. Ticket information can be found here: https://nolachristmasfest.com/
Celebration in the Oaks at City Park
It’s one thing to light up a Christmas tree, it’s another thing to light up the loping oaks of New Orleans. Starting Friday, November 24, hundred of thousands of lights will take a break from their typical pine, spruce and fir tree duties of the season and lend their illumination to the oak trees of City Park until January 1, 2018. The oaks will shine within a the larger light-scape of the holiday wonderland City Park’s holiday wonderland. The event will also have amusement park rides, a train ride through the park, food and drink as well as alcoholic beverages.
Cost: $9 per person, or free for children under three and Friends of City Park members. Amusement park rides and train rides are not included in the price of admission. Tickets can be purchased here.
Bella Notte! A NYE Italian Extravaganza
Starting at 8 p.m. on Sunday, December 31, 2017, The Foundation Room will be ringing in the New Year in style with – a souped-up Italian Night with performance by the Yat Pack followed by a DJ to keep the party going strong into 2018. Party goers can opt for lounge access or upgrade to a full dinner package featuring a four course Italian-inspired dinner (yum!) with champagne upon arrival and at midnight.
Cost: $30+. More info available here.
New Year’s Eve with Boyfriend
New Orleans “rap cabaret” artist Boyfriend will perform at One Eyed Jacks on New Year’s Eve
Cost: VIP tickets cost $150 and will give patrons access to the balcony, complementary champagne and a private cash bar upstairs. General admission tickets cost $25. Both can purchased here.
New Year’s Eve with the Soul Rebels and George Porter, Jr.
The Maison on Frenchmen St. will host the Soul Rebels as they perform on New Year’s Eve with George Porter, Jr. and his Runnin’ Pardners.
Cost: $100-$120, including a VIP premium open bar. Tickets can be purchased here.
Three Keys: New Year’s Eve with Slick Rick & NOJO 7
In collaboration with Slick Rick The Ruler, The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra 7 (NOJO 7) will bring in the new year with a unique cross-genre collaboration of horns and hip-hop. General admission tickets are $85 now or $95 at the door and include a spot in the crowd and a house toast at midnight. Limited VIP Tickets are $200 in advance and include a private open bar and passed hors d’oeuvres. Doors open at 9 p.m. and the show will begin at 10 p.m.
Cost: $85+. Tickets are available to purchase here.
Big Night New Orleans: New Year’s Eve Gala
Ring in 2018 with 3,000 others at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans with nine bands, DJs, a casino zone, party favors and more.
Cost: $99+, depending on ticket package. Tickets can be purchased here.
New Year’s Eve Tricentennial Fireworks
The Crescent City Countdown Club (CCCC) will once again produce the traditional NOLA New Year’s Eve midnight fireworks display to welcome the new year and to celebrate the milestone 300th Anniversary of New Orleans. the sky will explode with fireworks lighting the Mighty Mississippi River in Downtown New Orleans From a large barge in the middle of the river directly across from St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter. This will be accompanied by the historic fleur-de-lis drop atop JAX Brewery.
Cost: The event is free and open to the public.
Allstate Sugar Bowl New Year’s Eve Parade
Come down to the French Quarter for the Mardi Gras–style parade with floats, bands and other participants that will entertain fans young and old prior to the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The parade will begin at the intersection of Elysian Fields Avenue and Decatur Street at approximately 2:30 p.m. (subject to change). The parade will travel through the French Quarter up Decatur Street along the Mississippi River, passing iconic landmarks such as The Old US Mint, the French Market, Cafe du Monde and Jackson Square.
Cost: free to the public and open from 12 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 30, and on Sunday, December 31, it will take you straight through the New Year’s Eve celebrations
New Year’s Eve with the Walter “Wolfman” Washington Trio
Beginning at 10:00 p.m. on December 31, Wolfman and the Road Masters will perform a new year’s eve set at DMACS Bar and Grill (542 S. Jefferson Davis Parkway). The gig runs until 1:00 a.m. Table reservations available.
New Year’s Eve with the Revivalists
OffBeat‘s December 2017 cover artists The Revivalists are performing shows at the Orpheum this weekend, including the New Year’s Eve Special with support from New Grass Country Club.
Cost: $44.50-$250. Tickets available here.
DJ Soul Sister’s 15th Annual New Year’s Eve Soul Train
Dance 2017 away at the Civic Theatre on December 31 beginning at 10 p.m. when DJ Soul Sister will throw an old-school party filled with ’70s flavor.
Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at the door, or $75 open bar. Tickets available at civicnola.com
Rock ‘n’ Bowl’s New Year’s Eve Party with Tab Benoit
The uptown venue’s annual New Year’s Eve Party with Tab Benoit and Jonathon Boogie Long is happening Sunday, December 31 at 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $30 advance/$35 night of. Tickets can be purchased here.
Tank and The Bangas NYE 2017 with Sweet Crude & Alfred Banks w/ Cool Nasty
Best of the Beat Awards 2017 nominees Tank and the Bangas, Sweet Crude and Alfred Banks will bring down the house at the Joy Theater on December 31. DJ RQ Away will warm up the crowd. Doors open at 9 p.m.
Cost: $30-$50. Tickets can be purchased here.
Galactic New Years Eve
