Photo by Designecologist via Unsplash
Following a summer of high anxiety in 2020, traditional fireworks displays and other festive events will mark the 2021 Independence Day weekend in New Orleans.
City Park will be the site of a Third of July Celebration from 5–9:30 p.m. on the Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn. The free event features food trucks, fireworks and a performance by the Marine Forces Reserve Band. Robin Barnes will sing the national anthem. Visitors should bring their own chairs, blankets and picnic baskets. The Storyland amusement park will also officially reopens to the public. For more information, visit neworleanscitypark.com.
The annual Uncle Sam Jam returns to Lafreniere Park on July 3 with a live music lineup that includes The Guess Who and Wilson Phillips. The gates open at 1 p.m. After a 9 p.m. fireworks display, The Topcats will take the stage as the closing act. The event is free, but guests can purchase a $50 Stars & Stripes Pass that includes parking inside the gates, four VIP wristbands and premium stage viewing, along with a private cash bar and restroom. For more information, visit unclesamjamjefferson.com.
The Creole Tomato Festival gets underway in the French Market District on July 3 from 11 a.m–4 p.m. Nearby, the inaugural NOLA Zydeco Festival will bring dancers to their feet on the grounds of the New Orleans Jazz Museum from 12–7 p.m. Zydeco acts will include Sean Ardoin, Lil Nathan and the Zydeco Big Timers, and Rusty Metoyer and The Zydeco Krush.
The new Riverboat Louis Armstrong, moored on the river behind the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel at the foot of Poydras Street, will welcome passengers dockside for concerts and jazz brunch performances. over the long weekend On Friday, July 2, The Topcats will perform from 8–11 p.m. Big Sam’s Funky Nation will take the stage on Saturday, July 3, from 8–11 p.m. On both nights, doors open at 7 p.m. with a cash bar and food available for purchase. On Saturday, July 3, and Sunday, July 4, a jazz brunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., featuring a Creole buffet and live entertainment by the Muddy River Jazz Band, “Louie Armstrong,” and Mardi Gras Indians. The riverboat will host a Fourth of July barbecue on Independence Day from 7–10 p.m. with a prime viewing spot for a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. For more information, visit BigEasy.com or call (504) 529-4567.
On Sunday July 4, at 3 p.m., the Juneteenth New Orleans Celebration & Market welcomes the community to Vybes Nation, 1681 Religious Street, for an exuberant observance of the emancipation holiday with a uniquely New Orleans flavor. Songstress Tonya Boyd-Cannon hosts the festivities and will be joined by DJ Captain Charles, Congo Nation with special guest Big Chief Donald Harrison, spoken word artists Nique’o, Tiffny “POETIC SHORTEE” Harris, the League of Clowns New Orleans, Dominique McClellan, Just Wynton and Sporty’s Brass Band. For more information, visit vybesnationnola.com.
Faubourg Brewery will host a Red, White and Blues Fest featuring an all blues line up, a 17-foot waterslide, a kids’ zone, food vendors, and yard games. The brew park is dog-friendly and open to all ages. The music lineup from 12–6 p.m. on July 3 will include Ghalia Volt, Alvin Youngblood Hart’s Muscle Theory, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, and July 4 will feature the Jonathan Long Trio, Little Freddie King, and Burgin, Zucchero, Broussard. Visit faubourgbrewery.com for additional details.
A fireworks display produced by “Go 4th on the River” will take place in New Orleans along the Mississippi riverfront at 9 p.m. on July 4. The gift of the pyrotechnic display is made possible by actor and producer Will Smith, along with his company Westbrook, who are in production on the feature film Emancipation in New Orleans. Additional police details will be stationed in the French Quarter and Central Business District and several streets will be closed.
To ensure the safety of pedestrians, the NOPD will restrict traffic, with no vehicles allowed on the following streets:
- Bourbon Street from Canal to St. Ann streets from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- The 700 and 800 blocks of Iberville, Bienville, Conti, St. Louis, Toulouse, St. Peter, Orleans and St. Ann streets from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Decatur Street from Canal to Dumaine streets from 6:30 p.m. (or until crowd size warrants) and until crowds disperse.
No-parking zones will be in effect on the following streets:
- Bourbon Street from Canal to St. Ann streets from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.
- The 700 and 800 blocks of Iberville, Bienville, Conti, St. Louis, Toulouse, St. Peter, Orleans and St. Ann streets from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.
- Decatur Street from Canal to Dumaine streets from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Jackson Square will close early at 5 p.m. Crescent Park will extend its hours to 10 p.m. to accommodate fireworks viewers.
Live music abounds at music venues across the city over the long holiday weekend. Visit OffBeat‘s live music listings for a roundup of where to hear familiar favorites and newcomers in the music scene.
