We all knew that our New Year’s Eve was going to look a little different this year but New Orleans area organizers did not disappoint when it comes to make sure we all have a good send off to one of the most difficult years in modern history. Read on for ways to ring in the new year from your sofa or in a socially-distant setting.
AT HOME
Tipitina’s.TV
Tip’s was one of the most resilient and adaptable venues throughout pandemic, launching their wildly successful Tipitinas.TV. This New Year’s Eve, Crystal Hot Sauce and Tipitina’s will present “NYE in NOLA,” a multi-artist and multi-venue livestream hosted by actor/entertainer John Goodman. The show will start at 9 p.m. CST on Thursday, December 31, 2020.Performances scheduled for the night will feature new shows by Galactic, Rebirth Brass Band, Dumpstaphunk, Anders Osborne, and Samantha Fish. Joining the different sets throughout the evening will be Special Guests Ani Di Franco, George Porter, Jr., Kermit Ruffins, and Big Sam. This citywide party is a joint-production being broadcast from Tipitina’s, Chickie Wah Wah, d.b.a., The Howlin’ Wolf, and The Maple Leaf. Each venue will be presenting a new artist every hour welcoming the start of 2021 in each time zone as the night rolls on.
Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve with Ryan Seacrest
ABC confirmed Monday morning that our patron saint of Bounce, Big Freedia, will host the CST arm of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve celebration. According to reps, live from New Orleans, the rapper will bring viewers at home along on a cultural exploration of the Big Easy, from its music and arts scene to the colorful locals that make up the city’s heart. PJ Morton will deliver a special performance of timeless New Year’s anthem “Auld Lang Syne” during the CST broadcast. Tune in Thursday at 7 p.m. CST on ABC. (We know Mayor Cantrell will be happy but we don’t need to tell you why.)
Jean-Michel Jarre Presents New Year’s Eve Concert From Notre Dame
Maybe your wanderlust just is insatiable this year. Have no fear. In partnership with the City of Paris and under the patronage of UNESCO, electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre is teaming with French VR startup VRrOOm to take us into the New Year with a live stream trailblazing concert-spectacular set in the virtual environment of the planetary landmark Notre-Dame de Paris. The unique visual world created by Jarre in VR will also be the official midnight news image coming from the City of Paris. Read more here.
AWAY FROM HOME
Royal Frenchmen Hotel & Bar, 700 Frenchmen Street
Celebrate New Year’s Eve safely in the cozy courtyard at the hotel. Live performances from Glen David Andrews with complimentary champagne toast to “drown away 2020.” Live outdoor music begins at 6 p.m. Masks and social distancing are required. For more information, follow their Instagram account @royalfrenchmenhotel.
JamNOLA Jingle Jam, 2832 Royal Street
Although tickets are sold out for later in the evening, you can still spend some time on the day of December 31 chasing away the 2020 blues at NOLA’s premiere pop-up hot spot. New Orleans’ first experiential pop-up takes audiences of all ages on a topsy-turvy photogenic stroll though the cultural gems that make our city city so special. Its 12-room exhibit celebrates the iconic art, music, food, and theatrics of the city through the eyes of over 20 local artists. Tickets are a must, starting at $29, and are available here.
Herbsaint, 701 Saint Charles Avenue
Chef Donald Link and Chef de Cuisine David Rouse of the award-winning Herbsaint Restaurant are pleased to announce reservations are now being accepted for New Year’s Eve. Advanced reservations are required for limited seatings at 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Chefs Link and Rouse crafted a menu that features various seafood, each prepared with a different cooking style, along with an unusual cut of beef, and a seasonal dessert. “It’s been a rough year all around and we’re looking forward to ending this year with an amazing menu from Chef David, showcasing some of his new dishes based in classic and contemporary French cuisine he picked up on his travels in Europe last year. I love the combinations of these classics with some new dishes that I also experienced on my last trip to Paris in addition to the spinalis steak, my all time favorite. It’s the top cut portion of the ribeye only, the absolute best steak that exists.” The six-course dinner is $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity. A wine pairing is also available for $75 per person. For more information, or to make reservations
please call (504) 524-4114 or visitwww.herbsaint.com.
Pêche Seafood Grill, 800 Magazine Street
Add Chef Nicole Mills to the list of chefs throwing their hats in the ring for the big 2020 send off. Mills will combine the flavors of her Filipino upbringing with the fresh seafood of the Gulf. Prix fixe is $75 per person and reservations may be made here.
Republic Nola, 828 S. Peters Street
NYE 2021 is finally here, which means 2020 will finally be behind us! Send 2020 off with sets by BAWLDY, donny, HEIZI [PVNZA x KRYPTONIC], ZiiiN & cæcus! VIP tickets include full venue access including upstairs, with private bathrooms and a premium view of the stage. Bottle service VIP tables and GA tickets available here.
