FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SECOND LINE IN THE SKY RETURNS TO BOURBON STREET, BRINGING NEW LIGHT AND HOLIDAY SPIRIT TO THE FRENCH QUARTER
Expanded Holiday Installation Honors Those Affected by New Year’s Day Attack While Celebrating Life Through Music and Light
NEW ORLEANS – November 3, 2026 – Second Line in the Sky returns to Bourbon Street November 23, 2026, through January 3, 2027, bringing an expanded canopy of lights and musical imagery to the 100–300 blocks of the French Quarter. Now in its second year, the holiday installation invites residents and visitors to look up, remember and celebrate life.
First presented in 2025 as a temporary memorial following the January 1 terrorist attack, Second Line in the Sky returns with an expanded display that continues to honor the victims, their families and others affected by the tragedy while celebrating life and the holiday season.
Conceived by Katy Casbarian of Arnaud’s Restaurant and produced by Jennie West and Jason Richards of Studio West, the installation will feature expanded three-dimensional musical instruments throughout all three blocks. The display opens November 23 with Silent Light: A Moment of Remembrance and Hope.
“Those affected by January 1 will always be at the heart of Second Line in the Sky,” said Casbarian. “As we bring the installation back for the holidays, we want to honor their memory while celebrating the lives they lived. The additional lights and music are a way to carry their spirit forward and bring people together during this special time of year.”
Drawing on the New Orleans second line tradition, where music accompanies both remembrance and celebration, the installation suspends illuminated trumpets, umbrellas and handkerchief motifs above Bourbon Street. Its invitation is simple: “Look Up. Remember. Together.”
“This year, the additional three-dimensional instruments will extend across all three blocks, creating a more full and cohesive experience from one end of the installation to the other,” said West. “The music-inspired forms and lighting invite movement and warmth beneath the canopy, creating an experience rooted in tradition and the collective.”
Prayer flags will also return across all three blocks. Originally created by artists Babette Beaullieu, Margaret Crosby and Jan Gilbert, the red, pink and orange flags feature photographs by local photographers Judy Cooper and Jamell Tate, along with survivor messages and family notes. They offer a personal connection to the people and stories behind the installation.
During Silent Light, a moment of silence will precede the illumination of Bourbon Street.
Second Line in the Sky is made possible through community collaboration, with French Quarter Festivals, Inc. serving as a partner, and generous support provided by Delta Utilities, Louisiana Restaurant Association, New Orleans & Company and the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
“The holidays are a special time in New Orleans, bringing people together through music, culture, and tradition,” said Emily Madero, President and CEO of French Quarter Festivals, Inc. “At French Quarter Festivals, Inc., we believe in supporting initiatives that celebrate the spirit of our city and create memorable experiences for our community. Second Line in the Sky is a beautiful example of that, and we’re proud to play a part in bringing this unique holiday experience to life.”
Residents and visitors are encouraged to experience the installation by day and after dark. For more information, visit www.SecondLineInTheSky.com.
ABOUT THE COLLABORATORS
Katy Casbarian | Project Visionary and Lead Collaborator
A native New Orleanian, Katy Casbarian leads the legendary Arnaud’s Restaurant with her mother Jane and brother Archie. Family-owned since 1918, the iconic Creole institution remains a French Quarter cornerstone, celebrating New Orleans’ spirit of hospitality and community while preserving its century-old legacy. Following the January 1 terrorist attack, she conceived Second Line in the Sky and brought together a creative team to honor those affected through an installation rooted in remembrance, music and the celebration of life.
Studio West | Creative Direction and Project Lead
A woman-owned practice led by Jennie West and Jason Richards, Studio West is a New Orleans-based team of architects, designers, and planners whose work spans hospitality, historic preservation, and civic-led design. Recognized for fostering collaboration and championing local artists, Studio West led the creative direction and technical coordination alongside each artist to realize the shared vision behind Second Line in the Sky. Recent projects include Karnofsky Tailor Shop, Saint-Germain, Poydras Hospitality, and Algiers Terminal.
studiowest.design | @studio.west.design
MEDIA CONTACT
Carrie Pavlick
DEVENEY
cpavlick@deveney.com
(504) 881-4841