January in New Orleans is unlike anywhere else in the world: while most are seeing the end of the holidays, we roll from one celebration to the next with the start of Carnival season on January 6. Indulge in a king cake (or two or three or six), check out the first parades of the season, ring in the New Year NOLA-style, and be here for the first ever Rockin'1000 in the U.S.! Here are 10 things to do this January in New Orleans. 

The Top Things to Do in New Orleans - January 2026

Ring in the New Year, NOLA-style

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New Orleans is the perfect place to ring in the new year, with your pick of celebration on New Year’s Eve. Plan to dine out, attend a NYE celebration, or jam out at a concert. See what’s going on during the holiday weekend here.  

New Year's Eve Events

Get into the excitement at the Allstate Sugar Bowl

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Allstate Sugar Bowl - Caesars Superdome
Image Courtesy of Allstate Sugar Bowl
Ultimate Guide to Allstate Sugar Bowl

And for college football fans, there’s no better way to kick off 2026 than by attending The Allstate Sugar Bowl. The game itself takes place on New Year's Day, with several auxiliary events such as a parade, and the Tailgate Town concert and fan experience leading up to it in the days before. Find more in our Ultimate Guide to Sugar Bowl here.

Jam out at Rockin'1000!

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The first-ever U.S. Rockin'1000 concert will take place in New Orleans at Caesars Superdome on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Rockin'1000 is the world's biggest rock band. Picture a stadium stage packed with hundreds of musicians playing in perfect sync, creating an unforgettable wall of sound. What started as a viral video to get the Foo Fighters to play in a small Italian town has grown into a global phenomenon, and now it's finally coming to the United States for the very first time. You won’t want to miss this very special event. Tickets will be available beginning on October 8, 2025, via Ticketmaster here. 

Kick off the Carnival Season

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January 6 marks the official start to the Mardi Gras season, which lasts this year through February 17. What better way to kick off our favorite season than with not one, not two, but four parades? On January 6, see the Krewe of Joan of Arc as it passes through the French Quarter on foot and horseback, followed by The Société Des Champs Elysée a few blocks away. Uptown on St. Charles Avenue, Phunny Phorty Phellows will parade via streetcar followed by Funky Uptown Krewe.

Twelfth Night Parades

Eat lots of king cake

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King Cake Mile High Pie
Credit @thebigbookofkingcake and @randypschmidt
Ice Cream King Cake - Jack Rose

Whether you like it traditional or unconventional, king cake season is here in abundance starting January 6. It’s considered bad luck by some to eat king cake out of season, but luckily for you most of January is in the clear and we couldn’t be more excited to finally indulge in our favorite seasonal treat. Check out some of our favorite king cakes here.

Channel your inner nerd at Fan Expo

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Fan Expo returns to New Orleans from January 9-11 with all your favorite comic book characters, celebrities, and fan favorite events. Meet the cast of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, plus Jennifer Beals, Mike Colter, and more. Buy tickets here.

Cheer on the Pelicans

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Pelicans basketball is in full swing with six home games this month in the Blender. Purchase tickets here.

Head to the Theater

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January is a great time to check out the performing arts scene in New Orleans with multiple productions occurring throughout the month. “Hell’s Kitchen” (December 30 – January 4) and “Hadestown” (January 23-25) stop at the Saenger via Broadway in New Orleans. Argentina’s Tango After Dark stops at Mahalia Jackson Theater on January 24. Over at Le Petit Theatre is “Blithe Spirit” from January 8-25. Plan to patronize the theater this winter!

Commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

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January 19 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. New Orleans has plenty of community gatherings and volunteer opportunities to commemorate the day. Typically, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art offers free admission plus art, crafts, and music in celebration of MLK Day. New Orleans City Park hosts an annual day of service on MLK Day.

Experience Teaser Fest

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Teaser Fest returns from January 15-18 showcasing the best in burlesque. The fest features performers from across the globe as well as hometown heroes & live music from New Orleans as it emphasizes the tapestried cocktail/beverage and culinary scenes only found in New Orleans. Early bird weekend packages are now on sale here.

Enjoy Early Mardi Gras, parades, and more

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Mardi Gras Day is February 17, which means that there’s nearly nine weeks of Mardi Gras magic, from parades and king cake tastings to Carnival exhibits and so much more, much happening in January. Enjoy parades like the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, a walking parade perfect for science fiction fans and creative minds, on January 24. Or you could check out the adults-only Krewe du Vieux, a raunchy, satirical, and irreverent French Quarter favorite, on January 31. Find the full parade schedule here, and plan to catch these can’t-miss, early-in-the-season parades.