Live music is 24/7 in New Orleans, and the holiday season is full of special shows. From a star-studded holiday concert to New Year’s Eve celebrations, here are a few can’t-miss live music events this December.
St. Louis Cathedral holiday concerts
Every December, a favorite tradition returns with a lineup of concerts free and open to the public. This year, the Holidays New Orleans style concerts include one on December 3 featuring Leroy Jones & New Orleans Finest, and one on December 21, with lineup TBA, both at St. Louis Cathedral. You'll also want to catch Caroling in Jackson Square on December 21 after the concert.
Christmas Without Tears
Critically acclaimed vocalist Judith Owen and her husband, actor and humorist Harry Shearer (The Simpsons, Spinal Tap) will once again spread their special brand of yuletide cheer for the 2025 Christmas Without Tears, at home in New Orleans. Festivities will take place Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. at the Orpheum Theater, with all proceeds benefitting Innocence & Justice Louisiana (formerly Innocence Project New Orleans). The evening will feature legendary vocalist Irma Thomas and piano man Jon Cleary. Tickets start at $36, plus fees.
Tunes For Toys Toy Drive and Concert
The Trombone Shorty Foundation and the Gia Maione Prima Foundation are proud to present the annual "Tunes for Toys" Toy Drive and Concert, held at Tipitina’s on Thursday, Dec. 4. This tradition is a joyful way for the New Orleans community to give back each holiday season. Experience live music from Dirty Dozen Brass Band with special guests Trombone Shorty and Jojo Hermann of Widespread Panic, plus Trombone Shorty Academy. Admission is free and open to the public (18+), in exchange for a new toy. Doors open at 7 p.m., with live music kicking off with a bang at 8 p.m.
The NOCCA Foundation's Home for the Holidays
The NOCCA Foundation Celebrates 21st Anniversary of “Home for the Holidays” with a star-studded lineup featuring Irma Thomas, Big Freedia, Kermit Ruffins, Soul Rebels, plus NOCCA student pianist River Eckert and emcee Gralen Banks. Proceeds from the event will support the NOCCA Foundation's Daniel Price Memorial Fund for Aspiring Artists, which honors the memory of NOCCA alum Daniel Price (Visual Arts, 1993) with scholarships for NOCCA students. Catch this show at the House of Blues on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $44.99, plus fees.
New Year’s Eve Concerts
Ring in 2026 the NOLA way by attending a concert! Every New Year’s Eve, tourists and locals alike gather in the French Quarter for New Orleans Eve. Held in Woldenberg Park, New Orleans Eve features live performances from DJ Captain Charles, Sweet Crude, and Dumpstaphunk. This open-air concert is free to attend, and attendees may bring camp-style chairs as well as outside food and drink. The concert begins at 9 p.m. and goes until the countdown at midnight.
Other live music on New Year’s Eve includes The Revivalists: New Year’s Eve Ball at the Orpheum Theater, and Galactic New Year's Eve ft. Jelly Joseph at Tipitina's. At the National WWII Museum, join the Victory Swing Orchestra to close out the quarter-century and ring in 2026 at Dine & Dance: New Year's Eve Bash! And there’s celebrations for the little ones in the daytime (not featuring live music) – "Noon Year's Eve" at the Louisiana Children’s Museum. Check out our page on New Year’s Eve celebrations here for more ways to celebrate.
For even more music, visit the WWOZ LiveWire Music Calendar.