Like any holiday, New Orleans celebrates New Year’s Eve in a big way, from fireworks over the Mississippi River to parties at hotels, bars, restaurants, and homes across the city. Downtown, Uptown, Mid-City, or the Marigny—all of New Orleans’ neighborhoods will be alive with partygoers, including natives and those visiting the city for the holidays.
One of the most popular and memorable New Year’s Eve traditions is to go down to Jackson Square for the famous Fleur de Lis drop at 9pm. People flood the square and the streets in anticipation and enjoy light shows courtesy of both the drop itself and the midnight fireworks show over the Mississippi. The event is free and open to the public, and the French Quarter and surrounding areas’ establishments stay open after long into the night for continued late-night merriment.
One of the best places to catch the fireworks shows is near the wharfs on the edge of the river levee. You can also get a similar great view with the backdrop of the city from the other side of the river on the Westbank. Another amazing perspective is from the high balconies of the area’s hotels, many of which hold their own New Year’s parties.
From Bourbon Street to Frenchmen Street to Magazine, the entire city will be aglow with celebrations from the early evening until the wee hours of the new year. Some of the venues with bigger shows this year include the Joy Theater on Canal, House of Blues and Irvin Mayfield’s in the French Quarter, d.b.a. on Frenchmen, Tipitina’s at Napoleon and Tchoupitoulas, and many, many more throughout the area.
Great live music, food, drink specials, and enthusiastic passersby will fill the streets this New Year’s Eve for a citywide party you won’t want to miss.
