New Year’s Eve in New Orleans: What to expect

Looking for things to do on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans? As a sober person, here’s what i found…

8 minute read

New Orleans is famous for throwing a good party, so of course ringing in the new year here means indulging. There’s more to do than a Bourbon Street bar crawl though. Fireworks over the Mississippi River. A ball drop in Jackson Square. A parade, even. New Year’s Eve in New Orleans is just the right amount of crazy. I found it the perfect way to dance my way out of one year and into the next.

We experienced NYE from in/around the French Quarter and I would highly recommend it for anyone looking for a fun NYE adventure. If you’re on a budget there are free things, and if you want to splurge you can get super fancy. If you want to drink, you’ll have no trouble. And if you don’t — if you’re sober like me — it’s more than fine too.

Keep reading to discover my top things to do in New Orleans on New Year’s Eve!

Note: I visited in for NYE 2023. The information in this post is current/updated for NYE 2025!

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New Year’s Eve Fireworks in New Orleans

NYC has its apple. New Orleans has its Fleur de Lys – a gold and blue ball drop at midnight from atop the Jax Brewery building near Jackson’s Square.

After the countdown, there’s a spectacular fireworks display along the riverfront. We saw many locals in the know sitting on chairs they brought to score a spot early in the evening, but you don’t need to fight crowds to enjoy this because you can see fireworks all along the Mississippi from Crescent Park/French Market to Hilton Riverside. Best part? Free!

Or watch the fireworks from a riverboat cruise on the Steamboat Nachez. The special late evening sail includes premium open bar, hors d’oeuvres and buffet, and live entertainment. You’ll guaranteed a great view of the New Orleans fireworks. Ages 21+ up only.

New for New Year’s Eve in New Orleans 2025: The city has announced New Orleans Eve – a free outdoor concert near Jackson Square. Local bands and DJs will perform from 9pm to just before midnight to take you right to the ball drop. Expect crowds!

The fireworks show will also be streamed live on WWL.com.

New Year’s Eve on Bourbon Street

If you’ve come to party for New Year’s Eve in New Orleans, all roads lead to Bourbon Street. Bars, bars, and more bars, with local laws that let you carry your alcohol on the street. But you know this, it’s one of the things that makes New Orleans famous.

To be honest as a non-drinker I worried I’d hate this. But it wasn’t out-of-control bacchanalia, just high-energy fun. We went early on our way to dinner to feel the celebratory vibes and when we’d had enough, we wandered off. Then later that night we wandered back for more.

Bourbon Street on New Year’s Eve was packed, with bands, buskers and other street performers adding to the festive atmosphere. Did we hear Warrant’s “Cherry Pie” coming out of not one but two karaoke bars within an hour? Yes, yes we did. Was it a riot? Indeed, it was.

You can splurge on a New Year’s Eve balcony ticket to watch from above and participate in the fun of throwing out beads on the peasants below. It’ll cost you upwards of $200 USD per person, which may or may not include the beads, or open bar, but most likely comes with a champagne toast at midnight. And of course, the views of the heart of the action.

I did not see any boob flashing in exchange for beads. Frankly, a relief. Maybe those came out later. Or maybe that’s just a Mardi Gras thing, not on NYE. Did spot some pretty gross / verging on rapey souvenirs on Bourbon Street so thankfully that was not the vibe when we were there.

Live Music

One of the best things we did on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans was start with a performance from the famous Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Traditional tunes, great storytelling, and a small room without cell phones. It was really a delight and put us the best mood for the rest of our evening.

The historic Preservation Hall has been under renovation but the band plays on regardless of the venue. Check their calendar about a month in advance and snap them up quick. The sets are short so you can easily fit this into other plans.

There are a ton of nightclub parties. Check Eventbrite. Example: Big Night New Orleans New Year’s Eve 2024-25 at the Filmore has rappers Trina Yung Joc and burlesque performances.

Frenchmen Street is always a solid choice for local bands away from the Bourbon street madness. There’s a Balcony Room party with funk/soul outfit Flow Tribe at Blue Nile that’s an affordable $35 USD.

My goth friends might want to head to NightWav for dark synth dancing.

Dinner and Champagne

And if you’re in a Fancy Dinner and Champagne mood, hotel restaurants are always a great choice with high levels of service to make your life easier.

For views of the Riverfront and possibly fireworks, try The Westin’s Observatory Eleven bar. Or The Ritz-Carlton has a special New Year’s Eve five-course menu, midnight toast, and jazz trumpeter Jeremy Davenport.

Black Tie is encouraged at the Riverview Room, a popular place to celebrate New Year’s Eve in New Orleans with a great view, sit down dinner, and dancing to live music.

Finally, if you’re sober, I have some recommendations for great mocktails in New Orleans here.

Hitting up a casino

We didn’t plan to gamble on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans, but we got cold! Walking around Bourbon Street and the Riverfront was fun and all, but at some point we needed a washroom up and the neon lights were calling us. I’m glad we went in because it was fun to heat things up.

Caesars New Orleans (which was as Harrah’s at the time of our visit) is a recently renovated massive “gaming” establishment with everything you can think of for playing grown up games. We spent some money on slots and drinks and then made our way back out into the night….

Day Time Fun

I know nothing about football, so we missed the Sugar Bowl Parade. But apparently you can march through the French Quarter with a bunch of other pumped up people during the day from about 2pm.

A Second Line Parade on New Year’s Day

The second-best thing we did after the jazz show was actually the next day.

We kicked off our new year by dancing in a Second Line Parade. These marching parades with live music are a New Orleans tradition and visitors are welcome to join in. (Behind the performers – hence “second” line.) We found the information and route on this second line website a week or so in advance.

I loved dancing in the streets, watching the musicians and the young dancers, and feeling the community spirit and sharing the joy of music with strangers. It’s not too early so even if you had a late night, you should be able to make it out! We got there by renting city bikes, which also allowed us to see another part of the city. There’s food and drink for sale from independent vendors (unless you’re a sober vegetarian, ha, in which case BYO). And you can spend as much or as little time as you want – I think we did about 2 hours.

I hope this list of what to expect visiting New Orleans for New Year’s Eve was helpful. Happy New Year to you!

Where to Stay in New Orleans

I was looking for an affordable hotel close to the French Quarter (but not in it) and ended up staying in two different places, both decent options for a short stay in New Orleans on a budget.

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham New Orleans Downtown was cuter than I expected for its under $100/night price point. All the basics, including free breakfast bar, a rooftop pool (we didn’t use, as it was winter) and snacks for sale at reception, plus an on-site paid laundry. Our room with two queen beds was had some IG-friendly design touches. Nothing fancy, but clean and comfortable. Mostly, I liked the location at the corner of Camp and Gravier, just a few minutes walk from Canal Street. (And right across the street from International House Hotel, a boutique hotel with a chic lobby bar and a real Banksy mural on display. It’s also my bucket list hotel for future trips because there’s a suite with a piano!)

Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans Downtown also has a convenient location, right on the St. Charles streetcar line, and steps from Canal St. Our King Bed room was really big, with a spacious work desk, and separate kitchen area with mini fridge, microwave and sink. Free breakfast and very helpful staff. Would stay here again.