Top Things to do in New Orleans for January 2018

January marks a New Year starting and provides some great things to do throughout New Orleans. This year will actually be the Tricentennial for the city, which is the 300th birthday. There will be more events than normal, more things to do and plenty of celebrating to enjoy. Here are some of the top things to do throughout New Orleans for January 2018.

Celebrate on Day 1 of the New Year

Just because January 1st is a Monday doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a celebration or two. Hit up one of the top breakfast spots in New Orleans or discover a new neighborhood. A walking tour may be the perfect way to kick off your resolutions or you could hit the trails found all throughout the area.

Of course, if you really want to enjoy the first day of the year, you could watch the Allstate Sugar Bowl. While it’s sold out, you may be able to score tickets on the secondary market or you could head to your favorite sports bar. The game will be filled with excitement and you can even enjoy celebrating with the fans in the downtown area after.

Start Celebrating Mardis Gras Early

The Phunny Phorty Phellows will help you start the Mardis Gras celebration early. On January 5th at 7pm, you can enjoy the first parade of the season by dressing up in a satirical costume and throwing beads on St. Charles Avenue.

Time for King Cakes

January 6th will mark the King’s Day Celebration, which will include plenty of fireworks on the river starting at 9pm. This is a very special King’s Day since it’s the Tricentennial year and plenty of fun is expected to be a part of this event. Of course, you will also get to enjoy some king cake, which is one of the many traditions in New Orleans.

Attend Mass at St. Louis Cathedral

The first Sunday of the New Year will be January 7th and it’s a great time to get back into the habit of going to church. The inaugural mass at St. Louis Cathedral will celebrate the Tricentennial and welcome in 2018. Opening mass will start at 11am with other scheduled times, as well.

Celebrate MLK Day in Many Ways

You can volunteer or attend one of the many celebrations on January 15th in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The Ashe Cultural Arts Center will host a concert the day before and the Interfaith Celebration will also be held on Sunday at the St. James AME Church. Plenty of volunteer activities and events are expected to be a part of this very special day.

Attend Krewe du Vieux in the French Quarter

While any day of the week you can head to the French Quarter for plenty of fun, January 27th is the day you should choose this month. The Krewe du Vieux parade will be held on this day, which marks the unofficial start of parade season in New Orleans. You’ll want to choose your costume early for this event and find a spot to set up on the parade route.

Try Plenty at the King Cake Festival

This could be your second go-around for the month when it comes to King Cake. The King Cake Festival will provide all types of traditional and non-traditional takes on King Cake. It will be held from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, January 28th at Champions Square. You’ll get to try all kinds of King Cake options and you can judge for yourself which one is best.

Mardis Gras Parades Galore

With the first parades starting on January 27th, the last weekend of the month will be the time to enjoy all kinds of Mardis Gras Parades around New Orleans. There will be a total of nine parades over the weekend including the Krewe of Little Rascals, the krewedelusion and so many others.

Take in An American in Paris

It’s a classic love story with plenty of music and amazing ballet to offer. An American in Paris will be held at the Saenger Theater from January 30th to February 4th. Take in this show to end the month and relax a bit before the Mardis Gras craziness takes over the city.

January is always jammed-packed with events in New Orleans, but this year it’s truly special. As the city celebrates its 300th birthday, there will be plenty of special events and many annual events will become bigger, better and more fun. Make sure you get tickets early and start making plans now as many of these events are going to draw large crowds.