Happy 2023 New Orleans! January 6 marks the official start of the Mardi Gras season, which lasts this year through February 21. What better way to kick off our favorite season than with not one, not two, but four parades? Plus, the Saints’ season ends, and the Pelicans continue their season at Smoothie King Center. Check out these events and other happenings from this month in NOLA below!
Here’s What’s Happening This Month in NOLA (January 2023)
1.) Barcadia’s Official Game Day Block Party
Join Barcadia on Tchoupitoulas to celebrate their last Saints Game Day Block Party of the season. This outdoor block party will have big screens for both indoor and outdoor viewing, drink specials, plus a live afterparty performance with special guest DJ Joe Maz starting at 11am.
2.) Funky Uptown Krewe
Funky Uptown Krewe returns to the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line. The parade rolls at 7 p.m. on Twelfth Night, January 6, to kick off the Mardi Gras season. This year’s theme is “Everybody Get Your Funk On” and features local DJ Mannie Fresh. The signature throw is funky bedazzled vinyl records.
January 6 | St. Charles Avenue Streetcar Line | 7 pm
3.) Pelicans vs. Brooklyn Nets
Head to the Blender for Friday night basketball. The Pelicanss take on the Brooklyn Nets at 7:30 p.m.
January 6 | Smoothie King Center | 7:30 pm
4.) Krewe des Fleurs 2023 Season Debut
Join Krewe des Fleurs for their 9th season debut! The 2023 season will feature a fresh take on an enchanting flower beloved to Louisiana. Over the last several months, the Fleurs have been hard at work building and decorating their flower costumes from scratch, and each flower is as unique and spectacular as its maker. On January 7, members of the public are invited to the gates of Armstrong Park at 4 p.m. to view the magical moving garden. The krewe will then take a stroll through the French Quarter.
5.) Fan Expo New Orleans
Fan Expo returns to New Orleans from January 6-8 with all your favorite comic book characters, celebrities, and fan-favorite events. Celebrities include Matthew Lewis from “Harry Potter,” Katee Sackhoff of “The Mandalorian,” Anson Mount from “Star Trek: Discovery,” and more.
January 6 – 8 | New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center | 12 pm
6.) Krewe De Joan D’Arc
In honor of the St. Joan of Arc’s birthday, the Krewe of Joan of Arc holds an annual walking parade every January that takes place throughout New Orleans’ French Quarter. Parade-goers can be spotted in medieval attire reminiscent of 1400s France. Costumes, music, jugglers, characters on horseback, knights, and much more will be present within the parade’s route with plenty of King Cake to share.
January 6 | French Quarter | 7 pm
7.) Phunny Phorty Phellows
Members from the Krewe of Oak will be on hand to toast the Phellows, who will be masked and costumed aboard a streetcar at 6:30 p.m. At 7 p.m., they will ride along the St. Charles Avenue streetcar route to Canal Street and back—ending at the Willow Streetcar Barn on South Carrollton Avenue. The Phellows began as a satirical krewe and date back to 1878. They took the streets until 1898 and returned in 1981 as the Phunny Phorty Phellows. Today, many of the members’ costumes still reflect satirical themes.
January 6 | Uptown & CBD | 7 pm
8.) Miss Universe 2023
New Orleans is proud to host the 71st Miss Universe competition on Saturday, January 14 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Delegates from all over the world will compete for the crown, which will be bestowed by 70th Miss Universe winner Harnaaz Sandhu. There are a few events open to the public.
January 14 | New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center | 7 pm
9 + 10.) Dolly Parton Burlesque Brunch & Mardi Gras Market at Virgin Hotels New Orleans
Virgin Hotels New Orleans & Trixie Minx Productions celebrate Dolly Parton’s birthday with a special Dolly Parton-themed burlesque brunch! Pay due respect to the country music icon for her 77th birthday with a special Dolly-centric brunch. The experience includes a 2-course prix-fixe menu set at $40 per person – make your reservation for the 10:30am or 1pm seating HERE.
The next day, shop local vendors at a FREE to attend Mardi Gras Market with 12 different vendors including Bitlu Boutique, Sorellas NOLA, Cool Your Fannies, Elektra Glitter, and more.
January 21 and 22 | Virgin Hotels New Orleans | Time Varies by Event
11.) Friday Night Fights
Hosted by Friday Night Fights Gym/HQ. and Freret Street Boxing Gym, Friday Night Fights hosts the next exciting installment on January 27. The boxing match-turned-block party is a highly entertaining blend of athleticism and showmanship. Fighting enthusiasts and amateur spectators alike will enjoy this BYOB show featuring dancers, DJs, drag and burlesque performances, crowd contests, and much more.
January 27 | Friday Night Fights Gym | 7 pm
Featured photo by Jen Lewin
12.) Angel Olsen at Joy Theater
Angel Olsen is an American singer-songwriter and musician from St. Louis, Missouri who lives in Asheville, North Carolina. To date, Olsen has released six studio albums: Half Way Home (2012), Burn Your Fire for No Witness (2014), My Woman (2016), All Mirrors (2019), Whole New Mess (2020), and Big Time (2022). She and the Big Time Band will perform at the Joy Theater on January 21.
January 21 | Joy Theater | 7 pm
13.) Freaky Femme Friday at Republic NOLA
Republic NOLA is bringing back Freaky Femme Friday on Friday, January 13. with none other than Dr. Jax, PRETTY NA$TY, Semaj, Wander, and B Word! This edition of Freaky Femme Friday is special because they are giving a percentage of our ticket sales to the Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response (STAR) to show our support for all survivors in need & give back to our local community.
January 13 | Republic NOLA | 10 pm
14.) 12th Night at Tipitina’s Feat. Choppa & Big Sam
End your 12th-night celebration in style and with great music. Kick off Mardi Gras Season at the world-famous Tipitina’s with Amanda Shaw, Choppa, and Big Sam!
January 6 | Tipitina’s | 6:30 pm
15.) The Lost Bayou Ramblers at The Orpheum
The Grammy Award-winning Lost Bayou Ramblers bring their eclectic mix of modern sounds and rhythms to the Orpheum stage with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. This mix of Cajun music combined with an orchestra will highlight Louisiana like never before.
January 15 | Orpheum Theater | 7:30 pm
16.) When We Were Hipster Fest
Join NOLA Brewing Company for a very special When We Were Hipster Fest. Come see The Brightsides put on a Festival’s worth of fun and cool kids’ music to soothe your indie and emo hearts. Featuring music from The Killers, The Strokes, Modest Mouse, Paramore, The Shins, Vampire Weekend, and more.
January 14 | NOLA Brewing Company | 4 pm
17.) Techno Club Presents DEEP
Techno Club presents…DEEP: a journey into the deeper realms of the underground, for music lovers by music lovers. The evening features music from Javier Drada, Herb Christopher, and Ryan Deffes. Live at The Rabbit Hole from 11 pm – 6 am. 21+ $10 Cover