You think you know New Orleans in January. Most folks assume it’s just a quiet, hungover gap between the Sugar Bowl and the real-deal Mardi Gras parades. Honestly, they’re wrong.
If you're looking for events in New Orleans this weekend, January 16 through 18, 2026, you’ve actually hit a sweet spot. The city is currently in that weird, wonderful "Twelfth Night" glow. King cakes are everywhere, the air is crisp (well, Louisiana-crisp), and the tourists haven't totally clogged the arteries of the French Quarter yet. It’s a locals’ weekend.
The Weird and Wonderful: Cigar Boxes and Burlesque
You’ve probably seen some guy on a porch playing a guitar made out of a cigar box. It's a vibe. But did you know there’s an entire world-class festival dedicated to it?
The New Orleans Cigar Box Guitar Festival is taking over the New Orleans Jazz Museum this Friday and Saturday. We’re talking professional acts from four different continents. They aren't just novelty acts; these musicians play 20 hours of high-level blues and jazz on instruments made from literal trash and treasure. It’s the "World Cup" of the homemade instrument world. If you want to see something that isn't a polished stadium tour, this is it.
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Then there’s Teaser Fest.
Basically, it's a four-day celebration of burlesque, cocktails, and "fine food." It runs from January 15 to 18. New Orleans and burlesque go together like red beans and rice—it’s baked into the history of Bourbon Street before it became a neon slushie nightmare. On Saturday night, the House of Blues is hosting "Sensualité" featuring Storm Marrero and the Josh Starkman Band. If you haven't seen Josh Starkman (the "Have a Great Day!" guy) live, his energy is infectious.
Music You Actually Want to Hear
Look, you can find a brass band on any corner. But this weekend has some specific hitters.
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- The Soul Rebels at d.b.a. on Frenchmen Street (Friday night, 10:00 PM). These guys have collaborated with everyone from Katy Perry to Wu-Tang Clan. Seeing them in a small room on Frenchmen is a rite of passage.
- Steep Canyon Rangers at Chickie Wah Wah (Saturday night). This is a Grammy-winning bluegrass powerhouse. Chickie Wah Wah is a small, intimate room with great sound—ideal for hearing every pluck of the banjo.
- Mindi Abair at the New Orleans Jazz Market (Friday night). If you want smooth, high-energy sax, she’s the one.
- Verismo Opera at the Marigny Opera House. They are performing Tchaikovsky’s The Maid of Orleans (Joan of Arc) all weekend. The Marigny Opera House is a deconsecrated church with incredible acoustics and a slightly haunting atmosphere. It’s perfect for a dramatic opera.
Eating Your Way Through the Weekend
Everyone talks about the big-name restaurants. Commander’s Palace, Galatoire's—yeah, they're great. But this weekend has some hyper-local food events that are way more interesting.
Winterfest 2026 is happening Saturday at the Deutsches Haus on Moss Street. It’s put on by the Crescent City Homebrewers. For about $40, you get a commemorative glass and access to over 40 different homebrewed beers, meads, and ciders. Plus, you’re at the Deutsches Haus, so you can grab some legit bratwurst and listen to live music by Tongue & Grove. It’s right on Bayou St. John, which is the best place to be on a Saturday afternoon.
And then there's the Gumbo Cookoff 2026 at BargeBoard on Sunday. You want to see how locals argue? Watch them judge gumbo. There’s no faster way to understand New Orleans culture than standing in a parking lot with a plastic cup of roux-based heaven while someone tells you why their grandma’s version is better.
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Carnival Season is Technically "On"
Don't expect the massive Endymion or Bacchus floats yet. That’s later. But the King Cake season kicked off on January 6th.
This weekend, you should be hunting for the good stuff. Avoid the dry, grocery store versions. Head to Dong Phuong (if you were smart enough to pre-order) or check out the King Cake Challah Workshop if you have kids. If you’re just wandering, hit up Hi-Do Bakery or Antoine’s.
For a bit of "sneaux," the Audubon Aquarium is doing their "Let it Sneaux" event on Saturday and Sunday. It’s mostly for families, but hey, seeing the penguins while fake snow falls in New Orleans is a weirdly charming experience.
Pro-Tips for Navigating the City
- Download the Le Pass app. Don't try to pay for the streetcar with crumpled dollar bills. It’s 2026. Use the app. The St. Charles line is beautiful, but the Canal Street line gets you to the cemeteries and City Park faster.
- Layers. It might be 70°F at noon and 45°F by 8:00 PM. Humidity makes the cold feel like it's biting your bones. Bring a jacket.
- Reservations. Even though it’s "slow" season, the good spots like Fat Ham at Dillard University's theater or Blithe Spirit at Le Petit Theatre will sell out.
Actionable Steps for Your Weekend
- Friday Night: Start at the Jazz Museum for the Cigar Box Fest, then walk over to Frenchmen Street for The Soul Rebels.
- Saturday Afternoon: Head to Bayou St. John. Grab a po-boy from Parkway Bakery, then walk over to the Deutsches Haus for Winterfest homebrews.
- Sunday Morning: Go to the Crescent City Farmers Market at City Park. It’s low-key, beautiful, and you can get the freshest seasonal produce and local honey.
- Sunday Evening: Catch the opera at the Marigny Opera House for a high-culture finish to a gritty, fun weekend.
New Orleans isn't a city you visit; it's a city you participate in. Get out of the French Quarter. Go where the homebrew is flowing and the guitars are made of boxes.