News Summary
New Orleans is preparing to host several concerts and festivals toward the end of 2025, marking the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation is behind these events, celebrating the city’s vibrant music and cultural heritage. Major events include the Havana Night concert, the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival, and the Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival. Additionally, the city will hold memorial events for those affected by the hurricane, alongside the Southern Decadence celebration, creating a unique blend of remembrance and festivity.
New Orleans is set to host a series of concerts and festivals to close out 2025, coinciding with events commemorating the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. These events, organized by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, celebrate the city’s rich musical and cultural heritage.
Upcoming Major Events
Havana Night: Celebrating Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz
Date: Friday, September 26, 2025
Location: George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center, 1225 N. Rampart Street
Featured Artist: Alexey Marti (Cuban-born percussionist, composer, and bandleader)
The ensemble will include Jose Colon (bass), Julian Addison (drums), Oscar Rossignoli (piano), David Navarro (trumpet), and Scott Johnson (saxophone). Doors will open at 7 p.m., with the performance beginning at 8 p.m. Although tickets for the event are sold out, a livestream option will be available at jazzandheritage.org/live.
2025 Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival
Date: Friday, October 10 to Sunday, October 12, 2025
Location: Lafayette Square Park, 602 Camp Street
This festival is free to the public and features two stages of live music performances by artists such as The Devon Allman Project, Larry McCray, Jimmy Hall, Sierra Green, Tab Benoit, and Bobby Rush. Festival-goers will enjoy Louisiana barbecue, local crafts, and family-friendly activities. Festival hours are Friday from 5:30–8:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m. While attendance is free, limited VIP Passes will be available for those seeking premium seating, access to a hospitality lounge, food and drinks, and festival merchandise.
Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival
Date: Saturday, November 8 and Sunday, November 9, 2025
Location: Louis Armstrong Park, 701 N. Rampart Street
This festival aims to highlight local cultural traditions, featuring live performances, local artisan exhibits, children’s activities, and a variety of gumbo dishes. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on both days, and admission is free.
Contrasting Celebrations and Commemorations
The weekend also features the Southern Decadence celebration alongside the Hurricane Katrina 20th anniversary events, creating a contrast in the city’s atmosphere.
Southern Decadence
This is recognized as the largest LGBTQ+ festival in New Orleans, encompassing events throughout the weekend. A major highlight is the New Orleans Mermaid Parade, scheduled for Saturday at 6:30 p.m. along the riverfront. Participation in the parade costs $35, while watching from the sidelines is free.
Hurricane Katrina 20th Anniversary Events
Several memorial events are intended to remember those affected by Hurricane Katrina. An interfaith church service will take place at St. Louis Cathedral on Thursday at 6 p.m. An annual wreath-laying ceremony at the New Orleans Katrina Memorial in Mid-City is planned for Friday at 8:30 a.m. Additionally, there will be an anniversary march, second-line, and healing ceremony starting at North Galvez and Jourdan Avenue at 11 a.m., followed by a national moment of silence at 11:20 a.m. Later that evening, a night of music and remembrance will occur at the Orpheum, featuring performances by Irma Thomas and Kermit Ruffins. A K20 commemorative summit will also take place on Saturday at Gallier Hall, free to the public, with various panel discussions.
Katrina Exhibits
Throughout this anniversary period, several Katrina-themed exhibits will be displayed at various venues, including the New Orleans African American Museum, UNO’s Earl K. Long Library, the Historic New Orleans Collection, TEP Center, and the main branch of the New Orleans Public Library.
Overall, New Orleans is gearing up for an impactful end to 2025, blending celebration and remembrance through its vibrant cultural festivals.
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Additional Resources
- NOLA: Weekend Plans in New Orleans
- My New Orleans: September 2025 Events Calendar
- OffBeat: New Orleans Jazz Heritage Foundation Fall Events
- Axios: Mermaid Parade & Katrina Anniversary Events
- WWLTV: Weekend Events in New Orleans Area
- Wikipedia: New Orleans
- Google Search: New Orleans events 2025
- Google Scholar: New Orleans culture festivals
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New Orleans
- Google News: New Orleans events
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
