New Orleans is set to welcome 2025 with a spectacular array of live music events, ensuring locals and visitors alike have a memorable way to ring in the New Year. Whether you’re into classic jazz, high-energy funk, or contemporary bluegrass, the Crescent City promises unforgettable performances across a variety of genres. Here’s your guide to the best New Year’s Eve live music events in New Orleans.
Big Night New Orleans at The Fillmore
Kick off the celebration with a glamorous gala at The Fillmore New Orleans. Featuring an all-star lineup, including hip-hop icons Yung Joc and Trina, the lively Brass-A-Holics, and sultry Inferno Burlesque, this event promises an unforgettable night. Former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Robert Meachem will host the midnight countdown, while guests enjoy an all-inclusive experience with unlimited food and premium drinks.
Dine & Dance New Year’s Eve Bash at BB’s Stage Door Canteen
Step back in time to the 1940s at the National WWII Museum’s BB’s Stage Door Canteen. Enjoy a four-course dinner, an open bar, and a Champagne toast at midnight, all while the Victory Swing Orchestra plays classic tunes in a nostalgic atmosphere. This event blends history and festivity for a truly unique New Year’s Eve experience.
Billy Strings at UNO Lakefront Arena
Grammy-winning bluegrass virtuoso Billy Strings will perform a special New Year’s Eve show at the UNO Lakefront Arena. Known for his jaw-dropping guitar skills and genre-defying style, Billy Strings is sure to deliver an energetic and memorable performance. Tickets are available starting at $39.50, with a camping pass option for those wishing to stay on-site throughout the weekend.
New Year’s Eve at Bourbon Vieux
Celebrate at Bourbon Vieux in the heart of the French Quarter. With a premium open bar, gourmet cuisine, and live music performances, this event promises to deliver an authentic New Orleans vibe with an incredible view of Bourbon Street’s festivities.
Galactic Featuring Jelly Joseph at Tipitina’s
New Orleans funk legends Galactic take the stage at Tipitina’s with powerhouse vocalist Jelly Joseph for a high-energy New Year’s Eve show. Known for their infectious funk rhythms and soulful performances, Galactic will offer a quintessentially New Orleans celebration to end 2025.
Hot 8 Brass Band at The Rabbit Hole
For a lively and unique celebration, head to The Rabbit Hole for the Grammy-nominated Hot 8 Brass Band. Known for blending traditional brass band sounds with hip-hop, funk, and jazz, the Hot 8 will keep the crowd dancing from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Juvenile & Mannie Fresh at Saenger Theatre
Hip-hop legends Juvenile and Mannie Fresh will headline the Saenger Theatre’s New Year’s Eve celebration. With a live band and guest appearances from the 400 Degreez Band and other local artists, the night will be filled with classic hits and dynamic performances.
STS9 at The Joy Theater
Sound Tribe Sector Nine (STS9) will return to The Joy Theater for a three-night celebration from December 29-31. Known for their innovative fusion of electronic and acoustic sounds, STS9’s live shows feature immersive light shows and improvisational energy, making for a transcendent experience. A portion of the ticket proceeds will benefit Hurricane Helene relief efforts.
New Year’s Eve at The Columns Hotel
The Columns Hotel transforms into an extravagant party venue with live music, fire shows, stilt walkers, live painting, and balloon artistry. This all-inclusive event features fine champagnes, a premium open bar, and specialty cocktails, making it one of the most unique places to ring in 2025.
DJ Raj Smoove at House of Blues
Dance the night away with DJ Raj Smoove, who will be headlining the House of Blues Foundation Room VIP Club for an upscale, electrifying New Year’s Eve celebration. Enjoy live music, a high-energy crowd, and a VIP experience in one of the city’s most iconic venues.
Jackson Square Celebration
For a classic New Orleans experience, head to Jackson Square for a free concert featuring Tank and the Bangas, Bonerama, and DJ RQ Away. The night will culminate with the iconic Fleur De Lis drop and a spectacular fireworks display over the Mississippi River, offering the perfect New Year’s Eve celebration under the stars.
Other Notable Shows Leading Up to New Year’s Eve
Juvenile at Saenger Theatre (Tuesday)
New Orleans hip-hop icon Juvenile will headline his second consecutive New Year’s Eve show at Saenger Theatre, joined by Hot Boy Turk, UNLV, and Mannie Fresh. Fans can expect a night of classic hits and memorable performances.
Galactic Featuring Jelly Joseph at Tipitina’s (Tuesday)
Galactic, one of New Orleans’ most famous funk bands, will perform a special New Year’s Eve show at Tipitina’s with Jelly Joseph. A high-energy night of funk and soul will keep the party going as you ring in 2025.
Tank & the Bangas, Bonerama, and DJ RQ Away at Jackson Square (Tuesday)
If you’re looking for a free outdoor celebration, head to Jackson Square for a concert by Tank & the Bangas, Bonerama, and DJ RQ Away. The evening will conclude with the famous Fleur De Lis drop and fireworks over the Mississippi River.
Ashlin Parker & Trumpet Mafia at Snug Harbor (Tuesday)
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with jazz at Snug Harbor as trumpeter Ashlin Parker & Trumpet Mafia are joined by jazz vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa for two sets. Tickets for the early and late shows are available for $45 and $55, respectively.
Wrap Up 2025 with Unforgettable Musical Moments
No matter what your musical taste is, New Orleans has something to offer for everyone on New Year’s Eve 2025. From hip-hop to jazz, bluegrass to funk, and everything in between, the city promises to deliver live music performances that will keep you dancing and celebrating well into the new year. Whether you’re attending an intimate venue or a grand gala, New Orleans will provide the perfect backdrop to ring in 2025 in style.
What is Hip?! Radio Show: NOLA Style Music Every Friday Night
New Orleans, Louisiana, has long been celebrated as the birthplace of jazz, with its rich musical heritage rooted in the vibrant streets of the French Quarter and its early development in the early 20th century. The city’s influence on jazz is undeniable, from the birth of Dixieland to the evolution of bebop and modern jazz. Keeping this tradition alive and pushing it forward into the modern era is the What is Hip?! Radio Show, a weekly celebration of New Orleans-style music that airs every Friday night.
The Spirit of New Orleans Music
As New Orleans is widely regarded as the birthplace of jazz, it’s only fitting that the What is Hip?! Radio Show serves as a dynamic platform for showcasing a variety of genres that stem from the city’s rich musical legacy. While jazz is at the heart of it all, the show also celebrates the diversity of musical styles that have been influenced by the Crescent City, such as R&B, funk, blues, soul, and brass band music. Through carefully curated playlists, the show introduces listeners to both legendary and emerging artists who embody the sound of New Orleans.
What is Hip?!: A Weekly Journey Through NOLA Sound
The What is Hip?! Radio Show is not only about exploring New Orleans jazz and its various sub-genres, but also about bringing listeners the freshest takes on these timeless sounds. Broadcast every Friday night, the show is an exciting mix of classic hits and contemporary tracks that reflect the spirit of New Orleans music. It dives into the roots of jazz, with a special focus on the iconic sounds of Dixieland or “New Orleans jazz,” and introduces modern interpretations of this genre, including the work of young and innovative jazz musicians who continue to push boundaries.
The show’s name, “What is Hip?!,” pays homage to the city’s penchant for constantly reinventing its musical identity while staying true to its deep cultural heritage. Whether it’s the traditional sounds of Louis Armstrong, the New Orleans funk of The Meters, or the experimental jazz explorations of Trombone Shorty, the radio show serves as a sonic time machine that takes its listeners on a journey through the past, present, and future of New Orleans music.
A Tribute to the Birth of Jazz
New Orleans has always been known for its ability to create music that is both accessible and deeply emotional. Dixieland jazz, the early form of jazz that originated in the city, became one of the most influential musical movements of the early 20th century. Rooted in blues, ragtime, and brass band music, Dixieland was characterized by lively, upbeat rhythms and improvisation. This distinct New Orleans sound became synonymous with the city itself, and artists like King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, and Jelly Roll Morton helped to shape and popularize the genre around the world.
Dixieland is often referred to as “traditional jazz” or “New Orleans jazz,” as it showcases the unique cultural melting pot that the city has always been. African American, French, Spanish, and Caribbean influences all came together to create a sound that resonated with people from every walk of life, making it truly emblematic of New Orleans itself.
Today, What is Hip?! Radio Show continues this legacy by keeping traditional New Orleans jazz alive, while also celebrating the way that the genre has evolved into many different forms. It’s a celebration of the roots of jazz, the ongoing innovation in the genre, and the distinct sound of New Orleans that will forever be linked to the city’s identity.
A Community Experience
One of the greatest aspects of the What is Hip?! Radio Show is its commitment to bringing the community together through music. The show highlights the thriving local music scene by featuring interviews with New Orleans-based musicians, live performances, and community events. It helps to foster a sense of unity among those who love NOLA style music and ensures that New Orleans remains a central hub for jazz and other genres that the city helped to create.
Whether you’re tuning in to hear a mix of traditional jazz and funky modern tunes, or you’re interested in learning more about the rich history of New Orleans music, What is Hip?! provides an accessible and engaging platform for anyone who wants to celebrate the vibrant musical culture of the Crescent City.
New Orleans will always be synonymous with jazz, and the What is Hip?! Radio Show carries that legacy forward by celebrating the genre’s evolution while keeping the essence of its roots alive. So, if you want to hear the best of NOLA style music every Friday night, make sure to tune in and let the sounds of the Crescent City transport you straight to the heart of jazz.