If you’re looking for a cool way to spend your January, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve collected our favorite things to do in New Orleans in January so you can get out and explore this awesome city!
January is a great time to visit New Orleans! There are so many things to do and see in January. New Orleans is the home of many famous festivals, from Mardi Gras to Jazz Fest to the French Quarter Festival. But there are plenty of other things to do in January!
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Here are the things and what to do in New Orleans in January
- Ring in the New Year, NOLA-style
- Take a walking tour of St. Louis Cemetery, French Quarter, Garden District, and Frenchman Street
- French Quarter Festival: If you’re looking for something a little more high-energy than a concert or parade, consider going to one of the city’s many festivals. The French Quarter Festival is one of the most popular events on the calendar and happens every year in January; it’s usually held over several days with special events being held each day.
- Joan of Arc Parade
- Twelfth Night or the Epiphany
- Go shopping at the French Market. The French Market is home to some of the best local artisans and vendors, so if you’re looking for some souvenirs or gifts, this is the place to go!
- Mardi Gras parade: If you’re looking for something more low-key, check out Mardi Gras parades; they’re a fun way to see people in masks and costumes, and you can bet there will be lots of beads thrown around.
- Ghost tour (Get spooked on a NOLA ghost tour)
- Vintage streetcar ride (Ride the St. Charles Avenue streetcar)
- Jazz brunch (Enjoy a boozy brunch with live jazz): Try out one of the many free concerts that take place around town each year at venues like the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest).
- Lafitte Greenway cycling (Ride a bike along the Lafitte Greenway)
- Lower Ninth Ward tour (Take a tour of the Lower Ninth Ward)
- Garden District shopping (Browse quirky shops on Magazine Street)
- Farmers’ market (Browse the Crescent City Farmers Market)
- Muffuletta tasting (Find the city’s best muffuletta sandwich)
- Enjoy a bowl of piping hot gumbo
- Experience a King Cake
- Start of Carnival With Phunny Phorty Phellows
Is January a good time to visit New Orleans?
It’s a bit of a wait-and-see situation when it comes to January weather in New Orleans. On the one hand, you won’t have to worry about the extremes of summer heat and winter cold that can make or break your trip.
January tends to be rainy and cool—just in time for Carnival season! So if you’re not looking to do much else during your visit, January might be a good choice. If you’re planning on heading out into town and exploring all the sights, however, we’d recommend waiting at least until February.
The first week of January is known as Mardi Gras, but there are also lots of other fun things happening throughout the month. Take a walk through City Park, where you can see live music and enjoy the beautiful fountains. If you’re looking for more outdoor activities, there are plenty of hiking trails around the park that connect it with other parts of the city.
For those who want to stay inside, there’s always a lot going on at local museums such as the Southern Food & Beverage Museum and New Orleans Museum of Art or zoos such as Audubon Zoo. There are some amazing exhibits on display—and they’re free! You can also take in an opera or play on stage at one of these venues during this time.
Is there anything to do in New Orleans in January?
January is a great time to visit New Orleans. The weather is warm and sunny, the streets are bustling with people, and the best of the city’s food and music is available.
Here are some of our favorite things to do in January in New Orleans!
- Take a Tour of City Park
- Enjoy a Jazz Brunch at Café du Monde
- Shop for Antiques at The Garden District Flea Market
- Explore the French Quarter on Foot
- Go for a Ride on Canal Street Cycle Path
The French Quarter alone has about 20 events taking place every week, and that doesn’t include all the other neighborhoods that have festivals and parades as well.
The best part? It’s all free! The French Quarter Festival is already underway, with food trucks, music, art exhibitions, and more—all free of charge. And there’s no better way to experience New Orleans than by visiting its many annual festivals and parades. Just be prepared for crowds!
What does the French Quarter festival celebrate?
- Shane Speal at New Orleans Cigar Box Guitar Fest
- BLK INK Book Festival – New Orleans
- Mardi Gras in New Orleans
- New Year in New Orleans
- Billy Strings
- New Year’s Eve
- Beginning of Carnival Season
- Jamie Lynn Vessels @ New Orleans Jazz Museum
- Sensualité — Teaser Fest
- 2024 FAN EXPO New Orleans
- Jesus Christ Superstar
- Live Nation Club Pass: Fillmore New Orleans
- Heat @ Pelicans
- MC Professional Convention
- FOC Concert Series presents Marcia Ball — New…
- VarieTEASE — Teaser Fest
- Mersiv New Years Eve Celebration
- New Year’s Eve at The Riverview Room in New Orleans
- ROARING INTO THE 20’S NEW YEARS EVE CELEBRATION
- Dumpstaphunk & Dirty Dozen Brass Band
- 2024 New Year’s Eve Bourbon Street Balcony Tickets…
- Knights of Columbus Virtual Silent Auction 2024
- DURRY
- That Arena Rock Show
- Ohm Fridays
- Noel Miller
- Ohm Fridays
- Ohm Fridays
- Miss Universe 2024
- LPO Family Concert: The Conductor’s Spellbook
Is New Orleans a good place to visit in the winter?
New Orleans is a city that really lives up to its name. It’s so unique, in fact, that it has its own nickname: the Big Easy.
New Orleans is a beautiful city, but it can also be pretty cold in the winter. If you’re looking for somewhere to visit in New Orleans that’s a little less sweltering, we’ve got a few recommendations.
Explore Audubon Park for some bird-watching or take a stroll through Vieux Carre—a historic neighborhood full of French Quarter charm and delicious restaurants. And if it rains? Don’t worry: New Orleans has plenty of museums and concerts to keep you entertained.
New Orleans in January weather
We’ve seen it all: hail, rain, sleet, snow—even hail and sleet at the same time! But this is nothing compared to the heat. We’ve had days where the temperature reached above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius).
And let’s not forget about the humidity! It can get up to 100% humidity in just a few hours, making it feel like you’re in a sauna even if you’re standing outside. It’s hard to believe that New Orleans is only about one degree cooler than Miami during these conditions.
The best news? It’s not that bad! Sure, temperatures are cold, but they’re not unbearable. The average temperature in January is 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius), and there’s only an average of 8 inches (20 centimeters) of snowfall.
FAQs
What is the cheapest month to go to New Orleans?
The cheapest month to go to New Orleans is October. The average cost of a hotel room in October is $174 per night.
What to wear in New Orleans in January?
You’re headed to New Orleans in January and you’re wondering what to wear?
Well, the answer is easy: anything you’d like!
There are plenty of options for winter jackets, boots, and even sweaters. If you’re looking for something that provides a little more warmth, try wearing a hooded sweater or coat over your shirt. You can also pack a pair of gloves with you so that you don’t get too cold while waiting in line at the airport or getting off the plane.
If you’re going somewhere warm, like Florida or California, then bring along some lightweight clothes in case it gets chilly later on in the day. Also remember that most airports have free restrooms and those are always very clean!
