Fall ushers in cool breezes — well, maybe, it’s New Orleans — but what does arrive in this time of year is the cultural season. And, as always, it’s a glorious breath of respite after months of heat and humidity, as well as over air-conditioning, with the anticipation that Mozart, show tunes, dance, comedy, Shakespeare, “Steel Magnolias,” and days and nights of art will cure us of the summertime blues. The listing below is just a portion of the city’s arts organizations, which we encourage you to discover — and to expand boundaries beyond these. For all organizations, we recommend checking the website for the most up-to-date information, as schedules can change. Information listed has been supplied by the organizations or via a press release.
Contemporary Arts Center
900 Camp St., 504-528-3800, cacno.org
The Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans is committed to artists, the presentation of multidisciplinary work, and advancing the value and power of the art of our time.
The CAC is a touchstone for contemporary art in New Orleans and the Gulf South, enhancing connections between artists and communities and providing a forum for ideas and the exploration of a just society through artistic creation, public engagement and institutional practice.
Programming will be added throughout the year, beyond this schedule.
White Linen Night (Aug. 1-Sept. 29)
“Born: Untitled” (Aug. 1-Sept. 29)
International Dance Festival (Sept. 10-13)
“Echoes of the Storm” (Oct. 1-4)
“Great Scott!: A Retrospective of the Life/Work of Carol Scott” (Oct. 17-Feb. 27)
New Orleans Film Festival (Oct. 22-27)
“Sweet Surrender” (Nov. 7-Jan. 12)
“Welcome to the Theater” (Nov. 17-22)
Founders Week (Dec. 6-11)
Bob Tannen Book Signing (Dec.11)
“Our Town” (Feb. 20-May 9)
“Our Journeys, with Gulf Coast Asian Arts” (Feb. 20-May 9)
“The Dawn of Species Singularity Part III” (April 3-June 30)
“Circular Reflections” (April 3-June 30)
Crescent City Stage
6063 Magazine St. (CCS Studio Location), 504-354-8636, crescentcitystage.com
Crescent City Stage is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to producing professional theatre of the highest caliber, ensuring equitable compensation for our creative teams and fostering an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives and experiences.
Bard at the Batture (September and April)
An evening of Shakespeare along the Mississippi River at the Batture (25 Walnut St.)
Ongoing Performances: Join us at the CCS Studio for “One Night Only” events, bringing live theatre to the community.
Jefferson Performing Arts Society
Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Dr.
Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 177 Sala Ave., 504-885-2000, jpas.org
The Jefferson Performing Arts Society presents its 49th season at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center and Westwego Performing Arts Theatre.
Jefferson Performing Arts Center
- “Come From Away” (Sept. 11-20)
- “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (Dec. 4-13)
- “The Nutcracker” (Dec. 19-20)
- “Our City of Saints” (Jan. 15-17)
- “Les Miserables” (Feb. 26-March 7)
- “Anastasia” (April 9-18)
Westwego Performing Arts Theatre
- “My Fair Lady” (Sept. 25-Oct. 11)
- “Sweeney Todd” (Nov. 6-22)
- “A Mardi Gras Carol” (Dec. 4-13)
- “The Marvelous Wonderettes” (Jan. 8-24)
- The 39 Steps (March 5-21)
- Tootsie (May 7-23)
- Spamalot (July 9-18)
The Joy Theater
1200 Canal St., 504-766-8051, thejoytheater.com
Since its birth in 1947 as one of the city’s first “modern” movie theaters, the Joy has brought entertainment to generations of New Orleanians within its grand Art Deco walls on Canal Street. A significant renovation in recent years has restored the venue to its glory, allowing the Joy to host concerts, shows and other events.
FattMack- The McKenzie2.0 Tour (Sept. 2)
Bearracuda (Sept. 4)
Cyril Neville Plays The Dead (Sept. 25)
Snail Mail & Soccer Mommy (Oct. 20)
Snarky Puppy (Oct. 22)
Prof: Good Time Boy Tour (Oct. 26)
Zoltan Kaszas: WORLDWIDE(ish) Tour (Nov. 6)
Kurt Vile & The Violators (Nov. 18)
Kitchen Dwellers (Dec. 4 & 5)
Le Petit Théâtre
616 St. Peter St., 504-522-2081, lepetittheatre.com
This French Quarter gem sits at the city’s cultural epicenter. The historic theater dates to 1922 and provides a captivating stage for productions that showcase the area’s best professional talent across a range of dramatic, musical and comedic productions.
“Laughter on the 23rd Floor” (Oct. 2-18; preview Oct. 1)
“The Secret Garden” (Dec. 4-27; preview Dec. 3)
“The Glass Menagerie” (Feb. 26-March 21; preview Feb. 25)
August Wilson’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (April 30-May 16; preview April 29)
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (June 4-20; preview June 3)
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra at the Orpheum Theater
504-523-6530, lpomusic.com
129 Roosevelt Way, 504-271-4871, orpheumnola.com
Steeped in history yet focused on innovation, the Grammy award-winning Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra is the only full-time collaboratively governed and operated orchestra in the U.S. The LPO — rooted in a culturally diverse community with a 200-year orchestral music tradition — is setting the standard for orchestral programming and performance in Louisiana. For its musicians, achieving the highest level of artistry is integrally linked with a personal investment in the organization and community.
Sept. 17: Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2
Oct. 2: LPO with Tank & The Bangas
Oct. 8: “Concierto en Tango”
Oct. 22: LPO Music Director Laureate Carlos Miguel Prieto Returns: Shostakovich No. 5
Nov. 12: Mozart “Jupiter” and Stravinsky’s “Petrushka”
Dec. 3: Classical Christmas: “Messiah”
Dec. 17: Holiday Spectacular
Jan. 14: “Peer Gynt” & Mahler No. 5
Feb 18: Tchaikovsky & Prokofiev’s “Cinderella”
March 4: Schubert “The Great”
March 18: “Pictures at an Exhibition”
April 1: “Scheherazade”
April 15: “Appalachian Spring & Four Seasons In Buenos Aires”
May 6: Beethoven’s “Missa Solemnis”
May 15: Breakthrough Beethoven
Northshore: Fuhrmann Auditorium
128 W. 23rd Ave., Covington, 985-867-1206, covla.com
Sept. 24: Mozart Symphony No. 31 “Paris”
Nov. 5: Birds, Bugs and Kites
Dec. 10, 11: Classical Christmas: “Messiah”
Jan. 7: Essential Dvořák: The Serenades
Feb. 25: Miracles with Haydn, Bach and More
April 16: “Appalachian Spring & Four Seasons In Buenos Aires”
New Marigny Theatre
2301 Marais St., newmarignytheatre.com
Sept. 23: Mozart Symphony No. 31 “Paris”
Nov. 4: Birds, Bugs and Kites
Jan. 6: Essential Dvořák: The Serenades
Feb. 24: Miracles with Haydn, Bach and More
Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane
Woldenberg Art Center, Tulane University Campus, 504-865-5328, newcombartmuseum.tulane.edu
The Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane builds on the Newcomb College legacy of education, social enterprise and artistic experience. Presenting inspiring exhibitions and programs that engage communities both on and off campus, the museum fosters the creative exchange of ideas and cross-disciplinary collaborations around innovative art and design. The museum preserves and advances scholarship on the Newcomb and Tulane art collections.
“The Moss Mystique: Southern Women and Newcomb Pottery” (Through Dec. 4)
“Quiet Reserve: Stitching an Ambitious New Woman” (Through Dec. 4)
“Lynda Benglis: Elemental” (Jan. 20–May 20)
New Orleans African
American Museum, 1417-1418 Gov. Nicholls St, 504-218-8254, noam.org
Located in the heart of historic Tremé, the New Orleans African American Museum (NOAAM) is one of the city’s leading cultural institutions dedicated to preserving, interpreting and celebrating the history, art, and contributions of people of African descent.
Situated on a two-acre historic campus featuring six historic structures, NOAAM serves as a vital steward of Black history and culture in New Orleans and beyond.
As the museum approaches its 30th Anniversary, visitors are invited to explore exhibitions, public art, educational experiences, gardens and public programs that illuminate the past while inspiring future generations.
“Ancestral Odyssey”
“Tremé Heroes” (Opening 2027)
New Orleans Ballet Association
504-522-0996, nobadance.com
The 2026–27 season of world-class dance presented by the New Orleans Ballet Association promises a vibrant and diverse lineup of internationally acclaimed dance companies and innovative performances, staged at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts (1419 Basin St.)
This season reflects NOBA’s continued commitment to bringing exceptional artistry and cultural richness to local audiences.
Pilobolus (Oct. 17)
Alonzo King LINES Ballet (Nov. 14)
Argentina’s Tango After Dark (Feb. 20)
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (March 13-14)
New Orleans Opera Association
2504 Prytania St. (Opera Guild Home), 504-267-9539, neworleansopera.org
Honoring its responsibility as the bearers of a 200-plus year legacy of presenting European and American premieres in the Crescent City, the New Orleans Opera Association entertains, inspires and educates New Orleans, Louisiana and beyond through the production and performance of opera.
The opera association believes in the power of opera to express the most visceral stories; expand the capacity for wonder, laughter and delight; and seeks to celebrate the unique linguistic and cultural heritage of the city through programming, people and practices.
Please look out for additional concerts and events throughout the season.
New Orleans Opera Scenic Studio Open House (Sept. 12) This event will be at the Scenic Studio (3020 Lausat St., Metairie), 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Emerging Artist Concert Series (Oct. 25, Nov. 29, Dec. 27, Feb. 28, Apr. 25, May 30) Concerts are 4 p.m.-6 p.m. at the Opera Guild Home.
New Orleans Opera Festival (March 12-22)
The NOLA Project
504-302-9117, nolaproject.com
Marking its 22nd season, the NOLA Project is an ensemble theater company that challenges, entertains and engages diverse New Orleans audiences through adventurous productions of classic works, the development of innovative new plays, and practical education opportunities.
Exact dates to be finalized; please check on website for updates.
“The Curse of the Mummy” (October)
“Flying Dreams: The Ambitious Ascent of Icarus & Daedalus” (November)
Pipeline (March)
Titus Andronicus (March)
Tambo & Bones (March)
New Orleans Museum of Art
1 Collins Diboll Circle, City Park, 504-658-4100, noma.org
With a permanent collection of nearly 50,000 works spanning 5,000 years of world history, the New Orleans Museum of Art is a cornerstone cultural institution for Louisiana and the Gulf South. Rotating exhibitions and permanent installations explore global art from the unique vantage point of New Orleans. NOMA’s 12-acre Besthoff Sculpture Garden continues the experience outside — with 100 works showcasing highlights of outdoor sculpture from the 19th century to the present day.
“Second Nature: Japanese Rinpa Paintings from the Gitter-Yelen Collection” (Oct. 2–Feb. 14)
“Confluence: The Tina Freeman Collection of Photographs” (Nov. 20–June)
“Willie Birch: Stories to Tell” (March 19–Sept. 5)
“Danielle Mckinney: Shelter” (Nov. 6–August)
Ogden Museum of Southern Art
925 Camp St., 504-539-9600, ogdenmuseum.org
Located in the vibrant Warehouse Arts District of downtown New Orleans, Louisiana, Ogden Museum of Southern Art invites visitors to experience and learn about the artists and culture of the American South. Ogden Museum is home to a collection of more than 5,000 works, making it the largest and most comprehensive repository dedicated to Southern art in the nation, with particular strength in the genres of Self-Taught art, Regionalism, photography and contemporary art.
HBCU Showcase (Through Nov. 1)
“The Dream is the Truth” (Through Jan. 10)
“Louisiana Contemporary 2026,” presented by The Helis Foundation (Aug. 1 – Feb. 14)
“In the Eyes and Mind of the Feral Child: The Art of Tom McNease” (Sept. 12-March 14)
“Incarnate: The Human Figure in Contemporary Southern Realism” (Feb. 27-July 25)
“Clarence Millet: Selections from the Ogden Collection” (March 13-June 27)
“Dark Waters” (April 3 – Sept. 2027)
“Mark Bercier: The Artist Portrait Series” (July 10, 2027- Jan. 9, 2028)
Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts
325 Minor St., Kenner, 504-461-9475, rivertowntheaters.com
Experience the magic of premier live entertainment in Rivertown’s Main Street District with Rivertown Theater’s spectacular 2026-2027 season! From beloved family classics to thrilling theatrical escapes, secure your season or single tickets today and experience an unforgettable year of extraordinary performances.
“Finding Neverland” (Sept. 11-27)
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (Oct. 23-31)
“Steel Magnolias” (Nov. 6-22)
The Victory Belles Louisiana Christmas (Dec. 4-6, Dec. 21-22)
“Million Dollar Quartet: Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash” (Dec. 10-20)
Disney • Pixar “Finding Nemo” (Jan. 8-17)
“POTUS” (Feb. 19-28)
“42nd Street” (March 5-21)
“Grease” (May 7-23)
Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” (July 15-25)
Saenger Theatre
1111 Canal St., 504-525-1052, saengernola.com
The Saenger brings Broadway favorites to Canal Street all season long through its popular “Broadway in New Orleans” series.
“Jersey Boys” (Sep. 22-27)
“Disney’s The Lion King” (Oct. 2 -Nov. 8)
“Buena Vista Social Club” (Dec. 8-13)
“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical” (Dec. 15-20)
“The Notebook” (Jan. 26-31)
“Clue” (Feb. 19-21)
“The Sound of Music” (March 2-7)
“The Outsiders” (March 30-April 4)
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” (May 11-16)
“Just in Time” (June 22-27)
