Among football circles — fans, pros, sports reporters and more — New Orleans is known as the best place to have a Super Bowl. Why? The world-renowned Caesars Superdome as the game-day setting, the easy access to the French Quarter and downtown New Orleans and the city’s well-known propensity to know how to throw a party are among the multitude of reasons why New Orleans is one of the most popular Super Bowl destinations, no matter who’s playing. The last NFL Championship game in the city was in 2013, so Super Bowl LIX on Sun. Feb. 9 is long overdue. While there are a number of things normally to do in the New Orleans, there are official Super Bowl LIX events that are open to the public, but most require tickets, except for the parade. Good sites for overall information are nfl.com/super-bowl, nolasuperbowl.com; @nfl, @nolasuperbowlhc
• Super Bowl Opening Night Fueled by Gatorade at Caesars Superdome, Feb. 3,
nfl.com/super-bowl/local
• Super Bowl Experience Presented by Panini at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center,
Feb. 5-Feb. 8, nfl.com/super-bowl/local
• Super Bowl Soulful Celebration at Mahalia Jackson Theater, Feb. 5, superbowlsoulful.com
• NFL Honors Presented by Invisalign at the Saenger Theatre, Feb. 6, nfl.com/super-bowl (Fans can also watch the show live on Fox and NFL Network, stream on NFL+)
• Louisiana Culture Festival at the French Market, Feb. 7-8, nolasuperbowl.com
• Shaq’s Fun House at Mardi Gras World featuring Ludacris, John Summit, DJ Diesel,
among others, Feb. 7, shaqsfunhouse.com
• Super Bowl Breakfast at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Feb. 8, superbowlbreakfast.com
• Super Bowl Host Committee Parade in the French Quarter, Feb. 8, nolasuperbowl.com
• Taste of the NFL at at The National World War II Museum, Feb. 8, tasteofthenfl.com
• Sports Illustrated The Party with performances from Dom Dolla and Diplo at Mardi Gras World, Feb. 8, sitheparty.com
• Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Tailgate, Feb. 9, guysflavortowntailgate.com
A Regal Pastry
New Orleans Center for Creative Arts Culinary Arts students and faculty are thrilled to offer their king cakes for Carnival. Available Jan. 6 – March 2, these handmade creations come in two classic styles — satsuma almond and gluten-free cinnamon — and rotating limited-edition flavors such as Valentine’s Day King Cake and others to be announced. Prices start at $25 for each cake, with pre-orders at noccamarketplace.com, or available at NOCCA (2800 Chartres St.) and at select retailers. Proceeds support NOCCA’s Culinary Arts program. @nocca.nola
New Year, Tet Style
Get your pho on, as well as dancing lions, fireworks, Carnival games, musical entertainment and more at the Tet Festival at the Mary Queen of Vietnam Church (14001 Dwyer Blvd.). The Vietnamese New Year kicks off on Jan. 29 as the Year of the Snake, which symbolizes wisdom, intuition and sacredness. The local event’s festivities start on Fri. Jan. 31, 6 p.m.-11 p.m.; Sat. Feb. 1, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun. Feb. 2, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Free admission and parking. For more information: maryqueenvn.org.
Carnival Blooms
Create your own purple, green and gold flower garden at Craft Happy Hour: Mardi Gras House Flowers at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art (925 Camp St.), Feb. 5 and 12. The workshops, taught by artist Ré Howse, are 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with all materials, adult and zero-proof beverages included in the registration fee ($55 members / $60 not-yet-members). Must be 18 or older to attend. For more information: ogdenmuseum.org/event/craft-happy-hour-55; ogdenmuseum.org; @OgdenMuseum
Fighting for History
At The National WWII Museum’s Dinner with a Curator: “Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II,” participants will get exclusive, behind-the-scenes insights about the exhibition from museum Curator and Restoration Manager Cory Graff. The recently re-envisioned, ground-breaking exhibition includes computer interactives, custom films, oral histories and nearly 100 rare artifacts. The event on Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., includes a discussion and a theme-inspired three-course dinner paired with beverages from the American Sector Restaurant & Bar. Pre-registration required; National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine St. For more information: nationalworldwar2museum.org/events; @wwiimuseum
