12 Things to Do in New Orleans This Week · April 30–May 3, 2026

Festivals & Special Events

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2026

The final weekend of Jazz Fest features Eagles, Earth, Wind & Fire, Rod Stewart, Kings of Leon, Lorde, and more at the Fairgrounds Race Course.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 11:00 AM · Fairgrounds Race Course & Slots

Music & Nightlife

Tab Benoit & Samantha Fish – The Two Tours Collide

Two blues powerhouses, Tab Benoit and Samantha Fish, share the stage for a one-night-only collaborative tour stop at The Fillmore.

Friday, May 1, 2026 8:00 PM · The Fillmore New Orleans

Modest Mouse at Fillmore New Orleans

Indie rock legends Modest Mouse bring their distinctive sound and catalog to the Fillmore New Orleans.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 · Fillmore New Orleans

Durand Jones at Chickie Wah Wah

Soulful R&B vocalist Durand Jones performs at Chickie Wah Wah — closing soon, last chance to catch this run.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 · Chickie Wah Wah

The Marcus King Band: Waltz Across Texas

Marcus King Band brings a soulful roots-rock and country night to the historic Orpheum Theater.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 9:00 PM · Orpheum Theater New Orleans

FREAKFEST with CRANKDAT & Jessica Audiffred

National tour stop brings Crankdat and Jessica Audiffred for a high-energy EDM night at The Metropolitan.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 10:00 PM · The Metropolitan, New Orleans

Arts & Culture

LPO: Firebird

The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra performs Stravinsky's iconic Firebird suite at the Orpheum Theater.

Thursday, May 7, 2026 7:30 PM · Orpheum Theater New Orleans

The Book of Mormon

The Tony Award-winning musical comedy comes to the Saenger Theatre for a multi-night run.

Tuesday, May 12, 2026 · Saenger Theatre

Family-Friendly

NOBT Presents: Cinderella

New Orleans Ballet Theatre presents the classic Cinderella ballet over two performances at the Orpheum Theater.

Saturday, May 9, 2026 · Orpheum Theater New Orleans

Free Events

First Saturday Gallery Openings – Arts District

Every first Saturday, galleries across Julia Street and the Arts District open their doors for free — from Ariodante to Stella Jones and more than a dozen others.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 · Arts District New Orleans, Julia Street

Open Decks at Poor Boys w/ LVCD

Community open decks night hosted by LVCD at Poor Boys on St. Bernard Ave — a welcoming space for local DJs and music lovers.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 9:00 PM · Poor Boys, 1328 St Bernard Ave

Outdoors & Active

Mondays Shakeout Run/Walk at City Park

Move Ya Brass hosts a free weekly community run/walk near the NOMA entrance at City Park — a great way to kick off the week.

Monday, May 4, 2026 6:00 PM · City Park near NOMA entrance