Key Takeaways:
- The city of New Orleans experienced a mixed bag of highs and lows in 2025, with events like the Super Bowl and Jazz & Heritage Festival bringing in large crowds, but also facing setbacks like bad weather and funding issues.
- The city’s festivals and events were impacted by various challenges, including inclement weather, funding issues, and sponsorship problems.
- The comedy scene in New Orleans was particularly unpredictable and dramatic in 2025, with new events and venues emerging, but also some closures and cancellations.
- The city’s arts and culture scene continued to thrive, with new installations, exhibitions, and performances, but also faced challenges like funding cuts and venue changes.
- Despite the challenges, the city’s residents and event organizers showed resilience and adaptability, making the most of the year’s opportunities and finding ways to overcome obstacles.
Introduction to 2025 in New Orleans
The year 2025 was a complex and multifaceted one for the city of New Orleans, marked by both exciting events and challenging setbacks. The city had high expectations after the success of Taylor Swift’s sold-out concerts at the end of 2024, but the year that followed was marked by a mix of highs and lows. One of the brightest spots was the emergence of Scrim, a free-spirited stray dog who became a folk hero and was celebrated in various parades and events throughout the year. The Krewe of Muses even dedicated a float to Scrim, cementing his place in the city’s cultural landscape.
Super Bowl LIX and its Impact
The Super Bowl was one of the most highly anticipated events of the year, but it ultimately proved to be a mixed bag for the city. While there were some exciting performances, including a pre-game show featuring local musicians like Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews and Ledisi, the event itself was somewhat disappointing for local businesses. The French Quarter and surrounding neighborhoods did not see the expected surge in traffic, and many of the game’s surrounding events were restricted to VIP areas. However, the city’s music scene was still showcased, with Lil Wayne headlining the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival later in the year.
Festivals and Events
Despite the challenges faced by the Super Bowl, the city’s festivals and events continued to thrive. Greek Fest marked its 50th anniversary, and Satchmo Summerfest celebrated its 25th year. However, inclement weather proved to be a major obstacle, with several events postponed or cancelled due to high winds, heavy rain, and other weather-related issues. The Southern Decadence parade was moved to later in the day, and the Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Parade was ultimately cancelled. The Freret Street Festival was rescheduled for November, and the Bayou Boogaloo festival faced difficulties securing permits and was forced to shrink its footprint.
The Comedy Scene
The comedy scene in New Orleans was particularly unpredictable and dramatic in 2025. The tiny comedy club Sports Drink launched a comedy festival in May, and the national comedy festival Skankfest came to Mardi Gras World in November. However, there were also some closures and cancellations, including the loss of the Zony Mash Beer Project’s indoor and outdoor event spaces. Despite these challenges, the city’s comedy scene continued to grow, with new venues and events emerging, including the New Marigny Theatre and the Marigny Opera House.
Arts and Culture
The city’s arts and culture scene continued to thrive, with new installations, exhibitions, and performances throughout the year. Prospect New Orleans had a successful sixth edition of its international contemporary art triennial, featuring works by artists from around the world. The event explored the theme "The Future is Present. The Harbinger is Home," and included installations like Raul de Nieves’ giant red heart sculpture. However, the organization announced that it would not be planning another edition, instead focusing on a book reflecting on its work over the past 20 years.
Challenges in the Restaurant Industry
Despite the many successes of the year, 2025 was not an easy year for the city’s restaurants. Many establishments faced challenges like funding issues, sponsorship problems, and anti-immigrant ICE sweeps, which caused some restaurants to temporarily close. The city’s food scene is a vital part of its culture and economy, and the challenges faced by restaurants had a ripple effect throughout the community. However, the city’s residents and business owners showed resilience and adaptability, finding ways to overcome obstacles and make the most of the year’s opportunities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 2025 was a complex and multifaceted year for the city of New Orleans, marked by both exciting events and challenging setbacks. Despite the obstacles, the city’s residents and event organizers showed resilience and adaptability, making the most of the year’s opportunities and finding ways to overcome challenges. The city’s arts and culture scene continued to thrive, with new installations, exhibitions, and performances throughout the year. As the city looks to the future, it is clear that the spirit of Scrim, the free-spirited stray dog who became a folk hero, will continue to inspire and guide the city’s residents and visitors alike.
