Three smiling women at an outdoor event with tents and crowd in the background during evening.

Best Things to Do in New Orleans This Weekend

08:50 September 17, 2026
By: Daisy Stuart

[Courtesy of Westbank Heritage Festival, Facebook]

Best NOLA Events for the Weekend

Kenner Restaurant Week

kenner.la.us

Restaurant Week Kenner September 13-19 2026 logo on a decorative plate with spoon and fork on yellow background
[Courtesy of Visit Kenner, Website]

Are you a food lover? If so, you are in luck because this weekend, you can explore Kenner's dining scene during Kenner Restaurant Week running now until Saturday, September 19. Participating restaurants, listed on the event's website, will offer special menus, exclusive deals, and unique dining experiences that highlight the variety of cuisines found throughout Kenner. Hours vary by restaurant, and a full list of participating restaurants are available online.

Show of Love Gala

splitsecondfoundation.org/sol

The Split Second Foundation is hosting its annual Show of Love gala on Friday, September 18 at the Fillmore New Orleans. The fundraiser will bring together local chefs, artists, civic leaders, and supporters for an elegant evening featuring a cocktail hour, gala dinner, live entertainment, and special programming. Tickets are $500, with proceeds going to the foundation and its work with people living with paralysis and mobility impairments.

Art Jam! at Andre Cailloux Center

eventbrite.com/e/art-jam-2026

Feeling creative and artistic? A free arts event called Art Jam will be hosted by KID smART on Saturday, September 19. The event will take place at André Cailloux Center. Art Jam offers guests a morning centered around art, creativity, and community. The event begins at 10 a.m. and is free to attend.

Bourbon & Bubbles with New Orleans Wine and Food Experience

nowfe.com

Variety of whiskey bottles including Knob Creek, Jefferson's, and High West displayed on a wooden table by a window.
[Courtesy of New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, Website]

New Orleans Wine and Food Experience is hosting a Bourbon & Bubbles event this Saturday, September 19, from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Held at The Greenwood, Covington, the tasting event pairs handcrafted bourbons and sparkling wines with food from Northshore restaurants. The event returns to the Northshore for its third year, with tickets priced at $115 available through its website.

Gulf Brew Fest

downtownlafayette.org

On Saturday, September 19, beer lovers can head to Lafayette for Gulf Brew Fest, the Gulf South's largest craft beer festival. From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., the festival will take over public park spaces and portions of Jefferson Street in Downtown Lafayette with more than 200 craft beer selections, live music, food, and local vendors. Try everything from lagers to IPAs at this year's Gulf Brew.

Morgan Wade at House of Blues

livenation.com/event

Country singer and songwriter Morgan Wade is bringing her "Love's Insane" Tour to the House of Blues New Orleans on Saturday, September 19. Known for blending country and rock, Wade will bring with her musical guest Thomas Edwards for the New Orleans leg of the tour. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show beginning at 8 p.m. The concert is for guests 18 and older.

Krewe du Vieux Kickoff Party

facebook.com/groups

Krewe du Vieux will be hosting a kick-off party at the Broadside with musical guest and blues-rock musician Ghalia Volt. This year's kickoff is themed "Burning Down the House." The event will feature live music along with silent and live auctions. Doors open at 7 p.m., with festivities running from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, September 19.

Bunny Day at the Historic New Orleans Collection

hnoc.org/events/bunny-day

Young male artist painting a large black and white mural of bottles and fish on a wall inside an art studio.
[Courtesy of the Historic New Orleans Collection, Website]

Legendary late cartoonist Bunny Matthews is being celebrated for both his humor and his life's work on Saturday, September 19 at The Historic New Orleans Collection. The free daytime session, including an author talk, book signing, and presentations exploring Matthews' work, runs from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Williams Research Center. This is followed by the costume contest from 3-4 p.m. at HNOC's Royal Street museum. A members-only reception will take place later that evening.

Bill Burr Stand-up

us.atgtickets.com/events/bill-burr-live

Comedian Bill Burr is coming to New Orleans for a night of stand-up at the Saenger Theatre this Saturday, September 19. Burr is an Emmy- and Grammy-nominated comedian known for his short and unapologetic approach to stand-up comedy. Burr is set to take the stage at 8 p.m.

Westbank Heritage Festival

westbankfest.com

Spend the weekend enjoying live music, local food, and family-friendly activities at the Westbank Heritage Festival on September 19 and September 20. The free festival will be held at the Alario Center, with R&B singer Joe headlining Saturday and King George headlining Sunday. Gates open at noon, and the festival ends at 9 p.m. each day.

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