Improvisations Gala "Winter Lights" Theme
The New Orleans Jazz Museum will be hosting its ninth annual Improvisations Gala on Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
This year's event, presented by The Herb Alpert Foundation, will turn the museum and the 400 block of Esplanade Avenue into a lively winter wonderland with live music, delicious food, cocktails, and holiday-themed art.
A Winter Wonderland at the Jazz Museum
This year's "Winter Lights" theme brings together sparkling decorations and New Orleans culture for a holiday celebration you can experience with the Jazz Museum, as the gala will also help to introduce the museum's new stage and updated grounds.
Guests can enjoy a wide range of local and international performers, including Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots, Sally Baby's Silver Dollars, Cha Wa, the Danny Barker All-Stars, the Masakowski Family Trio, Taipei Jazz Orchestra of Taiwan, and the Treme-Lafitte Brass Band.
The night will end with a special show by The Soul Rebels, joined by Big Freedia, Fred Wesley, James Andrews, George Brown, and Corey Henry. There will also be second lines and performances by the NOLA Chorus Girls, NOLA Lolas, and other local artists throughout the evening.
Tickets and Experiences
General admission tickets are $150 and give you access to the gala's entertainment and festivities from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Patron tickets are $300 and include a special Preview Party from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. with the River Eckert Band, hors d'oeuvres from Messina's Catering & Events, and craft cocktails.
The museum is also holding an online auction through December 8 with experiences such as a stay at The Chloe hotel, a Louisiana crawfish boil for six, and a private group tour of the New Orleans Storyville Museum being auctioned off. Guests can join the Treasure Chest Key Challenge for $50 per key for a chance to win a diamond tennis bracelet worth about $4,500.
Supporting New Orleans' Musical History
The Herb Alpert Foundation, known for its support of music and arts education, is presenting the gala to raise funds for the New Orleans Jazz Museum's educational programs and initiatives. Committee chairs Val Grubb, Valerie Landry, and Stacey Messina are organizing the event, with honorary co-chairs Herb Alpert, Jon Batiste, John Goodman, Arthel Neville, and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser.
All proceeds will support the museum's mission to preserve jazz history and inspire future generations of musicians, students, and educators. The 2026 Improvisations Gala will take place at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at 400 Esplanade Ave.
To purchase tickets, click HERE.
