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New Orleans weekend guide: Swampus parade, live music and more 

Learn about Joan of Arc and Filipino culture at free events.

Things to Do

October is here, bringing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="packed calendar of festivals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/things-to-do" data-vars-content-id="b2dcc758-2267-4229-9c51-6cdeeec990bc" data-vars-headline="New Orleans weekend guide: Swampus parade, live music and more " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/things-to-do" target="_self">packed calendar of festivals</a>, live music and a parade if the weather cooperates.The big picture: The forecasted rain in New Orleans has already changed some events this weekend.

HNOC hosts expansive Bunny Matthews exhibition

The exhibition is included with free museum admission.

Culture

A new museum exhibition and book explore the life and work of Bunny Matthews, the artist behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="98905084-c83c-41d7-ba1a-ca3a5f5dcd5a" data-vars-headline="HNOC hosts expansive Bunny Matthews exhibition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a>&#x27; locally iconic Vic and Nat&#x27;ly cartoons.Why it matters: The retrospective offers a gentle reminder that, for Matthews especially, sometimes loving New Orleans means recognizing its many faults, too.

The best things to do for Halloween in New Orleans 

We've got parades, vampire balls, witches brunches and more.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="89d21089-41db-4184-988c-a3a4baa8bec7" data-vars-headline="The best things to do for Halloween in New Orleans " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a> doesn&#x27;t need much encouragement to get spooky, but the city really embraces its supernatural side in October.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Halloween" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/01/halloween-haunted-houses-vampires-ghost-stories" data-vars-content-id="89d21089-41db-4184-988c-a3a4baa8bec7" data-vars-headline="The best things to do for Halloween in New Orleans " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/10/01/halloween-haunted-houses-vampires-ghost-stories" target="_self">Halloween</a> isn&#x27;t just one night here. We get a whole month of vampire balls, witches brunches, parades, haunted houses and over-the-top decorations.

Coastal restoration efforts are working — but not fast enough

New research shows what works for protecting the coastline.

Climate

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisiana&#x27;s coastal restoration efforts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/06/24/climate-migration-sea-level-change-louisiana-relocating" data-vars-content-id="da5bffb5-5f78-4ebe-8874-bcbe568de890" data-vars-headline="Coastal restoration efforts are working — but not fast enough" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/06/24/climate-migration-sea-level-change-louisiana-relocating" target="_self">Louisiana&#x27;s coastal restoration efforts</a> from 1984 to 2025 built or saved about 153 square miles of land, according to new research cited by The Times-Picayune.Why it matters: It&#x27;s proof the state&#x27;s mitigation efforts are working, even if the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rate of land loss" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/03/louisiana-map-shrinking-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="da5bffb5-5f78-4ebe-8874-bcbe568de890" data-vars-headline="Coastal restoration efforts are working — but not fast enough" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2025/12/03/louisiana-map-shrinking-climate-change" target="_self">rate of land loss</a> is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="only getting faster" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/15/new-sea-level-rise-forecast-warns-increasing-flooding" data-vars-content-id="da5bffb5-5f78-4ebe-8874-bcbe568de890" data-vars-headline="Coastal restoration efforts are working — but not fast enough" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/15/new-sea-level-rise-forecast-warns-increasing-flooding" target="_self">only getting faster</a>.

How NOLA Ready became New Orleans' emergency megaphone 

About 250,000 people get the emergency texts.

News

Buzz. Avoid this intersection because of a building collapse. Buzz. The West Bank is under a boil water advisory. Buzz buzz buzz.Why it matters: NOLA Ready has become one of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="feae901f-630d-4953-b851-9e55428c6e15" data-vars-headline="How NOLA Ready became New Orleans&#x27; emergency megaphone " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a>&#x27; most powerful tools for reaching residents directly, and the city keeps finding new uses for it.

2026 is a historic hurricane season for all the right reasons (so far)

It only takes one to break the record — and cause damage.

This season is breaking at least one record: This is the longest the Atlantic as gone without a recorded <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hurricane" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/04/how-to-prep-for-hurricane-season-2026" data-vars-content-id="b2d0675a-c467-4951-8dd6-8a7d81a0417c" data-vars-headline="2026 is a historic hurricane season for all the right reasons (so far)" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/04/how-to-prep-for-hurricane-season-2026" target="_self">hurricane</a>.Why it matters: That&#x27;s some news we can get behind.

How NOMA protects its art from New Orleans' harsh climate 

Heat, humidity, rain and critters can cause art to age faster.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="ba071374-6428-4c20-95ae-4f565914ff7f" data-vars-headline="How NOMA protects its art from New Orleans&#x27; harsh climate " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a>&#x27; climate is constantly trying to destroy NOMA&#x27;s art, forcing conservators to fight back with wax, air-conditioning and a lot of preventive care.Why it matters: South Louisiana&#x27;s heat, humidity, rain and critters can cause art to age faster, requiring more maintenance than visitors might realize.

My favorite tools for surviving New Orleans' brutal summer

Hats, fans and disposable cooling wipes FTW.

Anyone else in New Orleans melting this <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/08/14/heat-wave-extreme-weather-growing-toll" data-vars-content-id="b6456801-350b-4a48-a300-2aca1d643d44" data-vars-headline="My favorite tools for surviving New Orleans&#x27; brutal summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/08/14/heat-wave-extreme-weather-growing-toll" target="_self">summer</a>? I&#x27;ve been testing some new tools to stay cool when I have to go outside.Why it matters: The heat index has been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="around 115°" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=LAZ077&amp;warncounty=LAC071&amp;firewxzone=LAZ077&amp;local_place1=3%20Miles%20NNW%20Gretna%20LA&amp;product1=Heat+Advisory&amp;lat=29.9546&amp;lon=-90.0751" data-vars-content-id="b6456801-350b-4a48-a300-2aca1d643d44" data-vars-headline="My favorite tools for surviving New Orleans&#x27; brutal summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=LAZ077&amp;warncounty=LAC071&amp;firewxzone=LAZ077&amp;local_place1=3%20Miles%20NNW%20Gretna%20LA&amp;product1=Heat+Advisory&amp;lat=29.9546&amp;lon=-90.0751" target="_blank">around 115°</a> the past few days, making it important to take precautions.

New Orleans heat wave underscores extreme heat's growing toll

The heat index is expected to hit 110°F through Saturday.

Greater shares of Americans now say that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extreme heat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/06/us-heat-wave-death-toll-july-2026" data-vars-content-id="9d56787f-b381-4bca-ba19-604f421938af" data-vars-headline="New Orleans heat wave underscores extreme heat&#x27;s growing toll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/06/us-heat-wave-death-toll-july-2026" target="_self">extreme heat</a> has affected various parts of day-to-day life compared to just two years ago.Why it matters: New Orleans is in the middle of another heat wave, with the heat index expected to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climb to 110°F" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=LAZ077&amp;warncounty=LAC071&amp;firewxzone=LAZ077&amp;local_place1=3%20Miles%20NNW%20Gretna%20LA&amp;product1=Heat+Advisory&amp;lat=29.9546&amp;lon=-90.0751" data-vars-content-id="9d56787f-b381-4bca-ba19-604f421938af" data-vars-headline="New Orleans heat wave underscores extreme heat&#x27;s growing toll" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=LAZ077&amp;warncounty=LAC071&amp;firewxzone=LAZ077&amp;local_place1=3%20Miles%20NNW%20Gretna%20LA&amp;product1=Heat+Advisory&amp;lat=29.9546&amp;lon=-90.0751" target="_blank">climb to 110°F</a> Friday and Saturday.

Mercy Hospital demolition begins in New Orleans

The Mid-City building has been vacant since Hurricane Katrina.

Business

<figure><img alt="Image shows heavy equipment tearing down a wall." height="450" id="c07dffad-ee6f-460a-baab-dc5f81bc6a46" src="https://images.axios.com/km_i5lWQ4CcD0WSYSS9y0HBZ8KM=/2026/08/11/1786480036430.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Workers began demolition Tuesday on the former Mercy Hospital. Image: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure>Long-blighted <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mercy Hospital" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/02/plaza-tower-mercy-hospital-blighted-properties" data-vars-content-id="b7f75302-1e65-4081-9507-88d438794962" data-vars-headline="Mercy Hospital demolition begins in New Orleans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/02/plaza-tower-mercy-hospital-blighted-properties" target="_self">Mercy Hospital</a> is finally coming down, clearing the way for a project designed to help reduce flooding in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="b7f75302-1e65-4081-9507-88d438794962" data-vars-headline="Mercy Hospital demolition begins in New Orleans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a>&#x27; Mid-City neighborhood.Why it matters: The basement of the building, also known as the Lindy Boggs Medical Center, will be converted into an underground cistern to hold millions of gallons of rain during storms.

Tropical Storm Bertha makes landfall in south Louisiana

Energy & Climate

<figure><img alt="Image shows a wave crashing on a bulkhead." height="450" id="1c73c181-1500-4dbc-9db0-41a1830af4f8" src="https://images.axios.com/mXSrCrLcmCB17Low9Fiw3N4RpeE=/2026/07/22/1784754186719.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>A rough day on Lake Pontchartrain, thanks to Tropical Storm Bertha. Image: Carlie Kollath Wells/Axios</figcaption></figure><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tropical Storm Bertha" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/21/tropical-storm-bertha-louisiana-new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="ec1ba042-4f0c-416a-8e20-77e4819eedbb" data-vars-headline="Tropical Storm Bertha makes landfall in south Louisiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/21/tropical-storm-bertha-louisiana-new-orleans" target="_self">Tropical Storm Bertha</a> made landfall around 2pm Wednesday in St. Bernard Parish.Why it matters: The worst of the storm stayed offshore, and Louisiana officials called the preparation work a good &quot;dry run&quot; for the rest of hurricane season.

Tropical Storm Bertha to make landfall Wednesday in Louisiana

New Orleans is under a tropical storm warning.

<figure><img alt="Image is a satellite view of Tropical Storm Bertha in the Gulf, with bands of red, yellow, green and blue." height="552" id="f166c9de-60cd-4426-a9a7-49b916211685" src="https://images.axios.com/TqcoevMl939y_C5NYCw5yH7O768=/2026/07/21/1784660810257.gif" width="982"/><figcaption>Tropical Storm Bertha on satellite as of Tuesday afternoon. Image: NOAA</figcaption></figure><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tropical Storm Bertha" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/20/tropical-storm-bertha-landfall-louisiana-rainfall" data-vars-content-id="d59a0cc9-42cc-4dce-b51c-9ccb53a696d3" data-vars-headline="Tropical Storm Bertha to make landfall Wednesday in Louisiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/20/tropical-storm-bertha-landfall-louisiana-rainfall" target="_self">Tropical Storm Bertha</a> is forecast to make landfall Wednesday in Southeast Louisiana, bringing rain, wind and coastal flooding to the region.Why it matters: It&#x27;s unclear how much of the bad weather will reach <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="d59a0cc9-42cc-4dce-b51c-9ccb53a696d3" data-vars-headline="Tropical Storm Bertha to make landfall Wednesday in Louisiana" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">New Orleans</a>, forecasters say.

Tropical Storm Bertha expected to dump rain on Gulf Coast

New Orleans shifted into storm prep mode Monday.

A tropical depression in the Gulf is expected to become Tropical Storm Bertha and bring heavy rain to south <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Louisiana" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="3c5925f9-9c3f-46f0-923d-d71e56935f09" data-vars-headline="Tropical Storm Bertha expected to dump rain on Gulf Coast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" target="_self">Louisiana</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="3c5925f9-9c3f-46f0-923d-d71e56935f09" data-vars-headline="Tropical Storm Bertha expected to dump rain on Gulf Coast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" target="_self">Texas</a>.Why it matters: Residents in New Orleans shifted into storm prep mode Monday, filling sandbags and clearing street drains.

Climate 🌿

Coastal restoration efforts are working — but not fast enough

How NOLA Ready became New Orleans' emergency megaphone

2026 is a historic hurricane season for all the right reasons (so far)

How NOMA protects its art from New Orleans' harsh climate

My favorite tools for surviving New Orleans' brutal summer