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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>.

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to New Orleans

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="3ca0926c-1ecb-4996-bd15-05ad795b739d" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to New Orleans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner in New Orleans&#x27; Uptown/Carrollton neighborhood on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

What's new on the Superdome menu for the Saints' 60th season

Sports

<figure><img alt="A video moves closer to a Superdome-shaped bowl of nachos. The bowl is placed on a bar top within seating near the end zone." height="450" id="8d41a35c-ca69-4593-ac33-d7609cb90bde" src="https://images.axios.com/zfgdQ3M3Skg51rd5KegShSKbHws=/2026/09/22/1790098051680.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Fans who score the Superdome-shaped bowls of nachos will have to visit guest services to get the lids before exiting the game. The lids are too similar to frisbees and pose a risk for game time. Video: Chelsea Brasted/Axios</figcaption></figure>The Caesars Superdome has updated its menu just in time for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans Saints fans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/11/new-orleans-saints-60th-season-paris-tyler-shough" data-vars-content-id="625374bf-6fd4-4658-9501-dcea153c89af" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s new on the Superdome menu for the Saints&#x27; 60th season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/11/new-orleans-saints-60th-season-paris-tyler-shough" target="_self">New Orleans Saints fans</a> to celebrate the team&#x27;s first home game of its 60th regular season.Dig in: The updates include a new burger, $6 beers and a very silly but fun collectible Superdome-shaped bowl.

Jewel of the South to open ambitious French Quarter bar residency

The ambitious project will run for 30 weeks.

Food and Drink

<figure><img alt="A man in a fedora shakes a cocktail at a busy bar." height="450" id="1260de4e-f2df-4a20-86da-bf24980680ca" src="https://images.axios.com/9vdKyczgIWZ75joxbJCDkQsMwWM=/2026/09/23/1790192861510.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Chris Hannah shakes up a cocktail during a Dusse event for Tales of the Cocktail in 2025. Video: Chelsea Brasted/Axios </figcaption></figure>The team behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jewel of the South" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/11/jewel-of-the-south-dakar-nola-win-james-beard-awards" data-vars-content-id="36cd2a6a-d95e-4cdb-9ec2-52a1c97c6626" data-vars-headline="Jewel of the South to open ambitious French Quarter bar residency" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/11/jewel-of-the-south-dakar-nola-win-james-beard-awards" target="_self">Jewel of the South</a> are opening a pop-up bar in the French Quarter with theatrical, immersive production design and a rotating cast of guest bartenders, managing partner John Stubbs tells Axios New Orleans. Why it matters: It&#x27;ll be one big cultural exchange opportunity, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="36cd2a6a-d95e-4cdb-9ec2-52a1c97c6626" data-vars-headline="Jewel of the South to open ambitious French Quarter bar residency" 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; cocktail culture at the center.

New restaurants arrive as Smoke & Honey says goodbye

We have two new patio dining options, too.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Smoke &amp; Honey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/03/13/what-to-order-at-smoke-honey-in-new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="b1e60448-bdbc-407c-a039-b8a00ad8b1e7" data-vars-headline="New restaurants arrive as Smoke &amp; Honey says goodbye" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/03/13/what-to-order-at-smoke-honey-in-new-orleans" target="_self">Smoke &amp; Honey</a> is closing its doors this weekend.Why it matters: Its closure comes amid a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flurry of restaurant openings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/16/restaurant-openings-closings-whats-coming" data-vars-content-id="b1e60448-bdbc-407c-a039-b8a00ad8b1e7" data-vars-headline="New restaurants arrive as Smoke &amp; Honey says goodbye" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/09/16/restaurant-openings-closings-whats-coming" target="_self">flurry of restaurant openings</a> and closings in New Orleans.

What's next for the Turkey and the Wolf team after Hot Stuff's closure

Mason Hereford expects a new project announcement shortly.

News

<figure><img alt="A video of a person shifting green beans on a cafeteria line." height="450" id="2967d7bc-acec-43c4-b950-7d65bec06b43" src="https://images.axios.com/u_TeFpgQGKOeqlQr0-SL-DiyuEo=/2026/09/15/1789490454906.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Hot Stuff offers a cafeteria-style meat-and-three on Maple Street. Image: Chelsea Brasted/Axios </figcaption></figure><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hot Stuff" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/05/29/mason-hereford-hot-stuff-new-orleans-restaurant" data-vars-content-id="3548b584-ed07-4be6-9712-22d3822c1e1d" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for the Turkey and the Wolf team after Hot Stuff&#x27;s closure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/05/29/mason-hereford-hot-stuff-new-orleans-restaurant" target="_self">Hot Stuff</a>, the Maple Street meat-and-three from the team behind Turkey and the Wolf, is closing, and there are just a few weeks left to stop in for lunch.Why it matters: The closure <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdFILpLmGBQ/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1" data-vars-content-id="3548b584-ed07-4be6-9712-22d3822c1e1d" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for the Turkey and the Wolf team after Hot Stuff&#x27;s closure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdFILpLmGBQ/?hl=en&amp;img_index=1" target="_blank">announcement</a> came as a bit of a shock to fans, but restaurant partner Mason Hereford says the move brings with it a lot of opportunity.

New Orleans' latest restaurant openings and closings 

Say hello and goodbye to more than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="25 restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/29/new-closed-restaurants-2026-cafe-sbisa-emeril-coquette" data-vars-content-id="5d2113f7-265e-43a6-8c3b-db748382962d" data-vars-headline="New Orleans&#x27; latest restaurant openings and closings " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/07/29/new-closed-restaurants-2026-cafe-sbisa-emeril-coquette" target="_self">25 restaurants</a> in New Orleans metro.The big picture: Here&#x27;s a snapshot of some of the eateries that have opened and closed in recent weeks, as well as a roundup of more on the way.

Avegno Lounge is an Uptown gem

The lounge is a sister spot to Gautreau's Restaurant.

Maybe it&#x27;s age, or maybe it&#x27;s parenting, but at a certain point in the last several years, I started loving it when I&#x27;d get to a restaurant long enough before meeting friends to have a drink alone. Why it matters: A recent meetup at Avegno Lounge offered just such an opportunity, and with a perfect martini to boot.

Southern Food and Beverage Museum closes

It's not yet clear what will happen to the museum's artifacts.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Southern Food and Beverage Museum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/20/southern-food-and-beverage-museum-cookbook-anniversary" data-vars-content-id="687d6fd3-255c-4f7c-ab28-818915dd2d9f" data-vars-headline="Southern Food and Beverage Museum closes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2024/06/20/southern-food-and-beverage-museum-cookbook-anniversary" target="_self">Southern Food and Beverage Museum</a> has closed its doors for good.Why it matters: The institution has for more than 20 years told the story of Southern food within the broader landscape of American culture, and served as a repository for its relics and memorabilia.

8 places to get soup dumplings in New Orleans 

They are difficult to make and tricky to eat.

Soup dumplings are easier than ever to find around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="6e78bab3-d9c0-4ffe-9c44-cee5c4d05dd4" data-vars-headline="8 places to get soup dumplings 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>.Why it matters: It&#x27;s Souptember, even if we are still running the A/C in Southeast Louisiana.

Chelsea wrote a book!

I wrote a book! I&#x27;m having a party to celebrate, and you&#x27;re invited.Why it matters: Writing about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Orleans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans" data-vars-content-id="dd0a5ca3-d795-4b9f-b2af-5c79479b9dc0" data-vars-headline="Chelsea wrote a book!" 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> is how I learn about it, and I&#x27;m excited to share what I learned thinking for the past couple of years about where the city&#x27;s food scene is headed.

Food and Drink 🍽

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to New Orleans

What's new on the Superdome menu for the Saints' 60th season

Jewel of the South to open ambitious French Quarter bar residency

New restaurants arrive as Smoke & Honey says goodbye

What's next for the Turkey and the Wolf team after Hot Stuff's closure