Alicia Ynez at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro
Intimate early evening jazz performance in a legendary Marigny/Frenchmen-adjacent listening room.
jazzlive-musicmarigny
Things to do in New Orleans with friends this weekend (Oct 16–18)
This weekend in New Orleans: Fri, Oct 16 – Sun, Oct 18, 2026 · 2 dated events
What's on in New Orleans, LA this week — the spots locals are packing, buzzy restaurants, and weekend plans worth texting the group chat about.
12 hand-picked things to do in New Orleans, LA right now · 6 with confirmed dates
How we pick spots for a group
- Buzzy, higher-energy rooms that take a crowd
- What's on right now over evergreen tourist stops
- Bookable tables and shared plates a group can split
🎷 Happening Today
Live jazz, rock, and late-night sets across the city tonight
$uicideboy$ Present Grey Day Tour 2026
Massive arena homecoming performance featuring Destroy Lonely and heavy underground hip-hop acts.
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The Uptown Jazz Orchestra with John Gray
Dynamic late-slot performance showcasing rich brass arrangements and high-energy local talent.
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Plan a friends trip to New Orleans, LA
Tell us who's going and WonderKit drafts three New Orleans, LA trip ideas in about a minute — free, and you see them before creating an account.
🦐 Eat & Drink
Neighborhood spots for fall dining and classic local flavors
Cochon
Renowned Warehouse District staple serving inventive, modern Cajun pork specialties and small plates in a rustic-chic space.
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Compère Lapin
Chef Nina Compton's acclaimed spot inside the Old No. 77 Hotel blending Caribbean flavors with rich Louisiana ingredients.
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🏈 This Weekend in New Orleans, LA · Oct 16–18
Cajun celebrations, college football, and album releases
Rock The Rafters: A Cajun & Creole Celebration
An authentic celebration of Louisiana roots music inside the historic Uptown music institution.
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Tulane Green Wave Football vs. Memphis Tigers
Under-the-lights college football action at the vibrant on-campus open-air stadium.
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New Orleans Pelicans vs. Washington Wizards
Catch early-season NBA basketball action downtown at the Smoothie King Center.
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✨ New & Notable
Seasonal cultural highlights and festival previews
New Orleans Film Festival Screenings
Annual gathering celebrating independent cinema with screenings across historic local theaters and panel discussions with visiting filmmakers.
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Historic Garden District Walking Tours
Take advantage of the cooler October air with a guided stroll past oak-canopied streets and 19th-century mansions.
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🚗 Quick Escape
Easy weekend getaways within a short drive of the city
Mandeville & the Northshore
Hop across the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway for a quiet weekend of cycling the Tammany Trace, waterfront dining, and browsing local art galleries.
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Lafayette & Acadiana Food Road Trip
A two-hour westward drive down I-10 lands you in the heart of Cajun Country for boudin trails, live zydeco music, and swamp explorations.
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Frequently asked
What are the best things to do in New Orleans, LA with friends?
Group-friendly highlights in New Orleans, LA right now include Alicia Ynez at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro, $uicideboy$ Present Grey Day Tour 2026, and The Uptown Jazz Orchestra with John Gray. WonderKit updates this guide daily so plans stay current.
Where do locals go out in New Orleans, LA?
The "Eat & Drink" section above lists buzzy restaurants and bars in New Orleans, LA — the spots locals are actually packing this week.
Where's the best nightlife in New Orleans, LA?
Check the sections above for current events, buzzy bars, and weekend plans in New Orleans, LA worth texting the group chat about.
Plan a friends trip to New Orleans, LA
Tell us who's going and WonderKit drafts three New Orleans, LA trip ideas in about a minute — free, and you see them before creating an account.