New Orleans BriefWeek of May 18 – May 24, 2026
New Orleans and the Greater Metro · Events, News & More
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Mon
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This Week at a Glance

Storytime at the Museum

Saturday, May 23 • 10:00 AM · New Orleans

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Dinner with a Curator: WWII in the Shadows — Espionage and Counterintelligence in New Orleans

Tuesday, May 19 • 6:30 PM · National WWII Museum

A sit-down dinner that actually teaches you something about this city's secret Cold War past—the kind of local history you won't find in guidebooks.

Ogden After Hours: John Boutté

Thursday, May 21 • 6:00 PM · Ogden Museum of Southern Art

The voice that defined New Orleans closes out the Ogden's jazz series—intimate, rooted in tradition, and exactly the kind of evening this city does better than anywhere else.

Thursdays at Twilight

Thursday, May 21 • 6:00 PM · New Orleans City Park

Live music in City Park as the sun sets: free outdoor entertainment on the most forgiving night of the week.

Game Club: Great Outdoors

Friday, May 22 • 10:00 AM · Louisiana Children's Museum

The Children's Museum takes games outside—perfect for kids who need to burn energy without a screen.

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents’ Cheat Sheet

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Tue, May 19 • 9:00 AM · New Orleans City Park · New Orleans
Tuesday, May 19, 9 AM–11 AM in New Orleans City Park area. Teach kids that cleanup is a community job, not just a chore—and they'll actually feel the difference afterward.
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Tue, May 19 • 9:00 AM · New Orleans City Park · New Orleans
Tuesday, May 19, 9 AM–12 PM at New Orleans City Park. Your kids help repaint the dog park. It's project-based, hands-on, and they get to see the finished result immediately.

🌟 This Weekend · May 22 – May 24

Big Lake Native Plant Trail Restoration Project NOLA

Fri, May 22 • 9:00 AM

New Orleans City Park · New Orleans

Spend a Friday morning with your family actually restoring habitat at City Park—the kind of outdoor project that makes kids understand why conservation matters. You'll see real progress before lunch.

KID-FRIENDLYOUTDOORS

Sensory Friendly Mornings NOLA

Sat, May 23 • 8:00 AM

National WWII Museum · New Orleans

Kids & Families 05/23/2026 | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM are for individuals of all ages with special needs and their families to enjoy early access to the Museum with modifications to make the experience…

KID-FRIENDLY

Crescent City Farmers Market NOLA

Sun, May 24 • 8:00 AM

New Orleans City Park · New Orleans

Event Series City Putt Head out to the City Putt Plaza for fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, baked goods and a variety of ready-to-eat foods

Public Tours in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden NOLA

Sun, May 24 • 10:30 AM

New Orleans Museum of Art · New Orleans

Docent-led walk through world-class sculpture in a lush garden setting—free way to understand what you're actually looking at.

FREE

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Picks (1)

Kids & Family (1)

The Children's Museum and City Park are running programs all week—water play, outdoor games, and hands-on exploration for kids who need to move.

Storytime at the Museum NOLA

Tue, May 19 • 10:00 AM

National WWII Museum · New Orleans

Kids & Families 05/19/2026 | 10:00 AM - 10:20 AM Spark your child's love of history with our WWII-themed storytime experience.

KID-FRIENDLY

🌇 Around New Orleans (16)

Arts, Culture & Music (9)

Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen NOLA

Mon, May 18

Tipitina's · New Orleans

RSVP REQ'D

The Pharcyde NOLA

Mon, May 18

Tipitina's · New Orleans

Dave Jordan & The NIA NOLA

Mon, May 18 • 1:00 AM

Tipitina's · New Orleans

FREE

Eric Johanson NOLA

Mon, May 18 • 1:00 AM

Tipitina's · New Orleans

FREE

Tai Chi in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden NOLA

Mon, May 18 • 6:00 PM

New Orleans Museum of Art · New Orleans

OUTDOORSRSVP REQ'D

What’s Cooking Wednesday Food Demonstration NOLA

Wed, May 20 • 12:00 PM

New Orleans

May 20 Wednesday, May 20 at 12:00pm Venue: New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

Gallery Talk with Alec Armentor on Robert Gordy: Outside the Mainstream NOLA

Wed, May 20 • 12:30 PM

New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, New Orleans, LA, 70119 · New Orleans

FREEOUTDOORS

Exclusive Early Screening: "World War II with Tom Hanks" NOLA

Wed, May 20 • 4:30 PM

National WWII Museum · New Orleans

Film Screenings 05/20/2026 | 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM Join us for an exclusive early look at the first episode of The HISTORY Channel's new documentary series. Sold Out Call for more info

Independence Lost NOLA

Thu, May 21 • 6:00 PM

The Historic New Orleans Collection · New Orleans

Thursday May 21, 2026 6–7:15 p.m. Lecture, America 250 Pulitzer Prize-winning author Kathleen DuVal explores the impact of the American Revolution on Louisiana and the Gulf South region. Lecture,…

RSVP REQ'D

Community Events (4)

Cleanup days, restoration projects, and volunteer opportunities that let you give back without leaving the city.

The Victory Belles Salute to Hope NOLA

Mon, May 18 • 5:30 PM

National WWII Museum · New Orleans

Featured Events 05/18/2026 | 5:30 pm Enjoy a three-course dinner after the delightful Victory Belles trio perform the popular and patriotic music of the 1940s in rich, three-part harmony. See the…

The Parables Tour with Father Mike Schmitz NOLA

Mon, May 18 • 6:00 PM

Saenger Theatre · New Orleans

The Victory Belles Salute to Hope Matinee NOLA

Wed, May 20 • 11:45 AM

National WWII Museum · New Orleans

Featured Events 05/20/2026 | 11:45 am Enjoy a buffet lunch as the delightful Victory Belles trio perform the popular and patriotic music of the 1940s in rich, three-part harmony. See the Details

Legends Global Job Fair NOLA

Wed, May 20 • 6:00 PM

Smoothie King Center · New Orleans

KID-FRIENDLY

Sports & Recreation (1)

Yoga in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden NOLA

Wed, May 20 • 5:00 PM

New Orleans Museum of Art · New Orleans

OUTDOORSRSVP REQ'D

Workshops & Classes (2)

Free Indigenous Studies Lecture: Introduction to the Atakapa-Ishak People and Language NOLA

Wed, May 20 • 2:00 PM

New Orleans

May 19 Tuesday, May 19 at 7:00pm Venue: Mudlark Public Theatre

Art Thrives: Collage Workshop NOLA

Thu, May 21 • 12:00 PM

New Orleans Museum of Art, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, New Orleans, LA, 70119 · New Orleans

📰 News You Should Know

📌 Save the Date

Notable events, festivals, and deadlines coming up in the next 3 months.

May 2026

June 2026

July 2026