It’s time to shake off the winter blue and channel your inner social butterfly as the performing arts season buzzes with excitement. Whether you’re a fan of classical or classic rock, ballet or Broadway, you’ll discover a bountiful of lively shows that are certain to put some spring in your step.
Le Petit Theatre – lepetittheatre.com
March 5–29: Guys and Dolls: A Musical Fable of Broadway
One of the greatest musical comedies of all time, this award-winning, romantic comedy gambles with luck and love under the bright lights of Broadway. Guys and Dolls takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, but eventually everyone ends up right where they belong.
April 30–May 17: God of Carnage
What happens when two sets of parents meet up to deal with a playground altercation between their 11-year-old boys? A calm and rational debate between grown-ups? Or a hysterical night of name-calling, tantrums, and tears? Kids will be kids, but the adults are usually worse! Winner of the Tony Award® for Best Play.
Mahalia Jackson Theater – mahaliajacksontheater.com
March 12: Napoleon Dynamite Live!
Celebrating 20 years, this beloved indie classic continues to appeal to the inner teenager in each of us. This unique evening includes a full screening of the movie followed by a lively, interactive experience with fan-favorite cast members Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), Jon Gries (Uncle Rico), and Efren Ramirez (Pedro).
March 21: Hubbard Street Dance Chicago presented by New Orleans Ballet Association
Fan favorite Hubbard Street Dance Chicago returns with a thrilling program of bold artistry, iconic choreography, and emotional power. This performance features two rarely seen gems by the legendary Bob Fosse: Sweet Gwen Suite and Percussion IV.
Marigny Opera House – marignyoperahouse.org
March 1422: DUSK presented by Marigny Opera Ballet
Celebrating endings and the promise of new beginnings, the contemporary ballet is accompanied by an original score written and performed live by New Orleans’s acclaimed indie rock group People Museum.
New Marigny Theatre – newmarignytheatre.com
March 6: Mazaj Trio
The talented trio performs modern and classical Arabic music with captivating melodies, exciting improvisations, and tasty grooves.
Orpheum Theater – orpheumnola.net
March 8: Pat Metheny
Since bursting onto the scene in 1974, the renowned jazz guitarist and composer has been revered for his original playing style—a unique blend of modern improv and jazz tradition. Metheny continues to redefine the genre by utilizing new technology and constantly working to evolve the potential of his instrument.
March 12: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presents Beethoven Symphony No. 9
Journey through a tapestry of musical brilliance, beginning with the dramatic depths of Farrenc’s Overture No. 1 in E minor, followed by the vibrant, modern melodies of “Goddess Triptych” and, finally, the ultimate crescendo: Beethoven’s glorious 9th, a symphony that will ignite your soul and leave you breathless.
March 20: Swan Lake presented by World Ballet Company
Enter a world of magic, mystery, and breathtaking beauty. Swan Lake brings Tchaikovsky’s iconic score to life with 50 classically trained dancers, more than 150 radiant, handsewn costumes, and lavish, handcrafted sets that transport you from moonlit lakes to opulent palace halls.
April 11: Leonid & Friends
This incredible 11-piece band have blown the minds of legions of fans with its uncanny ability to capture the spirit, musicality, and fire of the American supergroup Chicago. It has since expanded its repertoire to include Earth Wind & Fire, Blood Sweat & Tears, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, and others.
April 16: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra’s presents Dvorak Symphony No. 7
Experience the raw energy of Vivian Fung’s vivid musical storm, Dust Devils; be mesmerized by the dazzling virtuosity of Séjourné’s Marimba Concerto featuring LPO principal percussionist Aaron Smith; and surrender to the emotional intensity of Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7.
April 17: Justin Hayward – The Story in Your Eyes Tour
Known principally as the vocalist, lead guitarist, and composer for the Moody Blues, Hayward has been heard worldwide. Over the last 50-plus years, the band has sold upwards of 55 million albums and received numerous awards and acknowledgments, including being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
April 19: Bored Teachers – Is It Friday Yet?! Tour
Bored Teachers’ brand-new tour is more than a comedy show—it’s the ultimate night of laughter for anyone who’s ever worked in education, taught a lesson, or just survived parent-teacher conferences. Get ready to laugh until you cry as the funniest teacher-comedians in the world share their sidesplitting stories.
May 8: Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presents Firebird
Embark on an electrifying journey from the vibrant plains of Argentina to the heart of Eastern Europe and beyond with the energetic Four Dances by Alberto Ginastera, Bela Bartók’s brilliantly folk-infused Dance Suite, and Stravinsky’s fiery favorite, Firebird Suite.
May 9 & 10: Cinderella presented by New Orleans Ballet Theater
Featuring a dazzling cast of 40 international dancers, over 150 radiant handsewn costumes, exquisite handcrafted sets, and enchanting choreography, the beloved fairy tale comes to life in this visually spectacular production. Magical, funny, and irresistibly enchanting, this Broadway-style show will delight all ages.
May 31: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Together for over 32 years, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy has appeared in venues across the world and sold millions of records. The band continues its decades-long mission to celebrate and revitalize jazz and swing music and bring joy to audiences worldwide.
Saenger Theatre – saengernola.com
March 4–15: The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom is back to thrill audiences once again. Making its North American debut in New Orleans, this revitalized new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary musical is presented by Cameron Mackintosh. Widely considered one of the most beautiful and spectacular productions in the history of theater, it tells of a disfigured musical genius known only as “the Phantom” who haunts the depths of the Paris Opera House and falls fiercely in love with a young soprano.
March 19: Wanda Sykes – Please & Thank You Tour with special guest Keith Robinson
One of the comedy industry’s funniest voices, Sykes doesn’t make jokes; she detonates with bombshells of truth and a smile and a side-eye. Buckle up, folks; this ride’s going to be wild, hilarious, and 100 percent Wanda.
March 20 & 21: The Thorn
The story of Christ is presented in an immersive show with music, drama, aerial acts, movement arts, modern dance, and special effects. Witnessed live by more than one million people over 25 years, The Thorn engages audiences in the definitive story of love, sacrifice, and redemption.
March 22: Robert Plant with Saving Grace and Suzi Dian
Despite Plant’s iconic status as an artist since his days with Led Zeppelin, Saving Grace managed to start out in 2019 casually and somewhat discreetly The group members were drawn together by a shared love of vintage and modern roots music, including blues, folk, gospel, country, and those tantalizing sounds that lay in between.
March 24-–9: The Great Gatsby – A New Musical
The Great Gatsby is a “Broadway extravaganza that explodes with life and energy” (Entertainment Weekly). Based on the classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the Tony Award–winning new musical is an unforgettable journey of love, wealth, and tragedy that brings the Roaring Twenties to life.
March 31: Santana – Oneness Tour
For more than five decades, Carlos Santana has been a pioneering force in music, fusing Afro-Latin, blues, rock, and jazz into a sound that transcends genre, culture, and generation. The 10-time Grammy and 3-time Latin Grammy winner made history in 1999, earning nine Grammy Awards in a single night. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Kennedy Center Honoree is ranked number 11 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.
April 6 & 7: ZZ Top
That Little Ol’ Band from Texas has been at it for well over a half century, delivering rock, blues, and boogie to millions of devoted fans. With iconography as distinctive as their sound, ZZ Top is virtually synonymous with beards, hot-rod cars, spinning guitars, and that magic keychain, all of which transcend geography and language.
April 14–19: SIX the Musical
From Tudor queens to pop icons, the Six wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a euphoric celebration of 21st century girl power. SIX won 23 awards in the 2021–22 Broadway season, including the Tony Award® for Best Original Score and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.
May 7: Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
For nearly 40 years, Alison Krauss & Union Station have been celebrated as one of the most influential acts in bluegrass and roots music. Their 2011 masterpiece, Paper Airplane, debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Country, Bluegrass, and Folk Album charts and earned multiple Grammy Awards.
May 12–17: Book of Mormon
Now celebrating its 15th year, The Book of Mormons is a nine-time Tony Award–winning musical that follows a mismatched pair of Mormons sent on a mission to a place that’s about as far from Salt Lake City as you can get. Entertainment Weekly calls it “the funniest show ever,” and The New York Times simply calls it “the best musical of this century.”
Smoothie King Center – smoothiekingcenter.com
March 26: The Lumineers
The Lumineers have become one of the most successful bands of their generation with their unique blend of alternative rock, Americana and heartfelt storytelling. Nominated for two Grammys and an American Music Award, the band has sold more than 1.5 million albums in the U.S.
March 28: Journey
Journey has sold more than 52 million albums in the U.S., making it the 11th biggest-selling band, and its worldwide sales have reached over 100 million records globally, making Journey one of the best-selling bands of all time. Universally praised and celebrated, the band ranks number 96 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time list. The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.
April 3: New Edition – The New Edition Way Tour
The iconic R&B group rose to fame in the ’80s with its catchy blend of pop and R&B and helped pave the way for the boy band era. All six original members are participating in the 2026 tour, which features special guests Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton.
The Civic Theatre – livenation.com
March 27 & 28: Pill presented by New Orleans Ballet Theatre
A triple bill features three electrifying ballets, including Gregory and Marjorie Schramel’s emotionally riveting Pill and two world premieres: the ethereal Sporting House and Naked Dance, by Oliver Halkowich, and the high-voltage A Suite Named Desire, by Donald Jones Jr.
April 29: The Radiators
The New Orleans–based rock band and Louisiana Hall of Fame inductee is celebrating more than 40 years of what its members call “fishhead music,” a funky, swampy sound drenched in R&B, deep blues, and classic rock, built around their own raunchy, rocking repertoire.
May 2: Anders Osborne Birthday Bash
After nearly four decades in the Big Easy, the Swedish singer-songwriter and guitarist has become a fixture in the New Orleans music scene. Don’t miss one of the most cherished traditions of Jazz Fest season, featuring an unforgettable mix of sit-ins, including, Rebirth Brass Band, Dave Malone of the Radiators, Jackie Greene, Lindsay Lou, and others.
