Super Bowl weekend in New Orleans is more than just a game—it’s a celebration of culture, music, and excitement that only the Big Easy can deliver. As New Orleans gears up to host the big game for the 11th time in 2025, visitors can expect an unforgettable experience filled with world-class food, electrifying entertainment, and the unmistakable energy of one of America’s most iconic cities. Whether you’re here to cheer for your team or simply soak in the atmosphere, New Orleans offers so many ways to make your Super Bowl weekend epic.
1. Super Bowl-Themed Events
Wednesday, Feb. 5 – Sat. Feb. 8, 2025
This family-friendly event is held each year during Super Bowl Week. Fans can meet NFL players for autographs, shop at the NFL Shop presented by Visa, and participate in interactive games and NFL FLAG clinics. Visitors can snap pics with the iconic Vince Lombardi Trophy, race a 40-yard dash against virtual NFL players, and see all 58 Super Bowl rings on display. Tickets are $20 and kids are free 12 and under.
Monday, Feb. 3, 2025
Super Bowl Opening Night offers fans an electrifying kickoff to Super Bowl Week at the iconic Caesars Superdome for the only public appearance of the AFC and NFC champions before Super Bowl LIX. This family-friendly event features live entertainment, exclusive player interviews, photo opportunities, NFL Shop merchandise. Join the activities celebrating the arrival of the Super Bowl LIX teams in New Orleans for $20 per ticket.
Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 10a – 12p
Experience the magic of Mardi Gras with an NFL twist at the city’s first-ever Super Bowl Host Committee Parade in the French Quarter! The parade is designed by the legendary Barry Kern of Mardi Gras World with Todd Graves, founder of Raising Cane’s, as the king along with a lineup of celebrity guests. Catch NFL-themed beads and plush footballs from Super Bowl-themed floats. The parade is open to the public and is free.
Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 4p – 7p
Taste of the NFL is the ultimate fusion of gourmet cuisine and football spirit. As the NFL’s premier philanthropic culinary gathering, this event features renowned chefs, NFL legends, live entertainment, and a united mission to combat food insecurity among children in Louisiana and across the nation. All proceeds benefit GENYOUth’s End Student Hunger initiative, dedicated to increasing equitable access to school meals for at-risk children in New Orleans and throughout the country. The evening will be hosted by five celebrity chefs—Andrew Zimmern, Carla Hall, Tim Love, Lasheeda Perry, and Mark Bucher—joined by over 25 culinary masters, including New Orleans’ finest chefs, each presenting their signature Taste of the NFL dishes. Guests will mingle with NFL legends and players while enjoying surprise entertainment moments with a New Orleans flair. This exclusive 21+ event includes all food and beverages, and tickets can be purchased at TasteoftheNFL.com.
2. Explore New Orleans’ Epic Attractions
When you’re not focused on football, take time to soak in the city’s unique culture:
- French Quarter:
If you visit New Orleans without exploring the French Quarter, did you really even go? No visit to New Orleans during Super Bowl weekend would be complete without exploring the iconic French Quarter. Hit Royal Street for art galleries and antique shops. Savor famous New Orleans dishes like jambalaya or Oysters Rockefeller at historic restaurants and sip local cocktails like a Sazerac or Hurricane. Take in the architectural beauty of the Quarter’s colorful buildings. Peruse Jackson Square to snap a pic of the iconic St. Louis Cathedral and see artists and street performers. Win or lose, New Orleans doesn’t stop when the game ends. Dance the night away at clubs in the French Quarter or bar hop with fans on Bourbon Street, where the lively bars create a party atmosphere like no other.
- Live Music:
New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz, and there’s no better time to immerse yourself in its rich musical culture than during Super Bowl weekend. Take a step back in time at the legendary Preservation Hall or check out live jazz clubs on Frenchmen Street to feel the city’s musical heartbeat. Experience Louisiana Culture Festival at the French Market on Friday, Feb. 7 – Saturday, Feb. 8, featuring unique booths highlighting the many cultures that make up Louisiana, with live jazz and zydeco band performances. Whether you’re swaying to a soulful solo or dancing in a second-line parade, the New Orleans music scene is guaranteed to keep the spirit of celebration alive all weekend long.
- Mardi Gras:
Mardi Gras season is in full swing! You don’t want to miss indulging in a slice of king cake, traditionally a cinnamon pastry decorated with green, purple, and gold icing with a plastic baby inside. King cakes actually come in a variety of flavors of fillings and toppings and can be found at local bakeries, grocery stores, on dessert menus, and throughout the city. While there are no Mardi Gras parades scheduled during the Super Bowl festivities, there are Mardi Gras parades the weekends before and after, if you’re making a week out of your trip to New Orleans. And if you want the Mardi Gras feels, head to Mardi Gras World to get up-close with amazing floats, costumes, and Mardi Gras history.
- Swamp Tours:
While you’re visiting for the Super Bowl, experiencing the exotic Louisiana swamplands and getting up-close with alligators is a must! Louisiana weather in February is the perfect time to take in the swamp scenery of cypress knees, wild hogs, and alligators on a covered tourboat or as you zoom by on an airboat that travels over land and water at high speeds. Kick up the thrill and take a swamp zipline excursion with 5 ziplines, 2 sky bridges, a spiral cypress tree staircase, and alligator encounters!
3. Game-Day Dining
New Orleans is a food lover’s paradise, and Super Bowl weekend is the perfect time to indulge in the city’s legendary cuisine. Start your day with powdered sugar-dusted beignets and a steaming cup of chicory coffee at Café du Monde. Indulge in po’boys, gumbo, and muffulettas for the perfect pre-game meal. Sip on a Hurricane or local crafted Urban South beer while cheering for your team. Dine at some of the most historic restaurants in America like Commander’s Palace and Arnaud’s to experience the iconic cuisine that New Orleans is famous for. Cap off your culinary adventure with a bread pudding or banana’s foster, and see for yourself why New Orleans is as much about the food as it is about the festivities!
Whether you’re in town to go to the Big Game or just soaking up the festivities, New Orleans offers an unforgettable experience for Super Bowl weekend. Between the city’s welcoming hospitality, incredible food, and vibrant culture, visiting New Orleans is a win—no matter who takes home the trophy. TourBigEasy.com was created to provide visitors to New Orleans a local’s perspective. Our team has grown up on the bayou and has over 130 years of New Orleans living experience! Book your New Orleans swamp tour excursion today with us today!