United States, North America

New Orleans in January

Carnival season officially begins January 6 (Twelfth Night) and king cake appears everywhere. Quiet and good value outside Sugar Bowl week.

GoodCool and damp, highs near 62F (17C), occasional cold snaps

French Quarter New Orleans, United States — New OrleansPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

January is a good month to visit New Orleans. Carnival season officially begins January 6 (Twelfth Night) and king cake appears everywhere. Quiet and good value outside Sugar Bowl week.

Weather: Cool and damp, highs near 62F (17C), occasional cold snaps
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What January is like in New Orleans

January is cool and damp in New Orleans. Highs sit near 62F (17C), with gray days and the odd cold snap that feels colder than the number because of the humidity. Crowds are light and hotel prices are among the lowest of the year, except around Sugar Bowl week. Carnival season officially opens on January 6, Twelfth Night, and king cake shows up in every bakery.

This month suits food lovers, museum fans and budget travelers who want the city without the crush. It is not beach weather or patio weather every day, so bring layers. If you want the full parade experience, plan for February or March instead, when Mardi Gras peaks.

Make the most of January

What is especially good about New Orleans this month.

King cake season begins

From Twelfth Night on, bakeries across the city sell king cake. Try a few and find a favorite before the Carnival crowds arrive.

The WWII Museum without lines

Winter weekdays are the calmest time to give the National WWII Museum the full day it deserves.

Early Carnival buildup

The first small parades and krewe events start in the weeks after Twelfth Night, a low-key taste of what is coming.

What to pack for January

A warm jacket for cold snaps
A compact umbrella or rain shell
Comfortable walking shoes that handle wet sidewalks
Layers for heated restaurants and chilly evenings

Our timing tip

Check for Sugar Bowl dates in early January, since hotels spike that week and drop right after.

Book New Orleans for January.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in New Orleans
Opens a hotel search for New Orleans in January, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for January
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Vacation rentals in New Orleans
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
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Tours and tickets in New Orleans
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in New Orleans for January. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in January

Mardi Gras (Carnival season)

Parades build over the two to three weeks before Fat Tuesday, which falls between early February and early March

One of the biggest free parties in the country. Watch Uptown on St. Charles for the family-friendly version.

Things to do in New Orleans

Full guide

The National WWII Museum

Plan a full day; it is one of the best museums in the country. Weekday mornings are calmest.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

The French Quarter and Jackson Square

Walk it early before the day-trippers arrive. Royal Street by day, Frenchmen Street by night, and Bourbon Street only if you want to.

Tickets and tours →

St. Charles streetcar and the Garden District

Ride the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world past the mansions to Audubon Park. Cheap, slow, perfect.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Frenchmen Street music

The locals' answer to Bourbon Street: three blocks of clubs with live bands from early evening on.

Tickets and tours →

City Park and the New Orleans Museum of Art

Giant live oaks, the free sculpture garden, and beignets under the trees. Bigger than Central Park.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park

The French Quarter visitor center runs ranger talks, and the Barataria Preserve boardwalk puts you in a real swamp a short drive away.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

For Mardi Gras, the two weekends before the final weekend offer full parades at lower rates and thinner crowds.
Stay in the Marigny, Bywater, or Garden District instead of the Quarter. You get quieter nights and are still a streetcar or short ride from the action.
Do the Quarter, Cafe du Monde, and Jackson Square before 9am. By late morning, cruise-ship and day-trip crowds arrive.
November and early December deliver spring-quality weather at off-season prices. It is the smart-money window.

Know before you go

Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with the highest risk from late August through September. A named storm can trigger closures or evacuations; buy refundable rates and insurance for late summer trips.
During the final days of Mardi Gras, parade routes close streets for hours and traffic across Uptown and downtown can gridlock. Many businesses close on Fat Tuesday itself.
Many old-line restaurants and some small museums close one or two days a week, often Monday or Tuesday. Check before you plan a special dinner.
Crawfish season runs roughly January through June, peaking in spring. Come in fall and the boils are mostly off the menu.

New Orleans in January, quick answers

Is January a good time to visit New Orleans?

January is a good month to visit New Orleans. Carnival season officially begins January 6 (Twelfth Night) and king cake appears everywhere. Quiet and good value outside Sugar Bowl week.

What is the weather like in New Orleans in January?

Cool and damp, highs near 62F (17C), occasional cold snaps.

Is New Orleans crowded in January?

January is one of the quieter months in New Orleans; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in New Orleans in January?

Mardi Gras (Carnival season) (parades build over the two to three weeks before fat tuesday, which falls between early february and early march).