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UNESCO Names New Orleans a Creative City of Music

Warm late afternoon view of Preservation Hall in the French Quarter with "Live Music Tonight" signage, marking New Orleans' UNESCO Creative City of Music status
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3 min read

Key points

  • UNESCO added New Orleans to its Creative Cities Network as a Creative City of Music on October 30, 2025
  • The designation recognizes music as a strategic driver for local development and links New Orleans with a global peer network
  • Rockin'1000 will stage its first U.S. concert at Caesars Superdome on January 31, 2026, aligning with the designation

Impact

More Global Stages
City backed musicians and culture bearers gain pathways to perform, co produce, and tour within the network
Funding And Exchange
Partnership grants and residencies are easier to access through UCCN programs and bilateral city projects
Event Momentum
Expect higher profile music conferences and marquee shows to target New Orleans over the next two years
Traveler Planning
Watch for new festivals, venue collaborations, and civic programming tied to the UNESCO badge
Cultural Stewardship
Designation reinforces investment in preservation and education for the city's living music traditions

On October 30, 2025, UNESCO named New Orleans, Louisiana, a Creative City of Music, placing the city inside a global network that uses culture as a lever for local development and international collaboration. The Creative Cities Network added 58 new members on World Cities Day 2025, and New Orleans' selection formalizes its long standing role as a cradle of jazz, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and bounce while opening structured exchange with peer cities worldwide.

What changed and why it matters

UNESCO's Creative Cities Network recognizes places that embed creativity in urban planning and economic strategy, then commit to multi year action plans with measurable projects. For travelers and the local industry, this unlocks co productions, artist residencies, festival tie ups, and knowledge sharing with other Cities of Music, from programming to preservation.

New Orleans' path to designation

New Orleans & Company coordinated the application with the City of New Orleans and a VIP advisory board, submitting in March 2025. With confirmation this fall, New Orleans joins a UCCN now numbering more than 400 members across roughly 100 countries, according to the city's announcement. Local leaders say the badge strengthens the case for music focused events and international partnerships in the years ahead.

What to watch next

The designation arrives as the city prepares for a 1,000 musician stadium show, Rockin'1000, at Caesars Superdome on January 31, 2026, the collective's first U.S. performance. Tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster, and the event is being positioned as a showcase aligned with the city's amplified global profile in music.

Background

UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, launched the Creative Cities Network in 2004 to foster cooperation among cities that use creativity as a driver for sustainable urban development. Member cities share policies and pilot projects across seven creative fields, including music, literature, design, gastronomy, media arts, film, and crafts and folk art.

Final thoughts

The Creative City of Music designation gives New Orleans formal channels to export its sound, import new collaborations, and scale programming that benefits both visitors and residents. Expect a denser calendar of exchanges, festivals, and education initiatives as the city operationalizes its action plan with UNESCO peers over 2026 and beyond.

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