A lighted Fleur-de-Lis drops on top of Jax Brewery in the French Quarter to signify the end of the year in New Orleans as New Orleanians enjoy the fireworks at midnight on New Year’s Day 2020 on the Mississippi River. Photo by Matthew Hinton

Jan. 2: Starting Fresh

by Clint Durrett | January 2, 2020

2019, peace out. We’re done with you. 2020, welcome. We’re glad you’re here. So much to look forward to in a new year: new beginnings, new starts, new lives and new ideas all in New Orleans. And for all you locals, we’re glad to have you on board this ship as we navigate the new waters of the year and welcome in the new “roaring ’20s.” As we march into the new year, we’re highlighting the last night of the decade in photos, some new grub ideas and things to hit up this weekend. Happy New Year!

 

The last night of 2019 and the beginning of 2020

At midnight Jan. 1, 2020, we went out and enjoyed the fireworks on the Mississippi River at Crescent Park. New Orleanians gathered and looked toward the Central Business District and French Quarter in New Orleans as fireworks rang in the new year. In Jackson Square, a lighted fleur-de-lis dropped on top of Jax Brewery. We sent photographer Matthew Hinton to capture the end of a decade and the beginning of the roaring ’20s.

 

‘I treat the plants right, believe they will grow, and they always do’

If you’ve tried your hand at gardening and find yourself killing a couple of paychecks worth of plants, we found someone who can help. Before you embark on a last-ditch effort at finding your green thumb, we turned to Ms. Gloria for wisdom on all things gardening and wrote down her advice. We have tips from Gloria Ward, known better as simply, Ms. Gloria.

 

A Warm Welcome: Homemade meals at Dixie Chicken & Ribs

Tucked away behind a gas station, off Harrison in Lakeview, Dixie Chicken & Ribs is a welcoming neighborhood spot with daily specials and heartwarming homemade meals. It’s the type of place that’s closed on Sundays, but you can still play your numbers on the Saints pool; the kind of place where most people don’t need a menu, and most people know somebody. Read about the authentic joint here. 

 

What To Do This Weekend

Friday

Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con | Friday-Sunday| Ernest N Morial Convention Center | Tickets Start at $35

Celebrate the best in pop culture when Wizard World returns to New Orleans from Jan. 3 to Jan. 5 at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Meet “Outlander” stars featuring Sam Heughan plus “Smallville” headliners Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum and others, as well as world-class artists, exhibitors and cosplayers, and participate in entertaining, interesting programming panels all weekend long. Tickets start at $35, kids 10 and under get in free. www.wizardworld.com.

Black & Gold Fan Fest | 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. | Hancock Whitney Center | Free To Attend

The Saints are on the way to the playoffs, and a Black & Gold Fan Fest on your lunch hour is the right way to get your mind right for the game. The Fan Fest will be at the Hancock Whitney Center at 701 Poydras St. from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. There will be tickets and sideline pass giveaways to the playoff game against Minnesota! Special appearances include the Saintsations and a Saints mascot, as well as a Saints legend! There will also be face-painting, food and beverages, as well as tunes by DJ Raj Smoove.

Saturday

Megan Diana | Doors Open At 9 p.m. | Gasa Gasa | Tickets Start at $7

Now that you’ve had a day or two to recover from New Year’s Eve, you should get out and kick 2020 off with some music with Connor Donohue, Megan Diana ( Dream Country Disco) and Baby Grand.
Grab your family and friends and go relax and unwind, while painting voodoo referee dolls for $15. All Art Supplies are included plus a free drink ticket. A food truck will be on site and pets are welcome. Wear clothes to paint in!

Sunday

Vikings at Saints playoff game | 12:05 p.m. kickoff

Your team isn’t in the playoffs? Can’t relate! The Saints are duking it out against the Minnesota Vikings in the Superdome Sunday. Don’t have tickets? No worries, we’ve got a list of great neighborhood bars here where the energy is just as electric as it is in the Dome.

Christmas at Barcadia | 11 a.m. | Barcadia New Orleans | Free admission, drink and game prices vary

Can’t shake that holiday spirit just yet? Barcadia’s holiday pop-up bar isn’t taking their lights down until Jan. 5, so you’ve got a few days to get that last sip of mint liqueur hot cocoa in! Click here to our list of holiday-themed bar pop-ups, but call to double-check if the one near you has turned its Christmas lights off!

 

Other Things You Should See

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Clint Durrett

Clint Durrett

Hi. I’m Clint.
I’m the Local Market Manager for Very Local New Orleans. I’ve lived in New Orleans since 2001 and been living my best life in this rad place since that year.
I have 10 years of broadcast journalism and digital media experience. Before Very Local New Orleans, I worked for WDSU-TV – producing, product developing, digital media managing– I’ve done it all. I’ve seen first-hand the trials we’ve suffered in this city and the celebrations we’ve enjoyed. I love New Orleans. It’s home.
I’m going to work my hardest to bring you the content and experiences you care about to live your best life here in one of the best cities on the planet.
I love finding things to do here – concerts, food, drinks, nerding out, etc. And I love sharing those things with others.
Contact me via email. Gimme a shout on social. If you see something you think we should know about, hit me up. If you see something that needs fixing on the site, ditto. I want this website to be yours, too. Not just one I manage, but one we as a community and New Orleanians use to help us live our best lives.

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Download the Very Local app to stream all of the Very Local original series for FREE!