Joan of Arc Parade

About this happenin

Every January 6, Joan of Arc's birthday and Twelfth Night, the Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc walks through the French Quarter to have her sword blessed. It is a procession on foot with no floats, set in 1400s France: medieval costumes, knights, jugglers, stilt walkers, giant puppets and characters on horseback. Amy Kirk Duvoisin started it in 2008. The walk leaves Bienville and Front Streets at 7:30 p.m. sharp and finishes around 9:30 p.m. at French Market Place and Barracks. The route shifts with construction and permits, so joanofarcparade.org has the current one. Along the way the procession pauses for a toast from a balcony on Chartres, a king cake ceremony at Oscar Dunn Park across from Jackson Square, a birthday song at the golden Joan of Arc statue on North Peters, and the blessing of the sword. Walkers hand out king cake and handmade medieval throws. The public is invited onto the risers at Oscar Dunn Park, which give a view of the ceremony and the whole parade. Bring your own king cake and take the first bite with the krewe.

More in January: 4 other New Orleans events.

Where

French Quarter (starts at Bienville and Front Streets, ends at French Market Place and Barracks) · Bienville St at Front St, New Orleans, LA 70130