New Orleans Street Gets Expanded Light Canopy
The 100 to 300 blocks of Bourbon Street will host a larger holiday display from November 23 through January 3, honoring victims of the January 1 attack.
By Matthew Collins ·
The holiday light installation on Bourbon Street will cover three full city blocks in its second year, expanding from the single-block display of 2025. The project, titled Second Line in the Sky, runs from November 23, 2026, through January 3, 2027.
Katy Casbarian of Arnaud’s Restaurant conceived the project following the terrorist attack on January 1. The display serves a dual purpose: it honors the victims and their families while celebrating the holiday season through music and light.
Jennie West and Jason Richards of Studio West are producing the installation. West stated that the additional three-dimensional instruments will extend across all three blocks to create a cohesive experience from one end to the other. The design includes illuminated trumpets, umbrellas, and handkerchief motifs suspended above the street.
The opening event, Silent Light: A Moment of Remembrance and Hope, will feature a moment of silence before the lights are turned on. Casbarian said the affected families will always be at the heart of the project. She described the extra lights and music as a way to carry the spirit of the victims forward and bring people together during the holidays.
Prayer flags will also return to the three blocks. Originally created by artists Babette Beaullieu, Margaret Crosby, and Jan Gilbert, the red, pink, and orange flags display photographs by local photographers Judy Cooper and Jamell Tate. The flags also include survivor messages and family notes to provide a personal connection to the stories behind the installation.
The project draws on the New Orleans second line tradition, where music accompanies both remembrance and celebration. The installation invites residents and visitors to look up, remember, and celebrate. The organizing team encourages people to visit the site during the day and after dark.
French Quarter Festivals, Inc., serves as a partner for the event. Delta Utilities, the Louisiana Restaurant Association, New Orleans & Company, and the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center provided support for the project. Emily Madero, President and CEO of French Quarter Festivals, Inc., said the organization is proud to help bring the unique holiday experience to life.
Arnaud’s Restaurant, which is family-owned and has operated since 1918, remains a central part of the French Quarter. Casbarian leads the restaurant with her mother, Jane, and her brother, Archie. Studio West, a New Orleans-based team of architects and designers, led the creative direction and technical coordination for the shared vision.
