Artwork
Lafayette Square
Presented by New Orleans & Company, New Orleans Tourism & Cultural Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, Jones Walker, and Second Line Stages
Spirits
by Camille Gross and Olivier Magermans
Gallier Hall, showing at the top of the hour
Spirits conjures six legendary figures from New Orleans mythology: Lasher and the mysterious Mayfair Witches; the Rougarou, a shape-shifting creature of Cajun folklore; fortune tellers; voodoo priestess Marie Laveau; vampires; and the ancient Tree of Life. Through vivid visuals and melodic soundscapes, Spirits connects viewers to the city's past, capturing the essence of its spectral legends and the enduring power of its cultural legacy.
A Night at the Circus
by Camille Gross and Olivier Magermans
Gallier Hall, showing on the half hour
Originally premiered at LUNA Fête 2019, A Night at the Circus returns to enchant New Orleans once again. The mystical traveling circus invites daring visitors into a world of illusion, fear, and wonder. As ordinary reality fades away, the city descends into a strange atmosphere. Step into a dreamlike realm of fortune-tellers, seers, and mysterious performers. When night ends, the circus vanishes without a trace, leaving you to wonder if it was all just a dream.
Stargate
by Chalk River Labs
Stargate reimagines mythology's timeless fascination with portals, blending ancient symbolism with modern digital art. This 12-foot projection-mapped sculpture displays vivid, mesmerizing visuals that depict passages between worlds, amplified by a custom soundtrack. Stargate entices participants to pass through its ring, enjoying both a meditative and interactive experience. The installation's fusion of light, sound, and immersive space evokes a celestial gateway to new realms, merging art, technology, and mythology into a transformative experience.
Presented by Baker Donelson, Delgado Community College, The Barnett, Maison Métier
Tree of Life
by Arts New Orleans
The VIP suite transforms into a breathtaking Tree of Life installation. This immersive artwork, crafted from branches and ethereal lighting, draws inspiration from the rich folklore of the Tree of Life. The installation symbolizes growth, connection, and renewal, creating an intimate space where guests can experience a mesmerizing fusion of nature and light. The LUNA VIP suite overlooks Gallier Hall and is reserved for festival sponsors. Limited tickets to the LUNA VIP Suites are available at $125 per person.
Little LUNA Kids Corner
Presented by Ochsner Children’s Hospital
Dream Slide
by William Nemitoff of Curious Form
Dream Slide invites visitors on an enchanting adventure inspired by the mythical unicorn. This captivating installation radiates an otherworldly glow, guiding guests up a ladder through the luminous unicorn itself. At the top, a platform awaits, where they begin their slide down through the creature's glowing mane. Blending fantasy and play, Dream Slide encourages participants to reconnect with their inner child, rediscovering a sense of magic along the way.
Shadow Puppets
by Louisiana Children’s Museum
The Louisiana Children’s Museum invites young explorers to an enchanting shadow puppet theater, where imagination meets light and shadow. Kids can craft their own puppets inspired by mythology and Louisiana folktales. Children can design, create, and perform stories, using light to cast mesmerizing shadows that tell tales of adventure, mystery, and culture. This hands-on experience not only immerses children in creative play but also celebrates Louisiana’s rich storytelling traditions, inspiring the next generation of myth-makers and cultural custodians.
Young Artist Movement Block
Presented by Raising Cane’s
Behind the Beads
by Courtney Egan and Young Artist Movement (YAM) Students E’Damien Baines, Sye Harris, Aaran Hogan Jr., Nia Jackson, and Andria Montgomery
Behind the Beads is a documentary celebrating Black Masking Indian culture through the lens of young digital artists. As part of the “Feathers of Hope” initiative by Arts New Orleans, YAM students immersed themselves in the Black Masking Indian tradition, learning beadwork and documenting the artistry of three Queens. This collage-style film blends animation and live footage to honor the resilience and cultural significance of the tradition. Inspired by an interview with Queen Herreast Harrison, the film explores how beading and masking connect to ancestral memory, embody resistance, and preserve the spirit of freedom across generations.
Yemaya
by Maroon Queen Cherice Harrison-Nelson (“Queen Reesie”) and Young Artist Movement (YAM) Students Randy S. Douglas Jr., Marzonet Palmer, and Morgan Prevost
Originally premiered at LUNA Fête 2019, A Night at As part of the "Feathers of Hope" initiative by Arts New Orleans, Queen Reesie's suit is dedicated to Yemaya. Elements of the sea are reflected in Queen Reesie's adornment, where student-crafted fish swim together as a symbol of collective learning and peace. Light boxes showcase the YAM students' hand-beaded patches, while illuminated costume pieces – steampunk jackets, leather hats, kaleidoscope glasses, and gloves – are inspired by Afrofuturism, celebrating the students' innovative spirit and forward-thinking leadership.
The Orisha Oya
by Big Queen Washitaw Ausettua AmorAmenkum and Young Artist Movement (YAM) Students Ladonis Cornelius, Messiah Roberson, Ja’dore Holmes, Malik Baker and Anika Binalla
Queen Ausettua's suit theme centers on the Orisha Oya. Oya is the ruler of the winds, storms and lightning, and is also known as the gate keeper of the cemetery or ruler of the dead. As part of the “Feathers of Hope” initiative by Arts New Orleans, YAM students created hand-sewn beaded works mounted on illuminated staffs and arranged in light boxes, reflecting Oya's divine attributes.
The Dragon
by Queen of 8th Ward Black Seminoles Angel Chung Cutno and Young Artist Movement (YAM) Students Alella Binalla, Deshawne Cornelius, and Ju White
Queen Angel's suit celebrates the 2024 Year of the Dragon, exploring magic and myths. As part of the "Feathers of Hope" initiative by Arts New Orleans, YAM students created hand-beaded patches for Queen Angel's paper mâché dragon, resembling shimmering scales. The students also crafted individual beaded patches for their own illuminated jumpsuits.
Youth Arts Market
Discover original artwork by talented young creators from Arts New Orleans' Young Artist Movement (YAM). This arts education and workforce development program nurtures creative talent in youth ages 14-22. Each purchase directly supports these emerging artists while adding unique, locally-made pieces to your collection.
Drummersize
by Mestre Curtis Pierre, Director and Founder of Casa Samba
Live Performances nightly at 6:30 pm, 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm
These innovative light-up drums, inspired by New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian traditions, blend illumination with rhythm. Known as Drummercize, they feature traditional drum skins and are designed for audience participation. Festivalgoers can try their hand at drumming, guided by Mestre Pierre and support drummers from Casa Samba. Throughout the festival, special performances will bring the drums to life, creating a dynamic experience that celebrates Brazilian and New Orleans drumming traditions.
Presented by National Endowment for the Arts
Kids Workshop
by Young Guardians of the Flame and Congo Kids
Workshops at 6:30-7:00 pm and 7:00-7:30 pm nightly
This interactive hands-on activity will lead children through the history, art expressions, and musical traditions of indigenous cultural expressions. Activities will include a brief narrative historical overview, creation of an illuminated fan, and singing an original Black Masking Indian chant with percussive instrumentation. Free books will be given out courtesy of Guardians Institute. Facilitators will include: Trail Chief Jeremy Oatis, Spy Boy Aaron "Ace" Washington, Big Chief Brian Nelson, Big Queen Silvana Miranda, and Queen-in-Waiting Ramona Graham.
Mister Oso Block
Presented by Mister Oso
Lapin Laser
by Adam Sober
Lasers bring to life Compère Lapin, a beloved figure in Creole and Caribbean folklore. Known for his cunning, charm, and wit, Compère Lapin appears as a radiant, agile rabbit crafted in light, leaping across space. Each movement captures his mischievous spirit and adaptability, celebrated in tales of trickery and humor. This dance of illuminated rabbits pays homage to the folkloric tradition, blending technology with oral storytelling.
Presented by Old 77 & Chandlery
Identity in Technicolor
by Where Y’Art
This interior art exhibition in the Old 77 & Chandlery lobby features 30 local artists exploring identity as a spectrum—unique, multifaceted, complex, and ever-evolving. Identity in Technicolor investigates themes of self-discovery, cultural heritage, and personal narratives through a kaleidoscope of hues and styles. The exhibition invites visitors to embrace their own mythology, celebrate their journey, and reflect on the diverse shades that shape individual identity.
Presented by Old 77 & Chandlery
It Takes a Village: Networked Laser Harp Ensemble
by the Virtual Krewe of Vaporwave
It Takes a Village invites viewers to create music interactively through the ancient symbolism of the harp. By moving their hands through laser beams, participants generate sounds and melodies, blending physical motion with electronic soundscapes. Drawing from mythological traditions – from Orpheus' legendary lyre to Celtic harps of enchantment – this installation reimagines these sacred instruments in contemporary form. Each laser beam creates connections between ancient art and modern technology, inviting exploration through light, sound, and movement.
Live Performance
Resident Artist Marcus Brown at LUNA Lounge presented by Downtown Development District
A native New Orleanian, sculptor, painter, inventor, musician, and educator—pushing the boundaries of art with his revolutionary Electro-Sonic Painting! Using a sound-producing paintbrush of his own invention, Marcus creates musical notes as he paints, blending sound and visual art in real-time.
Experience Marcus’s unique live performances and visual art displays showcased each night at LUNA Lounge presented by the Downtown Development District. LUNA Lounge will be located at Ohm Lounge on the LUNA Fête campus.
LAZ Parking Block
Presented by LAZ Parking Lot
LUNA Night Market
by Arts Market New Orleans
The LUNA Fête Arts Market brings together New Orleans' finest local artists, offering a vibrant showcase of handcrafted art. Set against the backdrop of dazzling light installations, the market invites visitors to explore unique pieces, from jewelry and ceramics to paintings and sculptures. This curated selection highlights the talent and creativity of New Orleans, supporting local artisans and providing a unique shopping experience. Discover one-of-a-kind treasures that celebrate the city's rich artistic culture.
Storia : Defrag
by Colloqate Design
Storia: Defrag addresses residential displacement in New Orleans communities and reveals how tactics of displacement have affected community members' lives. Displacement has taken many forms throughout the city's history—from colonization and urban renewal to the human-made disaster of Hurricane Katrina and ongoing gentrification. Storia: Defrag creates space for these stories to be told and heard, while providing a place for gathering, strategizing, learning, understanding, and imagining just futures by reconstituting the mythologies of fragmented histories.
Presented by The Kellogg Foundation
Piazza d’ Italia
Presented by New Orleans and Company & New Orleans Tourism & Cultural Fund
Apollo’s Ball
by Dohm Collective
Apollo’s Ball is an electrifying multi-sensory experience paying homage to the Greek god of music, poetry, and the sun. At its heart, a silent disco invites audiences to immerse themselves in vibrant dance tracks from alternating DJs. Meanwhile, the iconic facade of the Piazza d'Italia becomes a canvas for mesmerizing visuals. This dazzling interplay of light and sound creates a transcendent atmosphere evoking Apollo's divine domain. In this realm, the lines between performer and audience blur, and digital meets physical in a single euphoric experience—a modern interpretation of the legendary god's mythic "ball."
Presented by City of New Orleans and Loews Hotel
Piazza Park
Presented by Verizon & Samsung
AR Gallery
by Artscapes
Artscapes combines high-quality art with the magic of augmented reality. Simply hang the art, scan it with the free app, then enjoy and share the magic with family and friends. Through an AR app, static paintings transform, revealing hidden animations and stories that bring each piece to life. As viewers hold up their devices, colors shift, details emerge, and scenes unfold, creating an immersive art experience. These interactive paintings bridge the physical and digital realms, inviting audiences to engage deeply with art in an innovative, captivating way.
Flux
by Ksawery Komputery
FLUX reflects on mythology's themes of connection, transformation, and unseen forces. Just as ancient myths often explore the hidden energies that shape the world, FLUX brings the invisible algorithms behind digital interaction into focus. Using light and sound, this installation symbolizes mythological concepts of "flow" and "binding" energies—akin to the River Styx connecting the realms of gods and mortals. In FLUX, digital "currents" respond to participants' movements, making visitors both witnesses and creators within a space where technology bridges the visible and digital realms.
Pixie Dust
by David Sullivan
Pixie Dust is an interactive projection art installation that reacts to viewers' movements, surrounding them with shimmering, golden particle showers. As people move, the particles form radiant, flowing silhouettes, reminiscent of mythological light gods such as Apollo. Each movement makes the particles swirl and pulse as though infused with energy. The installation invites participants to step into a world where their presence is visually transformed, blurring the line between observer and art.
Presented by Morris Bart, Amanda Winstead Fine Art, Neal Auction, Louisiana Lottery, First Horizon, Hancock Whitney and Urban South
Luminoak
by Leaky Roof Studios
Luminoak stands as a luminous symbol for Algiers, inviting visitors to connect with this vital part of New Orleans. The striking sculpture radiates shifting colors from its crescent form, drawing people closer to discover intricate designs that reveal Algiers' layered stories and cultural heritage. Inspired by mythology, Luminoak blends the timeless symbolism of the oak tree—strength, endurance, wisdom—with the crescent's embrace, representing Algiers' connection to the river. Crafted from durable fiberglass and resilient steel, the sculpture encourages visitors to engage and reflect on Algiers' identity, history, and community spirit.
Luminoak is a City of New Orleans Percent for Art Commission and will be permanently installed along the Algiers Levee in early 2025.
Mythological Muses in Fashion
Fashion Show at 6pm nightly in Piazza D’Italia, music provided by Dohm Collective
Isis by Nick Linson
This design mirrors the voluminous wingspan of a white moth or hawk hovering over the Nile, embodying Isis's expansive power and role as Osiris's protector. The connection to the Nile emphasizes Isis's dominion over life, fertility, and renewal, grounded in Egyptian mythology's deep symbolism.
Sunflower, Ra the Egyptian Sun God and Oshun by Haraji Spadoni
Illuminated designs inspired by Egyptian and African mythology, the silhouettes feature flowing drapery, layers, and feathers that come to life with illumination. These strong female icons invoke stories of creation, beauty, and brilliance.
Primordial Waters by Renee Johnson
In Egyptian mythology, Nun is the god of primordial waters, or the waters of Chaos, from which the universe emerged. The collection Primordial Waters represents this mythological expression of creation and existence through dark fabrics, chaotic silhouettes, and illumination—the first light.
Entitlement by Van Shawn Branch
Entitlement is a capsule collection of wearable technology exploring the mythology of the Goddess Guanyin from the Jin Dynasty, known in Buddhism for compassion and mercy. The designs use silk as a symbol of abundance and incorporate illuminated umbrellas.
Presented by Canal Place