From the birthplace of jazz to a globally recognised creative powerhouse, New Orleans now joins UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, cementing its cultural legacy and opening new international opportunities for its musicians. Olivia Palamountain reports

New Orleans has been officially named a UNESCO Creative City for Music, joining a prestigious global network that celebrates cities where creativity drives cultural, social and economic progress.

Announced on World Cities Day 2025, the designation places New Orleans among only ten US cities – and 407 worldwide – recognised by UNESCO for their commitment to nurturing culture as a cornerstone of sustainable urban development.

The recognition, secured through a joint effort by New Orleans & Company, the city government and an advisory board of cultural leaders, marks a defining moment for the city’s world-famous music scene. Long regarded as the cradle of jazz, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll, New Orleans has now been formally recognised on the international stage for its living musical heritage and its ongoing innovation in the arts.

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) evaluates cities on how deeply creativity is woven into civic life – from education and community initiatives to tourism and sustainability. The designation of New Orleans as a Creative City of Music reflects not only its historic contribution to global music but also its active role in shaping the future of culture-led development.

“I am incredibly proud of the work our team has done to connect with other Creative Cities and advocate for New Orleans’ inclusion in the network,” says Walt Leger III, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company. “This designation fortifies our seat at the global table and opens new avenues for our culture bearers to connect with others in the industry. It’s well-deserved recognition for our music community and a vital step in ensuring New Orleans’ rightful place as one of the world’s most remarkable destinations.”

Mayor LaToya Cantrell calls the designation a milestone for the city’s creative economy. “Music and its culture bearers are a major part of what makes New Orleans so special,” she said. “Becoming a UNESCO Creative City of Music opens doors to our artists and amplifies the positive social and economic impact of our music industry.”

The city’s advisory board included key cultural figures such as Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, bandleader of the Louisiana Sunspots and Big Chief of the Northside Skull and Bone Gang, who emphasised the importance of stewardship and preservation. “New Orleans is home to some of the world’s most unique cultural heritage — the foundation for genres like jazz, rhythm and blues, and bounce,” he says. “Through this recognition, we can perpetuate and protect our cultural legacy for generations to come.”

Other members of the UNESCO network also praised the announcement. Alyssa Phares, focal point of Paducah UNESCO Creative City of Crafts & Folk Art, adds: “Paducah proudly congratulates New Orleans on its designation. This recognition celebrates a legacy that has long inspired artists and audiences around the world. Creativity has a way of uniting us, and few places embody that spirit more than New Orleans.”

Building on this global recognition, New Orleans will celebrate in style when the Rockin’1000 – the self-styled “Biggest Rock Band on Earth” – performs at the Caesars Superdome in January 2026. Bringing together 1,000 singers and musicians from around the world, the concert marks the group’s first-ever US performance and a fitting tribute to the city’s new UNESCO status.