We're Bringing Families Back to Canal Street!

Hello Katelyn,

What a spectacular month it’s been on Canal Street! After months of planning and collaboration, we officially launched Windows on Canal on Friday, May 16, with a joyful Champagne Toast hosted by our incredible partners at Sheraton Hotel New Orleans. From the specially crafted nectar sundaes (a tribute to the legendary Waterbury’s Drug Store) to the inspiring words shared by artists, store owners, and supporters, it was a day to remember. The installations are now up at seven amazing locations: Canal Place, Hyatt Centric, Palace Café, Rubenstein’s, Ruby Slipper, Saenger Theater, and Sheraton Hotel—on view until July 7. Make your way downtown to see them while you can!

We’re grateful to Where y’Art Works and Downtown FabWorks for their incredible vision and craftsmanship. You’ll be receiving a keepsake picture book soon, complete with installation photos, descriptions, and a playful storyline following our beloved Scrim as he explores Canal Street.

We also had the joy of hosting two Children’s Scavenger Hunts—thank you Nicole Ferrier and your committee. The first was held during a special birthday party on May 10, and the second on May 17 with more than 50 excited kids and families. Watching children shout “I won!” and proudly wave their scorecards reminded us: families are coming back to Canal Street, and it’s beautiful to see.

On May 28, we held our very first Practice Progressive Taste of Canal—thank you Karen Coaxum and Fammy Rodrigue for chairing this delicious evening of bites, drinks, and laughter across three Canal Street restaurants. Thank you to Miles Tulley, Jr. of Caesars Octavia Cocktail Lounge, Amir Webster of Emeril’s Brasserie, and Edgar Caro, Chef Jimi Setchim and Jamie Hall of Brasa Restaurant for an unforgettable night. Stay tuned as we plan future Taste of Canal events.

Upcoming Events

We’re ecstatic that our June 4th Art & Architecture Tour is full—and yes, we’re setting up a waiting list for future tours! Thank you Val Grubb for chairing this event! Join the list HERE to be the first to know when new dates are announced.

Fashion Show News! June 26th Postponed. We have been persuaded to postpone the fashion shows until August, just in time for the arrival of the new season’s styles! Of course that makes sense. It’s a smart move, and we’re excited about what’s ahead. Even better, we may be hosting two fabulous shows this August: one spotlighting menswear and another celebrating women’s fashion. Stay tuned for the exciting updates.

July 1, 2025 - August 15, 2025. We're thrilled to be partnering with New Orleans Magazine for a fabulous event that will last from July 1 to August 15. We'll be sharing all the exciting details right here - so keep an eye out, and don't miss the July issue of New Orleans Magazine!

July and August, 2025. And let’s not forget—it’s time to get down to business. Starting in late July, our community committees will begin meeting on vital topics like Public Safety, Transportation, Placemaking (Beautification) and Retail Revitalization. We hope you’ll join us and help shape the future of Canal Street.

How can you help?

Send emails, share this newsletter, follow us on social media, and invite your friends to sign up at CelebrateCanal.com. And of course, we’d love to see you at our upcoming events.

We can’t do this without your support—and we wouldn’t want to.

Windows on Canal

Since mid-May, Windows on Canal—our bold new public art initiative in partnership with Where y’Art Works—has brought a wave of color and creativity to Canal Street. If you haven’t seen it yet, there’s still time! The installations will remain on view through July 7. These stunning storefront displays celebrate the culture, history, and spirit of downtown New Orleans. You’ll find them at Canal Place, Palace Café, Rubenstein’s, Ruby Slipper, Saenger Theater, and Sheraton Hotel.

📸 Be sure to stop by Hyatt Centric French Quarter to snap a selfie with Scrim’s portrait on the iconic D.H. Holmes building—a perfect blend of past and present! Make a day of it—walk the street, see the art, and feel the energy of Canal coming back to life.

Children's Scavenger Hunt

Taste of Canal

Emeril's Brasserie

Brasa South American Steakhouse

Art and Architecture

This event is currently full, but keep checking to see if more spots open up in the future!

We will discover the captivating historical and visual heritage of one of New Orleans’ most iconic thoroughfares at our Art and Architecture tour! Guests will board an open-top double-decker bus for an immersive nearly two-hour guided tour with breathtaking perspectives and insightful commentary by two of the city’s foremost voices in architecture and urban development – John C. Williams and Ryan Bordenave.

Whether you’re a resident eager to reconnect with one of New Orleans’ most iconic thoroughfares or a visitor seeking an enriching experience, this tour wil offer a fresh perspective on Canal Street’s significance as a cultural and economic centerpiece of New Orleans.

Share the fun on Canal Street

We were so excited to host our Children’s Scavenger Hunt to kick off the Windows on Canal project—and we’re thrilled to share the beautiful moments captured on video!

🎥 A huge thank you to We Wander Marketing for capturing the energy and joy of our Children’s Scavenger Hunt. Their incredible work brings the event to life all over again.

Every event we host is thoughtfully planned to create the best possible experience for our community. Having these videos means so much to us—they’re a reminder of all the love, laughter, and support that fuel Celebrate Canal.

If you love the video as much as we do, be sure to show them some love on Instagram!

Friends of Celebrate Canal Spotlight

We want to take this time to give our heartfelt gratitude to the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. They have graciously hosted us for a quarterly meeting and our Champagne Toast to kick off Windows on Canal. Additionally, they participated in the Children's Scavenger Hunt this last weekend and have donated the most money to the Windows on Canal initiative. This project would be impossible without their support. Next time you are looking for a little stay-cation in New Orleans, we highly recommend this beautiful property!

Get Involved

Please visit Windows on Canal and post your photos using #WindowsonCanal. You can tag us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Consider participating in our upcoming Art and Architecture tour to learn more about our amazing city.

Thank you to everyone that has sent us their memories of Canal Street. If you have not yet, submit your Canal Street memories on our website.

Thank you all for the unwavering support you've shown us. We are so thankful to be surrounded by people that care as much as we do. We can't wait to hear all of your stories!

With heartfelt gratitude,

Sandra Herman 

Founder and CEO

Celebrate Canal! Coalition