Kicking the Season Off with

Celebrate Canal!

Greetings!,

What an inspiring summer it has been on Canal Street! From community celebrations to new recognitions, this season reminds us that our vision for Canal as a thriving cultural corridor is truly taking hold. The street is buzzing with life again—families are gathering (see DDD report), businesses are experiencing fresh energy, and together we are shaping a future that honors both the history and the promise of New Orleans.

As we move into fall, I’m excited to share some major updates and opportunities to connect. On October 14, we will unveil A Vision for Canal—a collection of bold, innovative projects that we know you’ll love. We can’t wait to share them with you!

Upcoming Events

🗓️ Celebrate Canal! x SAINTS — Family Kickoff

Sunday, September 7, 9:00 am • The Saint Hotel (931 Canal Street)

Details Below!

🗓️ Celebrate Canal! Q4 Coalition Meeting

Tuesday, October 14, 11:00 am Networking, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm Program

The Astor Crowne Plaza (739 Canal Street)

More Details Coming Soon!

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.

Canal Street Momentum — DDD Report

Locals are heading back to Canal Street, and their increased visitation is no accident. Since our launch in August 2024, the Celebrate Canal! Coalition has championed the central neighborhood corridor through vibrant community events and a citizen-led push for revitalization. As a result, we are seeing real momentum: local visitation is up 5% year-to-date compared to the same period in 2024—that’s nearly 100,000 more visits from individuals living within 10 miles of Canal Street.

These numbers are a testament to the hard work of our entire Coalition and all of our partners. We have always believed that Canal Street has the potential to once again be the vibrant heart of New Orleans, and it is incredibly rewarding to see our collective efforts making a real impact. This increase shows that when we come together—with art, events, and a shared vision—we can truly make a difference.

The Downtown Development District commends these efforts and has recognized that our work has not only re-energized the conversation around Canal Street but is also laying the foundation for an action plan for future investment along this historic corridor.

We are proud of what has been accomplished so far, and we are excited about the continued impact that collective action and partnership will have on Canal Street’s future.

DDD Market Report

Kick Off the Saints Season on Canal Street!

We’re bringing families and fans together to celebrate the start of the Saints season — Canal Street style!

🎶 Live brass music by the Grammy-nominated Brass-A-Holics

🥂 A light-bite buffet + select open bar

⚜️ Community celebration before heading to the Dome

🎟️ Tickets: $15 — LIMITED quantity

Tickets for September 7th

Celebrate Canal! Honored with the Trumpet Award

We are honored to announce that Celebrate Canal! received the Trumpet Award, recognizing our community- driven leadership in revitalizing New Orleans’ most iconic boulevard.

This award belongs to all of you — our partners, supporters, and neighbors who make this work possible every day.

-Sandra Herman, President & CEO

Celebrate Canal! Coalition Receives 2025 Trumpet Award - Biz New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS (press release) - The Celebrate Canal! Coalition, a citizen led nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing Canal Street, was awarded the 2025 Trumpet Award for cultural leadership.

Canal Street Scavenger Hunt

Together with New Orleans Magazine, we welcomed locals and visitors for a Canal Street Scavenger Hunt full of discoveries, fun, and prizes. Over the course of July, participants explored iconic landmarks, discovered hidden gems, and supported Canal Street businesses while competing for exciting rewards. 👏 Congratulations to our winners.👏

GRAND PRIZE ($1,000 cash) - Kim Benoit
1-night stay at the Rubenstein Hotel - Michelle Fortier
Biscuit & Beignet making class at Canal St Ruby Slipper- Teresa Browning
2 tickets to Kimberly Akimbo at the Saenger Theater - Madeline Dandry

Save the Date — Q4 Coalition Meeting

Mark your calendars!

October 14, 2025

Our next Celebrate Canal! Coalition Meeting will bring together business owners, civic leaders, and community voices to plan what’s next for Canal Street! More details to follow — but please save the date now.

Friends of Celebrate Canal Spotlight:

City Sightseeing New Orleans

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This month, we’re proud to spotlight City Sightseeing New Orleans as our Friends of Celebrate Canal honoree! By generously donating a bus for our upcoming event—as well as for our Art & Architecture Tour back in June—they’ve helped us create unique and memorable experiences for our community. Thanks to their support, Canal Street has been more accessible, lively, and fun for locals and visitors alike.

We are especially grateful to the City Sightseeing team for their generosity and partnership. Their commitment to connecting people with the heart of New Orleans aligns perfectly with our mission to bring energy and vibrancy back to Canal Street.

And here’s the best part: even if you’re a local, it’s easy to overlook this experience. But what a wonderful way to rediscover your city—seeing New Orleans through the eyes of a visitor while appreciating it with the pride of a local.

Please join us in thanking City Sightseeing New Orleans for their incredible support of local culture and community. With partners like them, Canal Street keeps moving forward.

👉 Be sure to follow them on Instagram @hoponhopoffneworleans to see more of their work in bringing people closer to the city we love!

Follow City SightSeeing New Orleans on Instagram

HOP-ON HOP-OFF BUS TOURS

August 1st Quarterly Meeting Recap

We are so grateful to everyone who joined us for our summer quarterly meeting at The Westin. It was an inspiring afternoon featuring remarks from Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, Seth Knudsen in his new role as President & CEO of the Downtown Development District, and Councilmember Freddie King, along with a special award presentation honoring Jim Cook.

The conversations were thoughtful, the setting was beautiful, and the energy in the room was undeniable. Thank you to all who came out to spend part of your summer with us and for continuing to support our shared vision for Canal Street.

Don’t miss an update! Follow us for event details, stories, and Canal Street highlights:

Instagram: @CelebrateCanal
Facebook: Celebrate Canal Coalition
Website: www.celebratecanal.com

Thank you for your continued support. Every ticket purchased, every event attended, and every story shared fuels this movement. Together, we are writing the next chapter of Canal Street’s history.

With gratitude,