New Orleans, long hailed as the birthplace of jazz and one of the world’s most influential music capitals, has officially been named a UNESCO Creative City of Music.
The announcement, made on World Cities Day 2025, places New Orleans among only ten U.S. cities and 408 worldwide recognized by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) for their commitment to fostering creativity as a pillar of sustainable development.
Global Recognition for a Living Musical Heritage
The designation honors not only New Orleans’ extraordinary contribution to global music – from jazz and blues to bounce and rock and roll – but also its continued innovation and cultural stewardship. The successful application was the result of years of collaboration between New Orleans & Company, the City of New Orleans, and an advisory board of cultural leaders who submitted the bid in March 2025.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the moment “a milestone for the city’s creative economy,” noting that music and its culture bearers are “the soul of New Orleans.” The designation, she said, will help amplify the social and economic vitality of the local music industry and open new doors for artists to connect globally.
Walt Leger III, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company, echoed her words, calling the achievement “a well-deserved recognition for our music community and a vital step in ensuring New Orleans’ rightful place on the global stage.”
The city’s inclusion in the UCCN will allow for partnerships, cultural exchanges, and participation in UNESCO-led initiatives that link creativity with education, sustainability, and economic growth.
Cultural icons such as Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, Big Chief of the Northside Skull and Bone Gang, emphasized that the status will help preserve and protect New Orleans’ cultural traditions for future generations. “New Orleans is home to some of the world’s most unique cultural heritage,” he said. “Through this recognition, we can perpetuate and protect our legacy for generations to come.”
Strengthening Creative Collaboration and Cultural Tourism
For New Orleans, the UNESCO title is more than symbolic – it is a strategic opportunity to strengthen cultural diplomacy and expand creative tourism. The designation connects the city with a network of global peers, from Paducah (USA) to Rovaniemi (Finland) and Cuenca (Ecuador), all committed to using culture as a catalyst for innovation and inclusion.
Alyssa Phares, of Paducah’s UNESCO Creative City of Crafts & Folk Art, praised New Orleans’ achievement as a moment that “celebrates a legacy that has long inspired artists and audiences around the world.” The honor reinforces the city’s role as a cultural bridge, where creativity continues to unite people across borders.
To mark the milestone, the city plans to host major cultural celebrations, including a performance by Rockin’1000, the world’s largest rock band ensemble, set to take the stage at the Caesars Superdome in January 2026. Bringing together 1,000 musicians from around the world, the event will serve as a fitting tribute to New Orleans’ enduring rhythm and its newly strengthened role as a global music hub.
As one of UNESCO’s newly designated Creative Cities, New Orleans stands not only as a guardian of tradition but as a living, evolving example of how culture fuels community, innovation, and global connection. Its sound, soul, and spirit continue to define the heartbeat of a city – and now, the world is officially listening.