It’s All Art for Art’s Sake

The end of summer in New Orleans brings about one of the city’s most well-attended art events — Art for Art’s Sake, which takes place this year on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Photo by @gabby.bien on Instagram, courtesy of Magazine Street on Facebook

Early October in New Orleans brings about one of Uptown’s most well-attended art events — Art for Art’s Sake (AfAS), which takes place this year on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 6 to 9 p.m.

The landmark event is more than three decades old. Since 1980, Art for Art’s Sake has grown into a citywide phenomenon — a night when many of the city’s galleries open their doors and put on major shows.

On the night of AfAS, hundreds of guests will sip wine and cocktails as they saunter between big openings at Julia St. galleries like Arthur RogerGeorge Schmidt, and Ferrara Showman Gallery. A few blocks away, businesses on Magazine Street will stay open to provide shopping and dining for the masses.

Presented by the Magazine Street Merchants Association, Art for Art’s Sake is an annual showcase of art, food and music on Magazine Street. Over 100 shops, stores, restaurants, and galleries along Magazine Street will be participating again. In fact, it’s the street’s biggest event of the year, drawing out throngs of shoppers and fun seekers. Expect extended hours, special deals, live music, and other treats along the stretch of Magazine Street. As in previous years, you can also enjoy complimentary wine samples provided by one of the sponsors, Breaux Mart.

Art for Art’s Sake is free and open to the public. So, grab a group of friends and come down to Magazine Street for a night of gallery hopping and shopping at one of New Orleans’ largest shopping and entertainment districts.

Not sure where to shop and dine along Magazine Street? Check out the full list of restaurants and shops on the Magazine Street Merchants Association website.

A few more tips we can think of…

Dozens of restaurants along the Warehouse Arts District and Magazine Street will be open for the evening, and ready to welcome you, but reservations are recommended, especially for the popular spots on the bustling Magazine Street. There’s no dress code for the event, so casual will work, but you will definitely see chic outfits on at least some of the attendees. And wear comfortable shoes: Magazine Street alone stretches for six miles, and you might be doing some serious walking to check out the gallery art openings on Julia Street, too.

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