Krewe members (all types of membership) are invited to attend “A celebration to send off the Jeanne d’Arc French delegation” featuring live music by jazz pianist Victor Campbell, with special guest “Jeanne d’Arc” Capucine Delaloy, hosted by the New Orleans Jazz Museum and the New Orleans Rotary Club.

• 5:00 p.m. Museum Tour
• 6:00 p.m. Jazz Concert with Victor Campbell

French delegation:

• Capucine Delaloy, Jeanne d’Arc from Orléans 
• Madame Bénédicte Baranger Pres
• Marie-Catherine Mercier secretary Jeanne d’Arc Organization in Orleans France

Leave NO TRASH anywhere

Krewes can be fined for trash left on the parade route or at the line-up. Make sure you do not drop any packaging or trash anywhere. Carry it until you find a trash can. The permit is expensive enough without adding fines for litter bugs.

Hot 8 Brass Band at the Jazz Museum at parade end

The regular Tuesday Live! From the Jazz Museum Balcony concert will take place in a special late time slot at 9:30 p.m., right across the street from our parade endpoint, right after our parade. Be sure to return any costumes and props to the props truck first!  Then stick around to enjoy the show, and remember to thank our 2026 King Greg Lambousy, director of the New Orleans Jazz Museum!  You may want to stash lawn chairs in your car if you’re parking near the parade endpoint, because seating is not provided for the outdoor concert.  Note: This is not a krewe after-party — it’s the regular Tuesday Live! public concert for the Jazz Museum.

French Send-Off Thursday evening at the Jazz Museum

Krewe members (all types of membership) are invited to attend “A celebration to send off the Jeanne d’Arc French delegation” featuring live music by jazz pianist Victor Campbell, with special guest Jeanne d’Arc Capucine Delaloy, hosted by the New Orleans Jazz Museum and the New Orleans Rotary Club.

• 5:00 p.m. Museum Tour
• 6:00 p.m. Jazz Concert with Victor Campbell

French delegation:

• Capucine Delaloy, Jeanne d’Arc from Orléans 
• Madame Bénédicte Baranger Pres
• Marie-Catherine Mercier secretary Jeanne d’Arc Organization in Orleans France

This Year, We Embrace the Miracle of Joan’s Courageous Heart

This January 6th we celebrate eighteen years of marching in the French Quarter, bringing a moving spectacle of beauty, light and love through the telling of Joan of Arc’s story and her legacy. Our theme this year is “Courage”, inspired by the selected Joan of Art contest piece by local Jackson Square Artist Tara Gass-Baden, featured in this year’s medallion.

We are indeed an Army of Artists…in a world gone mad with technology, we are using our hands and hearts to create extraordinary pageantry and make human connections as we walk. Our collaborations, creations, and year-round community building through Joan are the keys to our krewe’s success.  Thank you for joining us in this battle for more beauty, more humanity, and more creativity!

If love is a battlefield, we are winning.

But, don’t let these militaristic terms arouse you too much to take up your sword.  Remember, Joan fought with her banner only! Indeed, the word courage comes from the Latin root cor, meaning “heart,” evolving through Old French corage (heart, feelings) to its current sense of bravery. But it originally meant “to speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart” or showing one’s innermost feelings. It entered English around the 1300s, and its meaning evolved over time to focus more on valor.
But, much like our parade’s simple beginnings, the word was meant to convey something profoundly basic: Speaking your heart.

It is no coincidence that this year’s wooden doubloon image is in fact Joan of Arc’s heart. Because “Joan’s heart did not burn. “

While there is scientific reason for this, the miraculous version is more poetic: Her heart did not burn because nothing can destroy love. Her executioners could never destroy her love for God and for France. Her heart is eternal, and so is she!

This year, we embrace the miracle of Joan’s courageous heart.

And like the word courage, the word miracle has a simple definition as well. At its core it means “a wonderful thing”. It comes from the Latin miraculum, meaning “object of wonder,” derived from mirari (“to wonder at”) and mirus (“wonderful”). 

Like the story of Joan’s indestructible heart, the Joan of Arc Parade is a miracle, and a wonderful thing– thanks to all of you!  Your endless dedication and generosity these past two decades–and especially this year — keeps us building, sharing, conversing and creating events inspired by Joan, who inspires us all.

Let’s go forth and bring love into 2026– with courage, heart and wonder!

As Joan said during the Siege of Orleans:  “Courage! Do not fall back; in a little the place will be yours!” 

On January 6, the place is ours. 

Happy 614th Birthday, Joan!  Allons-y!

Amy Kirk Duvoisin
Founder
President, Joan of Project LLC
French Knight of Arts and Letters
www.JoanOfArcParade.org

Upcoming Help Needed

Workshops at Captain Amanda’s (7330 Sycamore, map):

• 5:30-8:30 p.m. Today Tuesday Dec. 30 (throws)
• 1-4 p.m. Saturday January 3 (props)
• 1-4 p.m. Sunday January 4 (props)

January 1: Work Party, Throws Pick-Up, and Foot Soldier Costume Pick-Up, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Church (1031 S. Carrollton, enter at side door on Zimple)
January 5: Banquet volunteers needed 
January 6: Props trucks drivers needed
Scroll down for details below!

Workshops Tonight, Saturday and Sunday

Tonight we’re still focused on throws, but will switch to props after the New Year’s Work Party!

Come craft with us at the home of krewe captain Amanda Helm at 7330 Sycamore St. We’ll be working 2026 saint medallions and other throws.  These are a great way to connect with other krewe members, get your questions answered, show off your own krewe projects, and bounce ideas. FYI for those with allergies, Lady Jane the cat does live here. 

Workshops at Captain Amanda’s:

• 5:30-8:30 p.m. Today Tuesday Dec. 30 (throws)
• 1-4 p.m. Saturday January 3 (props)
• 1-4 p.m. Sunday January 4 (props)

Thursday, January 1: New Year’s Work Party

Most members have a reason to at least stop by this workshop, which makes it a bustling party. Group leaders and full members should pick up parade wristbands. Full members will be picking up throws, foot soldiers will be picking up costumes, and everyone will be working on making our signature tea light throws. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Parish Hall of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church at the corner of Carrollton and Zimple (1031 S. Carrollton, map). Enter from the side door on Zimple. Show off your own projects or bring a snack or wine to share if you like.  Delicious holiday leftovers welcome. Dress: casual.

Action items:

• Volunteers needed: Sign up to help with loading in, packing out, food, wristband distribution or sale table
• Place your purchased throws and keepsakes orders now to pick up at New Year’s
• Help get ready for the big work party: Throws and prop workshops at Captain Amanda’s house 7330 Sycamore St. (map): Monday December 28 2-6 p.m., and 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday December 29.
• If you picked up tea light kits to assemble, be sure to bring your assembled tea lights at the start of the work party (at 11 a.m.) so we can add the other goodies to member throw bags and get them ready for pick-up.

Drivers Needed for 2 Props Trucks

We need two drivers for props trucks on parade day!  Contact Captain Antoinette if you can help: 504-717-1451

Banquet Check-In Desk Volunteers needed

You can get a complimentary banquet ticket if you are working the check-in desk. Contact Joan Fox 504-427-2877 if you can help with this!  

Banquet Set-Up and Pack-Out Volunteers Needed!

Sign up here! 

Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc delegates needed for Krampus Party and Ceremony Jan. 5 after our medieval banquet

 Since 2020, leaders of the Krewe of Krampus and Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc have done a ceremony in which Krewe of Krampus passes the light of Yule (Christmas) over to Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc representing the transition from Yule season to Carnival season. For the last few years we’ve been doing this at the Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc medieval banquet, but this year Krampus is hosting a party and would like some representatives of the Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc to come to the Krampus party in your medieval garb to complete the ceremony around 10 p.m. AFTER our own medieval banquet on January 5th. Up to six delegates from Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc can get complimentary admission for the Krampus party. Contact Captain Amanda to sign up to be a delegate.

We need your help to fund this year’s parade!

We expect our 18th annual parade on January 6, 2026, to be our best, but it is important that you realize this will be our most challenging year to date. Police fees are expected to cost us five to eight times what we have paid in past years. Coupled with dramatically rising costs for insurance and storage, and a potential increase in our required parade clean-up contract, the krewe finds itself suddenly looking at a cost increase of about 20% of our total annual budget. We hope our new route will keep the increase on the lower end of that range, but it is still well beyond the cushion in our budget.

Our all-volunteer krewe gives thousands of hours of our time and creativity as well as our money to gift this parade to our city!  If you have ever said we are your favorite parade (we hear this all the time!), or that this parade has started your Carnival season with depth and meaning or has saved your spirit in some way, please help to sustain and build our beautiful spectacle. We need our fan support now!

Donation Match /mark>

Thank you to the current krewe members who stepped up just before Christmas with donations. An anonymous donor has generously pledged to match dollar-for-dollar contributions received from Dec. 15th through January 1st, up to $2,000. 

Thank you to our donors

We want to thank those who have already given extra gifts beyond membership — they are truly needed this year, now more than ever!  We would like to acknowledge those who gave donor-level memberships:

• Patron Saints: George Corey, Cynthia Krus (aka Artist Cleo), Richard and Judy Helm, Irwin Langhoff, Jane and Lenny Caruso, Terri Wilkinson and Judy Sheon, and one anonymous donor.
• Nobility Members: Ed Azemas and Charles Coleman, Cathy Rehfus-Wilsek and Richard Wilsek, and Ember and David Mandell.
• Cavalry Members: Columbia Barrosse, Tonya Brown, John and Frannie Conner, Alex and Suzanne Labry, Rachel Lyons, and Kirk and Amy Ruffo.

We also thank the many krewe members who have donated their time. We are an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff. In fact, the captains, Founder Amy, and all our board members are paying members who purchase their throws and tickets. The skills and creative artistry our members contribute is priceless! 

2026 JOAN OF ARC PARADE FEATURES NEW ROUTE & ARTISTIC CREATIONS
18^th Annual Parade starts at 7:30 p.m. at Bienville Street and ends at French Market

The 18^th Annual Joan of Arc Parade marches on Joan of Arc’s 614^th birthday on January 6, 2026, starting at 7:30 p.m. in the French Quarter, and will feature more participants than ever, a new route, a new large-scale puppet of Joan of Arc, and new walking groups.

The walking krewe which began with approximately 50 walking members in 2008 has grown to 800 people creating a theatrical narration of Joan of Arc’s story that includes medieval costumes, artistic props and banners, live music, handmade throws, and a local young woman portraying Joan of Arc on horseback.

Due to significant construction in the French Quarter, the 2026 parade route  has been altered and is slightly shorter this year, with key ceremonial stops also adjusted.

Key differences in the route are:

• The parade begins in the Upper Quarter at Bienville and Front Streets at 7:30 p.m.
• The ceremonial Blessing of Joan’s Sword is at St. Mary’s Church on Chartres Street, not at St. Louis Cathedral.
• The toast to royalty will be from the 416 Chartres balcony, at the newly named Chef Paul Prudhomme Building.
• The parade ends at French Market Place and Barracks, near the New Orleans Jazz Museum.

The 2026 Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc Court is:

• Maid of Honor: Rory Davis, a senior at Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orleans
• Queen: Sandy Rosenthal, founder of Levees.org
• King: Greg Lambousy, Executive Director, The New Orleans Jazz Museum

Ms. Davis will portray Joan of Arc and ride on a white horse in the parade, as part of the Orléans battalion section of the parade, midway through the procession.  She will distribute 32 hand decorated wooden swords. The Queen and King will be seated in pedicabs pulled by riders wearing papier mâché horseheads.

New signature favors to be handed out in 2026 include: handmade journals, hand-embellished toy soldiers, a medieval songbook, and a saint medallion featuring an image from the 2024 Joan of Art juried art exhibition, “Courage” by New Orleans Jackson Square artist Tara Gass-Braden.

Also new in 2026 is a large Joan of Arc puppet at the end of the parade, modeled after the beloved golden Joan of Arc statue in the French Quarter. The puppet is named “Blessing Joan” as her hands, operated by krewe members, will bless the crowd as she passes them, ushering in a new year and a new Mardi Gras season with courage and hope.

Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc was founded in 2008 and includes the annual walking parade, the annual Salon de Jeanne d’Arc and annual Joan of Art contest. The purpose of the Project is to keep Joan’s story and spirit alive by hosting events, workshops, and presentations that illuminate Joan’s heroism and timelessness, while connecting her to the French heritage and pride of New Orleans. As the “Maid of Orléans” inspires citizens of New Orleans and people around the world, we welcome people of all faiths and backgrounds to join in our joyous, New Orleans-style revelry.

Photo by Kim Welsh

Mark your calendar: 2025-2026 Pre-Parade Events with Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc

12 action-packed days until the parade!  Crafting, costume sewing, puppet and prop construction and music and flag rehearsals are all in full swing!  Be part of the fun for 2026!

• Thursday, January 1, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. New Year’s Work Party, throws pick-up and foot soldier costume pickup at St. Andrew’s Parish Hall
• Sunday, January 4, 9 a.m.-noon Mass at Saint Louis Cathedral, second line and jazz brunch at Market Cafe (Get your tickets!)
• Monday, January 5, 7-9:30 p.m. Pre-Parade Dinner Party at Livaudais Hall  (Get your tickets!  TICKET PRICE INCREASES TONIGHT TO $85!)
• Tuesday, January 6 PARADE!!!!!
  • Tuesday, January 6, 5:45-6:30 p.m. NEW LINE-UP LOCATION AND ROUTE
  • Tuesday, January 6, 7:30 p.m. (earlier start time) PARADE!!!!
• Member Resources: throws store, throws guide and costume guide

Details of All Events Below

Photo by Gary H. Jones

Thursday, January 1: New Year’s Work Party

Most members have a reason to at least stop by this workshop, which makes it a bustling party. Group leaders and full members should pick up parade wristbands. Full members will be picking up throws, foot soldiers will be picking up costumes, and everyone will be working on making our signature tea light throws. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Parish Hall of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church at the corner of Carrollton and Zimple (1031 S. Carrollton, map). Enter from the side door on Zimple. Show off your own projects or bring a snack or wine to share if you like.  Delicious holiday leftovers welcome. Dress: casual.

Action items:

• Volunteers needed: Sign up to help with loading in, packing out, food, wristband distribution or sale table
• Place your purchased throws and keepsakes orders now to pick up at New Year’s
• Help get ready for the big work party: Throws and prop workshops at Captain Amanda’s house 7330 Sycamore St. (map): Monday December 28 2-6 p.m., and 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday December 29.
• If you picked up tea light kits to assemble, be sure to bring your assembled tea lights at the start of the work party (at 11 a.m.) so we can add the other goodies to member throw bags and get them ready for pick-up.

Photo by Gary H. Jones

Sunday, January 4th: Mass, Second Line and Jazz Brunch

Join your fellow krewe members for 9 a.m. worship at Saint Louis Cathedral the Sunday before the parade. In the spirit of Joan, worship is the way to begin any important endeavor!  After mass, the Soul Heirs Band will lead us in a jam and second line 4 blocks from the Cathedral to the Joan of Arc statue, where we’ll do a jazz brunch at Market Cafe.  You can attend the mass, second line, brunch or all three, but you’ll need an advance ticket for the brunch.  Dress: second line spirit, krewe colors blue and gold, krewe gear, medieval-inspired (not costumes). You may want to get a krewe umbrella!

Photo by Gary H. Jones

Monday, January 5: Pre-Parade Medieval Banquet at Livaudais Hall

We’ll have king cake, a hot buffet supper, wine at your table, and medieval music, 7-9:30 p.m. Caterer Jacques-Imo’s makes us a medieval roast pig and a full medieval menu of roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, and fig compote.  Two bottles of wine are provided per table, and you may also bring your own wine. We’ll be welcoming the French “Jeanne d’Arc” and the rest of the delegation from our sister city Orléans, France. Luke Brechtelsbauer and friends will entertain us with medieval music, and we’ll have a drum and chant performance of Joan’s trial. Show off your beautiful medieval costume and share a sneak preview of your throws with friends! All paraders are invited to purchase tickets — full members, honoraries and their entourage, group members, performers, and foot soldier volunteers. Paraders may also purchase non-member tickets for your guests. Tickets are $75 for members, $15 extra for non-members. BUT after  December 25th, ticket prices will increase to $85, and after January 1, ticket prices will increase to $95, so buy your ticket now! Dress: Medieval costumes are strongly encouraged. Many krewe members (including foot soldier volunteers) wear their parade costumes.  There is street parking near the hall. 

We need volunteers to help with set-up and pack-up for the banquet. Sign up here!

* – Yes, the banquet ticket price has increased, but please note that even with this increase and a sell-out crowd, ticket sales do not quite cover the cost of the event.  We DO expect a sell-out though, so get your ticket now.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 6th, PARADE!!!!!

Photo by Gary H. Jones

New Route and Earlier Start Time (Detailed Line-Up Instructions)

Report to the corner of Bienville and Front Street to line up (map), costumed, ready to go, and carrying only what you plan to carry in the parade.  Foot soldiers and leaders will arrive by 5:45 p.m. to unload the props; full members should be there no later than 6:30 p.m. to roll the parade at 7:30 p.m. sharp.  Arrive in costume. Come early so you have time to see everything and get your photo taken.  Park at the START in Premium Parking Lot 402 or at the END in Premium Parking Lot #407 (map, entrance near 698 Decatur), carpool is encouraged. Reserve a parking space. The new route is 1.2 miles (shorter than last year).

7:30 p.m. Parade!!!! 

We’ll kick off Carnival season at 7:30 p.m. sharp, make our stops for toasts in French and English to our court, and the king cake ceremony at Oscar Dunn Park (sidewalk amphitheater by Cafe Du Monde), a salute to the statue and the sword blessing ceremony at St. Mary’s Church in the Old Ursuline Convent. (Route and stop details) 

Remember that we are a family-friendly parade and also a saint procession with a ceremony at the Cathedral.  Marchers are required to hold off on the adult beverages until after the parade. We’ll be done around 9:30 p.m.; surely you can wait that long!

Members Only website 

Remember, the Members Only page (password:   Joan1412  )  is where you can order throws, view and order prints of last year’s photos from our amazing volunteer photographers, and find the costume guide, throws guide, downloadable logos, relevant coats of arms, and characters wanted.  And our online Joan library is full of not only books but also music, movies and TV shows.

Order your throws now!