17th Annual Joan of Arc Procession
MONDAY January 6, 2025, 7 p.m.
Joyeux Anniversaire, Jeanne d’Arc!
Celebrating St. Joan of Arc’s birthday and Twelfth Night, this annual walking procession is a medieval-themed theatrical procession, inspired by Joan’s time in 1400s France. Joan of Arc liberated the citizens of Orleans, France, from a British siege in her first victory in 1429—resulting in her moniker “The Maid of Orleans.” Our procession honors our own unofficial patron saint, The Maid of New Orleans: the beloved golden French Quarter statue, a gift to the City of New Orleans from France in the 1950s, and our French history and heritage. It’s a short, family-friendly parade — quirky, whimsical and spiritual.
If you’d like to learn more about our parade in advance, watch the video of our krewe storybook (Great for children!) or check out our detailed line-up.
The procession typically starts on time at 7 sharp, makes a few pauses for a bit of medieval pageantry, and ends around 8:30 p.m:
- A toast to the royalty and young Joan “Maid of Honor” in English and French from the balcony of the Historic New Orleans Collection
- a sword blessing at Saint Louis Cathedral
- a pause to sing Happy Birthday at the Joan of Arc statue
- the crowning of the king and king cake ceremony at the end at Oscar Dunn Park (the sidewalk amphitheater next to Cafe Du Monde).
Parking and Restrooms