Creole
Masquerade
Ball
Where Elegance Meets Mystery
February 6, 2027
8:00 PM to Midnight
Bourbon Orleans Hotel
717 Orleans Street, New Orleans, LA 70116
Black Tie
Black tie required — but show your personality! Colorful tuxedos are encouraged for gentlemen.
Floor Length Gowns
Ladies are invited to wear floor-length formal gowns in any color. Whether you choose classic black, regal royal blue, vibrant jewel tones, or soft pastels — your gown should be floor-length and elegant. Gloves, tiaras, and statement jewelry are welcomed and encouraged. This is your moment to shine.
Lively Music
Louisiana Style
From the sultry rhythms of jazz to the infectious pulse of Zydeco, Louisiana music is unlike anything else in the world. Our evening unfolds to the sounds that honor the rich musical traditions of New Orleans and the Creole heartland — brass band grooves, second-line swagger, and smooth jazz that fills every corner of the Orleans Ballroom. Come ready to move, sway, and surrender to the music that built a culture.
Food
Buffet Style
No Creole celebration is complete without a feast worthy of the occasion. Our curated buffet brings the bold, soulful flavors of Louisiana Creole cuisine to your table — from rich étouffée and savory red beans and rice to elegant hors d’œuvres and decadent Creole desserts. Every dish is a tribute to the generations of Creole cooks who turned the simplest ingredients into culinary art.
Masks Required
Be Creative
The masquerade is the heart of the Creole Ball tradition. Your mask is your invitation into the mystery — a chance to embody the elegance, romance, and intrigue of 19th-century New Orleans Creole society. Whether draped in feathers, adorned in jewels, or sculpted in lace, your mask tells your story for the evening. Let your imagination reign and your spirit soar.
Where Mystery Meets Elegance
Where Magic Meets Elegance
Bourbon Orleans Hotel
Orleans Ballroom · 717 Orleans Street, New Orleans, LA 70116
Steeped in history since 1817, the Bourbon Orleans Hotel is home to the iconic Orleans Ballroom — the oldest and grandest ballroom in New Orleans. Draped in ornate architecture, molded cornices, gilded details, and breathtaking crystal chandeliers, it is the perfect setting for an unforgettable Creole Masquerade experience in the heart of the French Quarter.
A Storied History
Built in 1817 by entrepreneur John Davis and designed by Henry Latrobe — architect of the U.S. Capitol — the Orleans Theatre and Ballroom became the crown jewel of Creole society in New Orleans. Seating 1,300 patrons, it placed New Orleans on the map as the opera capital of the United States and hosted the most select social affairs of the nineteenth century, drawing admiration from the capitals of Europe. Its original Roman Doric columns, archways, French doors with transoms, and grand staircase remain visible within the hotel today.
A Legacy of Grace
In 1881, the Sisters of the Holy Family — the first African-American Catholic religious order in the United States, founded by Henriette DeLille in 1842 — purchased the Orleans Ballroom and transformed it into St. Mary's Academy, the first secondary school for Black girls in New Orleans. In 1964, the property was lovingly restored as the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, preserving its 200-year legacy as a living monument to Creole culture, elegance, and the enduring spirit of New Orleans.
Location
717 Orleans Street, New Orleans, LA 70116
Valet parking available. Located steps from Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter.
Where Mystery Meets Elegance
Inaugural Creole Masquerade Ball 2027
Bourbon Orleans Hotel · New Orleans, Louisiana
Creole Culture & History
A Heritage Born of Many Worlds
The Roots of Creole
Born from the meeting of French, Spanish, African, Caribbean, and Native American peoples in colonial Louisiana, Creole culture is one of the world's most vivid expressions of beauty through diversity. The term 'Créole' — originally meaning those born in the colony rather than in Europe — evolved into a proud, pan-racial identity united by language, faith, cuisine, and music. Creole culture flourished along the Mississippi River corridor, from the French Quarter balconies of New Orleans to the soft-spoken elders of Southwest Louisiana who still greet one another in Creole French.
From Opelousas to New Orleans
Your host hails from Opelousas, Louisiana — the heart of Southwest Louisiana and one of the oldest and most culturally rich towns in the state. Known as a cradle of Creole and Zydeco heritage, Opelousas sits at the crossroads of French, African, and Native American traditions that mirror New Orleans in spirit. The Creole corridor stretching from Opelousas through Lafayette and down to the Crescent City was bound together by French Catholic faith, the French Creole language, shared cuisine, and the rhythms of Zydeco and jazz — two musical cousins born from the same soul. Southwest Louisiana did not simply send culture to New Orleans; it was the living extension of it.
Where Two Worlds Meet
New Orleans and Southwest Louisiana share an unbreakable bond forged in the fires of French colonialism, African resilience, and Spanish influence. The same Creole families who planted roots in the prairies of St. Landry Parish — home of Opelousas — were cousins to the free people of color who graced the Orleans Ballroom. The masquerade balls held at the Bourbon Orleans were not simply entertainments; they were declarations of Creole identity, elegance, and pride. Tonight, we honor that legacy — bringing the spirit of Southwest Louisiana home to the very ballroom where Creole culture once reigned supreme.
From Opelousas to Orleans Street — one culture, one legacy, one celebration.
Inaugural Creole Masquerade Ball 2027
Bourbon Orleans Hotel · New Orleans, Louisiana
Secure your seat at the Inaugural Creole Masquerade Ball
Where Mystery Meets Elegance
Food · Beverage · Masks · Specialty Beads Included
Your Dance Card for the Night
Each guest will receive a personal dance card — a cherished tradition of the masquerade ball.
Dance I
The Waltz
Partner: ___________________
Dance II
Creole Two Step
Partner: ___________________
Dance III
Bamboula Circle
Partner: ___________________
Where Mystery Meets Elegance
Reign for the Evening
What Is the Royal Court?
The Royal Court is one of the most cherished traditions of the Creole Masquerade Ball. Selected guests will be chosen by drawing on the evening of the ball to serve as the King and Queen of the Masquerade — reigning over the festivities as the most distinguished guests of honor for the night.
Rooted in the grand bal masqué tradition of 19th-century New Orleans Creole society, the Royal Court presentation is a moment of pageantry, elegance, and celebration. The King and Queen will be formally presented to all guests during the Midnight Court Presentation — the grand finale of the evening's dance card.
Every ticket purchased is an entry into the drawing. You need not do anything special — simply attend, celebrate, and allow the evening to crown its royalty.
How It Works
- ⚜ Every ticket holder is automatically entered
- ⚜ Drawing held on the evening of the ball
- ⚜ One King & one Queen selected by draw
- ⚜ Formally presented during Midnight Court
- ⚜ Must be present at time of drawing to win
Royal Honours
The King and Queen of the Creole Masquerade Ball 2027 will receive a royal sash and crown, a commemorative keepsake, and the privilege of leading the Grand Processional as the evening’s reigning royalty.
Will you be crowned?
Every ticket is a chance to reign. Secure yours before December 31, 2026.
Special Ticket Pricing
$175
Per Ticket · Pay in Full
Our lowest available rate — must be purchased by July 31, 2026. Limited availability at this price.
Buy NowEarly Bird
$225
Per Ticket · Pay in Full
Discounted early pricing available through August 31, 2026. Reserve your seat before this rate closes.
Buy NowRegular Admission
$250
Per Ticket · Pay in Full
Standard admission rate. Purchase must be completed by December 31, 2026 to reserve your place at the ball.
Buy NowPay Over Time
$300
Per Ticket · Split Into Payments
$50 deposit due by July 31, 2026. Remaining balance due in full by December 31, 2026.
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Where Mystery Meets Elegance
Inaugural Creole Masquerade Ball
February 6, 2027 · Bourbon Orleans Hotel · New Orleans, Louisiana
Where Mystery Meets Elegance