We want to take this opportunity to announce that this once in a lifetime, 5-day commemorative event is less than 6 months away and it will be epic! We hope that you plan on coming! The preeminent Lafayette interpreter from Colonial Williamsburg will be with us in Louisiana for the entire celebration. We kick off our commemoration with the 1825 Gala at the Cabildo, where Lafayette lived for his entire visit in 1825. On our first full day, we will officially welcome Lafayette, cruise on the Natchez steamboat, visit Chalmette Battlefield and pay tribute to those who fought and perished at the Battle of New Orleans, just like Lafayette did 200 years ago.
Additional planned events include a plaque dedication at the Cabildo, visiting Magnolia Mound in Baton Rouge, the home of Lafayette’s Revolutionary War aide-de-camp and great friend, Armand du Plantier, an evening of opera, a theatrical evening, and so much more! All of our events emulate the activities of Lafayette’s visit in 1825. Events prior to and following our activities have also been planned. For the full listing of events, visit our Events page at: https://afl-louisiana.com/events
Ticket packages and the 1825 Gala a-la-carte tickets are on sale now. Only a limited number of ticket packages (at a reduced price from a-la-carte event tickets) will be made available – so move fast on getting your tickets! Individual events on an a-la-carte basis will be made available after the period for ticket packages has closed. Please check back for updated information.
The American Friends of Lafayette – New Orleans / Louisiana Bicentennial: April 9 thru 13, 2025
*It is highly recommended that you make your hotel room reservation immediately since the French Quarter Festival is taking place at the same time as this commemoration, which brings 250,000 tourists to New Orleans.
*Registration Bienvenue Kit included with Ticket Packages.
* * * The “GRANDIOSE” TICKET PACKAGE: $765 / April 9 thru 13, 2025 / 5 Events include:
* Wednesday, April 9 at 6:30 PM: “1825 Gala” at the Cabildo (Louisiana State Museum) Welcoming Lafayette as they did in 1825 in the very place where he lodged during his historic visit to Nouvelle Orleans, La Louisiane. We’re delighted to present the exclusive premier of the Cabildo’s Lafayette Exhibit at the Louisiana State Museum, a rare glimpse into the life of one of history’s most captivating figures, General Lafayette, and his significant contribution to our American independence and his visit to Louisiana in 1825. Our Bicentennial is an excellent opportunity for you or your organization to support this important event. A portion of each gala ticket goes toward sponsoring the Lafayette exhibit at the Cabildo Museum. Dinner and open Bar included. (Dress: Business <coat & tie> or Cocktail party attire / Period attire is encouraged)
* Thursday morning, April 10: Chalmette National Battlefield, Steamboat Natchez River Cruise, and more. We will visit the Chalmette National Battlefield, where the Battle of New Orleans was fought 10 years prior to Lafayette’s arrival. This is where the General first stepped foot in Louisiana and was formally welcomed. Activities include a welcome ceremony and a wreath laying ceremony. Lafayette travelled to New Orleans on the Steamboat Natchez. We will enjoy lunch on the Steamboat Natchez while cruising on the Mississippi River with Lafayette. (Lunch and the entrance ticket on the steamboat Natchez/transportation to the Battlefield are included). Dress: Comfortable casual (Lafayette t-shirt suggested) but period attire is welcomed. All transportation is included.
* Friday morning, April 11: Lafayette Visits Magnolia Mound Plantation in Baton Rouge, home to his aide-de-camp during the American Revolution, French Cavalry Captain Armand Du Plantier. (Includes lunch, a tour and round-trip transportation). Dress: Casual; period attire is welcomed.
* Friday, April 11 at 7:00 PM: “Opera with Lafayette.” Dinner and entertainment is included at a beautiful New Orleans mansion in the historic Garden District (formerly the City of Lafayette) that today serves as the home of the New Orleans Opera Women’s Guild and New Orleans Opera Association. < Dress: Business (coat & tie) or Cocktail party attire / Period attire is welcomed> Round-trip transportation is included. Dress: nice casual or better (coat/optional tie) but period attire is always welcomed.
* Saturday, April 12 at 7:00 PM: “A Theatrical Evening in an 1825 French Quarter Residence.” Join Lafayette and step back into the year 1825 to experience what a dinner-reception party in an authentic early 19th French Quarter home might have been like. Enjoy a performance by a youth theater group. < Dress: nice casual or better (coat/optional tie) but period attire is always welcomed.>
NOTE: Schedule is subject to change. All package events (that do not sell out) will be available for purchase a-la-carte at some point in the future.
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– For those who require a shorter stay in New Orleans but still want to join in the fun, we offer . . .
* * * The “LE PETIT” TICKET PACKAGE: $350 / April 9 & 10, 2025 / 2 Events include:
* Wednesday, April 9 at 6:30 PM: “1825 Gala” at the Cabildo (Louisiana State Museum) Welcoming Lafayette as they did in 1825 in the very place where he lodged during his historic visit to Nouvelle Orleans, La Louisiane. We’re delighted to present the exclusive premier of the Cabildo’s Lafayette Exhibit at the Louisiana State Museum, a rare glimpse into the life of one of history’s most captivating figures, General Lafayette, and his significant contribution to our American independence and his visit to Louisiana in 1825. Our Bicentennial is an excellent opportunity for you or your organization to support this important event. A portion of each gala ticket goes toward sponsoring the Lafayette exhibit at the Cabildo Museum. Dinner and open Bar included. (Dress: Business <coat & tie> or Cocktail party attire / Period attire is encouraged)
* Thursday morning, April 10: Chalmette National Battlefield, Steamboat Natchez River Cruise, and more. Lunch on the Steamboat Natchez and transportation to the Battlefield are included.
NOTE: Schedule is subject to change. All package events (that do not sell out) will be available for purchase a-la-carte at some point in the future.
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* **The 1825 GALA TICKET: $225 / April 9, 2025
* Wednesday, April 9 at 6:30 PM: “1825 Gala” at the Cabildo (Louisiana State Museum) Welcoming Lafayette as they did in 1825 in the very place where he lodged during his historic visit to Nouvelle Orleans, La Louisiane. We’re delighted to present the exclusive premier of the Cabildo’s Lafayette Exhibit at the Louisiana State Museum, a rare glimpse into the life of one of history’s most captivating figures, General Lafayette, and his significant contribution to our American independence and his visit to Louisiana in 1825. Our Bicentennial is an excellent opportunity for you or your organization to support this important event. A portion of each gala ticket goes toward sponsoring the Lafayette exhibit at the Cabildo Museum. Dinner and open Bar included. (Dress: Business <coat & tie> or Cocktail party attire / Period attire is encouraged)
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MORE TO COME . . .
These events are not the only events and activities taking place. More information is coming on other events & activities being organized by our Partner associations, which will require the purchase of additional tickets and transportation on your own. We will post information on these events on our website once it is available.
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* * * WHAT COMPRISES THE PRICE OF OUR TICKET PACKAGES ? * * *
*These are ALL-INCLUSIVE events, in very special Lafayette related venues, and being catered by 5-Star Caterers who previously served as top chefs at some of the most famous restaurants in New Orleans – like Commander’s Palace, Galatoire’s, Brigsten’s, Arnaud’s, Broussard’s, and the Rib Room (in our host hotel the Omni Royal Orleans). We realize many visiting New Orleans, especially for the first time, might not have the opportunity to get reservations at some of the New Orleans’ famous cuisine palaces, especially with the 250,000 tourists in town for the French Quarter Festival taking place at the same time as our event. WE ARE BRINGING THE FAMOUS NEW ORLEANS CUISINE TO OUR LAFAYETTE EVENTS – so you won’t miss out!
* First class motorcoach transportation to all AFL events that require transportation.
* A portion of each Gala ticket will go toward sponsoring the Cabildo’s (Louisiana State Museum’s) exhibit on Lafayette which will educate hundreds of thousands who visit the Cabildo!
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WANNA CELEBRATE LAFAYETTE “New Orleans Style” by wearing our LAFAYETTE T-SHIRT?
We have ‘em! Go to our website to check out the shirts and how to order! www.AFL-Louisiana.com
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* BECOME A SPONSOR: Please consider becoming an Individual sponsor described in the “Individual Sponsorship” section to see how you can make a difference in making our Bicentennial Events a huge success AND help make the Lafayette Exhibit at the Cabildo Museum a reality. Our organization is a Registered 501c3 educational charity comprised of all volunteers. Your entire donation is tax deductible and goes directly toward Lafayette education efforts.
Come see why we say in New Orleans . . .”Laissez les bon temps rouler!” (Let the good times roll!)