Expressions of America is an outdoor immersive sound and light show celebrating the power of individual Americans to impact the world around them during a time of monumental conflict. The first-of-its-kind nighttime experience, available exclusively at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, transports audiences to the 1940s through use of the latest projection technology and special effects combined with the written words, songs, and personal reflections of the everyday men and women who served our country in every way imaginable during World War II.

Expressions of America takes place exclusively at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, with the main sound and light experience happening outdoors on the Col. Battle Barksdale Parade Ground—located in the center of the Museum’s campus, beneath the Bollinger Canopy of Peace.

Expressions of America is a permanent addition to The National WWII Museum experience.

Show times and dates will vary seasonally, with Expressions of America running one to two nights a week.

Expressions of America is a family-friendly show for all generations. However, some scenes do depict wartime images, descriptions, and sounds. Once a month, typically on the second Saturday, the Museum offers Family Night at Expressions of America with discounted pricing, outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food options.

Expressions of America was developed by The National WWII Museum in partnership with Mousetrappe, an internationally acclaimed leader in designing and producing media-based shows and experiences for museums, theme parks, expos, and cultural attractions. Mousetrappe collaborated with Solomon Group—an award-winning entertainment design and production firm—on the technical design. Additionally, the production’s original musical score features 1940s-era songs performed by New Orleans musicians, including members of the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band.


The Museum has been working on the development of Expressions of America with Mousetrappe and Solomon Group since 2016. The concept for the experience is inspired by the world-renowned ‘son et lumiere’ concept of large-scale, outdoor sound and light displays that have become popular across the globe. The script for the show was drawn from the Museum’s extensive collection of wartime letters, oral histories, and archival footage. All of the words in the show come directly from the men and women of the WWII generation: soldiers, nurses, chaplains, factory workers, artists, entertainers, and supportive loved ones on the Home Front.

Expressions of America is an evening experience lasting approximately 60 minutes. The experience for Premium Dinner Package purchasers is about 2.5 hours.

Upon arrival, guests have the opportunity to explore a special custom exhibit, order concessions and drinks, and enjoy live entertainment before moving outdoors to the Col. Battle Barksdale Parade Ground for the main sound and light show, which lasts approximately 25 minutes. The main show is followed by recorded jazz music and art projections outdoors. The Museum Store remains open throughout the evening. Premium Dinner Package guests will arrive an hour early (or remain an hour later on select dates), and enjoy a three-course dinner with two cocktails/beverages included.

Yes. The American Sector Bar will be open 90 minutes prior to show time. 1940s-inspired snacks, vintage cocktails, and other beverages will also be available for purchase on site. The Museum also has dining options available just across the street at The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center. Please visit Rosie’s on the Roof or Kilroy’s Bar & Lounge before or after Expressions of America

No. Outside food and beverages are not allowed.

Yes. Vintage cocktails, beer, wine, and spirits along with soda and water will be available for purchase.

Yes. While the show is projected on several buildings and was designed to be experienced standing, seating is available on the Col. Battle Barksdale Parade Ground.

Yes, the experience starts with a live entertainment pre-show. The main sound and light show and post-show feature life-like projections and a recorded musical soundtrack.

No, the evening experience begins indoors with live entertainment, a custom exhibit, a photo experience, and beverage options before guests move outdoors to the Col. Battle Barksdale Parade Ground for the main sound and light show.

Expressions of America runs rain or shine. The Museum reserves the right to cancel due to severe weather to ensure the safety of its guests. If the show is cancelled, all guests will be refunded or rescheduled accordingly.

Yes, as long as it does not obstruct the view of other guests. Complimentary ponchos will also be provided.

Museum permanent exhibits close at 5:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted, and will not be open during Expressions of America. Upon arrival to the Solomon Victory Theater, visitors have access to a custom exhibit that highlights the role of correspondence during the war—the source material used to develop Expressions of America.


Tickets range from $15.00-$20.00 and include pre-show live entertainment, access to a special custom exhibit upon arrival, the immersive sound and light show outdoors, followed by recorded jazz music and art projections. This 60-minute experience does not include food and beverage (available for purchase onsite), and seating for the main show is first-come, first-served on the Col. Battle Barksdale Parade Ground.

Premium dinner package tickets are $79.00 and include a three-course dinner with two vintage cocktails/beverages included, pre-show live entertainment, access to a special custom exhibit, the immersive sound and light show outdoors, followed by recorded jazz music and art projections. This 2.5-hour experience also includes a souvenir photo print from the evening.

All sales of Expressions of America tickets are final and nonrefundable. Contact info@nationalww2museum.org with questions.

Tickets for children under 5 are complimentary. If you are interested in purchasing a Premium Dinner Package for a child under 5, please contact info@nationalww2museum.org or 504-528-1944. Also, each month, typically on the second Saturday, the Museum hosts Family Night at Expressions of America with discounted pricing and kid-friendly food options.

Expressions of America tickets for WWII veterans plus a companion are complimentary. Premium Dinner Packages are available to WWII veterans plus a companion at the discounted rate of $55.00.

Menus will vary seasonally. A preview of the Spring Premium Dinner Package menu is as follows:

First Course: Victory Garden Salad: Arugula, Baby Tomatoes, Blackberries, Tricolored Baby Carrots, Red Radish, Cucumber Ribbons, Shaved White Cheddar, Crostini, and White Balsamic-Lemon Vinaigrette

Second Course Option 1: Spring Chicken Roulade: Pan Seared Chicken Roulade of Oregano, Lemon and Feta, Spring Pea, Corn and Carrot Succotash, Whipped Potatoes and Lemon-Frangelico Butter

Second Course Option 2: Shrimp Diablo: Jumbo Gulf Shrimp, Spicy Andouille Diablo Sauce, Linguini, Garlic Crostini

Second Course Option 3: Vegetarian upon request

Third Course: Bob Hope’s Lemon Meringue Pie, 1940s USO Cookbook recipe

Please contact info@nationalww2museum.org or 504-528-1944.

Yes, within 48 hours of your show, please contact us at 504-528-1944 x402

Future tickets go on sale about 90 days in advance.

Yes. Expressions of America is its own ticketed experience that may be purchased with or without admission to The National WWII Museum. For a full Museum experience, packages are available that combine Expressions of America and a Museum Campus Pass. Special rates are also available at The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center. While purchasing Expressions tickets, guests may also add-on additional experiences such as the Beyond All Boundaries 4D film, Final Mission submarine experience, guided exhibit tours, and more.

Yes, discounted rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Please contact group.sales@nationalww2museum.org or call 504-528-1944 x 222.

Yes, please contact rentals@nationalww2museum.org or call 504-528-1944 x 236 for details.

The Museum’s parking garage is located at 1024 Magazine Street, right next door to The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center. For details on parking rates and other nearby parking accommodations, visit https://www.nationalww2museum.org/visit/plan-your-visit/parking.

Guests enter through Solomon Victory Theater Pavilion located on Founders Plaza near the Governor Pete Wilson Liberty Flagstaff on Andrew Higgins Drive. If exiting the Museum Parking Garage, walk to the intersection of Magazine and Andrew Higgins (near The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center entrance), and cross Magazine Street. Continue walking down Andrew Higgins Drive, past the President Roosevelt Sculpture bench. The entrance to the Solomon Victory Theater Pavilion is on your left.

The American Sector Bar as well as the Museum Store are open for Expressions ticketholders 90 minutes prior to show time if you wish to shop, have a drink, or order concessions before your experience. Higgins Hotel food and beverage options are also open at 4:00 p.m. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the show time on your ticket.

Yes, please visit https://www.nationalww2museum.org/visit/plan-your-visit/accessibility for more information on the Museum’s commitment to making its experiences accessible to all visitors. Additionally, the Museum is working closely with Mousetrappe, the Expressions of America production company, to provide closed captioning and other accommodations specific to the Expressions experience.