NEW ORLEANS EVENTS

Events held in New Orleans unless indicated otherwise.

JANUARY

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Celebration of the life of this civil rights leader; New Orleans; http://www.king-raleigh.org/natlevent/body.cfm

FEBRUARY

Mardi Gras
Annual celebration featuring floats and movable parties, parade by various locations throughout city; the main parade is St. Charles Street to Canal Street; New Orleans; http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com

MARCH

 
Tennessee Williams Literary Festival
Programs include panel discussions, theatrical performances, a one-act play competition, lectures, literary walking tours, musical performances and a bookfair; Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre, French Quarter;  http://www.neworleansonline.com

Spring Garden and Crafts Festival 
Featuring food, crafts, and children's activities at a historic Creole plantation; San Francisco Plantation, Garyville;  http://www.neworleansonline.com

New Orleans Spring Fiesta
Annual festival includes tours of Garden District, French Quarter, and Uptown homes not usually open to the public; various New Orleans locations;  http://www.neworleansonline.com

APRIL

French Quarter Festival 
Celebration of New Orleans food and music; featuring "world's largest jazz brunch", music on many stages, children's activities, fireworks, patio tours and more; French Quarter; http://www.frenchquarterfestivals.org

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 
One of the largest jazz festivals in the world; featuring over music, food, and more; Fairgrounds Racecourse; http://www.nojazzfest.com

MAY

Family Day
Featuring parade, food, and children's activities; Historic New Orleans Collection;  http://www.neworleansonline.com

New Orleans Wine and Food Experience
Internationally recognized as one of the leading wine and food festivals in the world; various New Orleans locations;  http://www.neworleansonline.com

JUNE 

New Orleans Seafood Festival
Join local celebrity chefs for demonstrations on cooking with Louisiana seafood - plus restaurant dine-arounds, cultural tours, music, food and crafts; French Quarter; http://www.neworleansonline.com

Juneteenth
Celebration of this African American holiday; New Orleans; http://www.juneteenth.com

JULY

COOLinary New Orleans - Celebrating Dining in America's Most Delicious City!
Features special menus and pricing at restaurants throughout the city; New Orleans;  http://www.neworleansonline.com

Essence Music Festival
Annual festival that lets you "party with a purpose" and one of the most popular festivals in the country; past performers include Yolanda Adams, Beyonce', Destiny's Child, India Arie, Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Patti Labelle, Brian Mcknight, Prince, Angie Stone, and Stevie Wonder; Louisiana Superdome; http://www.neworleanscvb.com

AUGUST

Satchmo Summer Fest 
Annual tribute celebration of the legendary Louis Armstrong; featuring music, seminars, children's activities and more; French Quarter; http://www.frenchquarterfestival.com

NOVEMBER

Bayou Bacchanal
Caribbean Carnival street parade with costume masqueraders, a steel band, vendors selling Caribbean cuisine, arts and crafts; Armstrong Park; http://www.bayoubacchanal.org

Bayou Football Classic
Annual football game between Southern University and Grambling State University; the battle of the bands is as entertaining as the game; the after-parties at hotels and nightclubs around town are off the chain; Louisiana Superdome; http://www.statefarmbayouclassic.com

DECEMBER

Christmas, New Orleans Style!
French Quarter celebration featuring gospel music from Dillard University, cooking demonstrations, jazz performances, Kwanzaa celebration and 100+ individual activities; French Quarter; http://www.christmasneworleans.com

Kwanzaa
Begins 12/26; Annual 7-day celebration of African American culture at verious venues in New Orleans; http://www.soulofamerica.com/kwanzaa-celebrations.phtml

New Year's Eve
New Orleans counts down to the New Year in Jackson Square during one of the nation’s largest street parties. A lighted ball drops from atop Jackson Brewery to usher in the New Year; Jackson Square, French Quarter; http://www.neworleansonline.com