Jennifer Hudson performing at Essence Music Festival
New Orleans Events
Events listed below are held in New Orleans Parish, 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 and patio tours; 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; https://soulofamerica.com/events/kwanzaa-celebrations/
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
