Yearly Events | Monthly Calendar | Holiday Celebrations
Yes, all of the events listed below will still occur!
Click on the monthly calendar for specific events and dates
January
- Sugar Bowl - Louisiana Superdome
College Football. While the game is the high-point of the New Year’s Eve festivities, Sugar Bowl events also include a prep football classic, a swimming invitational, a sailing regatta, a basketball classic, a pep rally and more. The Southeast Conference Champs serve as host for the game each year.
- Commemoration of the Battle of New Orleans - Chalmette, LA
Visitors can enjoy military drills, cannon and musket firing, and crafts and cooking demonstrations. Park staff and volunteers in period clothing will represent American and British soldiers and civilians and explain their roles in the battle. For additional information call: (504) 589-4428.
- Mardi Gras Season - Citywide
January - February
Mardi Gras Season begins on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6. Mardi Gras is a time for parties, parades, balls and celebrations. Greatest free show on earth! The final day is Mardi Gras Day or Fat Tuesday. This is held on the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, when we traditionally sacrifice in imitation of Our Lord's 40-day fast in the desert.
February
- Valentine's Day Cruise
February 14
"Romance on the River" includes a romantic dinner and a moonlit cruise on the Mississippi River! For reservations, visit SteamboatNatchez.com and ask for "Romance on the River!"
March
- Zulu's Lundi Gras Festival Woldenburg Riverfront Park, Monday before Mardi Gras Day
The Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club hosts a full day of fun, food, and excitement along the river.
- Lundi Gras - Spanish Plaza adjacent to the Riverwalk Marketplace
Monday before Mardi Gras Day
Celebrations leading into Mardi Gras Day. For additional information call: (504) 522-1555.
- Mardi Gras Day - Citywide
Fat Tuesday
Greatest free show on earth! Mardi Gras is a time for parties, parades, balls and celebrations. Many Mardi Gras Day parades begin at 8am and parades continue past sundown. The final day is Mardi Gras Day or Fat Tuesday. This is held on the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, when we traditionally sacrifice in imitation of Our Lord's 40-day fast in the desert. Click here for future dates.
- French Quarter Wine Festival - March - May at Le Meritage in The Maison Dupuy Hotel.
- St. Patrick's Day Parades - Parties and parades are available several places throughout the city.
- Irish-Italian Parades (St. Joseph's Day) - French Quarter
In the French Quarter and a New Orleans suburb
- Crescent City Classic
10,000 meter race from Jackson Square to Audubon Park drawing runners from all over the world.
- Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival
March - April
This event attracts internationally known figures such as Alec Baldwin, Dick Cavett and noted author Calvin Trillin. Festival activities revolve around Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, the Cabildo of the Louisiana State Museum, the Historic New Orleans Collection, the Palm Court Jazz Café, and the Contemporary Arts Center.
April
- French Quarter Wine Festival - March - May at Le Meritage in The Maison Dupuy Hotel.
- French Quarter Easter Parade
Don't miss Chris Owens' Annual French Quarter Easter Parade on Easter Sunday! This year's theme is Eggs-tradinary Easter. It kicks off at 11:00 am at the Royal Sonesta Hotel with many other weekend activities scheduled. Please call (504)888-7608 for more information.
- French Quarter Festival - French Quarter
14 musical stages throughout the historic Vieux Carré and New Orleans cuisine from nearly 60 food and drink booths. Second weekend in April
- Spring Fiesta - French Quarter
Many of New Orleans' private homes are open to the public. Tours through plantation homes, French Quarter Creole cottages and patios, and Garden District mansions. Free classical concerts and opera are held all around town. Tickets needed. For additional information: (504) 581-1367
- Jazz & Heritage Festival - New Orleans Fairgrounds
Last weekend of April - 1st weekend of May
A musical celebration held at the Fairgrounds Race Track and celebrated throughout the city. Music, food, crafts, and more music! Outdoor stages host jazz, r 'n b, gospel, African, Caribbean, Cajun, blues, ragtime, folk, bluegrass, reggae and country music, with evening performances in venues all around town. Hundreds of unofficial street bands, local arts, crafts and food.
- Annual Zurich Classic - PGA Tour
A four-day event filled with world-class players, non-stop PGA TOUR action and the kind of food and fun you can only find in New Orleans, the Zurich Classic is without a doubt the crown jewel of the charitable events produced by the Fore!Kids Foundation. For additional information call: (504) 342-3000.
- Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival
The Pontchatoula Strawberry Festival is held every April in Pontchatoula, Louisiana, just north of Lake Pontchartrain. Your chance for food, music, dancing, and fresh strawberries, right off of the farm.
May
- French Quarter Wine Festival - March - May at Le Meritage in The Maison Dupuy Hotel.
-
New Orleans Wine & Food Experience
Join the outstanding restaurants that make New Orleans a premier culinary destination as they are paired with exceptional wines from around the world during the five day event. For more information, please call: (504) 529-WINE
-
Greek Festival
Hellenic Cultural Center, 1200 Robert E. Lee Blvd.
Celebrating Greek culture in the Crescent City, featuring food, music, and more! For additional information call: (504) 282-0259
June
- French Market Tomato Festival - French
Quarter
Only in a city as consumed with food as New Orleans could you have an eagerly awaited festival honoring the tomato. Featuring cooking demonstrations, tomato tastings, and musical entertainment
- Vieux-To-Do - French Quarter
The city that loves to throw a party does it again in mid-June with a free festival that is actually three festivals in one!
The Vieux-To-Do celebrates three uniquely New Orleans and Louisiana specialties: Seafood, Creole tomatoes and Cajun/Zydeco music. Fest organizers boast "a half-mile of food, music and fun!" With free music on five stages, cooking demonstrations and cookbook signings throughout the weekend, see some of the city's finest chefs at work. Plus stroll over 50 food, beverage and unique booths, including arts and crafts by skilled artists and artisans. As always, enjoy plenty of activities for the kids, so bring the whole family along.
July
- Essence Music Festival - Louisiana Superdome 4th of July Weekend. The Essence Music Festival is the nation's largest annual African-American event, offering more than 50 acts each night on five stages.
- Go 4th on the
River - French Quarter, July 4
Join us for our annual 4th of July celebration with activities and entertainment for the entire family along the riverfront, ending with a spectacular fireworks show over the Mississippi River. Visit Go 4th on the River.com for events & attractions; print the savings coupons offered.
August
- Satchmo Summer Fest
New Orleans' native son, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, is honored in true New Orleans fashion at the Satchmo SummerFest.
- White Linen Night
Explore the hippest art scene in New Orleans and its stunning galleries at The Annual White Linen Night, held August 6th, in New Orleans' Arts District. For more information call: (504) 528-3805
- COOLinary New Orleans
Celebrate dining in America's Most Delicious City!
Starting on August 1 and running through September 30, this summer restaurant promotion features mouth-watering three-course menus priced at $20 or less for lunch and $35 or less for dinner.
It's going to be a delicious summer with famous New Orleans restaurants offering specially priced summer menus that will cool down your wallet while warming up your appetite.
You will never get to feast on such delicacies at such affordable prices.
September
- Shrimp Festival - Morgan City, LA
Deep in the heart of Cajun Country, every Labor Day Weekend, tens of thousands of people celebrate at Louisiana's oldest chartered harvest festival. For more information call: (985) 385-0703.
- Alligator Festival - Luling, LA
A 4 day long long affair that showcases Louisiana Alligator. Alligator Meat Pies, Alligator Sauce Piquante, Alligator Balls, Fried Alligator, Alligator Burgers and it's all good. For more information call:(985)785-9035
October
- Oktober Festival - Deutsches Haus
Traditional German music, dancing, food and drink. For additional information call: (504) 522-8014.
- Art for Arts Sake - French Quarter, Julia & Magazine streets
This annual rite of fall has become one of the hottest events of the year for art lovers and party-goers in and around New Orleans. The free citywide gallery hop marks the opening of the city's arts season. For more information call: (504) 528-3805.
- Voodoo Music Festival - City Park
City Park brings you the hottest bands for this 3-day event. With a roster expected to include as many as 80 acts.
- Gretna Heritage Festival - Gretna, LA
Enjoy the casual atmosphere of the diverse music and arts festival located in historic downtown Gretna. Take the ferry across the Mississippi River, and make a day of it!
- New Orleans Festival - New Orleans
Established in 1989, the NOFF has grown to become one of the nations major film festivals. Each year the NOFF attracts thousands of visitors, writers, producers, directors and features everything from full-length feature films to music videos.
- Wooden Boat Festival - Madisonville, LA
Festival features 100 wooden boats from all over the united states, an enourmous children's village, crafts, food and great music. For additional information: (985) 845-9200
- Boo at the Zoo - Audubon Zoo
Held in conjunction with Children's Hospital, this annual Zoo extravaganza features games, special entertainment, trick-or-treat, a haunted house, and the Zoo's Ghost Train.
- Halloween - French Quarter
New Orleans is one of the best cities to be in during Halloween Weekend. Spend Halloween in a city full of
ghosts and voodoo legends.
November
- Swamp Festival - Audubon Zoo
Celebrate the Swamp Fest with Cajun
food, music, and crafts.
- Louisiana Renaissance Festival - Hammond, La
Every Weekend - Nov - Dec
Open rain or shine the "Louisiana Renaissance Festival" brings to life what an English village and festive market place could have been like, mixed with a little bit of Louisiana spice! For more information call: (985)
429-9992.
- Bayou Classic Football Game -
Louisiana Superdome
Weekend after Thanksgiving
Bringing together Grambling and Southern
at their traditional end-of-season football game
December
- Caroling Cruises on the Steamboat Natchez
Holiday tunes fill the air over the mighty Mississippi River as area choral groups and high school choirs are featured aboard the authentic Steamboat NATCHEZ. Enjoy the holiday decorations and calliope concert on the two-hour narrated cruise. For reservations, call (504) 569-1480 or visit SteamboatNatchez.com
- Celebration in the Oaks! - City Park
Holiday Light extravaganza... 2-hour driving tour, amusement rides, entertainment, snacks and more! Throughout December in City Park. Click here for Holiday Tour information.
- Christmas on the River - Gramercy, Lutcher, and Paulina LA
Bonfires on the River (Dec. 24)
From Baton Rouge to New Orleans, bonfires are lit along the Mississippi River to help guide Papa Noel to the Crescent City!
- Christmas New Orleans Style
Christmas New Orleans Style is a month-long event where feasts and finery await you on every corner of town. Come listen to a concert in St. Louis Cathedral, or go caroling in Jackson Square. Enjoy a Yuletide feast with our Reveillon Dinners offered at many restaurants. Take some time to enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of Christmas done the New Orleans way!
New Year's Eve!
- Bring in the New Year on Bourbon Street on the French Quarter's Largest Balcony! Join us for food, music, and fun at the Bourbon Vieux Room!
Super Bowl in 2013
Send your comments & questions or
Email:
|
