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Events

Monthly Calendar | Holiday Celebrations

January

  • Sugar Bowl
    Louisiana Superdome College Football - While the game is the high point of 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, while explaining 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. It's truly the greatest free show on earth! The final day is Mardi Gras Day, or Fat Tuesday. This is the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, when Christians traditionally sacrifice in imitation and remembrance of Jesus' 40-day fast in the desert.

February

  • Zulu's Lundi Gras Festival
    Woldenberg 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 - The 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.
  • 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

  • French Quarter Wine Festival
    March - May at Le Meritage in the Maison Dupuy Hotel.
  • St. Patrick's Day Parades
  • Irish-Italian Parades
    St. Joseph's Day - In the French Quarter and Metairie
  • Crescent City Classic
    10K 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-traordinary Easter. It kicks off at 11:00 a.m. at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, with many other weekend activities scheduled. Please call (504) 888-7608 for more information.
  • French Quarter Festival
    French Quarter - Enjoy music from 15 stages throughout the historic Vieux Carré, and sample 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. Tour plantation homes, French Quarter Creole cottages and patios, and Garden District mansions. Free classical concerts and opera performances are held all around town. Tickets needed. For additional information: (504) 581-1367
  • Jazz & Heritage Festival
    French Quarter - New Orleans Fairgrounds, last weekend of April - first 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&B, gospel, African, Caribbean, Cajun, blues, ragtime, folk, bluegrass, reggae and country music, with evening performances happening at venues all around town. Hundreds of unofficial street bands, local artists, crafts and food.
  • Annual Zurich Classic
    PGA Tour - A four-day event filled with world-class players, nonstop 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 Fore!Kids Foundation's charitable events. For additional information, call: (504) 342-3000.
  • Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival
    The Pontchatoula Strawberry Festival is held every April in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, just north of Lake Pontchartrain. Your chance for food, music, dancing, and fresh strawberries right off 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 signature dishes are paired with exceptional wines from around the world during this 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, with food, music, shopping and more! For additional information call: (504) 282-0259

June

  • Vieux-To-Do
    French Quarter - 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, you'll see some of the city's finest chefs at work. Plus, stroll between over 50 food, beverage and shopping booths, including arts and crafts by skilled artists and artisans. As always, there are 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 Go4thontheRiver.com for events and attractions, and print the savings coupons offered.
  • San Fermin in Nueva Orleans (Running of the Bulls)
    New Orleans' own annual encierro (bull run) pays homage to the world famous encierro of Pamplona, Spain. In New Orleans style, our bulls are none other than members of the Big Easy Rollergirls and select participants from other roller derby leagues across the country! Click here to see photos from 2011's encierro!

August

  • Satchmo Summerfest
    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 16th Annual White Linen Night, held August 7th, in New Orleans' Arts District. For more information, call: (504) 528-3805
  • Dirty Linen Night
    Similar to White Linen Night, Dirty Linen Night showcases art galleries, antiques, jewelry and specialty shops along the culturally rich and elegant Royal Street.
  • Red Dress Run
    The New Orleans Red Dress Run is one of the largest Red Dress Runs in the United States. Hosted by the New Orleans Hash House Harriers, the New Orleans Red Dress Run contributes to several charities.
  • COOLinary New Orleans
    Celebrate dining in America's most delicious city! Starting on August 1 and continuing through September 30, this summer restaurant promotion features affordably priced mouthwatering three-course menus. 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.

September

  • Shrimp Festival
    Morgan City, LA - Deep in the heart of Cajun Country, every Labor Day weekend, tens of thousands of people celebrate this delicious marine delicacy at Louisiana's oldest chartered harvest festival. For more information, call: (985) 385-0703.
  • Alligator Festival
    Luling, LA - A four-day long affair showcasing the Louisiana alligator. Enjoy Alligator Meat Pies, Alligator Sauce Piquante, Alligator Balls, Fried Alligator, Alligator Burgers, and more. For more information, call: (985) 785-9035
  • Southern Decadence Festival
    Informally known as "Gay Mardi Gras," Southern Decadence is a weeklong event sponsored by New Orleans' gay and lesbian community, and centers around the French Quarter.
  • Ponderosa Stomp
    Now in its 10th year, Ponderosa Stomp is an American roots music festival honoring rock and roll, jazz, country, reggae, soul, and other facets of Louisiana and Southern roots music.

October

  • Oktoberfest
    Deutsches Haus, 200 S. Galvez St., every weekend in October - 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 partygoers 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 three-day event. This year's roster is expected to include as many as 80 acts.
  • Gretna Heritage Festival
    Gretna, LA - Enjoy the casual atmosphere of this diverse music and arts festival located in historic downtown Gretna. Take the ferry across the Mississippi River, and make a day of it!
  • Wooden Boat Festival
    Madisonville, LA - This festival features 100 wooden boats from all over the United States, an enormous children's village, crafts, food and great music. For additional information, call: (985) 845-9200
  • New Orleans Film Festival
    Established in 1989, the NOFF has grown into one of the nation's major film festivals. Each year, the festival attracts thousands of visitors, writers, producers, and directors, and features everything from full-length feature films to music videos.
  • Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival
    This free festival is held at Lafayette Square (between St. Charles and Camp Street). It features two stages, as well as crafts, and of course, food, including New Orleans' best BBQ!
  • Boo at the Zoo
    Audubon Zoo - Held in conjunction with Children's Hospital, this annual zoo extravaganza features games, special entertainment, trick-or-treating, 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

  • Bywater Mirliton Festival
    Begun in 1989 by the Bywater Neighborhood Association, the Mirliton Festival honors Southern Louisiana's favorite vegetable pear and highlights the Bywater's unique culture with a day of local music, food and art.
  • Fringe Festival
    Wild, weird, fresh original theater of all types for five days in New Orleans neighborhoods! 60 performing groups, 200 shows, tons of free-for-all at the tent, and one eccentric parade.
  • Po-Boy Festival
    The Po-Boy Festival is a one-day family event held on Oak Street celebrating--you guessed it--the delicious po-boy sandwich.
  • Words and Music Festival
    Sponsored by the Faulkner Society, the Words and Music Festival plays host to 75-100 authors, scholars, editors, publishers and musicians who gather to share their experience and wisdom.
  • 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 a medieval English village and festive marketplace  to life, mixing it with a little bit of Louisiana spice! For more information, call: (985) 429-9992.
  • Bayou Classic Football Game
    Louisiana Superdome, weekend after Thanksgiving - The annual Bayou Classic football game pits Grambling State University and Southern University against each other at the end of each season.

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 serenade cruisers aboard the authentic Steamboat Natchez. Enjoy holiday decorations and a calliope concert on this two-hour narrated cruise. For reservations, call (504) 569-1480 or visit SteamboatNatchez.com.
  • Celebration in the Oaks
    City Park - Holiday light extravaganza featuring nighttime 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 monthlong event where feasts and finery await you at every corner of town. Come listen to a concert in the St. Louis Cathedral, or go caroling in Jackson Square. Enjoy a Yuletide feast with Reveillon Dinners offered at many restaurants. Take some time to enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of Christmas celebrated 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!