Excuses to Stay Another Day or Come Back Soon

Looking for Mardi Gras Parades? Click HERE for this years schedule!

MARCH 2026

New Orleans Film Festival Mar 19-24 2026 at Prytania Theater. 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.

Danny Barker Banjo and Guitar Festival - Mar 24-29 - N.O. Jazz Museum

Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival - Mar 25-29 - Downtown New Orleans

Saints + Sinners Literary Festival – Mar 27-29, 2026 – New Orleans

APRIL 2026

French Quarter Fest – APR 16-19, 2026 – French Quarter

Zurich Classic of New Orleans - April 20-26 --TPC Louisiana - Official Event on the PGA Tour

N.O. Jazz & Heritage Festival (Week 1) – Apr 23-26, 2026 – N.O. Fairgrounds

MAY 2026

N.O. Jazz & Heritage Festival (Week 2) – Apr 30-May 3, 2026 – N.O.Fairgrounds

Greek Fest New Orleans - May 22-24 - Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral

JUNE 2026

Creole Tomato Festival – June 6-7, 2026 at the French Market. This festival is located in the nation's oldest marketplace, the French Market. and kicks off with the Creole Tomato Second Line, and has food booths and a great schedule of live music.

New Orleans Wine and Food Experience – June 10-14, 2026 in Downtown New Orleans. Join the outstanding restaurants that make New Orleans a premier culinary destination as signature dishes are paired with exceptional wines from around the world.

Restaurant Week – Dates TBD – New Orleans. Everyone knows we love our food down here in New Orleans. Restaurant Week New Orleans' goal is to support and build connections with our local restaurants.

July 2026

Essence Festival of Culture - July 3-5, 2026 - Caesar's Superdome. The Essence 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 Fireworks - July 4, 2026 - New Orleans Riverfront. 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.

Running of the Bulls - July 10-12, 2026 - Downtown New Orleans. New Orleans' own annual encierro (bull run) pays homage to the world famous encierro of Pamplona, Spain. New 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.

Tales of the Cocktail - July 19-24, 2026 - Downtown New Orleans. In a five day celebration of cocktails and culture, Tales of the Cocktail brings together some of the most well-known, respected minds in mixology. This annual event features cocktail tastings, mixing competitions, dinners, field trips to local distilleries and seminars by top mixologists.

X Games League - July 24-26 - Caesar Superdome - featuring more than 100 athletes in 18 different competitions on the floor of the dome, which will be transformed into a skate park, BMX bike course and motorcycle track.

August 2026

Coolinary New Orleans - Aug 1 - 31, 2026 - New Orleans. Celebrate dining in America's most delicious city! This summer restaurant promotion during August features affordably priced mouthwatering three-course menus. It will be a delicious summer with famous New Orleans restaurants offering specially priced summer menus.

White Linen Night - Aug 1, 2026 - Arts District of New Orleans. Explore the hippest art scene in New Orleans and its stunning galleries at the Annual White Linen Night in New Orleans Arts District. Be sure to wear your white linen!

Satchmo SummerFest - Aug 1-2, 2026 - N.O.Jazz Museum - New Orleans' native son, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, is honored in true New Orleans fashion at the Satchmo SummerFest.

NOLA Pickle Fest - Dates TBD - at N.O. Morial Convention Center.

Red Dress Run - Aug 8, 2026 French Quarter - The New Orleans Red Dress Run is one of the largest Red Dress Runs in the U.S. Hosted by the New Orleans Hash House Harriers, the Red Dress Run contributes to several charities annually!

Dirty Linen Night - Aug 8, 2026 on Royal Street in the French Quarter - Dirty Linen Night (usually one week after White Linen Night) showcases art galleries, antiques, jewelry and specialty shops along the culturally rich and elegant Royal Street.

September 2026

Southern Decadence - Sep 4-7 - in the French Quarter. Informally known as "Gay Mardi Gras", Southern Decadence is a long weekend event sponsored by New Orleans' gay and lesbian community and centers around the French Quarter.

NOLA x NOLA - 2026 Dates TBD in New Orleans. Celebrating New Orleans' most iconic music venues and artists.

October 2026

NOLA Coffee Festival - Dates TBD, 2026 - at the Pontchartrain Center. Come celebrate New Orleans' rich coffee heritage while bringing together industry professionals, enthusiasts, and coffee lovers for a two day celebration.

Gretna Fest - Dates TBD for 2026 in Gretna, LA Enjoy 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.

Art for Arts' Sake -Dates TBD - in the Warehouse District on 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.

National Fried Chicken Festival Dates TBD 2026 at New Orleans Lakefront on Lakeshore Drive at Franklin Ave. Come enjoy great Southern Fried Chicken from many vendors, music & fun for all.

Crescent City Blue & BBQ Festival Dates TBD at Lafayette Square Park. 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!

Gentilly Fest Oct 9-11, 2026 at Pontchartrain Park in Gentilly. From its beginnings many years ago, the annual Gentilly Fest has aimed to raise funds to aid in the rebuilding and continued growth of the Gentilly area.

Oktoberfest Oct 9-10, 16-17, 23-224, 2026 at Deutsches Haus (1700 Moss St.). Three weekends (Fri&Sat) of traditional German music, dancing, food and drink.

NOLA Funk Fest Oct 16-18, 2026 at Woldenberg Park. Come enjoy a celebration of Louisiana's rich music history which aims to educate, inspire and empower tourists and locals alike, reminding attendees of the profound impact of our music on the world stage. Along with funky tunes, food, drinks, artisanal crafts, and event merchandise is for purchase.

Treme Fall Fest Oct date TBD in Treme`. Produced by the Historic Faubourg Treme' Association, the Treme` Fall Festival supports the vibrant history and culture of Treme`.

Krewe of Boo Oct 24, 2026 parade through the French Quarter. New Orleans' official Halloween parade will roll at 6:30 pm and is the only major parade with full size floats to travel annually through the French Quarter.

Halloween - Oct 31, 2026 across New Orleans. New Orleans is one of the best cities to be in for Halloween, a city full of ghosts, voodoo legends and spooktacular themed events.

Halloween for Kids