Excuses to Stay Another Day or Come Back Soon
Looking for Mardi Gras Parades? Click HERE for this years schedule!
December
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Christmas New Orleans Style Dec 01 - 30, 2023 at New Orleans Christmas New Orleans Style is a month long 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 local restaurants.
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Caroling in Jackson Square Dec 17, 2023 at Jackson Square Join in a truly moving 65-year-old tradition as Jackson Square brims with candlelit faces and song-lit spirits as high as the spires of the St. Louis Cathedral this Free and open to the public. Candles and songbook provided by Patio Planters.
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NOLA ChristmasFest Dec 21 - 30, 2023 at New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center This year is sure to be enchanting with a myriad of dazzling holiday lights, the annual Hall of Trees featuring more than 70 Christmas trees decorated by local businesses and organizations, and the centerpiece of this year's festivities - an indoor ice skating rink which is sure to bring out the child in everyone.
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Bonfires on the Levee Dec 24, 2023 at Gramercy, Lutcher & Paulina, LA From Baton Rouge to New Orleans, bonfires are lit along the Mississippi River to help guide Papa Noel to the Crescent City!
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Crescent City Countdown Dec 31, 2023 at New Orleans New Year's Eve in New Orleans - Bring in the New Year New Orleans Style! Enjoy fabulous music at the Decatur stage at Jackson Square, the Fleur de Lis drop and Fireworks over the Mississippi at Midnight!
January
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Allstate Sugar Bowl Jan 01, 2024 at Caesars Superdome Annual major bowl game… a high point of New Year’s Eve festivities. The Southeast Conference (SEC) Champs serve as host for the game each year.
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Beginning of Carnival Season Jan 06, 2024 at New Orleans It marks three things: Twelfth Night, The Epiphany, and the beginning of the Carnival season. Yes, while many people outside of New Orleans believe that Mardi Gras is a one day event, those of us living here know that it’s an actual season, kind of like Christmas. From January 6 through Fat Tuesday, New Orleanians will be celebrating.
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Commemoration of the Battle of New Orleans Jan 08, 2024 at 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.
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Mardi Gras in New Orleans Jan 20 - Feb 13, 2024 at New Orleans Mardi Gras season begins on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6. Mardi Gras is a time for parties, parades, balls and celebrations. In 2024 Mardi Gras Day falls on February 13 so parades will begin 3 weekends prior. The final day of the celebration is Fat Tuesday. 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
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Family Gras Feb 02 - 04, 2024 at Neutral Ground on Vets Hwy in front of Lakeside Shopping Center Family Gras is a great "free" annual event in Metairie two weekends prior to Mardi Gras day offering national entertainment, great food and fun for the whole family
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Lundi Gras Feb 12, 2024 at Woldenberg Park/Spanish Plaza (New Orleans Riverfront) A New Orleans tradition, Lundi Gras takes place on the day before Fat Tuesday from 12:00pm - 6:30pm on Spanish Plaza and is FREE and open to the public. The event features live music from some of New Orleans’ favorite bands, local food and drink vendors, shopping and fireworks on the Mississippi.
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Mardi Gras Day / Fat Tuesday Feb 13, 2024 at New Orleans The greatest free show on earth! Mardi Gras Day parades begin at 8 a.m., and the celebration officially ends at midnight.
March
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St. Patrick's Day Celebrations Mar 01 - 24, 2024 at New Orleans St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just one day in New Orleans; here it’s turned it into a multi-week celebration with parades, block parties and plenty of corned beef and cabbage.
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Spring Fiesta TBD at 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. .
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Wednesdays at the Square Concert Series Mar 06 - May 08, 2024 at Lafayette Square A free 10-week live concert 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event showcases local artists as they play a variety of music including jazz, swamp pop, funk, Latin rhythms, and more. Expect performances by some of New Orleans’ big name brass bands as well.
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St. Joseph's Day and Irish-Italian Annual Parades Mar 16 - 24, 2024 at French Quarter & Metairie St. Patrick’s Day is not the only parade in New Orleans in March! New Orleans always finds a reason to celebrate, and there are two parades in celebrate Italian (and Irish) heritage in the French Quarter and in the suburb of Metairie.
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Tennessee Williams Literary Festival Mar 20 - 24, 2024 at New Orleans 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.
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Crescent City Classic Mar 30, 2024 at New Orleans 10K race from Downtown New Orleans to City Park, drawing runners from all over the world.
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Easter Mar 31, 2024 at French Quarter Easter in New Orleans is special masses at St. Louis Cathedra, delicious brunches at New Orleans' best restaurants and not just one, but three parades through the French Quarter
April
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Cajun Zydeco Festival Apr 03 - 07, 2024 at Armstrong Park There's a new location and weekend for the festival this year. This year the festival moves to Armstrong Park in Treme. The mainstay of the festival is Cajun-Zydeco music and dancing (there will be lessons).
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Hogs for the Cause Apr 05 - 06, 2024 at UNO Lakefront Arena Drawing chefs and music artists from all over, Hogs for a Cause is one of the best barbecue festivals in America!
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Irish Italian Islenos Parade Apr 06, 2024 at St. Bernard Parish This fun parade, just 5 miles from New Orleans, celebrates three unique heritages. As with any parade in New Orleans expect amazing floats and bands, but instead of beads flying through the air watch for cabbage, potatoes, onions and carrots.
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French Quarter Festival Apr 11 - 14, 2024 at French Quarter Enjoy music from 23 stages throughout the historic Vieux Carré, and sample New Orleans cuisine from over 60 food and drink booths.
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Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival Apr 12 - 14, 2024 at Ponchatoula, LA The Ponchatoula 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.
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Zurich Classic Apr 22 - 28, 2024 at TPC Louisiana 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.
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New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Apr 25, 26, 27, 28, May 05, 06, 07, 08 2024 at New Orleans Fair Grounds 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.
May
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New Orleans Oyster Festival TBD at Woldenberg Park An oyster themed festival in New Orleans' Woldenberg Park. Festival includes an oyster shucking contest, oyster eating contest and live music.
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Bayou Boogaloo May 17 - 19, 2024 at Bayou St. John This music and arts festival set on the banks of the historic Bayou Saint John is a local favorite. Stroll through the art market to find unique goodies and listen to up and coming musicians of all genres. It’s the spirit of Jazz Fest with a much better price tag.
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Greek Festival May 24 - 26, 2024 at Hellenic Cultural Center Celebrating Greek culture in the Crescent City, with food, music, shopping and more!
June
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Restaurant Week TBD at New Orleans Everyone knows we love our food down here in New Orleans. And Restaurant Week New Orlean's goal is to support and build connections with our local restaurants.
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Creole Tomato Festival TBD at French Market This festival is located in the nation's oldest marketplace, the French Market and features cooking demonstrations, the Creole Tomato Parade, as well as live music.
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New Orleans Wine and Food Experience Jun 05 - 09, 2024 at 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.
July
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Tales of the Cocktail TBD at Ritz Carlton 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.
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Running Of The Bulls TBD at New Orleans 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.
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Essence Music Festival Jul 04 - 08, 2024 at Caesar's Superdome The Essence Music Festival is the nation's largest annual African-American event, offering more than 50 acts each night on five stages.
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New Orleans 4th Of July Fireworks - Go 4th on the River Jul 04, 2024 at French Quarter 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.
August
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COOLinary New Orleans Aug 01 - 31, 2024 at New Orleans Celebrate dining in America's most delicious city! This summer restaurant promotion during the month of August features affordably priced mouthwatering three-course menus. It's going to be a delicious summer, with famous New Orleans restaurants offering specially priced summer menu.
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Satchmo SummerFest Aug 03 - 04, 2024 at French Quarter New Orleans' native son, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, is honored in true New Orleans fashion at the Satchmo SummerFest. Admissions required.
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Fidelity Bank White Linen Night Aug 03, 2024 at Arts District/CBD Explore the hippest art scene in New Orleans and its stunning galleries at the 18th Annual White Linen Night in New Orleans' Arts District.
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Dirty Linen Night Aug 10, 2024 at 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.
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Red Dress Run Aug 10, 2024 at New Orleans 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.
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Southern Decadence Festival Aug 29 - Sep 02, 2024 at 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.
October
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National Fried Chicken Festival TBD at Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans Lakefront National Fried Chicken Festival fest takes at the Lakefront on Lakeshore Drive