With over 130 New Orleans festivals all year long, that’s about one each three days!
I completely love festivals. In actual fact, I skipped my senior promenade to go to my first music pageant. Oh yeah, and I met my spouse at one as properly!
I’ve been to New Orleans 4 instances now and have had a good time at their festivals. Of all of the cities I’ve traveled to for social gathering, I’d say New Orleans is without doubt one of the greatest locations in the USA for festivals.
10 Greatest New Orleans Festivals
New Orleans is a metropolis with many names, together with the Crescent Metropolis, NOLA, and the Huge Simple. One other nickname that deserves to be on the record is Pageant Capital of the World.
Whereas New Orleans is most well-known for its raucous Mardi Gras celebration, there are tons of different superior festivals to expertise right here. Whether or not you’re into music, meals, literature, artwork, or booze, there’s a pageant for you within the Huge Simple.
With so many wonderful New Orleans occasions to select from, there’s prone to be one thing cool happening within the metropolis whenever you go to — even when it’s only for a weekend.
On this information, we’ll check out a few of the greatest New Orleans festivals that can assist you plan the right journey.
1. Mardi Gras: New Orleans Carnival Celebration
Mardi Gras is the granddaddy of all of them. That is undoubtedly essentially the most well-known of all of the New Orleans festivals, bringing in over 10 million individuals to town every year.
The identify Mardi Gras is French for “Fats Tuesday”, which is the widespread identify for the ultimate day earlier than the beginning of Lent.
On today, many individuals eat wealthy and fatty meals earlier than the fasting of Lent begins. Mardi Gras in New Orleans lasts for a lot longer than at some point, although.
As soon as the 12 days of Christmas are completed, the Mardi Gras celebrations start.
The primary parades kick off on January sixth, which is often known as Twelfth Night time. A couple of month laster, the largest and wildest parade of all takes place, Endymion. Seeing this parade was simply my favourite a part of Mardi Gras.
The social gathering lasts for a month, so you have got a number of choices for together with Mardi Gras in your record of issues to do in New Orleans.
Mardi Gras got here to the area manner again in 1699 when a French Canadian explorer landed about 60 miles downriver from New Orleans and named it “Ponte du Mardi Gras” (Fats Tuesday Level) when he realized it was the day of the vacation.
The parades began within the 1830s, and Mardi Gras has been an integral a part of the tradition right here ever since.
Mardi Gras season in New Orleans principally means a ton of parades, attention-grabbing costumes, colourful beads, and King Desserts.
There’s quite a lot of consuming, consuming, dancing, and simply common merriment. Be certain you put on the official colours of Mardi Gras – purple (justice), inexperienced (religion), and gold (energy).
Be sure you plan forward and ebook lodging properly prematurely, as that is the most well-liked time to go to the Huge Simple.
Should you don’t wish to take care of the crowds, contemplate touring to New Orleans just a few weeks earlier than Mardi Gras. There’s nonetheless a lot happening, however it’s far much less chaotic and also you’ll get a greater deal on lodging.
You’ll be able to examine the precise dates for future Mardi Gras right here.
2. French Quarter Pageant
The French Quarter Pageant began again in 1984 as a manner to attract locals again to the realm after the development of the World’s Honest completed up.
It’s a celebration of New Orleans meals, music, and tradition that lasts for 4 days each April. Should you’re searching for New Orleans music pageant, this can be a strong selection.
Better of all, the French Quarter Pageant is completely free!
It’s truly the largest free music pageant within the nation, with an estimated 1,700 Louisiana musicians enjoying throughout 23 totally different phases. You’ll hear many alternative genres of music right here, from funk to jazz to zydeco.
Along with all the nice native music, you’ll be able to count on loads of scrumptious delicacies being cooked, and typical New Orleans cocktails being combined. There are over 60 cubicles arrange across the French Quarter serving up classics like po’ boys and Hurricanes.
The occasion is highlighted by the world’s largest jazz brunch, which takes place in Jackson Sq. and the Riverfront Park. For extra info, remember to examine their web site.
3. New Orleans Wine and Meals Expertise
The Wine and Meals Expertise is unquestionably among the best New Orleans festivals. Foodies and winos will love this 5-day celebration of the finer issues in life. With over 250 wineries and 100 eating places collaborating, you’ve acquired loads of choices.
Throughout the pageant, wineries and eating places group as much as supply particular menus with wine pairings. I discovered extra about wine (and had extra enjoyable consuming it) in at some point than in my complete life earlier than it!
There are additionally grand tastings and seminars all through the pageant the place you’ll be able to be taught extra concerning the unbelievable meals and wine on supply. The spotlight of the pageant is the Royal Avenue Stroll, a parade led by the Krewe of Cork.
The most effective elements about supporting this pageant is that it’s for an incredible trigger.
The NOWFE donates all of its proceeds minus prices to profit the humanities, careers in wine and hospitality, and charitable organizations. They’ve contributed over $1 million thus far, so that you’re consuming and consuming for trigger right here!
There’s little doubt that the Huge Simple is without doubt one of the greatest cities within the US for consuming and consuming. You might plan your complete journey right here round what you wish to eat and drink, and there can be completely nothing incorrect with that!
If you wish to participate within the New Orleans Wine and Meals Expertise, head on over to their web site to be taught extra.
4. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Pageant
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Pageant (or Jazz Fest for brief) not too long ago celebrated its fiftieth anniversary and is a crucial a part of the native tradition. In a metropolis referred to as the birthplace of jazz, it ought to come as no shock that there’s a serious jazz pageant within the Huge Simple!
This well-known New Orleans music pageant goes down on the Honest Grounds Race Course. Right here you’ll be able to catch over 100 artists throughout a number of phases enjoying each model of music related to Louisiana, which is principally every little thing!
Along with jazz, you will get right down to blues, gospel, rap, nation, bluegrass, and a lot extra. All this selection is why Jazz Fest is my private favourite occasion in New Orleans.
Jazz Fest wouldn’t be among the best New Orleans festivals with out loads of native meals to take pleasure in. Jazz Fest has a coverage of “no carnival meals,” that means you gained’t get overpriced corn canine and cotton sweet right here. As a substitute, you’ll be able to munch on native classics like boiled crawfish or crimson beans & rice.
There are additionally loads of cubicles across the pageant promoting native crafts.
Whereas the music on the pageant solely goes till 7:00 PM, the social gathering doesn’t cease then. The most effective elements about experiencing Jazz Fest is trying out a few of the superb late-night exhibits that go on throughout town.
The toughest half about going to this enjoyable New Orleans music pageant is getting any sleep! I will need to have slept for a full week afterwards.
Jazz Fest is definitely so large now that it takes place over two weekends. If you wish to expertise among the best New Orleans festivals, plan to be within the metropolis for the final weekend of April or first of Might, or each if you wish to go large. For extra info on Jazz Fest, try their web site.
5. White Linen Night time/Soiled Linen Night time
White Linen Night time and Soiled Linen Night time are two distinctive New Orleans festivals that undoubtedly stand out. On the very least, they actually have essentially the most attention-grabbing names.
Whilst you can zip across the Huge Simple in a pleasant air-conditioned cab nowadays, this was not the case again within the day.
Since summers are so scorching and muggy in New Orleans, individuals most well-liked to put on white linen when going out. Retailers within the metropolis’s Warehouse District determined to have slightly flashback social gathering and began White Linen Night time in 1994.
The concept for this occasion is straightforward. You simply placed on some recent, white linen and are available out to Julia Avenue to peruse the artwork galleries. In fact, there’s additionally dwell music and loads of meals & drink to maintain the social gathering going. White wine is the drink of selection at this fancy soirée!
New Orleans festivals are all about having time. That’s why the social gathering extends to the subsequent weekend with Soiled Linen Night time.
You’re inspired to put on the identical outfit that you just did the earlier weekend now that it’s good and soiled. This social gathering takes place within the French Quarter on Royal Avenue. Soiled Martinis are the drink of selection, and a few outlets even give away Soiled Rice.
Going down over back-to-back weekends in the summertime, these are art-centered block events which might be free to attend. White Linen Night time takes place on the primary Saturday in August, whereas Soiled Linen Night time occurs the next weekend.
6. Essence Pageant
The Essence Pageant was initially deliberate as a one-off occasion again in 1995.
Often called the “social gathering with a goal,” it has now been working for greater than 25 years and is now one of many largest occasions celebrating African-American tradition in your complete United States.
Essence is principally two festivals rolled into one. Throughout the day, there are panels and workshops within the Ernest Morial Conference Middle. These are open to the general public and are completely free, however registration is required.
The motion strikes to the Superdome within the evenings for a formidable lineup of hip-hop, funk, soul, R&B, and gospel music.
You should purchase tickets for live shows individually or go for a weekend move. That is one New Orleans music pageant you gained’t wish to miss.
In earlier years, former First Woman Michelle Obama headlined the festivities in a particular keynote dialog. The musical lineup was stacked as properly, with Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliot, NAS, Pharrell Williams, and extra.
Test their web site for the most recent info on this yr’s occasions.
7. Tales of the Cocktail
Tales of the Cocktail dates again to 2002 when it began out as a strolling tour of native bars. The following yr, it became a small gathering of cocktail aficionados and professionals, and it has grown yearly since.
Over the course of 5 days, the cocktail neighborhood descends upon New Orleans for seminars, workshops, competitions, tastings, and far more. There are even discipline journeys out to native distilleries, which may be quite a lot of enjoyable.
For this pageant, you’ll be able to simply buy tickets to the occasions individually.
Should you purchase tickets as much as a price of $150, you will get free entry to all of the tasting rooms. Right here you’ll discover nice occasions like “Craft Your Personal Good Bloody Mary” and “Hecho in Mexico: All Issues Agave.”
Whether or not you’re part of the business or simply curious about mixology, that is undoubtedly one of many coolest New Orleans occasions. Yow will discover all the data you want over on their web site.
8. Crescent Metropolis Blues & BBQ Pageant
In a metropolis well-known for its music and meals, Crescent Metropolis Blues & BBQ is without doubt one of the greatest New Orleans festivals to take a look at. Simply because the climate begins to chill down a bit, this pageant heats issues proper again up in downtown New Orleans.
This New Orleans music pageant began after Hurricane Katrina as a method to carry vacationers again to town and create jobs for locals. It’s been an enormous hit ever since and can be having its 14th version this yr.
The pageant takes place in Lafayette Sq. Park within the metropolis’s Central Enterprise District. There are two totally different phases arrange the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in some superb blues music and one other smaller stage the place artists inform tales and host Q&A occasions.
So far as the meals goes, you’ll be able to count on loads of mouth-watering Louisiana barbecue right here. Take your choose between brisket, lamb chops, and naturally all kinds of sausages. They’ve vegetarian and vegan choices accessible as properly.
Admission is free, however there are VIP packages accessible if you happen to’re . You’ll be able to learn extra concerning the pageant on their web site.
9. Voodoo Music & Arts Expertise
The Voodoo Music & Arts Expertise takes over Metropolis Park each October on the weekend round Halloween. With catchphrases like “be part of the ritual” and “worship the music,” this New Orleans music pageant embraces town’s historical past with voodoo.
Voodoo has been an vital a part of the native tradition in New Orleans for hundreds of years. It got here right here with slaves from West Africa, who quickly merged their rituals and beliefs with Catholicism. Not solely is there a Voodoo Museum in New Orleans, however there’s even a pageant.
The primary version of Voodoo occurred again in 1999 as a single-day occasion. It has grown significantly since then and is now an enormous 3-day pageant with a formidable lineup. Previous headliners embody Weapons N’ Roses, Publish Malone, and Beck.
Along with all of the music, there are some fairly mind-blowing artwork installations right here. There’s even an interactive graveyard that makes for some spooky picture ops. Add in 1000’s of costumed individuals and also you’ve acquired a recipe for an superior Halloween weekend.
Sadly, Voodoo wasn’t held in 2022, and the 2023 version hasn’t been introduced but. However hold checking their web site, as a result of this in style New Orleans pageant is certain to return.
10. LUNA Fete
LUNA Fete, which stands for Mild Up NOLA Arts, is without doubt one of the most original New Orleans festivals. That’s exactly what this superb pageant of sunshine, artwork, and know-how does to the historic buildings of the Huge Simple.
This pageant began in 2014 with a single set up at Gallier Corridor that includes a shocking projection of sunshine and video. Created by the Arts Council of New Orleans, the thought is to shine a lightweight on town and present how artwork can rework communities.
What you’ll see if you happen to expertise LUNA Fete is a lot greater than pictures being projected onto a constructing. It’s a really interactive show of movement graphics and sound utilizing the most recent in video mapping know-how. It actually is an awe-inspiring sight and one I’d like to expertise once more on my subsequent journey to town.
LUNA Fete takes place over just a few nights in early December to kick off the vacation season in New Orleans. There are nightly projections together with another attention-grabbing artwork installations.
There’s additionally a big market right here with loads of artwork and meals distributors in addition to dwell leisure. It’s the right method to get within the vacation spirit and enjoyable for the entire household. Click on right here to be taught extra.
Curious About Extra Nice Festivals Across the World?
One among my favourite issues about visiting new locations is experiencing native tradition. Should you’re curious about extra than simply New Orleans festivals, try these different articles:
FAQs About New Orleans Festivals
Have a query about festivals in New Orleans? Check out these FAQs.
No shock right here: Mardi Gras is the largest New Orleans pageant.
Not solely is Mardi Gras the largest New Orleans pageant, however it’s additionally essentially the most well-known. For music followers, nonetheless, Jazz Fest would possibly come to thoughts first.
New Orleans at present hosts over 130 festivals a yr. That averages out to a couple of each three days!
New Orleans has essentially the most festivals in summer time, though two of the largest, Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest, are within the late winter and spring.
For my part, April is the very best month due to Jazz Fest. New Orleans festivals apart, October, January, and March are good instances to keep away from the crowds and summer time warmth.
Prepared for New Orleans Festivals?
As you’ll be able to see, the motion actually doesn’t cease with regards to New Orleans occasions. Only a few days after ringing within the New 12 months with enormous events all around the metropolis, the Mardi Gras parades begin and final for a number of weeks.
There’s barely sufficient time to scrub up all of the beads off of Bourbon Avenue earlier than town turns its focus in direction of its legendary spring festivals.
Along with the French Quarter Pageant and Jazz Fest, there are additionally tons of New Orleans festivals within the spring only for crawfish!
The tasty meals festivals of the Huge Simple proceed on via the remainder of the yr.
There are festivals right here devoted to fried rooster, po’ boys, gumbo, beignets, and even one only for tomatoes. You’ll want one thing to clean all that down with, and New Orleans has you lined with wine, beer, and cocktail festivals.
With so many festivals happening, New Orleans simply would possibly take the (king) cake for essentially the most enjoyable metropolis within the USA. When one social gathering ends, one other is simply starting within the Huge Simple. That’s why town’s motto is “Laissez Le Bons Temps Roulez” – Let the Good Occasions Roll!
Have you ever traveled to New Orleans for certainly one of these festivals, or do you have got one other nice suggestion? Go away a remark under and tell us.
Be aware: Some pictures on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
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