With over 130 New Orleans festivals all year long, that’s about one each three days!
I completely love festivals. Actually, I skipped my senior promenade to go to my first music competition. Oh yeah, and I met my spouse at one as effectively!
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 a superb occasion, I’d say New Orleans is likely one of the greatest locations in america for festivals.
10 Greatest New Orleans Festivals
New Orleans is a metropolis with many names, together with the Crescent Metropolis, NOLA, and the Large Simple. One other nickname that deserves to be on the listing 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 competition for you within the Large Simple.
With so many wonderful New Orleans occasions to select from, there’s prone to be one thing cool happening within the metropolis if you go to — even when it’s only for a weekend.
On this information, we’ll check out a number of the greatest New Orleans festivals that can assist you plan the proper journey.
1. Mardi Gras: New Orleans Carnival Celebration
Mardi Gras is the granddaddy of all of them. That is undoubtedly probably the most well-known of all of the New Orleans festivals, bringing in over 10 million individuals to the town every year.
The title Mardi Gras is French for “Fats Tuesday”, which is the widespread title 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 in the future, 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 also referred to as Twelfth Night time. A couple of month laster, the most important and wildest parade of all takes place, Endymion. Seeing this parade was simply my favourite a part of Mardi Gras.
The occasion lasts for a month, so you’ve got a number of choices for together with Mardi Gras in your listing 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, fascinating costumes, colourful beads, and King Muffins.
There’s lots of consuming, consuming, dancing, and simply normal merriment. Make certain you put on the official colours of Mardi Gras – purple (justice), inexperienced (religion), and gold (energy).
Ensure you plan forward and e book lodging effectively prematurely, as that is the preferred time to go to the Large Simple.
In the event you don’t need to take care of the crowds, contemplate touring to New Orleans a couple of weeks earlier than Mardi Gras. There’s nonetheless loads happening, but it surely’s far much less chaotic and also you’ll get a greater deal on lodging.
You may test 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. In the event you’re searching for a superb New Orleans music competition, this can be a stable selection.
Better of all, the French Quarter Pageant is completely free!
It’s truly the biggest free music competition within the nation, with an estimated 1,700 Louisiana musicians taking part in throughout 23 completely different levels. You’ll hear many alternative genres of music right here, from funk to jazz to zydeco.
Along with all the good native music, you’ll be able to anticipate loads of scrumptious delicacies being cooked, and typical New Orleans cocktails being blended. 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 test their web site.
3. New Orleans Wine and Meals Expertise
The Wine and Meals Expertise is certainly among the finest 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 participating, you’ve bought loads of choices.
In the course of the competition, wineries and eating places group as much as provide particular menus with wine pairings. I discovered extra about wine (and had extra enjoyable consuming it) in in the future than in my complete life earlier than it!
There are additionally grand tastings and seminars all through the competition the place you’ll be able to be taught extra concerning the improbable meals and wine on provide. The spotlight of the competition is the Royal Avenue Stroll, a parade led by the Krewe of Cork.
Probably the greatest elements about supporting this competition is that it’s for an excellent trigger.
The NOWFE donates all of its proceeds minus prices to learn the humanities, careers in wine and hospitality, and charitable organizations. They’ve contributed over $1 million up to now, so that you’re consuming and consuming for a superb trigger right here!
There’s little question that the Large Simple is likely one of the greatest cities within the US for consuming and consuming. You possibly can plan your complete journey right here round what you need to eat and drink, and there could be completely nothing unsuitable 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) just lately celebrated its fiftieth anniversary and is a vital a part of the native tradition. In a metropolis often called the birthplace of jazz, it ought to come as no shock that there’s a significant jazz competition within the Large Simple!
This well-known New Orleans music competition goes down on the Honest Grounds Race Course. Right here you’ll be able to catch over 100 artists throughout a number of levels taking part in each type of music related to Louisiana, which is principally the whole lot!
Along with jazz, you may get all the way 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 finest New Orleans festivals with out loads of native meals to get pleasure from. Jazz Fest has a coverage of “no carnival meals,” that means you gained’t get overpriced corn canines and cotton sweet right here. As a substitute, you’ll be able to munch on native classics like boiled crawfish or pink beans & rice.
There are additionally loads of cubicles across the competition promoting native crafts.
Whereas the music on the competition solely goes till 7:00 PM, the occasion doesn’t cease then. Probably the greatest elements about experiencing Jazz Fest is testing a number of the wonderful late-night reveals that go on throughout the town.
The toughest half about going to this enjoyable New Orleans music competition is getting any sleep! I will need to have slept for a full week afterwards.
Jazz Fest is definitely so massive now that it takes place over two weekends. If you wish to expertise among the finest New Orleans festivals, plan to be within the metropolis for the final weekend of April or first of Could, or each if you wish to go massive. 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 definitely have probably the most fascinating names.
When you can zip across the Large Simple in a pleasant air-conditioned cab today, 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 a little bit flashback occasion and began White Linen Night time in 1994.
The concept for this occasion is easy. You simply placed on some contemporary, white linen and are available out to Julia Avenue to peruse the artwork galleries. After all, there’s additionally stay music and loads of meals & drink to maintain the occasion going. White wine is the drink of selection at this fancy soirée!
New Orleans festivals are all about having a superb time. That’s why the occasion extends to the subsequent weekend with Soiled Linen Night time.
You’re inspired to put on the identical outfit that you simply did the earlier weekend now that it’s good and soiled. This occasion takes place within the French Quarter on Royal Avenue. Soiled Martinis are the drink of selection, and a few retailers even give away Soiled Rice.
Going down over back-to-back weekends in the summertime, these are art-centered block events which are 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.
Referred to as the “occasion with a goal,” it has now been operating 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. In the course of the day, there are panels and workshops within the Ernest Morial Conference Heart. 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 cross. That is one New Orleans music competition you gained’t need to miss.
In earlier years, former First Woman Michelle Obama headlined the festivities in a particular keynote dialog. The musical lineup was stacked as effectively, with Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliot, NAS, Pharrell Williams, and extra.
Examine their web site for the newest info on this 12 months’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 subsequent 12 months, it become 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 way more. There are even area journeys out to native distilleries, which could be lots of enjoyable.
For this competition, you’ll be able to simply buy tickets to the occasions individually.
In the event you purchase tickets as much as a worth of $150, you may 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 trade or simply excited by mixology, that is undoubtedly one of many coolest New Orleans occasions. You’ll find all the information 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 likely one of the greatest New Orleans festivals to take a look at. Simply because the climate begins to chill down a bit, this competition heats issues proper again up in downtown New Orleans.
This New Orleans music competition began after Hurricane Katrina as a method to convey vacationers again to the town and create jobs for locals. It’s been an enormous hit ever since and shall be having its 14th version this 12 months.
The competition takes place in Lafayette Sq. Park within the metropolis’s Central Enterprise District. There are two completely different levels arrange the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from some wonderful 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 anticipate loads of mouth-watering Louisiana barbecue right here. Take your decide between brisket, lamb chops, and naturally all kinds of sausages. They’ve vegetarian and vegan choices obtainable as effectively.
Admission is free, however there are VIP packages obtainable when you’re . You may learn extra concerning the competition 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 a part of the ritual” and “worship the music,” this New Orleans music competition embraces the town’s historical past with voodoo.
Voodoo has been an necessary 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 competition.
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 competition with a formidable lineup. Previous headliners embody Weapons N’ Roses, Put up 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 bought 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 competition is certain to return.
10. LUNA Fete
LUNA Fete, which stands for Mild Up NOLA Arts, is likely one of the most unusual New Orleans festivals. That’s exactly what this wonderful competition of sunshine, artwork, and know-how does to the historic buildings of the Large Simple.
This competition 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 light-weight on the town and present how artwork can remodel communities.
What you’ll see when you 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 newest in video mapping know-how. It really is an awe-inspiring sight and one I’d like to expertise once more on my subsequent journey to the town.
LUNA Fete takes place over a couple of nights in early December to kick off the vacation season in New Orleans. There are nightly projections together with another fascinating artwork installations.
There’s additionally a big market right here with loads of artwork and meals distributors in addition to stay leisure. It’s the proper 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. In the event you’re excited by 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 most important New Orleans competition.
Not solely is Mardi Gras the most important New Orleans competition, but it surely’s additionally probably the most well-known. For music followers, nevertheless, Jazz Fest may come to thoughts first.
New Orleans presently hosts over 130 festivals a 12 months. That averages out to multiple each three days!
New Orleans has probably the most festivals in summer time, though two of the most important, Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest, are within the late winter and spring.
For my part, April is one of the 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. Just some days after ringing within the New Yr with big events all around the metropolis, the Mardi Gras parades begin and final for a number of weeks.
There’s barely sufficient time to wash up all of the beads off of Bourbon Avenue earlier than the town turns its focus in the 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 Large Simple proceed on via the remainder of the 12 months.
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 may take the (king) cake for probably the most enjoyable metropolis within the USA. When one occasion ends, one other is simply starting within the Large Simple. That’s why the town’s motto is “Laissez Le Bons Temps Roulez” – Let the Good Occasions Roll!
Have you ever traveled to New Orleans for one among these festivals, or do you’ve got one other nice suggestion? Depart a remark beneath and tell us.
Be aware: Some pictures on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
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