In the vibrant city of New Orleans, there is a perpetual party atmosphere that never fails to delight. With its lively scene, renowned restaurants and bars, and unique music culture, even in the swampiest month of August, the city remains bustling and full of life.
From Carnival to Christmas, there are countless festivals and celebrations happening throughout the year, making any time a great opportunity to visit. It can be quite a challenge even for locals like me to keep track of all the exciting events. The best annual events in New Orleans offer a wonderful chance to explore the city’s diverse food, music, art, and culture, all while surrounded by a colorful mix of both locals and tourists. Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest are perhaps the most well-known, but New Orleans is constantly celebrating something, whether it’s the history of cocktails, the legacy of Louis Armstrong, the vibrant art scene, or centuries-old holiday traditions.
January
Allstate Sugar Bowl
– January 1, 2025 – Multiple locations
– This event, whether it’s a crucial game for the college football national championship or simply a battle for bragging rights, is always a great time. The game is played at the Superdome on January 1 every year, preceded by a weekend of festivities. The city hosts a Sugar Bowl parade, Fan Fest, and other events in the French Quarter to support the teams competing in the bowl. Interestingly, the kickoff to the Sugar Bowl actually begins in August, with the annual Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff headlined by top country artists.
– “Ready to go? Book here.”
Mardi Gras
– January 6 – March 4, 2025 – Multiple locations
– Mardi Gras is not just one day but a whole season of parades, balls, parties, and plenty of delicious king cake. Carnival season starts on January 6 (also known as Twelfth Night) and lasts until Mardi Gras – Fat Tuesday, which changes every year based on the date of Easter. The two weeks leading up to Mardi Gras are filled with parades almost every night. Elaborately decorated floats with costumed riders roll through the streets, mostly on St. Charles Avenue to Canal Street, so it’s important to plan your accommodations accordingly. As a local, my best advice is to remember that it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
– “Ready to go? Many events are free.”
St. Patrick’s Day
– 2025 dates TBD – Multiple locations
– New Orleans’ St. Patrick’s Day celebrations range from a block party on the actual holiday to a parade in the Irish Channel on the nearest Saturday. And this is no ordinary parade! Float riders hand out items like cabbages, potatoes, carrots, onions, and bars of Irish Spring instead of beads and other trinkets. Parades also take place in the French Quarter and Metairie. Given the city’s strong Italian heritage and the close proximity of St. Joseph’s Day to St. Patrick’s Day, there are also parades to honor the Irish-Italian heritage.
– “Ready to go? This event is free.”
Super Sunday
– 2025 dates TBD – Multiple locations
– Every year on the Sunday closest to St. Joseph’s Day, the Uptown Mardi Gras Indian tribes come together in Central City to strut their stuff one last time after Mardi Gras. Beginning and ending at A.L. Davis Park, the tribes will stroll through the surrounding neighborhood and engage in friendly competitions through dancing, chanting, and other rituals. It’s a great opportunity to admire the tremendous amount of work and skill put into the hand-sewn suits.
– “Ready to go? This event is free.”
Hogs for the Cause
– Late March, 2025 dates TBD – This event is held on the Lakefront and is a festival and competition that pushes the boundaries of traditional BBQ. Sample mouthwatering meats from more than 85 teams like Piggy Stardust, Aporkalypse Now, and Mr. Pigglesworth as they compete in categories such as Ribs, Pork Shoulder, and Whole Hog. You’ll find everything from bourbon-glazed ribs and pulled pork tacos to inventive sides like bacon praline egg rolls and bacon boudin sushi. The aroma of smoked meats is enhanced by live music from local and national bands. Aside from the incredible food and fun, Hogs for the Cause raises millions for pediatric brain cancer care.
– “Ready to go? Donate here and attend the free event.”
March
French Quarter Festival
– April 10 – 13, 2025 – French Quarter
– This smaller festival often gets overlooked by tourists in favor of Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest, but locals like me know that the French Quarter Fest is the place to be. More than 20 stages throughout the French Quarter host performances that span genres from traditional and contemporary jazz to R&B, New Orleans funk, brass bands, folk, gospel, Latin, Zydeco, classical, and cabaret. The best part? It’s free! Catch local legends like Soul Rebels, Tank and the Bangas, Partners-N-Crime, Ivan Neville, Irma Thomas, and many more. But that’s not all. The fest also offers dance lessons, demos, crafts, and more. Plus, the culinary offerings are outstanding, with classic restaurants serving up their longtime favorites along with up-and-coming pop-ups.
– “Ready to go? This event is free.”
St. Patrick’s Day
– April 20, 2025 – Multiple locations
– Easter in New Orleans means beautiful bonnets, cute bunnies, delicious brunches, and exciting parades. Show off your holiday finery at a pair of parades: the French Quarter Easter Parade takes place in the afternoon, while the Gay Easter Parade, which features horse-drawn carriages with participants wearing their most showy Sunday best, departs in the evening. After the parade, Good Friends Bar hosts a lively Easter bonnet contest that is a local favorite.
– “Ready to go? Many events are free.”
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
– April 24 – May 4, 2025 – Mid-City
– Jazz Fest is the pinnacle of New Orleans’ annual festival season, attracting around half a million attendees to celebrate the music, food, and culture of the city. The Fest hosts big name acts along with some of the best bands in the city on more than a dozen stages spread throughout the Fair Grounds in Mid-City. You’ll hear everything from jazz and zydeco to hip-hop, funk, brass, gospel, and more. Multiple food areas feature vendors selling some of the best dishes in New Orleans and Louisiana, and many of these dishes are exclusive to the event. Folklife and heritage are also on display, along with interviews, cooking demos, cultural exhibits, and more. Trombone Shorty, a New Orleans native and a regular Jazz Fest performer, says his best piece of advice for Jazz Fest is this: “Make sure you’re well-rested because it doesn’t stop. During that time in New Orleans, we get close to 24 hours of music a day, with only a small window for sleep. So rest up and be sure to check out everything the festival has to offer.”
– “Ready to go? Book here.”
July
San Fermin in Nueva Orleans
– July 12 – 14, 2024 – French Quarter
– This is the Running of the Bulls, New Orleans-style. The famous Spanish event is reinterpreted here with members of the Big Easy Rollergirls, wielding plastic bats, taking the place of the bulls. Participants dressed in white with red scarves run (as fast as one can on a sweltering summer day) through the French Quarter to avoid getting hit. The run starts at dawn and then turns into an all-day celebration with live music, food, and drinks. The next day brings a welcome hangover-curing burlesque brunch called “El Pobre de Mí”. Best of all, a portion of the proceeds from this vibrant fiesta goes to charity.
– “Ready to go? Book here.”
Tales of the Cocktail
– July 21 – 26, 2024 – Multiple locations
– This week-long celebration of cocktails and mixology is also an opportunity to educate and support the industry. Based at the Ritz-Carlton with satellite events taking place throughout the city, it’s aimed at cocktail professionals and enthusiasts and there’s something for everyone. Workshops, seminars, competitions, networking opportunities, and, of course, parties fill the event schedule. This year’s theme is “Inspire”, a call to action that challenges the global drinks industry to embrace future thinking. There is no shortage of cocktails, spirits, and other alcoholic beverages to try at Tales, but I suggest you mix in a few glasses of water. After all, it is July in New Orleans.
– “Ready to go? Book here.”
Essence Festival of Culture
– 2025 dates TBD – Multiple locations
– Essence Fest takes over the Superdome, Convention Center, and various venues around the city in July with music, workshops, panel discussions, marketplaces, and more. This year, the Fest welcomes Janet Jackson and will also be celebrating 30 years of the Cash Money Millionaires, featuring hometown favorites Juvenile, Birdman, and their crew. The full lineup has yet to be announced, but it always includes some of the biggest names in entertainment.
– “Ready to go? Book here.”
August
White Linen Night
– August 3, 2024 – Arts District
– Put on your finest white linen and head to the Arts District for the biggest gallery night of the year. Julia, Camp, St. Joseph, and Magazine Streets will be buzzing as galleries open their doors to showcase new exhibits. In the streets, stroll past live art installations and music performances, enjoy fabulous cocktails, and grab a bite to eat at the local food vendor stations. If you accidentally spill some wine on your outfit, don’t worry – you’re all set for Dirty Linen Night the following weekend along Royal Street in the French Quarter.
– “Ready to go? This event is free.”
Satchmo Summerfest
– August 3 – 4, 2024 – French Quarter
– For true New Orleans locals, it’s never too hot for a music festival, and Satchmo Summerfest proves that year after year. The festival at the New Orleans Jazz Museum honors the life and legacy of one of the city’s most beloved sons, Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong. The celebration includes plenty of live music, food, drinks, and a series of “Satchmo Seminars” led by historians and Armstrong biographers so you can learn more about this music icon.
– “Ready to go? This event is free.”
Southern Decadence
– August 29 – September 2, 2024 – French Quarter
– This bawdy and celebratory event feels like a combination of New Orleans Pride and Gay Mardi Gras. Needless to say, it attracts revelers from around the world every Labor Day weekend to party in the streets of the city in their best rainbow attire. The extravaganza features parties, concerts, club events, and a parade through the French Quarter.
– “Ready to go? This event is free.”
October
Art for Arts Sake
– October 5, 2024 – Garden District
– Art for Art’s Sake kicks off the fall arts season on the first Saturday of October as over 100 galleries and shops along Magazine Street stay open late. Enjoy wine, snacks, live music, special gallery openings, trunk shows, and more as you stroll along the charming six-mile stretch of businesses, restaurants, bars, and neighborhood charm.
– “Ready to go? This event is free.”
Halloween
– October 31, 2024 – Multiple locations
– New Orleans is steeped in supernatural lore throughout the year, but things really ramp up for Halloween. It’s the perfect time to take a ghost tour, check out real haunted houses, or stroll through hauntingly beautiful cemeteries. Frightening haunted house experiences like The Mortuary and New Orleans Nightmare pop up every year, and events like Ghosts in the Oaks and Brews & Boos at City Park add a touch of fun to the spooky season. The highlight of Halloween is the Krewe of Boo parade through the French Quarter and downtown – it’s like Mardi Gras with a touch of the macabre.
– “Ready to go? Many events are free.”
Treme Creole Gumbo Festival
– November 9 – 10, 2024 – Treme
– Celebrate music, culture, and food in the historic Armstrong Park in Treme. This festival is all about the gumbo, so it’s your chance to try as many different versions as you can, all in one place. Whether it’s traditional seafood or chicken and andouille gumbo or a modern twist, these gumbos range from classic and comforting to completely surprising. There are even vegan versions that have won over even the most die-hard carnivores. Aside from the gumbo, the fest features local vendors selling crafts and, of course, a lineup of some of the best brass bands in the city.
– “Ready to go? This event is free.”
LUNA Fête
– November 14 – 17, 2024 – Multiple locations
– For this annual festival of light, art, and technology, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Pedestrian Park is transformed into a runway for illuminated artwork and fashions. Hourly projections on the building will honor the power of costumes, while light-based artworks spread throughout 7.5 acres of the park will celebrate the creativity of costumes and culture. Each night will also feature local food vendors, drinks, an arts market, and other glowing features.
– “Ready to go? This event is free.”
Thanksgiving Classic at the Fair Grounds
– November 28, 2024 – Mid-City
– While the track opens in mid-November, Thanksgiving is a big day at the Fair Grounds, officially kicking off the racing season. Put on your most fabulous hat or fascinator and head out for a day filled with mint juleps, racing, and lots of fun. The clubhouse hosts a holiday dinner with all the trimmings, or you can dig into the big holiday buffet. Be sure to make a reservation as both fill up quickly.
– “Ready to go? Book here.”
Bayou Classic
– November 30, 2024 – Caesars Superdome
– The annual showdown between Grambling State and Southern University is a highlight of the Thanksgiving weekend. The historic rivalry between the Tigers and the Jaguars has evolved into one of the biggest annual sporting events in the region. Much more than just the game at the Superdome on Saturday, the weekend includes the epic Battle of the Bands on Friday featuring the two universities’ marching bands as well as a slate of events and parties around the city celebrating the matchup.
– “Ready to go? Book here.”
December
Celebration in the Oaks
– 2024 dates TBD – Multiple locations
– City Park’s annual holiday celebration is a truly enchanting spectacle of lights as the glorious oak trees are adorned with over a million lights and light sculptures are scattered throughout the park. You can explore the park by bike, on foot, or in a car. The Botanical Garden also offers plenty of holiday cheer with many Instagrammable photo opportunities.
– “Ready to go? Book here.”
Révellion Dinners
– Throughout December – Multiple locations
– Restaurants around town participate in the Creole tradition of Révellion dinners, offering special holiday menus. While the original tradition was a dining event following midnight mass on Christmas, you don’t have to wait that late these days. Traditional restaurants like Commander’s Palace, Tujaque’s, and Arnaud’s participate, enhancing their already exceptional menus for the season.
– “Ready to go? Book with the restaurant.”
New Year’s Eve
– December 31, 2024 – Multiple locations
– New Orleans knows how to throw a party, and New Year’s Eve is no exception. The main event is the Fleur de Lis Drop atop the old Jax Brewery building in the French Quarter. The countdown is synchronized with a fireworks show on the Mississippi River. The city also hosts numerous parties and events around town, from the annual Big Night New Orleans bash to Galactic’s legendary New Year’s Eve show at Tipitina’s and all sorts of revelry in between.
– “Ready to go? Many events are free.”
