New Orleans is the Festival Capital of the world! On any weekend you choose to come down, there is sure to be some kind of festival going on. Nowhere else on the planet is there a greater selection and wider diversity of fabulous special events than those you can experience in New Orleans. Whether you're into music, or art, or historic literature there is a New Orleans festival for you! Festival season kicks off this weekend and lasts throughout the entire year. Here is a breakdown of the upcoming year!
*Updated January, 2019!
February
8-10: Tet Fest: Vietnamese New Year
15-21: French Film Festival
Photo by Kelsey Knight on Unsplash
April
3-7: New Orleans Wine and Food Experience
6-7: Spring Fiesta
11-14: French Quarter Festival
21 – Easter Parades
20-May 22 – Wednesday at the Square Concert Series
22-28 – Zurich Classic
May
Photo by Brandon Wilson on Unsplash
17-19: Bayou Boogaloo
25-26: Bayou Country Superfest
24-26: Greek Fest
26-29: Memorial Day Weekend
June
1-2: New Orleans Oyster Festival
7-9: New Orleans Pride
8-9: French Market Creole Tomato Festival
16: Father’s Day
21-24: Festigals
Photo by Jeffrey Hamilton on Unsplash
22-23 – Louisiana Cajun Zydeco Festival
July
4: Independence Day French Quarter Fireworks
4-7: ESSENCE Festival
12-14: San Fermin en Nueva Orleans
17-22: Tales of the Cocktail
26-29: Memorial Day Weekend
August
1-31: COOLinary New Orleans
1-31: Museum Month
Red Dress Run; Photo by Charlotte Smith Hamrick via flickr
3-5: Satchmo SummerFest
10: Red Dress Run
29-September 2: Southern Decadence
September
August 30- September 2: Labor Day Weekend
9-15: Restaurant Week New Orleans
21: NOLA on Tap
October
TBA: Art for Arts' Sake
TBA: Treme Fall Fest
TBA: Beignet Festival
11-13: Gentilly Fest
TBA: Oktoberfest
16-24: New Orleans Film Festival
18-20: Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival
TBA – Praise Fest
TBA – Carnival Latino
Delicious New Orleans Gumbo
TBA – LGBT Halloween in New Orleans
25-27 – Voodoo Music + Arts Experience
31 – Halloween
November
TBA: Treme Creole Gumbo Festival
TBA: Algiers Folk Art Festival
28: Thanksgiving Day
30: Bayou Classic
30-January 1: Celebration in the Oaks
The Roosevelt Hotel lobby at Christmastime in New Orleans is simply iconic
December
1-31: Christmas New Orleans Style
1-31: Merriment on Magazine Street
TBA: Algiers Bonfires on the Levee
TBA: NOLA ChristmasFest
12-20: Chanukah
TBA: R + L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
TBA: Caroling in Jackson Square
24 – Christmas Eve Bonfires on the Levee
25 – Christmas Day
We will be spotlighting some of our favorite events on the blog throughout the year. We’ve also compiled a list of the New Orleans festivals and events we believe to be best suited for solo travelers which you can read here!
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Every female solo traveler is different when it comes to exploring a city alone at night. Some are reluctant to leave the comfort of their hotel, others are eager to hit the town, and some want to be out and about, but don’t want to drink alcohol. Our list of 7 things to do at night as a solo traveler in New Orleans has something to suit every preference!