New Orleans Events


	New Orleans Events January Celebration in the Oaks Location: City Park 504-482-4888 Admission Charged Celebration in the Oaks lights up City Park's collection of ancient live oaks with millions of lights. Visitors can walk the two-mile stretch or drive or ride a horse drawn carriage. February Mardi Gras Held in late February - Easter Location: A variety of locations throughout New Orleans New Orleans' Mardi Gras is the world's most famous street party... and with good reason! The annual celebration of excess overtakes the French Quarter and crowds the streets with wildly costumed revelers! March Mardi Gras Held in late February - Easter Location: A variety of locations throughout New Orleans New Orleans' Mardi Gras is the world's most famous street party... and with good reason! The annual celebration of excess overtakes the French Quarter and crowds the streets with wildly costumed revelers! St. Patrick's Day Festival Held on St. Patrick's Day Location: Downtown New Orleans See the city go Green for this annual event April French Quarter Festival Held in mid April Location: French Quarter You can't get more New Orleans than this showcase for hundreds of local musicians on 14 stages throughout the historic Vieux Carré. There's jazz, from Dixieland to contemporary and brass bands, classical, Cajun and Zydeco, rhythm and blues, gospel and everything else in between. One can sample classic New Orleans cuisine from nearly 60 food and drink booths, tour private patios, enjoy fireworks over the Mississippi River, participate in children's activities, join in a second-line parade, attend art exhibits & music workshops and lots more. May New Orleans Wine & Food Experience Usually held in late May Location: French Quarter New Orleans is a place of pilgrimage for foodies and wine enthusiasts throughout the year, but never more so than during the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience... this non-stop celebration of the joys of the grape and the sublime ecstasies of fine food. The Wine & Food Experience constitutes five basic events - Vintner Dinners, The Royal Street Experience, Seminars, Grand Tastings, and Brunch. Each of these is an event unto itself, and all are eagerly anticipated. June Great French Market Tomato Festival Held in early June Location: French Quarter Only in a city as consumed with food as New Orleans could you have an eagerly awaited festival honoring the tomato. The city's chef's- amateur as well as professional- will be out in force to sample and rate the first crop of native tomatoes. Silliness you say? Just another excuse for New Orleans natives to party? Well, there may be a hint of truth to those sentiments, but there's also no denying the importance of the tomato to the city's culinary culture. July Go 4th on the River Held on July 4 Location: Woldenberg Park 504-378-2694 When New Orleans throws a party, everybody shows up! Expect this Go Fourth on the River celebration to be more of the same, as thousands flock to the Crescent City to watch a truly spectacular display of fireworks echoing off the man-made canyons of downtown New Orleans and reflecting off the Mighty Mississippi. New Orleans celebrates our nation's Independence with a full day's worth of events. The entire riverfront gets into the act, with many area businesses hosting special Independence-themed shows. August Satchmo Summer Fest Dates vary in August Location: French Quarter Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S. Mint 504-568-6972 It truly is a "wonderful world," as jazz great Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong told us in his haunting 1968 hit song. Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong gained fame through his incredible musical talents and through these talents, increased New Orleans' standing as a city of international cultural significance. New Orleans repays this debt with the Satchmo Summer Fest, a three-day celebration of the life, legacy, and music of "Satchmo."Satchmo Summer Fest is a weekend's worth of musical performances, lively seminars, captivating exhibits, children's activities, great New Orleans food, and partying New Orleans-style! September Southern Decadence Held in early September Location: New Orleans, Superdome and Ernest N. Morial Convention Center 504-587-7713 Would you miss a party called "a happening of haberdashery fit for an LSD Alice in Wonderland?" What started out as a going away party for some friends, has now transformed the first Sunday before Labor Day into one of the largest, albeit "oddest," parties you may ever attend. Southern Decadence! Indeed, the images conjured up when one thinks of the term, "southern decadence," could include tobacco, plantations and such. Maybe even the flowing dress of a southern debutante. Though you may find the flowing dress at the Big Easy's Southern Decadence celebration, it will most likely be on a MAN! October Louisiana Swamp Festival Dates vary in October Location: Audubon Zoo 504-861-2537 See swamp critters; chow down on Cajun jambalaya and gumbo and dance to Cajun and Zydeco music. Bring home a piece of Louisiana's rich arts and crafts heritage from the Craft Village! New Orleans' Audubon Zoo hosts the Annual Louisiana Swamp Festival...a mélange of the artistic craftsmanship and good-time philosophy of the Cajun way of life. It's become one of the largest fall festivals in the city and one of Audubon Zoo's major yearly events. Halloween in New Orleans Held on October 31 Location: French Quarter On the corner of Bourbon and Conti you might stumble upon (literally) a gaggle of Elvi out for a stroll... just down the block you could run into howling, growling werewolves... and of course, there's generally just a bit too much skin exposed in many a costume! Another great costume-watching spot is around Frenchman and Chartres streets, and of course the local parties are the absolute best place to find costumes sinister and sublime. November Louisiana Renaissance Festival Held weekends all of November - early December Location: Nearby Hammond, LA The most exciting holiday shopping and entertainment in Louisiana! Open rain or shine every weekend, the "Louisiana Renaissance Festival" brings to life what an English village and festive market place could have been like, mixed with a little bit of Louisiana spice! December Candlelight Tour of Historic Homes and Landmarks Held most of December Location: French Quarter Feel the romance and heritage of New Orleans on a tour of 19th-century homes and landmarks. It is possible to walk through much of New Orlean's rich history and stunning architecture on a self-guided tour of historic landmarks. The fascinating tour includes the Beauregard Keyes House, Gallier House, the Louisiana State Museum's 1850 House, the New Orleans's Pharmacy Museum and the Old Ursuline Convent.... most decorated in the style of Christmas past. New Year's Eve Held on December 31 Location: Jackson Brewery 504- 566-7245 A large street party, a lit ball dropping from the sky, thousands counting down to the next year - no you're not in Time Square, but rather Jackson Square! Every year, a week following the relaxation of Christmas, hundreds of thousands pour out to the Jackson Brewery to welcome in another year of living and partying in New Orleans. Arts & Entertainment Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra 225 Baronne Street New Orleans, LA 70112 504-523-6530 Call for schedule of performances Season runs from September - May Sports New Orleans Hornets Professional Basketball Games played at the New Orleans Arena New Orleans Arena 1501 Girod Street New Orleans, LA 70113 504-301-4000 Season runs October - April