New Orleans Festivals Calendar
Month-by-Month Guide to Festivals in New Orleans
If you’re wondering when to visit New Orleans, here’s the truth:
👉 There is no off-season.
Thanks to a year-round lineup of festivals, food events, and cultural celebrations, there’s always something happening in the city.
This New Orleans Festival Calendar breaks it all down month by month so you can plan your trip around the events that fit your style.
🎭 January
- Twelfth Night – The official start of Carnival season, marking the countdown to Mardi Gras
- Phunny Phorty Phellows – A quirky, beloved streetcar parade full of costumes and local flair
- Joan of Arc Parade – A medieval-style walking parade through the French Quarter celebrating New Orleans’ French heritage
👉 Vibe: Cool weather, smaller crowds, and the early build toward Mardi Gras
👉 Smart links to add: Mardi Gras Guide • French Quarter • Hotels
🎭 February
- Mardi Gras – The city’s biggest celebration, featuring massive parades, elaborate floats, and nonstop partying
- Krewe Parades – Daily parades from legendary krewes throwing beads, doubloons, and more
👉 Vibe: High energy, packed crowds, and unforgettable chaos
👉 Smart links to add: Mardi Gras Guide • Parade Schedule • Hotels
🌿 March
- St. Patrick’s Day Parades – Festive parades with a New Orleans twist, including throws like cabbage and beer
- Super Sunday – A powerful gathering of Mardi Gras Indian tribes showcasing tradition, music, and craftsmanship
- Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival – A celebration of literature, theater, and the legacy of Tennessee Williams
👉 Vibe: Relaxed, cultural, and still festive after Mardi Gras
👉 Smart links to add: Things to Do • Walking Tours • Garden District
🎶 April
- French Quarter Festival – A free, citywide music festival featuring local artists across the French Quarter
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – A world-famous festival blending music, food, and culture (often begins late April)
- Hogs for the Cause – A major barbecue and music festival supporting pediatric brain cancer charities
👉 Vibe: Peak New Orleans—perfect weather and nonstop events
👉 Smart links to add: Jazz Fest Guide • French Quarter • Restaurants
🎷 May
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – Continues into early May with major acts and huge crowds
- Bayou Boogaloo – A laid-back waterfront festival with music, art, and floating crowds along Bayou St. John
- Greek Festival New Orleans – A celebration of Greek culture with food, music, and dancing
👉 Vibe: Music-filled and lively, but less intense than peak festival season
👉 Smart links to add: Hotels • Food Tours • Things to Do
☀️ June
- New Orleans Wine & Food Experience – A multi-day event featuring wine tastings, dinners, and culinary showcases
- Creole Tomato Festival – A beloved food festival celebrating one of Louisiana’s signature ingredients
👉 Vibe: Hot weather, but a dream for food lovers
👉 Smart links to add: Restaurants • Museums • Hotels
🎆 July
- Essence Festival – A massive cultural and music event drawing huge crowds over Fourth of July weekend
- Running of the Bulls – A playful New Orleans spin on the Spanish tradition, featuring roller derby “bulls” and costumed runners
👉 Vibe: Big crowds for Essence, otherwise slower and more local
👉 Smart links to add: Hotels • Nightlife • Tours
🎺 August
- COOLinary New Orleans – A month-long dining promotion with discounted prix-fixe menus at top restaurants
- Satchmo SummerFest – A tribute to Louis Armstrong with live music, food, and cultural programming
- White Linen Night – An upscale art and gallery event in the Warehouse District with a party atmosphere
- Dirty Linen Night – A more casual, edgier art walk centered around Royal Street galleries
👉 Vibe: Hot and slower-paced, but full of local flavor and great deals
👉 Smart links to add: Restaurants • Museums • Hotel Deals
🎭 September
- NOLA Funk Fest – A showcase of classic New Orleans funk, brass, and local music culture
- Treme Fall Festival – A neighborhood celebration honoring the rich culture of Tremé
- New Orleans Film Festival – A nationally recognized event featuring films, panels, and industry talent
👉 Vibe: Underrated, authentic, and more local than tourist-heavy months
👉 Smart links to add: Hotels • Neighborhood Guides • Things to Do
🎃 October
- Oktoberfest New Orleans – Multiple weekends of German food, beer, and music hosted by Deutsches Haus
- Krewe of Boo – The city’s official Halloween parade featuring spooky floats and costumes
- Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival – A relaxed festival combining live blues music with top-tier barbecue
- Gentilly Fest – A community-driven event with music, food, and family-friendly activities
👉 Vibe: Ideal weather, strong festival lineup, and manageable crowds
👉 Smart links to add: Hotels • Tours • French Quarter
🍂 November
- Oak Street Po-Boy Festival – A street festival dedicated to one of New Orleans’ most iconic sandwiches
- Beignet Fest – A family-friendly event featuring creative takes on the classic beignet
- Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival – A celebration of gumbo, music, and neighborhood culture
👉 Vibe: Food-focused, relaxed, and one of the best-kept secrets for visiting
👉 Smart links to add: Restaurants • Food Tours • Hotels
🎄 December
- Celebration in the Oaks – A holiday lights experience in City Park with festive displays and family attractions
- LUNA Fête – A modern light and art festival illuminating downtown New Orleans
- Reveillon Dinners – Traditional holiday dining experiences at classic New Orleans restaurants
- Caroling in Jackson Square – A beloved holiday tradition with hundreds gathering to sing in the French Quarter
👉 Vibe: Festive, charming, and uniquely New Orleans
👉 Smart links to add: Hotels • Things to Do • French Quarter
🎯 Best Time to Visit New Orleans for Festivals
If you want the highlights:
- Peak Season: February–May (Mardi Gras + Jazz Fest)
- Best Weather + Events Combo: April
- Best Value (fewer crowds): October–November
🏨 Where to Stay During Festivals
For festival season, location matters:
- French Quarter – close to everything
- Warehouse District New Orleans – great hotels + access
- Mid-City New Orleans – ideal for Jazz Fest
👉 This is a prime spot for your hotel affiliate links.
🎯 Final Word
New Orleans doesn’t wait for a special occasion to celebrate.
It creates them.
Whether you’re coming for music, food, culture, or just an excuse to have a great time…
👉 There’s a festival for that.
