June 01, 2026
June 4–7
New Orleans Black Pride
NOLA Black Pride 2026 is a weekend of events celebrating the black LGBTQ+ community and culture. Several events are free to attend, in addition to ticketed events. New Orleans Black Pride Weekend is held every June and includes several events that celebrate queer people of color. In addition to pool and dance parties, the calendar of events includes a welcome party and “fam”ily reunion picnic. Community Fest will be held on Saturday, June 6 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Armstrong Park. Enjoy live performances from local musicians, savory and sweet bites, and activities for kids of all ages. For more information, visit https://blackpridenola.org/
June 6 & 7
The French Market Creole Tomato Festival
The 40th Annual French Market Creole Tomato Festival celebrates the region’s renowned Creole tomatoes through food, music, and family activities. This signature festival marks the official start of summer and features fresh local produce and live entertainment and includes opportunities to sample a variety of tomato-based dishes. It runs from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day and takes place at the historic French Market. It’s free and open to the public, spanning the French Market district, from Dutch Alley to Farmers Market. For more information, visit https://www.frenchmarket.org/creoletomatofest/.
June 10–13
The New Orleans Food & Wine Experience 2026
The 34th Annual New Orleans Wine and Food Experience (NOWFE) is a five-day celebration that offers a full schedule of events for everyone, from novices to connoisseurs. It features unique programming, including Vinola, at which guests can enjoy an intimate atmosphere while sampling a variety of rare and highly sought-after wines, expertly paired with delectable dishes crafted by local chefs. Another highlight is the Tournament of Rosés, where attendees can join in the fun New Orleans style, dressed in shades of pink, and taste premier rosés—both still and sparkling—from France, Spain, Italy, the United States, and the Southern Hemisphere. The grand finale is The Grand Tasting, which showcases wines from around the world and delicious food prepared by some of New Orleans’s finest chefs. For more information, visit www.nowfe.com.
June 12–14
New Orleans Pridefest
New Orleans Pridefest is in the Marigny at the Phoenix Bar, located at 941 Elysian Fields Avenue. It will feature live music, drag shows, and many other activities. Tony & the Kiki will headline the 2026 event. This celebration is in the evening from 5:00 to 10 :00 p.m. There is also an opening reception on Thursday, June 11 and a pool party on Sunday, June 14. Pride events in New Orleans began in the early 1970s, when the LGBTQ+ community organized gatherings to celebrate progress and push for equality. The festival is the biggest Pride event in Louisiana. It attracts thousands from New Orleans, the Gulf South, and all across the U.S. For more details, visit https://www.nolapridefest.com/.
June 19–21
NOLA Juneteenth Freedom Gala and Festival
Commemorate Juneteenth with the NOLA Juneteenth Festival at Armstrong Park/Congo Square. Admission is free. The Juneteenth Freedom Gala will be held on June 20. In the southern corner of Armstrong Park is Congo Square, an open space where people of color—both enslaved and free—gathered throughout the 19th century for meetings, open markets, and African dance and drumming. For more information, go to https://www.nolajuneteenthfestival.org/.
July 3–5
Essence Festival of Culture
ESSENCE Festival’s theme this year is We Are “Made Like This.” Performers this year include Cardi B, Latto, Patti LaBelle, Brandy & Monica, and Kehlani. Held over Fourth of July weekend at the Caesars Superdome and throughout downtown New Orleans, this multiday party named for its founder and sponsoring magazine combines high-octane music performances with inspirational speakers and provocative conversations about gender, race, culture, and art. The popular event brings not only a slew of big names to New Orleans but large evening performances, intimate lounge shows, and DJ parties. By day, the Empowerment Experience spotlights dozens of speakers on thought-provoking topics such as religion, economics, and education. These are traditionally free. Dozens of vendors have displays set up around the Superdome and park areas that are temporarily turned into outdoor markets. You can expect to see a variety of quality fine art and crafts from clothing and jewelry to collectible paintings and sculptures. All art displays and demonstrations will represent the rich culture developed from all over the African Diaspora. The Essence Expo Experience includes seminars and workshops on a wide range of topics, including beauty and style as well as power and finance. Attendees can participate in live tutorials, free consultations, fashion and makeup presentations, and more. For additional information, visit www.essence.com/festival.
July 4, 20026
Go 4th on the River
This unique salute to America's Independence will feature a fireworks display over the Mighty Mississippi (from the Hilton New Orleans Riverside to the French Market District) and can be seen from both banks of the river. https://www.go4thontheriver.com/
July 10
Bastille Day Fete
Celebrate New Orleans’s French heritage and the French national holiday at this year’s Bastille Day Fête! Join the Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans on July 10 for crepes, a champagne bar, French DJ, costume contest, cash bar, dancers, live music, kids’ activities, and much more. For additional information, go to https://www.af-neworleans.org/event-rsvp/bastille-day-2026.
July 10–12
Running of the Bulls
The excitement of the renowned Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, has been creatively adapted to the vibrant streets of New Orleans, creating a distinctive Big Easy flair. This thrilling event embodies both exhilaration and peril as daring participants, known as correros (runners), are chased by the formidable Big Easy Roller Derby and its most aggressive counterparts. Inspired by the original event, the San Fermin’s New Orleans Running of the Bulls elevates the excitement to unprecedented heights. Rather than actual bulls, a group of derby skaters on roller skates unleash their energy, wielding foam-filled plastic bats. Participants are encouraged to don white pants and white tops complemented by a red bandana. For further details, please visit www.nolabulls.com/.
July 10–12
GalaxyCon New Orleans
GalaxyCon New Orleans is more than a comic con. It’s a three-day festival of fandom, with celebrities, artists, writers, voice actors, cosplayers, entertainers, creators, wrestlers, fan groups, and panelists taking part. Join this panoply from across the galaxy in a celebration of comic books, pop culture, sci-fi, fantasy, anime, gaming, cosplay, etc. For more details, go to https://galaxycon.com/pages/galaxycon-new-orleans-tickets.
July 19–24
Tales of the Cocktail
Tales of the Cocktail is one of the foremost global conferences dedicated to cocktails. Experience a weeklong festivity centered around cocktails and mixology. Tales of the Cocktail has grown into the world’s premier cocktail festival. Each year, the international bar and spirits industry is welcomed to New Orleans for a week of seminars, tastings, networking, and special events. With hundreds of opportunities developed specifically for bartenders, distillers, cocktail enthusiasts, and other spirits professionals, Tales of the Cocktail is the industry’s annual opportunity for exchanging new ideas, products, and techniques. This conference, organized by the nonprofit Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, seeks to educate, promote, and support cocktail professionals as well as ordinary enthusiasts. For additional details, please visit https://talesofthecocktail.org/events/tales-of-the-cocktail-new-orleans/.
X Games Championship 2026
July 24–26
The electrifying action sports festival will take place at the iconic Caesars Superdome, marking a monumental moment for the legendary venue. The three-day event will include a live music lineup, next-level sponsor integrations from XGL founding partner Monster Energy and others, and 18 topnotch Skate, BMX and Moto X competitions with more than one hundred of the world’s best action-sports athletes. For more information, go to https://www.xgames.com/events/new-orleans-2026/.
July 25 & 26
2026 Americas Selection of Bocuse d’Or and Pastry World Cup
The Americas selection of the Pastry World Cup and Bocuse d’Or will return to New Orleans and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center July 25 and 26, following a historic and highly successful debut here in 2024. No other U.S. city has ever hosted this prestigious international culinary competition. A new twist is that Bocuse d’Or and Pastry World Cup will be held in conjunction with the Louisiana Restaurant Association Showcase, the largest restaurant and hospitality industry trade show in the U.S. Gulf region. The best chefs and pastry artists from across North and South America will be in New Orleans competing for a coveted place in the grand finale in Lyon, France, in 2027, where they will join competitors from Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. Bocuse d’Or and the Pastry World Cup showcase elite culinary talent on a global scale and together serve as the key qualifying step in the world’s premier culinary and pastry competitions. For more information, go to https://www.neworleans.com/event/2026-americas-selection-of-bocuse-d%e2%80%99or-and-pastry-world-cup/119970/.
August 1, 2026
White Linen Night
White Linen Night takes place throughout New Orleans’ Warehouse/Arts District and Central Business District. Most events are concentrated along Julia Street, a corridor known for its bounty of art galleries, however, events also spill out onto neighboring streets throughout the area, including Magazine and Camp streets. In addition to most galleries on Julia Street, the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art will open their doors and welcome guests to explore exciting new exhibits. The block party will be held between the 300-600 blocks of Julia Street. https://www.artsdistrictneworleans.com/events/fidelity-bank-white-linen-night
August 1 & 2
Satchmo SummerFest
The two-day celebration is one of the only festivals in the world dedicated to honoring Louis Armstrong. It features two stages of music, a delicious culinary lineup featuring Louisiana restaurants, and an incredible indoor lecture series poised to educate guests on Armstrong’s history and enduring impact. Satchmo SummerFest is scheduled annually to coincide with the legendary trumpeter and showman’s birthday on August 4; the first festival took place on what would have been his 100th birthday, the same year the New Orleans facility was renamed Louis Armstrong International Airport. The festival showcases some of the finest jazz artists in New Orleans as a way of illustrating Satchmo’s legacy. Sponsored by French Quarter Festivals, Inc., Satchmo SummerFest has grown into one of the premier events in a city famous for its vibrant festivities. It is based at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, located in the French Quarter. Outdoor activities include live performances on two stages, with many of New Orleans’s leading traditional musicians paying tribute to Armstrong and his many musical contributions. Alongside energetic outdoor performances and tasty culinary offerings, the festival includes Satchmo Seminars, which offer indoor lectures and discussions led by Armstrong biographers, historians, and musicians inspired by his work. For further details, please visit https://frenchquarterfest.org/satchmo/.
August 8
Red Dress Run
This charitable event, organized by the New Orleans Hash House Harriers, is renowned as one of the most distinctive running experiences in the world. Participants, locals as well as imports, don red attire—specifically, dresses—for this annual event that features a two-mile run. Attendees will enjoy lunch at 11:30 a.m., folowed by live music at noon. It is important to note that all runners must be at least 21 years old. While membership in the New Orleans Hash House Harriers is not a requirement, registration is strongly recommended, as all proceeds benefit local charities. The festivities often extend into the nearby French Quarter, continuing from early afternoon into the evening. Participants are encouraged to spend the remainder of the day exploring the area amid the vibrant sea of red. For further details, please visit https://noh3.com/RDR/events.
August 8, 2026
Dirty Linen Night
Dirty Linen Night offers a unique twist on White Linen Night, inviting art enthusiasts to embrace the imperfect and unconventional side of New Orleans’ French Quarter. Organized by the Royal Street Arts District nonprofit, this edition of the event aims to infuse passion and music into the world of art. Galleries along Royal Street will open their doors, offering captivating exhibits for attendees to explore while live musicians will fill the streets with their melodies, creating an enchanting atmosphere to enhance the artistic vibe. Tourists and locals alike are encouraged to bring out their dirty linens from White Linen Night the week before, and head to Royal Street for a block party. https://dirtylinen.org/
New Orleans Black Pride
NOLA Black Pride 2026 is a weekend of events celebrating the black LGBTQ+ community and culture. Several events are free to attend, in addition to ticketed events. New Orleans Black Pride Weekend is held every June and includes several events that celebrate queer people of color. In addition to pool and dance parties, the calendar of events includes a welcome party and “fam”ily reunion picnic. Community Fest will be held on Saturday, June 6 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Armstrong Park. Enjoy live performances from local musicians, savory and sweet bites, and activities for kids of all ages. For more information, visit https://blackpridenola.org/
June 6 & 7
The French Market Creole Tomato Festival
The 40th Annual French Market Creole Tomato Festival celebrates the region’s renowned Creole tomatoes through food, music, and family activities. This signature festival marks the official start of summer and features fresh local produce and live entertainment and includes opportunities to sample a variety of tomato-based dishes. It runs from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day and takes place at the historic French Market. It’s free and open to the public, spanning the French Market district, from Dutch Alley to Farmers Market. For more information, visit https://www.frenchmarket.org/creoletomatofest/.
June 10–13
The New Orleans Food & Wine Experience 2026
The 34th Annual New Orleans Wine and Food Experience (NOWFE) is a five-day celebration that offers a full schedule of events for everyone, from novices to connoisseurs. It features unique programming, including Vinola, at which guests can enjoy an intimate atmosphere while sampling a variety of rare and highly sought-after wines, expertly paired with delectable dishes crafted by local chefs. Another highlight is the Tournament of Rosés, where attendees can join in the fun New Orleans style, dressed in shades of pink, and taste premier rosés—both still and sparkling—from France, Spain, Italy, the United States, and the Southern Hemisphere. The grand finale is The Grand Tasting, which showcases wines from around the world and delicious food prepared by some of New Orleans’s finest chefs. For more information, visit www.nowfe.com.
June 12–14
New Orleans Pridefest
New Orleans Pridefest is in the Marigny at the Phoenix Bar, located at 941 Elysian Fields Avenue. It will feature live music, drag shows, and many other activities. Tony & the Kiki will headline the 2026 event. This celebration is in the evening from 5:00 to 10 :00 p.m. There is also an opening reception on Thursday, June 11 and a pool party on Sunday, June 14. Pride events in New Orleans began in the early 1970s, when the LGBTQ+ community organized gatherings to celebrate progress and push for equality. The festival is the biggest Pride event in Louisiana. It attracts thousands from New Orleans, the Gulf South, and all across the U.S. For more details, visit https://www.nolapridefest.com/.
June 19–21
NOLA Juneteenth Freedom Gala and Festival
Commemorate Juneteenth with the NOLA Juneteenth Festival at Armstrong Park/Congo Square. Admission is free. The Juneteenth Freedom Gala will be held on June 20. In the southern corner of Armstrong Park is Congo Square, an open space where people of color—both enslaved and free—gathered throughout the 19th century for meetings, open markets, and African dance and drumming. For more information, go to https://www.nolajuneteenthfestival.org/.
July 3–5
Essence Festival of Culture
ESSENCE Festival’s theme this year is We Are “Made Like This.” Performers this year include Cardi B, Latto, Patti LaBelle, Brandy & Monica, and Kehlani. Held over Fourth of July weekend at the Caesars Superdome and throughout downtown New Orleans, this multiday party named for its founder and sponsoring magazine combines high-octane music performances with inspirational speakers and provocative conversations about gender, race, culture, and art. The popular event brings not only a slew of big names to New Orleans but large evening performances, intimate lounge shows, and DJ parties. By day, the Empowerment Experience spotlights dozens of speakers on thought-provoking topics such as religion, economics, and education. These are traditionally free. Dozens of vendors have displays set up around the Superdome and park areas that are temporarily turned into outdoor markets. You can expect to see a variety of quality fine art and crafts from clothing and jewelry to collectible paintings and sculptures. All art displays and demonstrations will represent the rich culture developed from all over the African Diaspora. The Essence Expo Experience includes seminars and workshops on a wide range of topics, including beauty and style as well as power and finance. Attendees can participate in live tutorials, free consultations, fashion and makeup presentations, and more. For additional information, visit www.essence.com/festival.
July 4, 20026
Go 4th on the River
This unique salute to America's Independence will feature a fireworks display over the Mighty Mississippi (from the Hilton New Orleans Riverside to the French Market District) and can be seen from both banks of the river. https://www.go4thontheriver.com/
July 10
Bastille Day Fete
Celebrate New Orleans’s French heritage and the French national holiday at this year’s Bastille Day Fête! Join the Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans on July 10 for crepes, a champagne bar, French DJ, costume contest, cash bar, dancers, live music, kids’ activities, and much more. For additional information, go to https://www.af-neworleans.org/event-rsvp/bastille-day-2026.
July 10–12
Running of the Bulls
The excitement of the renowned Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, has been creatively adapted to the vibrant streets of New Orleans, creating a distinctive Big Easy flair. This thrilling event embodies both exhilaration and peril as daring participants, known as correros (runners), are chased by the formidable Big Easy Roller Derby and its most aggressive counterparts. Inspired by the original event, the San Fermin’s New Orleans Running of the Bulls elevates the excitement to unprecedented heights. Rather than actual bulls, a group of derby skaters on roller skates unleash their energy, wielding foam-filled plastic bats. Participants are encouraged to don white pants and white tops complemented by a red bandana. For further details, please visit www.nolabulls.com/.
July 10–12
GalaxyCon New Orleans
GalaxyCon New Orleans is more than a comic con. It’s a three-day festival of fandom, with celebrities, artists, writers, voice actors, cosplayers, entertainers, creators, wrestlers, fan groups, and panelists taking part. Join this panoply from across the galaxy in a celebration of comic books, pop culture, sci-fi, fantasy, anime, gaming, cosplay, etc. For more details, go to https://galaxycon.com/pages/galaxycon-new-orleans-tickets.
July 19–24
Tales of the Cocktail
Tales of the Cocktail is one of the foremost global conferences dedicated to cocktails. Experience a weeklong festivity centered around cocktails and mixology. Tales of the Cocktail has grown into the world’s premier cocktail festival. Each year, the international bar and spirits industry is welcomed to New Orleans for a week of seminars, tastings, networking, and special events. With hundreds of opportunities developed specifically for bartenders, distillers, cocktail enthusiasts, and other spirits professionals, Tales of the Cocktail is the industry’s annual opportunity for exchanging new ideas, products, and techniques. This conference, organized by the nonprofit Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, seeks to educate, promote, and support cocktail professionals as well as ordinary enthusiasts. For additional details, please visit https://talesofthecocktail.org/events/tales-of-the-cocktail-new-orleans/.
X Games Championship 2026
July 24–26
The electrifying action sports festival will take place at the iconic Caesars Superdome, marking a monumental moment for the legendary venue. The three-day event will include a live music lineup, next-level sponsor integrations from XGL founding partner Monster Energy and others, and 18 topnotch Skate, BMX and Moto X competitions with more than one hundred of the world’s best action-sports athletes. For more information, go to https://www.xgames.com/events/new-orleans-2026/.
July 25 & 26
2026 Americas Selection of Bocuse d’Or and Pastry World Cup
The Americas selection of the Pastry World Cup and Bocuse d’Or will return to New Orleans and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center July 25 and 26, following a historic and highly successful debut here in 2024. No other U.S. city has ever hosted this prestigious international culinary competition. A new twist is that Bocuse d’Or and Pastry World Cup will be held in conjunction with the Louisiana Restaurant Association Showcase, the largest restaurant and hospitality industry trade show in the U.S. Gulf region. The best chefs and pastry artists from across North and South America will be in New Orleans competing for a coveted place in the grand finale in Lyon, France, in 2027, where they will join competitors from Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. Bocuse d’Or and the Pastry World Cup showcase elite culinary talent on a global scale and together serve as the key qualifying step in the world’s premier culinary and pastry competitions. For more information, go to https://www.neworleans.com/event/2026-americas-selection-of-bocuse-d%e2%80%99or-and-pastry-world-cup/119970/.
August 1, 2026
White Linen Night
White Linen Night takes place throughout New Orleans’ Warehouse/Arts District and Central Business District. Most events are concentrated along Julia Street, a corridor known for its bounty of art galleries, however, events also spill out onto neighboring streets throughout the area, including Magazine and Camp streets. In addition to most galleries on Julia Street, the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art will open their doors and welcome guests to explore exciting new exhibits. The block party will be held between the 300-600 blocks of Julia Street. https://www.artsdistrictneworleans.com/events/fidelity-bank-white-linen-night
August 1 & 2
Satchmo SummerFest
The two-day celebration is one of the only festivals in the world dedicated to honoring Louis Armstrong. It features two stages of music, a delicious culinary lineup featuring Louisiana restaurants, and an incredible indoor lecture series poised to educate guests on Armstrong’s history and enduring impact. Satchmo SummerFest is scheduled annually to coincide with the legendary trumpeter and showman’s birthday on August 4; the first festival took place on what would have been his 100th birthday, the same year the New Orleans facility was renamed Louis Armstrong International Airport. The festival showcases some of the finest jazz artists in New Orleans as a way of illustrating Satchmo’s legacy. Sponsored by French Quarter Festivals, Inc., Satchmo SummerFest has grown into one of the premier events in a city famous for its vibrant festivities. It is based at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, located in the French Quarter. Outdoor activities include live performances on two stages, with many of New Orleans’s leading traditional musicians paying tribute to Armstrong and his many musical contributions. Alongside energetic outdoor performances and tasty culinary offerings, the festival includes Satchmo Seminars, which offer indoor lectures and discussions led by Armstrong biographers, historians, and musicians inspired by his work. For further details, please visit https://frenchquarterfest.org/satchmo/.
August 8
Red Dress Run
This charitable event, organized by the New Orleans Hash House Harriers, is renowned as one of the most distinctive running experiences in the world. Participants, locals as well as imports, don red attire—specifically, dresses—for this annual event that features a two-mile run. Attendees will enjoy lunch at 11:30 a.m., folowed by live music at noon. It is important to note that all runners must be at least 21 years old. While membership in the New Orleans Hash House Harriers is not a requirement, registration is strongly recommended, as all proceeds benefit local charities. The festivities often extend into the nearby French Quarter, continuing from early afternoon into the evening. Participants are encouraged to spend the remainder of the day exploring the area amid the vibrant sea of red. For further details, please visit https://noh3.com/RDR/events.
August 8, 2026
Dirty Linen Night
Dirty Linen Night offers a unique twist on White Linen Night, inviting art enthusiasts to embrace the imperfect and unconventional side of New Orleans’ French Quarter. Organized by the Royal Street Arts District nonprofit, this edition of the event aims to infuse passion and music into the world of art. Galleries along Royal Street will open their doors, offering captivating exhibits for attendees to explore while live musicians will fill the streets with their melodies, creating an enchanting atmosphere to enhance the artistic vibe. Tourists and locals alike are encouraged to bring out their dirty linens from White Linen Night the week before, and head to Royal Street for a block party. https://dirtylinen.org/
