May 07, 2018
April 27-May 6
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
A world-renowned, award-winning cultural festival that celebrates the indigenous music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana, this event also features top headliners! Enjoy every genre of music including blues, R&B, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, folk, Latin, bluegrass, rock, rap, country, and lots of jazz, both contemporary and traditional. Held at the Fair Grounds Race Course, Jazz Fest allows revelers to indulge in classic Louisiana cuisine offered by some of the area’s top eateries and discover one-of-a-kind, handmade goods from fine art to jewelry.
nojazzfest.com
May 13
Mothers Day in the French Quarter
The French Quarter is the perfect place to spend Mother’s Day with mom. From delicious brunch spots to unique shopping boutiques and art galleries, the French Quarter is full of everything you need to show your love and appreciation to that special lady in your life.
May 20
ZZ Top at the Saenger Theatre
The legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Famers from Texas are making a stop on their 2018 The Tonnage Tour, hitting the stage at the Saenger Theatre. saengernola.com
May 25
Giselle at the Orpheum Theatre
New Orleans Ballet Theatre Presents the romantic ballet Giselle at The Orpheum Theater. Don’t miss this beautiful performance! orpheumnola.com
May 23-27
New Orleans Wine & Food Experience
In its 25th year, NOWFE has become one of most incredible culinary events in the nation, attracting over 10,000 gourmands and connoisseurs, as well as art and music lovers. This four-day bacchanalian delight is a true feast for the senses, featuring winemaker dinners from NOLA’s best restaurants, a super-premium wine tasting called VINOLA, and the Royal Street Stroll, a tasting and gallery hop along world-famous Royal Street. If you're looking for a culinary getaway, want to rub shoulders with top chefs and winemakers, or simply enjoy the good food and wine, then book your ticket to this year's New Orleans Wine & Food Experience.
nowfe.com
May 30
Sippin’ in the Courtyard at the Maison Dupuy Hotel
This happy hour series benefits local organizations and features New Orleans musicians. Locals and hotel guests are invited to experience the party atmosphere of the Maison Dupuy's lush and large courtyard during this fun event for a great cause.
maisondupuy.com
June 2-3
Oyster Fest
Love Louisiana oysters and music? Then, this is THE festival for you! Held in Woldenberg Riverfront Park along the Mississippi River, the New Orleans Oyster Fest aims to honor and celebrate the restaurateurs and oyster farmers who have helped to make Louisiana’s favorite bivalves sought after worldwide. Proceeds from the event will help support local coastal communities, fishermen and their families. Free to attend.
neworleansoysterfestival.org
June 8-10
New Orleans Pride
Named one of the fastest growing Pride celebrations in the nation by gaytravel.com (2013), New Orleans Pride has nearly tripled in size since 2012. The festival is composed of a weekend of events that are centered around the LGBT community of New Orleans and its allies.
Neworleansonline.com
June 9-10
French Market Creole Tomato Festival
Tomato lovers rejoice! Held throughout the French Market, this tomato-centric fest celebrates Louisiana's produce, farmers, and the region’s unique cultural and cuisine offerings, with special emphasis on the Creole tomato. Free to attend, the event offers cooking demos, children’s activities, live local music, a Creole tomato parade, a local farmer’s market and of course lots of fabulous food! Look for people strolling the grounds in tomato costumes and handing out tomato shaped fans, and don’t miss the Creole tomato eating contests.
frenchmarket.org
June 21-23
FestiGals
Shop, sip and socialize during this fun-filled weekend created just for the ladies. The ultimate women’s getaway weekend features a Sip & Shop event, a Bodacious Bras for a Cause luncheon and bra auction, seminars and workshops, culinary demonstrations, historic tours, a Stiletto Stroll through the Quarter and lots of girl fun.
festigals.org
June 23-24
Louisiana Cajun Zydeco Festival
Organized by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival is New Orleans' premier showcase for the two-stepping dance music of the Bayou State. Tap your toes as you indulge in classic New Orleans cuisine created by some of the city’s best restaurants. This lively event, which also features an arts market, is held at Armstrong Park. jazzandheritage.org/cajun-zydeco
July 5-8
Essence Fest
Get ready for the best in R&B, hip-hop, jazz, blues, and more! Essence Fest is the nation’s premier showcase for contemporary African American music and culture. The weekend includes lively events featuring DJ’s, artists, performers, comedy shows, seminars and “Empower U” workshops.
www.essence.com/festival
July 4
Independence Day French Quarter Fireworks
Celebrate July 4th New Orleans style with a spectacular fireworks display from the dueling barges on the Mississippi River. Woldenberg Park offers a great vantage point of the beautiful fireworks display.
July 4
July 4th Fireworks Cruise on the Steamboat Natchez
The Steamboat Natchez invites passengers on a special holiday cruise featuring the best seats in town to the “symphony in the sky”. Cruise features delicious buffet, open beer, wine, and soda bar, as well as a local dj spinning your favorite tunes. steamboatnatchez.com
July 13-15
San Fermin in Nueva Orleans
The 12th annual four-day festival features an Encierro, or Bull Run, through downtown New Orleans, which replicates and pays homage to Spain’s world famous "The Running of the Bulls", only these bulls are members of the Big Easy Rollergirls. The weekend also includes El Txupinazo--a lively Spanish preparty at Seven Three Distillery, La Fiesta de Pantalones,, and El Pobre de Mi (Poor Me) – a day of recovery featuring an Ernest Hemingway celebration and talent contest.
nolabulls.com
July 14
Bastille Day Fete
Mais Oui! The French Market and Old U.S. Mint host the annual Bastille Day Fete throughout the city featuring music, food and the French Quarter Waiters Race, whereby local waiters carrying serving trays stacked with water-filled glasses hustle to the finish line to claim the title. A must do for Francophiles! Bastilledaynola.com
July 17-22
Tales of the Cocktail
This spirited festival salutes all things cocktail related. The five-day festival features spirited dinners around town that pair creative cocktails with great New Orleans cuisine, educational seminars, late night cocktail soirees, festive luncheons and excursions, well-stocked tasting rooms, and even a Spirited Awards ceremony, which recognizes the best bartenders, spirit writers, bars, and cocktail experts in the spirit world. The world’s premier cocktail-centric festival brings together the international spirit community to mix and mingle with the brightest minds in mixology.
talesofthecocktail.com
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
A world-renowned, award-winning cultural festival that celebrates the indigenous music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana, this event also features top headliners! Enjoy every genre of music including blues, R&B, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, folk, Latin, bluegrass, rock, rap, country, and lots of jazz, both contemporary and traditional. Held at the Fair Grounds Race Course, Jazz Fest allows revelers to indulge in classic Louisiana cuisine offered by some of the area’s top eateries and discover one-of-a-kind, handmade goods from fine art to jewelry.
nojazzfest.com
May 13
Mothers Day in the French Quarter
The French Quarter is the perfect place to spend Mother’s Day with mom. From delicious brunch spots to unique shopping boutiques and art galleries, the French Quarter is full of everything you need to show your love and appreciation to that special lady in your life.
May 20
ZZ Top at the Saenger Theatre
The legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Famers from Texas are making a stop on their 2018 The Tonnage Tour, hitting the stage at the Saenger Theatre. saengernola.com
May 25
Giselle at the Orpheum Theatre
New Orleans Ballet Theatre Presents the romantic ballet Giselle at The Orpheum Theater. Don’t miss this beautiful performance! orpheumnola.com
May 23-27
New Orleans Wine & Food Experience
In its 25th year, NOWFE has become one of most incredible culinary events in the nation, attracting over 10,000 gourmands and connoisseurs, as well as art and music lovers. This four-day bacchanalian delight is a true feast for the senses, featuring winemaker dinners from NOLA’s best restaurants, a super-premium wine tasting called VINOLA, and the Royal Street Stroll, a tasting and gallery hop along world-famous Royal Street. If you're looking for a culinary getaway, want to rub shoulders with top chefs and winemakers, or simply enjoy the good food and wine, then book your ticket to this year's New Orleans Wine & Food Experience.
nowfe.com
May 30
Sippin’ in the Courtyard at the Maison Dupuy Hotel
This happy hour series benefits local organizations and features New Orleans musicians. Locals and hotel guests are invited to experience the party atmosphere of the Maison Dupuy's lush and large courtyard during this fun event for a great cause.
maisondupuy.com
June 2-3
Oyster Fest
Love Louisiana oysters and music? Then, this is THE festival for you! Held in Woldenberg Riverfront Park along the Mississippi River, the New Orleans Oyster Fest aims to honor and celebrate the restaurateurs and oyster farmers who have helped to make Louisiana’s favorite bivalves sought after worldwide. Proceeds from the event will help support local coastal communities, fishermen and their families. Free to attend.
neworleansoysterfestival.org
June 8-10
New Orleans Pride
Named one of the fastest growing Pride celebrations in the nation by gaytravel.com (2013), New Orleans Pride has nearly tripled in size since 2012. The festival is composed of a weekend of events that are centered around the LGBT community of New Orleans and its allies.
Neworleansonline.com
June 9-10
French Market Creole Tomato Festival
Tomato lovers rejoice! Held throughout the French Market, this tomato-centric fest celebrates Louisiana's produce, farmers, and the region’s unique cultural and cuisine offerings, with special emphasis on the Creole tomato. Free to attend, the event offers cooking demos, children’s activities, live local music, a Creole tomato parade, a local farmer’s market and of course lots of fabulous food! Look for people strolling the grounds in tomato costumes and handing out tomato shaped fans, and don’t miss the Creole tomato eating contests.
frenchmarket.org
June 21-23
FestiGals
Shop, sip and socialize during this fun-filled weekend created just for the ladies. The ultimate women’s getaway weekend features a Sip & Shop event, a Bodacious Bras for a Cause luncheon and bra auction, seminars and workshops, culinary demonstrations, historic tours, a Stiletto Stroll through the Quarter and lots of girl fun.
festigals.org
June 23-24
Louisiana Cajun Zydeco Festival
Organized by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival is New Orleans' premier showcase for the two-stepping dance music of the Bayou State. Tap your toes as you indulge in classic New Orleans cuisine created by some of the city’s best restaurants. This lively event, which also features an arts market, is held at Armstrong Park. jazzandheritage.org/cajun-zydeco
July 5-8
Essence Fest
Get ready for the best in R&B, hip-hop, jazz, blues, and more! Essence Fest is the nation’s premier showcase for contemporary African American music and culture. The weekend includes lively events featuring DJ’s, artists, performers, comedy shows, seminars and “Empower U” workshops.
www.essence.com/festival
July 4
Independence Day French Quarter Fireworks
Celebrate July 4th New Orleans style with a spectacular fireworks display from the dueling barges on the Mississippi River. Woldenberg Park offers a great vantage point of the beautiful fireworks display.
July 4
July 4th Fireworks Cruise on the Steamboat Natchez
The Steamboat Natchez invites passengers on a special holiday cruise featuring the best seats in town to the “symphony in the sky”. Cruise features delicious buffet, open beer, wine, and soda bar, as well as a local dj spinning your favorite tunes. steamboatnatchez.com
July 13-15
San Fermin in Nueva Orleans
The 12th annual four-day festival features an Encierro, or Bull Run, through downtown New Orleans, which replicates and pays homage to Spain’s world famous "The Running of the Bulls", only these bulls are members of the Big Easy Rollergirls. The weekend also includes El Txupinazo--a lively Spanish preparty at Seven Three Distillery, La Fiesta de Pantalones,, and El Pobre de Mi (Poor Me) – a day of recovery featuring an Ernest Hemingway celebration and talent contest.
nolabulls.com
July 14
Bastille Day Fete
Mais Oui! The French Market and Old U.S. Mint host the annual Bastille Day Fete throughout the city featuring music, food and the French Quarter Waiters Race, whereby local waiters carrying serving trays stacked with water-filled glasses hustle to the finish line to claim the title. A must do for Francophiles! Bastilledaynola.com
July 17-22
Tales of the Cocktail
This spirited festival salutes all things cocktail related. The five-day festival features spirited dinners around town that pair creative cocktails with great New Orleans cuisine, educational seminars, late night cocktail soirees, festive luncheons and excursions, well-stocked tasting rooms, and even a Spirited Awards ceremony, which recognizes the best bartenders, spirit writers, bars, and cocktail experts in the spirit world. The world’s premier cocktail-centric festival brings together the international spirit community to mix and mingle with the brightest minds in mixology.
talesofthecocktail.com
