August 22, 2024
Aug. 30 - Sept. 2 – Southern Decadence
The largest LGBTQ+ event in our city. Southern Decadence happens over the Labor Day weekend from Thursday, Aug. 30 through Monday, Sept. 2. The holiday itself had its beginnings in August 1972, as an end-of-summer party among a group of friends both straight and gay. They billed their event as "Southern Decadence Party: Come as Your Favorite Southern Decadent." People who attended were required to dress as their favorite decadent Southerner. Today crowds surpass 250,000 to celebrate the conclusion of the summer with annual parties, a parade, burlesque shows, drag shows, block parties and brunches.
Sept. 6–8 - New Orleans Tattoo Arts Festival
The world’s largest tattoo convention tour returns to New Orleans for its sixth iteration Sept. 6–8, 2024 at the Morial Convention Center. You can get tattooed by some of the best local, national, or international tattoo artists. In addition to the tattoo artists, many from the show Ink Masters, there will also be vendors geared toward the tattoo enthusiast, with everything from jewelry, clothing and artwork. For more information, go to worldtattooevents.com/new-orleans-tattoo-arts-festival/#google_vignette.
Sept. 28-29 - The International Arts Fest NOLA 2024
The International Arts Fest NOLA 2024 was created to celebrate the beauty of art envisioned through the lens of instruments, paintbrushes, voices, imagery and poetry. The festival will take place at Armstrong Park from 12 p.m.–8 p.m. both days. The multi-day event platform is designed to spotlight the incredible New Orleans musicians among a carefully curated list of global stars many from select cities with formal “Sister City” agreements. More information at https://iafnola.com/#de-carousel.
Oct 5 - Oct. 6 – National Fried Chicken Festival
Spicy, mild, crispy, extra crispy, double-dipped or honey-hot, you will find all kinds of delectable ways to enjoy your chicken at the sixth anniversary of the National Fried Chicken Festival taking place Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. along the scenic backdrop of Lake Pontchartrain on Lakeshore Drive and Franklin Avenue. Founded in 2016 in New Orleans, the National Fried Chicken Festival presented by Raising Cane’s is a two-day outdoor festival bringing together hundreds of thousands from across the nation around a shared love of great food, music, and culture. This year’s festival will include a wide variety of world-class dishes from over 45 participating restaurants. For more information, go to jazzandheritage.org/events/crescent-city-blues-bbq-festival/
Oct. 17–27 - New Orleans Film Festival
The 35th Annual Oscar-qualifying New Orleans Film Festival take place in venues across the city with in-person events, parties, panels and filmmaker pitches. NOFF annually brings together 150+ films and hosts 100+ filmmakers to celebrate the works of emerging and established filmmakers from New Orleans, Louisiana, the South, and beyond. Audiences get a chance to meet filmmakers in person at talkback sessions after film screenings while filmmakers get to network with each other and industry professionals flying in from Los Angeles and New York to discover emerging talent. For more information, go to neworleansfilmsociety.org/pressroom/
Oct. 18–20 – Halloween New Orleans
Celebrating their 41st year, the theme of this 3 day event is “Camp HNO.” Halloween New Orleans brings another spine-tingling weekend of adventure and memories. Take in the best of the great outdoors with friends old and new at Camp HNO, where the spirit of summer thrives in the heart of Halloween. Enjoy three amazing events packed full of unforgettable experiences and endless possibilities. All proceeds from these events go to Lazarus House. Halloween New Orleans is one of the most celebrated LGBTQ+ party weekends of the year while also being one of the longest-running and most respected fundraising events in the country. For more information, go to halloweenneworleans.com/
Oct. 18–20 - NOLA Funk Fest
The NOLA Funk Fest was the celebratory opening for The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience, a museum of grand scale dedicated to the preservation of Louisiana’s rich musical history. At NOLA Funk Fest 2024, a new exhibit on Louisiana Blues will make its debut at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. The festival will take place at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Their programming includes two symposiums where oral histories, flavored by musical performances, will highlight the evolution of blues and jazz into R&B, rock-and-roll and funk. For more information, go to nolafunkfest.com/
Oct. 19 - Krewe of Boo Parade
Everyone loves a parade in NOLA and the one during Halloween season is an extra special spooky good time. The Krewe of Boo Parade will take place on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024 in the French Quarter starting at 6 p.m. Founded in 2007, the first Krewe of BOO! parade rolled the following year as a fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina relief. Today the parade boats 450 riders, 15 floats and 35 marching bands and dance krewes. Krewe of BOO! has grown from a single parade into a weekend full of events. For more information, go to https://www.kreweofboo.com/.
Oct. 25-26 - 9th Annual Tremė Fall Festival
The historic Tremė neighborhood welcomes the 9th Annual Tremė Fall Festival. This wonderful and vibrant two-day event is hosted by the Friends of Tremé Culture, an organization that aims to support, promote and preserve the culture of the Tremė neighborhood so culture bearers can live, work and thrive in the Tremé community. The event includes a Patron Party on Friday at the George & Joyce Wein Heritage Center and the festival on Saturday on the 1100 block of Henrietta Delille Street. For more information, go to https://www.tremefest.org/.
Oct. 27 – 16th Annual Po-Boy Festival
Oak Street, located in Uptown New Orleans right along the streetcar line, is the place to be for their 16th Annual Oak Street Po-Boy Festival, presented by Tony Chachere’s, on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. between the 8100–8700 blocks of Oak Street. The festival will once again host 40 food vendors and beverage vendors, live music on multiple stages, Saints Game watching, VIP Area, Arts Market, Kids Zone, sponsor-activations, opening parade and a po-boy competition juried by celebrity judges. For more information, go to https://www.poboyfest.com/.
Nov. 1 – 2 - Bayou Bacchanal
New Orleans has been called the "northernmost Caribbean city" and with good reason, from our cultural roots through music and food to our tropical climate. Bayou Bacchanal, the original Caribbean Carnival of New Orleans, is back for its celebration of Caribbean culture and heritage at Congo Square located in Louis Armstrong Park. Presented by Friends of Culture, Bayou Bacchanal will include Caribbean cuisine, dance, music, and celebration. For more information, go to https://www.neworleans.com/event/bayou-bacchanal/11654/.
Nov. 2 – NOLA Zydeco Fest
This annual event that bridges the flavors of southwest and southeast Louisiana culture. The event returns to the Mandeville Shed, located at Crescent Park, on Nov. 2, 2024 Set against the backdrop of the Mississippi River, attendees will be treated to live performances by Zydeco bands from southwest Louisiana, infusing the air with infectious rhythms and energy with dance classes between each musical act. Indulge your taste buds with delicious and flavorful Louisiana cuisine, featuring classic dishes that embody the essence of Creole and Cajun cooking. Browse through our cultural and craft vendors showcasing local goods, including handmade crafts, artwork and unique souvenirs. For more information, go to https://nolazydecofest.com/.
Nov. 9 – 10 - The Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival
Got gumbo? If you love brass bands and gumbo, we have got the festival for you. The Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival takes place at Louis Armstrong Park. The festival features a great lineup of New Orleans brass bands, food vendors all serving different versions of gumbo and an arts market. Admission is free. Some of the great dishes include dark roux chicken and sausage gumbo, Creole filé gumbo, seafood gumbo, po-boys and shrimp ‘n’ grits. For more information, go to https://www.jazzandheritage.org/events/2024-treme-creole-gumbo-festival/.
Nov. 14–17 – LUNA Fête
LUNA Fête is a visionary initiative created by Arts New Orleans to demonstrate the power of art to transform communities. This year the event will take place Nov. 14–17, 2024 down Lafayette Street starting at Lafayette Square Park. Most installations run continuously throughout the festival, with the exception of the premiere projection, which is nightly from 6–10 p.m. every hour on the hour. It is a great family event! This free and open to the public festival celebrates New Orleans creative industries and provides a memorable experience for more than 100,000 diverse event attendees. More than 250 New Orleans artists and 60 youth have advanced their technical and artistic skills through this unique educational opportunity. For more information, go to https://www.lunafete.com/.
Nov. 16 - Beignet Festival
The city’s favored French treat is celebrated in City Park Festival Grounds. Come hungry and feast on delicious, decadent delicacies from traditional sweet treats covered in powdered sugar to savory options bursting with seafood, cheese and more from some of the city’s best restaurants, caterers, and food trucks. Profits from the Beignet Festival will benefit the Beignet Fest Foundation, whose mission is to celebrate and improve the lives of children with developmental delays and disabilities. The event also includes live, local music performances, a Kids Village, Artist Market and Beer Garden. For more information, go to beignetfest.com/
Nov 28 - Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving in New Orleans is a wonderful opportunity to experience our unique and delicious cuisine. Many of the city’s finest restaurants are open for Thanksgiving lunch or dinner, as are most hotels. Another special place to go on Thanksgiving Day is the Fairgrounds Race Course and Slots. The third-oldest track in the country offers a wide selection of options, ranging from ultra-modern dining facilities in a glass-enclosed clubhouse—complete with video monitors at each table—to no-frills grandstand seating outdoors along with an oyster bar. Or work up an appetite by starting your day off at the Turkey Day Race at Tad Gormley Stadium. Established in 1907, the New Orleans Athletic Club's Turkey Day Race is one of the oldest continuously held non-marathon races in the United States. Starting and finishing at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans City Park, the morning includes 5 Mile and kids' half-mile run/walk races. Families from around the country have made this event one of their favorite holiday traditions, with multiple generations participating year after year. Proceeds benefit Spina Bifida of Louisiana.
The largest LGBTQ+ event in our city. Southern Decadence happens over the Labor Day weekend from Thursday, Aug. 30 through Monday, Sept. 2. The holiday itself had its beginnings in August 1972, as an end-of-summer party among a group of friends both straight and gay. They billed their event as "Southern Decadence Party: Come as Your Favorite Southern Decadent." People who attended were required to dress as their favorite decadent Southerner. Today crowds surpass 250,000 to celebrate the conclusion of the summer with annual parties, a parade, burlesque shows, drag shows, block parties and brunches.
Sept. 6–8 - New Orleans Tattoo Arts Festival
The world’s largest tattoo convention tour returns to New Orleans for its sixth iteration Sept. 6–8, 2024 at the Morial Convention Center. You can get tattooed by some of the best local, national, or international tattoo artists. In addition to the tattoo artists, many from the show Ink Masters, there will also be vendors geared toward the tattoo enthusiast, with everything from jewelry, clothing and artwork. For more information, go to worldtattooevents.com/new-orleans-tattoo-arts-festival/#google_vignette.
Sept. 28-29 - The International Arts Fest NOLA 2024
The International Arts Fest NOLA 2024 was created to celebrate the beauty of art envisioned through the lens of instruments, paintbrushes, voices, imagery and poetry. The festival will take place at Armstrong Park from 12 p.m.–8 p.m. both days. The multi-day event platform is designed to spotlight the incredible New Orleans musicians among a carefully curated list of global stars many from select cities with formal “Sister City” agreements. More information at https://iafnola.com/#de-carousel.
Oct 5 - Oct. 6 – National Fried Chicken Festival
Spicy, mild, crispy, extra crispy, double-dipped or honey-hot, you will find all kinds of delectable ways to enjoy your chicken at the sixth anniversary of the National Fried Chicken Festival taking place Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. along the scenic backdrop of Lake Pontchartrain on Lakeshore Drive and Franklin Avenue. Founded in 2016 in New Orleans, the National Fried Chicken Festival presented by Raising Cane’s is a two-day outdoor festival bringing together hundreds of thousands from across the nation around a shared love of great food, music, and culture. This year’s festival will include a wide variety of world-class dishes from over 45 participating restaurants. For more information, go to jazzandheritage.org/events/crescent-city-blues-bbq-festival/
Oct. 17–27 - New Orleans Film Festival
The 35th Annual Oscar-qualifying New Orleans Film Festival take place in venues across the city with in-person events, parties, panels and filmmaker pitches. NOFF annually brings together 150+ films and hosts 100+ filmmakers to celebrate the works of emerging and established filmmakers from New Orleans, Louisiana, the South, and beyond. Audiences get a chance to meet filmmakers in person at talkback sessions after film screenings while filmmakers get to network with each other and industry professionals flying in from Los Angeles and New York to discover emerging talent. For more information, go to neworleansfilmsociety.org/pressroom/
Oct. 18–20 – Halloween New Orleans
Celebrating their 41st year, the theme of this 3 day event is “Camp HNO.” Halloween New Orleans brings another spine-tingling weekend of adventure and memories. Take in the best of the great outdoors with friends old and new at Camp HNO, where the spirit of summer thrives in the heart of Halloween. Enjoy three amazing events packed full of unforgettable experiences and endless possibilities. All proceeds from these events go to Lazarus House. Halloween New Orleans is one of the most celebrated LGBTQ+ party weekends of the year while also being one of the longest-running and most respected fundraising events in the country. For more information, go to halloweenneworleans.com/
Oct. 18–20 - NOLA Funk Fest
The NOLA Funk Fest was the celebratory opening for The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience, a museum of grand scale dedicated to the preservation of Louisiana’s rich musical history. At NOLA Funk Fest 2024, a new exhibit on Louisiana Blues will make its debut at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. The festival will take place at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Their programming includes two symposiums where oral histories, flavored by musical performances, will highlight the evolution of blues and jazz into R&B, rock-and-roll and funk. For more information, go to nolafunkfest.com/
Oct. 19 - Krewe of Boo Parade
Everyone loves a parade in NOLA and the one during Halloween season is an extra special spooky good time. The Krewe of Boo Parade will take place on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024 in the French Quarter starting at 6 p.m. Founded in 2007, the first Krewe of BOO! parade rolled the following year as a fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina relief. Today the parade boats 450 riders, 15 floats and 35 marching bands and dance krewes. Krewe of BOO! has grown from a single parade into a weekend full of events. For more information, go to https://www.kreweofboo.com/.
Oct. 25-26 - 9th Annual Tremė Fall Festival
The historic Tremė neighborhood welcomes the 9th Annual Tremė Fall Festival. This wonderful and vibrant two-day event is hosted by the Friends of Tremé Culture, an organization that aims to support, promote and preserve the culture of the Tremė neighborhood so culture bearers can live, work and thrive in the Tremé community. The event includes a Patron Party on Friday at the George & Joyce Wein Heritage Center and the festival on Saturday on the 1100 block of Henrietta Delille Street. For more information, go to https://www.tremefest.org/.
Oct. 27 – 16th Annual Po-Boy Festival
Oak Street, located in Uptown New Orleans right along the streetcar line, is the place to be for their 16th Annual Oak Street Po-Boy Festival, presented by Tony Chachere’s, on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. between the 8100–8700 blocks of Oak Street. The festival will once again host 40 food vendors and beverage vendors, live music on multiple stages, Saints Game watching, VIP Area, Arts Market, Kids Zone, sponsor-activations, opening parade and a po-boy competition juried by celebrity judges. For more information, go to https://www.poboyfest.com/.
Nov. 1 – 2 - Bayou Bacchanal
New Orleans has been called the "northernmost Caribbean city" and with good reason, from our cultural roots through music and food to our tropical climate. Bayou Bacchanal, the original Caribbean Carnival of New Orleans, is back for its celebration of Caribbean culture and heritage at Congo Square located in Louis Armstrong Park. Presented by Friends of Culture, Bayou Bacchanal will include Caribbean cuisine, dance, music, and celebration. For more information, go to https://www.neworleans.com/event/bayou-bacchanal/11654/.
Nov. 2 – NOLA Zydeco Fest
This annual event that bridges the flavors of southwest and southeast Louisiana culture. The event returns to the Mandeville Shed, located at Crescent Park, on Nov. 2, 2024 Set against the backdrop of the Mississippi River, attendees will be treated to live performances by Zydeco bands from southwest Louisiana, infusing the air with infectious rhythms and energy with dance classes between each musical act. Indulge your taste buds with delicious and flavorful Louisiana cuisine, featuring classic dishes that embody the essence of Creole and Cajun cooking. Browse through our cultural and craft vendors showcasing local goods, including handmade crafts, artwork and unique souvenirs. For more information, go to https://nolazydecofest.com/.
Nov. 9 – 10 - The Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival
Got gumbo? If you love brass bands and gumbo, we have got the festival for you. The Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival takes place at Louis Armstrong Park. The festival features a great lineup of New Orleans brass bands, food vendors all serving different versions of gumbo and an arts market. Admission is free. Some of the great dishes include dark roux chicken and sausage gumbo, Creole filé gumbo, seafood gumbo, po-boys and shrimp ‘n’ grits. For more information, go to https://www.jazzandheritage.org/events/2024-treme-creole-gumbo-festival/.
Nov. 14–17 – LUNA Fête
LUNA Fête is a visionary initiative created by Arts New Orleans to demonstrate the power of art to transform communities. This year the event will take place Nov. 14–17, 2024 down Lafayette Street starting at Lafayette Square Park. Most installations run continuously throughout the festival, with the exception of the premiere projection, which is nightly from 6–10 p.m. every hour on the hour. It is a great family event! This free and open to the public festival celebrates New Orleans creative industries and provides a memorable experience for more than 100,000 diverse event attendees. More than 250 New Orleans artists and 60 youth have advanced their technical and artistic skills through this unique educational opportunity. For more information, go to https://www.lunafete.com/.
Nov. 16 - Beignet Festival
The city’s favored French treat is celebrated in City Park Festival Grounds. Come hungry and feast on delicious, decadent delicacies from traditional sweet treats covered in powdered sugar to savory options bursting with seafood, cheese and more from some of the city’s best restaurants, caterers, and food trucks. Profits from the Beignet Festival will benefit the Beignet Fest Foundation, whose mission is to celebrate and improve the lives of children with developmental delays and disabilities. The event also includes live, local music performances, a Kids Village, Artist Market and Beer Garden. For more information, go to beignetfest.com/
Nov 28 - Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving in New Orleans is a wonderful opportunity to experience our unique and delicious cuisine. Many of the city’s finest restaurants are open for Thanksgiving lunch or dinner, as are most hotels. Another special place to go on Thanksgiving Day is the Fairgrounds Race Course and Slots. The third-oldest track in the country offers a wide selection of options, ranging from ultra-modern dining facilities in a glass-enclosed clubhouse—complete with video monitors at each table—to no-frills grandstand seating outdoors along with an oyster bar. Or work up an appetite by starting your day off at the Turkey Day Race at Tad Gormley Stadium. Established in 1907, the New Orleans Athletic Club's Turkey Day Race is one of the oldest continuously held non-marathon races in the United States. Starting and finishing at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans City Park, the morning includes 5 Mile and kids' half-mile run/walk races. Families from around the country have made this event one of their favorite holiday traditions, with multiple generations participating year after year. Proceeds benefit Spina Bifida of Louisiana.
