Festival Guide

April 11

Crescent City Classic 10k and Post Race Festival, Downtown and City Park. An Easter weekend tradition for the past 40 years, the Crescent City Classic 10k run takes participants through the French Quarter, along Esplanade and into City Park, where runners, walkers, strollers and family and friends gather to enjoy post-race food and drink.

April 18

Crawfest at Tulane University.Enjoy music, art and more than 20,000 pounds of boiled crawfish on the Berger Family Lawn on Tulane’s campus.

April 16-19

French Quarter Festival. This year marks the 37th anniversary of New Orleans’ favorite free spring concert experience, the French Quarter Festival. More than 20 stages feature music from folk to gospel, Latin to zydeco, contemporary jazz and more. Food and art exhibits round out the experience, with something for everyone to celebrate and enjoy.

April 23-May 3

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. New Orleanians and visitors alike can’t wait to put together their “cubes” each year, aka the fine art of planning who to see on what stage and when. Add to that, the best food booths, local artisans and crafts and a line-up of musical acts that include both local favorites and national and international names, and Jazz Fest is a tour-de-force event that is circled on everyone’s calendar.

May 15-17

Bayou Boogaloo, Bayou St. John. Featuring food, art and music along the historic Bayou St. John, this Mid-City fest has grown each year. Slip on your flip flops to browse the food and art booths, or bring your kayak or pontoon and enjoy the sounds and sights from the water. 

May 22-24

New Orleans Greek Festival, Bayou St. John. Opa! New Orleans Greek Festival hosts more than 23,000 visitors each spring, with authentic Greek food, drink, music, dancing and more. Put on your toga for free admission on Sunday, as well (and be sure to keep it family friendly!)

June 12-14

New Orleans Pride, French Quarter. New Orleans Pride weekend’s highlight event is the annual Pride parade through the French Quarter. This family friendly event is a celebration of love and life, is a must-see and is the largest LGBTQ parade in Louisiana each year.

July 1-5

Essence Festival of Culture, CBD, Supderdome and various locations. Founded in 1994 and known as “the party with a purpose” the annual Essence Festival of Culture not only features big name artists such as Janet Jackson, Bruno Mars, Janelle Monae, Patti Labelle and more, but also workshops, seminars and small business opportunities. 

July 10-12

San Fermin, Running of the Bulls, French Quarter. Celebrating the annual running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, the highlight of the festival is the rowdy sprint through the streets of the French Quarter where Big Easy Rollergirls chase down participants with plastic bats. 


 

ROAD TRIPS

Hit the road to celebrate culture, food, music and fun!

April 3

Flavor of Louisiana, Natchitoches, LA

April 3-5

Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, Ponchatoula, LA

April 4-5

Kite Fest Louisiane, West Baton Rouge, LA

April 4-5

Ebb & Flow Festival, Baton Rouge, LA

April 16-19

Sandestin Wine Fest, Sandestin, FL

April 18-19

Baton Rouge Blues Festival, Baton Rouge, LA

April 22-26

Festival International de Louisiane, Lafayette, LA

April 23-26

South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Fest, Sandestin, FL

May 15-17

Plaquemines Parish Seafood Festival, Belle Chasse, LA


 

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