ESSENCE Festival
July 4-7
The 30th ESSENCE Festival returns to downtown New Orleans with a typically eclectic slate of programming. There will be musical acts like Janet Jackson and Birdman & Friends, as well as a film festival, panel discussions, food and wine, and much more. Download the app for access to special perks. ESSENCE.com
“Rebellious Spirits: Prohibition and Resistance in the South”
Now-January 5
The New Orleans Museum of Art hosts a new exhibition on the South and Prohibition, featuring collected objects, music from the period and more. Noma.org
Uncle Sam Jam
July 3
Lafreniere Park hosts this family-friendly event celebrating the birth of America. There will be music at Copeland’s Concert meadow, a hot dog eating contest, fireworks and more. UncleSamJamJefferson.com
“Mean Girls – High School Version”
July 11-21
Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts presents an adaptation of the Broadway musical, based on the 2004 blockbuster film about a young woman’s efforts to navigate the dominant clique at her high school. RivertownTheaters.com
“Expressions of America” Family Night and the Victory Belles
July 12
The World War II Museum’s sound and light show brings history to life through visual effects, art and personal reflections from the 1940s. There will be food, games and activities for children as well as a pre-show performance from the Victory Belles. NationalWW2Museum.org
“Julius Caesar”
July 12-21
The New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane performs Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy, “Julius Caesar.” Brutus and Cassius conspire against their emperor and former friend Julius Caesar with tragic consequences. NewOrleansShakespeare.org
San Fermin in Nueva Orleans
July 12-14
Prepare yourself to once again flee in glorious terror from the plastic bat-wielding roller derby players at San Fermin in Nueva Orleans. The run is just one part of the weekend-long event, with this year’s parties centered around historic Gallier Hall. NOLABulls.com
New Orleans Beatles Fest
July 13
The Jefferson Parish Center for the Performing Arts celebrates the music of the Beatles with the New Orleans Beatles Fest. This year’s festival will honor the 60th anniversary of the release of “A Hard Day’s Night” with a performance of the entire album on stage, along with other Fab Four hits. JeffersonPac.com
Lindsey Stirling
July 27
Lindsey Stirling brings her unique show combining virtuosity on the violin with extraordinary dancing talents to the Saenger Theater for one night only as part of “The Duality” tour, with special guest Walk Off the Earth. SaengerNOLA.com
Tales of the Cocktail
July 21-26
The beverage industry once again descends upon the Crescent City for Tales of the Cocktail. While the event orginally started as a walking tour of historic local cocktail bars, it has grown to become the world’s leading cocktail conference and features in-person education, tastings, networking opportunities, plus new products, ideas and techniques. TalesOfTheCocktail.org
Zach Bryan
July 25
Country music superstar Zach Bryan brings his “Quittin’ Time” tour to the Caesars Superdome featuring special guests Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit as well as Levi Turner. CaesarsSuperdome.com
Iron and Wine
July 31
Indie folk singer-songwriter Sam Beam, a.k.a. Iron and Wine, comes to the Orpheum Theater as part of his “Light Verse” tour. OrpheumNOLA.net
