Much like a theme, or reason to costume, we love a “season” here in New Orleans. Now that Carnival season is over, it’s time to fall into a trio of classic Crescent City seasons – crawfish, snoball and festivals – as we head into spring.
Crawfish season started early, snoball stands are opening sooner with the warmer weather we’re having and starting in March our festival season will kick into high gear with New Orleans Book Festival March 12.
We’ve got a list of events you should add to your calendar for the next few months!
New Orleans Book Festival
WHEN: March 12-15
WHERE: 200 Broadway Street Suite 126
New Orleans, LA 70118
WEBSITE: bookfest.tulane.edu/
ABOUT: This is the 5th annual festival, which brings authors and book lovers together for a multi-day celebration for all ages. Attend events with Stacey Abrams, Ken Burns, Anderson Cooper, Nicole Richie, Cleo Wade, Mayor Helena Moreno and so many more. The event is free and open to the public.
New Orleans French Film Festival
WHEN: March 19-24
WHERE: Prytania Theatre Uptown
WEBSITE: nofs.eventive.org/welcome
ABOUT: The New Orleans French Film Festival is one of the longest running foreign language film festivals in the country, celebrating its 29th festival. The multi-day festival will screen multiple new and classic French films, as well as host a number of bonus events throughout the week. (Note: all films will be screened with English subtitles.)
New Orleans Opera Festival
WHEN: March 24-29
WHERE: Old Ursuline Convent, New Orleans Riverboat and The Civic Theatre
WEBSITE: neworleansoperafestival.org
ABOUT: This is the first year for this festival, which organizers ensure will celebrate the city’s rich operatic history. There will be performances, daily public master classes and lectures, a sailing concert and so much more. Be one of the first to experience this new spring festival!
Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival
WHEN: March 25-29
WHERE: Hotel Monteleone
WEBSITE: tennesseewilliams.net
ABOUT: For the last 40 years, the Tennessee Williams Festival has taken over the French Quarter to celebrate literature, theatre, cuisine and music. The week-long festival hosts writer’s craft sessions, literary panels, theatre events, literary walking tours, culinary events, author interviews and music events – plus, everyone’s favorite Stella Screaming Contest!
Saints + Sinners Literary Festival
WHEN: March 27-29
WHERE: Hotel Monteleone
WEBSITE: sasfest.org
ABOUT: Per the website, this festival was founded 23 years ago with the goal of an innovative way to reach the community with information about HIV/AIDS, particularly disseminating prevention messages via the writers, thinkers and spokes-people of the LGBTQ+ community. This festival is part of the Tennessee Williams Festival events.
Congo Square Rhythms Festival
WHEN: March 28-29
WHERE: Louis Armstrong Park | 701 N. Rampart St.
WEBSITE: jazzandheritage.org/events/2026-congo-square-rhythms-festival
ABOUT: Located in the Tremé neighborhood, the festival is held as a celebration of the neighborhood and the birthplace of jazz. The free weekend, organizers share, showcases the music, food and dance that made this city known around the world.
Overlook Film Festival
WHEN: April 9-12
WHERE: Canal Place | 333 Canal St.
WEBSITE: overlookfilmfest.com
ABOUT: Set in one of the country’s most haunted cities, the Overlook Film Festival is a celebration of all things horror. Organizers share the festival showcases exciting work in new and classic independent horror cinema alongside the latest in interactive and live shows for a fully immersive weekend.
Hogs for the Cause Festival
WHEN: April 10-11
WHERE: UNO Lakefront
WEBSITE: hogsfest.org
ABOUT: Hogs for the Cause is one of the most popular fundraising festivals in the city with an emphasis on BBQ and raising money for pediatric cancer patients and research. For the two days, 85 local and regional BBQ masters and the best backyard chefs compete in seven categories, while festivalgoers get to eat some of the best festival food around.
French Quarter Festival
WHEN: April 16-19
WHERE: Around the French Quarter
WEBSITE: frenchquarterfest.org
ABOUT: Since the ’80s, the French Quarter Festival has always been a local favorite. With over 20 stages throughout the historic French Quarter and highlights the food of over 60 of the city’s restaurants. This festival is a quintessential New Orleans moment that highlights everything we do right: music, food and fun!
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
WHEN: April 23 – May 3
WHERE: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots | 1751 Gentilly Blvd.
WEBSITE: nojazzfest.com
ABOUT: For two weekends, Jazz Fest brings people and performances from all over the world, while highlighting the music and food that makes New Orleans so special. This year’s festival will see huge stars like Stevie Nicks, Lainey Wilson, David Byrne and T-Pain, while giving a stage to dozens of local artists. The food at Jazz Fest is iconic – from crawfish bread to Ms. Linda’s Ya Ka Mein – and this year’s festival highlights the music and culture of Jamaica in the Cultural Exchange Pavilion.
New Orleans Greek Festival
WHEN: May 22-24
WHERE: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral | 1200 Allen Toussaint Blvd.
WEBSITE: gfno.com
ABOUT: Situated along Bayou St. John, the annual Greek Festival beautifully highlights the culture, music, food and people of the community. Organizers share that festivalgoers can savor homemade dishes, delicate pastries, fine Greek wines, Mythos beer and inspired Odyssey-themed dishes while experiencing the warmth, culture and timeless spirit of Greece.
