July in New Orleans means Fourth of July celebrations, Running of the Bulls, Tales of the Cocktail, and the return of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture. Soak in the best of a New Orleans summer with sno-balls, trips to a hotel pool, and lots of fun in the sun. Here are our top picks for July in New Orleans.

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  1. Welcome the Return of ESSENCE Festival
  2. Celebrate Fourth of July in New Orleans  
  3. Watch History in the Making at UFC 318: Holloway vs Poirier 3
  4. Participate in Running of the Bulls
  5. Enjoy Bastille Day Fête in New Orleans
  6. Cool Off with a Sno-Ball  
  7. Catch a Tulane Summer Lyric Theater Performance  
  8. Experience Tales of the Cocktail
  9. Stay Cool at a Hotel Pool
  10. Enjoy an Indoor Attraction
  11. Do a Thing (or Two) for Free

Welcome the Return of ESSENCE Festival

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This July 3-6, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture returns to New Orleans. Celebrating its 31st anniversary, the fest features performances each night and daytime activations with guest speakers throughout the festival dates. Oh, and don’t forget to show some love to or Black-owned businesses while you’re in town. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Essence Fest here.

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Celebrate Fourth of July in New Orleans  

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New Orleans is a great place to spend Fourth of July weekend.  Go Fourth on the River returns with a spectacular fireworks show from the historic Riverfront. The show is at 9 p.m. You won’t want to miss it.

Watch History in the Making at UFC 318: Holloway vs Poirier 3

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Louisiana native and former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier will face current UFC ‘BMF’ champion Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 318, set to take place on Saturday, July 19, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The hometown favorite will challenge Holloway for his ‘BMF’ title in his final fight of his hall of fame UFC career. Follow here for the latest.

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Participate in Running of the Bulls

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Every year in July, runners and “bulls” take to the streets of downtown New Orleans in the city’s version of Spain’s Encierro de Pamplona. Our Running of the Bulls happens to feature “roller-bulls” on wheels equipped with plastic bats. Watch from a balcony or, if you’re brave, join in on the fun this July 11-13. The running itself is on Saturday, July 12, with events throughout the weekend. Proceeds benefit Beth’s Friends Forever, a non-profit that helps fund resources for New Orleans-area women fighting cancer.

Enjoy Bastille Day Fête in New Orleans

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Louisiana’s French roots call for Bastille Day celebrations in July. Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans will host Bastille Day Fête with food, live music, kids' activities, a costume contest, and fun for all on July 11.

Cool Off with a Sno-Ball  

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It’s officially sno-ball season, and we’ve got plenty to go around. Enjoy this classic New Orleans treat of shaved ice with sweet syrup at Imperial Woodpecker, Hansen’s Sno-Bliz, and these sno-ball shops around town.

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Catch a Tulane Summer Lyric Theater Performance  

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This summer, see three musicals via Tulane Summer Lyric Theater. Company will be performed from July 10-13. See what else is on this summer in our summer theater guide here. 

Experience Tales of the Cocktail

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Tales of the Cocktail
Cory Fontenot, Courtesy of Tales of the Cocktail
Tales of the Cocktail

Tales Of The Cocktail–the world’s largest cocktail conference–returns this July 20-25. Whether you work in the industry or are just a cocktail connoisseur, there's plenty to do, see, and sip during this annual celebration of libations. The multi-day event is filled with seminars, workshops, tastings, competitions, networking, and much more–all in the cocktail capital of the world. 

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Stay Cool at a Hotel Pool

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The Pool at Hotel St. Vincent
Image Courtesy of Hotel St. Vincent
Hotel St. Vincent

Relax and unwind at a hotel pool in New Orleans. We’ve got hotel pools by type of traveler here. So whether you’re coming with the whole family or riding solo, a cool escape is not far away.

Enjoy an Indoor Attraction

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The weather in July can be warm, humid, and sometimes rainy in the afternoons, giving you the perfect excuse to visit an indoor attraction. Check out our rainy day itinerary here and enjoy a trip to the Audubon Aquarium, the New Orleans African American Museum, and more. 

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Do a Thing (or Two) for Free

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Summer in New Orleans is the season of long hours and deep discounts. Watch the sunset and sailboats on the Lakefront, check out the city’s free outdoor movie series, or enjoy Tipitina’s free music Fridays throughout the summer. See here for 35 free things to do this summer in NOLA.