New Orleans in May is a mix of spring and summer, crawfish and sno-balls, and some of the year’s best festivals. Enjoy the second weekend of Jazz Fest, plus Mother’s Day, Bayou Boogaloo, and Memorial Day weekend. May is also Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and we’ve got a few ideas on how to celebrate. Here are our top picks for things to do in May. 

Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in NOLA 

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the U.S. Celebrate the contributions of Asian Americans by supporting local Asian-owned businesses. New Orleans is known for its traditional Creole and Cajun dishes, but locals know that the city is also home to many great, authentic Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and Thai restaurants, and that’s just scratching the surface. Browse the restaurants and businesses here and enjoy supporting them all month long. Enjoy celebrations throughout the month, including the French Market’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival on May 18. 

Head to the fairgrounds for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival   

Jazz Fest returns from April 25-28 and May 2-5 with an all-star lineup of performers. The second weekend features The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Neil Young Crazy Horse, Queen Latifah, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, and many, many more. Enjoy “Jazz Fest food” such as crawfish bread and mango freeze, stop by one of the art vendor tents, or compile your list of post-Jazz Fest shows around the city. Check out our Ultimate Jazz Fest Guide here and start planning your trip. 

Enjoy Daze Between Festival 

Daze Between is a two-day event taking place on the “Daze Between” New Orleans Jazz Fest weekends at Faubourg Brewery. Enjoy performances from Lettuce with special guest John Scofield, Gov’t Mule, Galactic, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and more. Enjoy the spacious campus of the brewery as well as top-notch food. Daze Between will be held from Tuesday, April 30-Wednesday, May 1, and is the perfect excuse to come down to New Orleans early for Jazz Fest trip. 

Browse the art galleries at Jammin’ on Julia 

Presented by the Arts District of New Orleans, Jammin’ on Julia coincides with the First Saturday gallery openings on May 4, 2024. In addition to the art walk, the district welcomes patrons to an evening block party featuring world-class art exhibitions along Julia Street and the surrounding area, with musical performances in select galleries on Julia, Camp, and Magazine Streets, and food trucks & bars on the closed 300-600 blocks of Julia. The event is free and open to the public.

Eat tacos and drink margaritas on Cinco de Mayo  

This year Cinco de Mayo falls on a Sunday, May 5. You could go to Jazz Fest and enjoy tacos and music there. But plenty of restaurants around town offer delicious, authentic Mexican cuisine. Check out our top spots for outdoor tacos and margaritas here. And keep an eye out for any block parties that may be announced, such as last year’s celebrations at Felipe’s. 

Celebrate the women in your life on Mother’s Day 

Whether you’re celebrating your mom, grandma, aunt, or friend, honor the special mom (or mother figure) in your life on Mother’s Day, May 12. Take mom out to a Sunday jazz brunch at one of these spots, and enjoy the beautiful spring weather afterwards with a walk in the park. Better yet, let mom have the day to herself to relax at the spa. Check out our guide to Mother's Day in New Orleans here. 

Jam out at Wednesday at the Square 

We love Wednesday at the Square for many reasons: it’s a fundraiser for the Young Leadership Council, it features local musicians and vendors, it’s free to attend, and it’s another reason to visit New Orleans midweek. Catch the final two Wednesdays in the series: May 1 and May 8. 

Soak up the sun at Bayou Boogaloo 

Bayou Boogaloo returns to the banks of Bayou St. John this May 17-19. This fun-filled music fest has great food, great music, and a decent amount of sun exposure, so bring sunscreen, a hat, and a refillable water bottle. The lineup is TBA. Get your land ticket (or water ticket if arriving by boat) for $29.50 (early bird price). 

Spend Memorial Day Weekend in NOLA 

Enjoy the city on Memorial Day weekend. There’s plenty to do in tribute to our troops, including visits to the National WWII Museum, where WWII veterans receive free admission and visitors with military ID receive discounted admission. Additionally, Memorial Day weekend is seen as the kickoff to summer, so pack the sunscreen and head out for a sno-ball, or enjoy a delicious meal outdoors in NOLA.  

Say opa! at New Orleans Greek Festival 

New Orleans Greek Festival returns on Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26. The sounds of Greek music fill the air, as does the wonderful aroma of Greek food during this indoor and outdoor fête. Music, cathedral tours, and Hellenic dancing are all on the schedule, as well as a 5K to kick off the fest, kids’ activities, and arts and crafts for sale. Tickets are $10. 

Enjoy a trip to the theater  

May is a month full of theater, dance, and orchestra concerts. A few shows we’re looking forward to include “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Dracula” (ballet), and “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™️” in Concert. Check out our spring theater guide here for more information on the performing arts. 

Sample a sno-ball 

We’re just getting started with sno-ball season in New Orleans. This icy treat is perfect for the springtime and summer weather. Pick your flavor - be it nectar cream, tiger’s blood, or rainbow - and enjoy the outdoors as the days get longer.  

Eat lots of crawfish 

Enjoy crawfish season this May in New Orleans by stopping in at one of these restaurants or visiting a brewery hosting a boil. Or get them raw for a crawfish boil of your own. Then, head outdoors to City Park, Woldenberg Park, Pontchartrain Park, or The Fly  for a feast in the glorious spring weather. Mark your calendars for NOLA Crawfish Fest, which returns April 29-May 1 at the Broadside.

Enjoy a NOLA Gold Rugby Game 

The NOLA Gold are in full swing this May with two home games. On May 11, they take on the Seattle Seawolves and on May 18 they play the Utah Warriors. Head to the Gold Mine on Airline for home games.

Visit a New Orleans attraction 

Make sure to visit a New Orleans attraction or museum this month. Learn about New Orleans’ food history and culture at the Southern Food & Beverage Museum, visit the flamingos and monkeys at the Audubon Zoo, check out Black art at Studio BE, and visit an off-the-beaten-path attraction. Check out our attractions guide to find your perfect outing.