March in New Orleans is festival central. We’ve got literary fests, film fests, food fests, and even a beer fest. Combine that with the mild, sunny spring weather and you couldn’t pick a better time to visit New Orleans. Check out our top picks for the month and book your visit today. 

Celebrate Women’s History Month 

March marks Women’s History Month, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate in New Orleans. The Jazz & Heritage Foundation presents Chanteuse: Celebrating New Orleans Women in Music concert series during February and March. The New Orleans Museum of Art presents the all-female band N.O.B.A.B.E. during NOMA at Night with a special Women's History Month performance from Mélange Dance Company on March 3. Support a variety of woman-owned businesses, which range from bakeries and boutiques to tour companies and restaurants, this Women’s History Month in New Orleans.  

Read out loud at the New Orleans Book Festival 

Lovers of literature rejoice - the New Orleans Book Festival returns this March 9-11. Presented by Tulane University, Scholastic, and the City of New Orleans, the multi-day event will include readings, panel discussions, symposia, keynote speeches, and a family day with book readings and distributions. The lineup of over 100 authors includes Elliot Ackerman, Elizabeth Alexander, and Dean Baquet. Admission to the New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University is free and open to the public. 

Se faire une toile au French Film Festival 

The New Orleans French Film Festival returns this March 9-13. The fest, which is presented by the New Orleans Film Society, is in its 26th year and includes both narrative and documentary features alongside short films, lectures, parties, and VIP experiences. The complete 2023 French Film Festival lineup and schedule can be found 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 great local musicians and vendors, it’s free to attend, and it’s held every hump day, like a balm for your midweek blues. The 2023 spring series kicks off on March 15 and concludes on May 17. Artists include The Iceman Special, Mia Borders, Water Seed, and more great local talent. 

Celebrate the return of NOLA on Tap 

The biggest beer festival in the region is back and better than ever. NOLA on Tap will be held on March 18 at Lafreniere Park, with proceeds benefiting the LASPCA. With hundreds of craft beers, dozens of homebrews, three stages of live entertainment, Brewtality Wrestling, and the very first Doggie Drag Show, this is one beer festival you won't want to miss. Designated driver tickets are available for a discounted price. 

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 

St. Patrick’s Day weekend in New Orleans is a chance to drink green beer at Pat O’s and catch a cabbage from a street parade. While officially March 17, the city celebrates first with the Downtown Irish Club Block Party on Sunday, March 5, which is open to the public from 12-4 p.m. at Washington Square. There will be live music, so bring your lawn chairs! Then the annual  Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day parade rolls through its namesake neighborhood and the neighboring Garden District on March 11. And finally, the celebration concludes with the Downtown Irish Club Parade on Friday, March 17, which kicks off at 6:30 p.m. and makes its way through the Marigny, French Quarter, and into the Central Business District. 

Go to the Danny Barker Banjo + Guitar Festival 

The Danny Barker Banjo + Guitar Festival returns from March 8-12, 2023. This festival pays homage to New Orleanian musician, writer, instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, and lyricist, Mr. Danny Barker. Just as versatile as Barker was himself, the festival features a mixture of programming including live music performances, panel discussions and workshops, special events and outings, second lines, and more.  

See Mardi Gras Indians on Super Sunday 

Celebrated each year on the third Sunday in March, Super Sunday features Mardi Gras Indian tribes decked out in colorful, hand-sewn suits. Anyone can stop by to watch as the groups dance, march, and walk alongside one another in this celebration of African American, Native American, and New Orleans culture. 

Attend the Tennessee Williams + Saints and Sinners Literary Festivals 

Returning for its 37th year, the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival returns in person from March 22-26. Readers, writers, theater lovers, and fans of the festival’s namesake will enjoy a series of panel discussions, readings, interviews, and social events. The Saints and Sinners LGBTQ Literary Festival, created specifically for the LGBTQ+ community, will be held in a similar format from March 24-26. 

Dance and eat at Congo Square Rhythms and Tremé Creole Gumbo festivals 

Two festivals, one weekend: Armstrong Park plays host to both the Congo Square Rhythms and Tremé Creole Gumbo festivals this March 24-26. The festivals are free to attend, and include lots of gumbo, African dance and drumming, live music, and an arts market. 

Participate in New Orleans Entrepreneur Week 

New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW) returns this March 27 – April 1, 2023. NOEW supports emerging entrepreneurs through discussions, debates, competition, and education. This year’s themes include Culture Tech, Climate Tech, Health Innovation, EATrepreneurs, and others. 

Enjoy an outing to the theater 

Spring theater is in full swing this March, from Broadway to the opera. Enjoy performances including MOMIX in Alice (Mar. 11), Fiddler on the Roof (Feb. 28-Mar. 5), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Mar. 9-26), and Puccini’s Madame Butterfly (Mar. 24, 26).  

Scream out loud at Overlook Film Fest 

Overlook Film Festival celebrates all things horror in America's most haunted city. Experience feature length and short films from both experienced filmmakers and emerging artists this March 30 – April 2. Immersive experiences, parties, and Q&A sessions are also part of the festival. The full lineup can be found here. 

Enjoy racing at NOLA Motorsports Park 

March is a busy month for racing at NOLA Motorsports Park. From March 10-12, visit the park to view vintage cars and the Trans Am racing event. Learn more here. 

Pig out for a purpose at Hogs for the Cause 

Hogs for the Cause is back this March 31-April 1, and we couldn’t be more excited to pig out for a purpose. Nearly 100 teams will compete in the ultimate New Orleans barbecue competition while raising funds for families with children who have pediatric brain cancer. Over 20 bands are scheduled to play three stages, including artists like St. Paul and the Broken Bones and The Devon Allman Project. Head to the New Orleans Lakefront for this family-friendly festival.  

Eat lots of crawfish and fried fish 

Crawfish season officially begins in March, and New Orleans is full of seafood shops and restaurants that’ll satisfy all your cravings. Grab ‘em boiled, sautéed, baked, or fried, or get ‘em raw for a crawfish boil of your own. Also, this March, plan to grab a fish plate from a local school or church on any Friday. 

Take a day trip from New Orleans 

Spring is the perfect time to venture outside the city limits. Take a short road trip to Zip NOLA in LaPlace, the Infinity Science Center in Pearlington, MS, or the state capital in Baton Rouge. Festivals abound throughout Louisiana in spring, so consider visiting for Sicilian Heritage Fest in Independence, Louisiana Crawfish Festival in Chalmette, or Books Along The Teche Literary Festival in New Iberia. Learn more here.