Header Image: Sudan Social Aid & Pleasure Club Second Line by Dmitriy Pritykin

There are seemingly never-ending reasons to visit New Orleans, but in keeping with the year, we went with our top 26. Festivals every weekend, Mardi Gras season, traditional food, cultural celebrations…the list goes on. Here are our top 26 reasons to visit New Orleans in 2026.

 

Celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans

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January 6 - February 17

While the rest of the world dreads January as the end of the holiday season, New Orleans rolls from one holiday to the next with the start of Mardi Gras on January 6. From that day until Fat Tuesday (February 17), parades roll down city streets and festivities abound. Consider visiting early in the season and check our Guide to Early Mardi Gras here. This year, Mardi Gras falls on the day after President's Day, all the more reason to partake in Fat Tuesday celebrations. Read our 10 Reasons to Extend Your Presidents' Day Weekend for Mardi Gras in 2026 here. Reason #1 to visit New Orleans: it’s Mardi Gras season, baby.

Check out these blogs to learn more about the Mardi Gras season! Mardi Gras 2026

Taste King Cake

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King cake from La Boulangerie
Photo courtesy of Link Restaurant Group
Ultimate Guide to King Cake

January 6 - February 17

A highlight of Mardi Gras season is tasting king cake, a cinnamon roll-meets-coffee cake-baked treat. Restaurants, bakeries, and local businesses make everything from traditional to creative and savory king cakes. We’re talking boudin king cake, crawfish king cake, tres leches king cake, and more. See our Ultimate Guide to King Cake here.

Jam out at Rockin'1000

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January 31

The first-ever U.S. Rockin'1000 concert will take place in New Orleans at Caesars Superdome on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Rockin'1000 is the world's biggest rock band. Picture a stadium stage packed with hundreds of musicians playing in perfect sync, creating an unforgettable wall of sound. What started as a viral video to get the Foo Fighters to play in a small Italian town has grown into a global phenomenon, and now it's finally coming to the United States for the very first time.

Celebrate Vietnamese New Year

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February 20-22

New Orleans is home to a substantial Vietnamese population, and Tết Fest celebrations are a highlight on our calendar every year. Held at Mary Queen of Vietnam Church, Tết Fest celebrations typically include authentic food, music, children’s activities, and fun for the whole family.

See Broadway in New Orleans

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Paul Alexander Nolan and The Cast of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS
Photo by Matthew Murphy
"Hadestown"

January - June, October - December

No need to travel to New York for the best of Broadway; we’ve got it right here as Broadway in New Orleans graces the Saenger Theater with shows throughout the year. The current season continues into winter and spring, with performances of "Hell's Kitchen," "Hadestown," “Water for Elephants,” "The Phantom of the Opera," "The Great Gatsby," "SIX," "The Book of Mormon," and "Monty Python's Spamalot" all on tap. Come October, we’ll see the start of the 2026/2027 season with shows to be announced. Experience a little magic this year at the Saenger.

Broadway in New Orleans 2026

Experience Crawfish Season

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February - May

Whether you’re a New Orleans native or a first-time visitor, spring in NOLA means one thing: boiled crawfish. Get ready to boil, peel, and devour this delicious Louisiana favorite, and check out our guide to get the best of the best.

Enjoy Spring Festivals

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March - May

Spring in New Orleans is a busy, busy time with multiple festivals each weekend, plus parades for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter. This spring, we look forward to New Orleans Book Festival (March 12-15), Overlook Film Festival (April 9-12), Hogs for the Cause (April 10-11), French Quarter Fest (April 16-19), and many, many more. Check out our spring festival page here and come on down. 

Take a Trip to the Ballet

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January - March

The New Orleans Ballet Association brings world-renowned dance groups to Mahalia Jackson Theater in New Orleans every year. On January 24, Tango After Dark sets the stage ablaze with live music, stunning dancers, and the fiery passion of Buenos Aires. Then on March 21, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago returns to New Orleans with an electrifying program, bringing exclusive Fosse works and cutting-edge contemporary choreography. These are shows you won't want to miss.

Experience the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

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April 23 - May 3

Attending Jazz Fest is perhaps the second biggest reason to visit New Orleans this year only behind Mardi Gras. Jazz Fest is an annual festival celebrating the music, art, culture, and heritage of New Orleans. Since its origins in 1970, the fest has worked its way into the hearts of locals and visitors alike. Jazz Fest's lineup is typically announced in mid-January each year, with artists such as Willie Nelson, Stevie Nicks, The Rolling Stones, and The Who as past headliners. Read our Ultimate Guide to Jazz Fest here for the latest.

Celebrate New Orleans Pride and Southern Decadence

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June TBA, Labor Day Weekend

Recognized as one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly cities in the U.S., June is a special month in New Orleans for celebrating Pride. Also in June is New Orleans Black Pride and Pridefest. Southern Decadence is essentially Pride round two, with a parade, parties, and general celebration of the LGBTQ+ community over Labor Day Weekend.

New Orleans Pride and Southern Decadence Guides Explore More

Mark your Calendars for Sail250

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May 28 - June 1

New Orleans will be the first stop as America welcomes the tall ships of the world to the Port of New Orleans for a nationwide celebration of America's 250th anniversary. From May 28 - June 1, celebrate America's sestercentennial with the largest-ever flotilla of tall ships from around the world creating a majestic nautical spectacle along the historic Mississippi River. Events include a parade of sail, public ship tours, fireworks, and a seafood cook-off. Find more information about Sail250 here.

Enjoy summertime festivals

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Vinola - New Orleans Wine & Food Experience
Image Courtesy of NOWFE
NOWFE

May - September

We’ve got festivals celebrating the Creole tomato, jazz legend Louis Armstrong, the food + wine scene, plus Running of the Bulls, White Linen Night, and Tales of the Cocktail. Check out our page on summer festivals here and experience everything NOLA has to offer.

Watch the Stars in Competition at LIV Golf

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June 26-28

LIV Golf is coming to New Orleans for the first time ever this June 26-28, 2026! Held at Bayou Oaks at City Park, LIV Golf is a professional men's golf league known for its team-based format, with large purse prizes and a global reach. Events are played over three rounds and 54 holes, hence inspiring the name (LIV). Tickets are yet to go on sale, but you can sign up for the waitlist here. In the meantime, read our Golfer's Guide to New Orleans to see the best places to tee up.

Experience ESSENCE Festival of Culture

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July 3-5

ESSENCE Festival of Culture is a celebration of Black culture, with thousands of visitors converging on the city for main stage performances, iconic speakers, and programming tailored to the Black community. Past performers have included Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Beyoncé, and many more, while past speakers have included Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama. It’s a celebration you truly can’t miss. Read our Ultimate Guide here.

Experience the 2026 Americas Selection of Bocuse d’Or and Pastry World Cup

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July 25-26

The Americas selection of the Pastry World Cup and Bocuse d’Or will return to New Orleans and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center July 25-26, 2026, following a historic and highly successful debut in New Orleans in 2024. No other U.S. city has ever hosted this prestigious international culinary competition. A new twist is that Bocuse d’Or and Pastry World Cup will be held in conjunction with the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) Showcase, the largest restaurant and hospitality industry tradeshow in the U.S. Gulf Region.

Ride the Amtrak to New Orleans

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Amtrak Mardi Gras Service
Photo credit: Larry Everage, Jr.
New Orleans Amtrak Day-Trip Itinerary

Year-round

The Amtrak Mardi Gras Service is Amtrak's newest route, offering twice-daily departures between New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal and Mobile, Alabama. This scenic coastal journey includes stops in Mississippi's most beautiful Gulf Coast destinations, including Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay Saint Louis - marking the return of passenger rail to the Gulf Coast after nearly 20 years. Read our Amtrak Day Itinerary for ideas on how to spend a day in New Orleans after arriving via train.

Enjoy deals with COOLinary and Museum Month in August

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August 1-31

When the heat kicks up, the deals kick in. During COOLinary, indulge in two-course lunch, or three-course dinner and brunch deals from August 1-31. Past participants have included GW Fins, Café Degas, and over 90 other restaurants. Also in August is Museum Month, your chance to visit several museums for the price of one membership (usually 12+ museums participate!). Keep cool and take advantage of these limited-time deals this August in New Orleans.

Celebrate live music during NOLAxNOLA

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Kermit Ruffins Performing at Blue Nile on Frenchmen Street in New Orleans
Justen Williams, New Orleans & Co.
NOLAxNOLA

September  TBA

The music never stops in New Orleans, and this September and October, mark your calendars for a citywide celebration of local musicians, music venues, and New Orleans culture. Catch your favorite artists and discover new ones at dozens of live performances at indoor and outdoor venues all over town as part of NOLAxNOLA (NOLA BY NOLA). You won’t want to miss this event—find more details here.

Celebrate food at fall festivals

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September - December 

There's no shortage of festivals during fall, but there's something about fall festivals that are all about food! We've got National Fried Chicken Fest, Crescent City Blues & BBQ Fest, Beignet Fest, Oak Street Po-Boy Fest, Treme Creole Gumbo Fest, and more! Check out our festival calendar here and plan to visit during fall for a taste of delicious cuisine.

Cheer on a Sports Team

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Year-round

New Orleans has sports teams from the collegiate to the professional level. There’s our NFL team, the New Orleans Saints, and our NBA team, the Pelicans. We even have a roller derby team, the Big Easy Roller Derby. And then there’s special sporting events, like the Savanna Bananas, coming to New Orleans from March 14-15, and WWE's Money in the Bank, coming to New Orleans on September 6. Check out our sports page here and plan to visit for a sporting event.

Celebrate Halloween

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October 1-31

Halloween oh-so-perfectly falls on a Friday this year, but the entire month is a celebration of the spookiest city in the U.S. From haunted houses to ghost tours and the Krewe of BOO! parade, New Orleans is a Halloween destination all October long. Click here to see how New Orleans typically celebrates spooky season.

Taste Classic New Orleans Food

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Year-round; seasonality applies

Classic New Orleans food is reason enough to spawn a visit to the city. Think: decadent gumbo, red beans & rice, crawfish étouffée, soft-shell crab, overstuffed po-boys, oysters on the half shell…is your mouth watering yet? Learn about famous New Orleans foods here and make plans to come on a food tour. 

In 2025, MICHELIN Guide honored top New Orleans restaurants in a historic first selection. Emeril’s stands alone as the only restaurant in the MICHELIN Guide American South to receive two MICHELIN Stars, while Zasu and Saint-Germain each earned one star. Read our MICHELIN Guide to New Orleans here for more.

Enjoy the New Orleans Marathon and Fit Fete

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November 13-14

The New Orleans Marathon is back! Culminating in a vibrant festival and road race weekend at City Park, Fit Fete and the New Orleans Community Games are the next best wellness event in the city. Enjoy participating in the marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, 5K, and community games like 3X3 basketball, kickball, and tennis. Find more information on Fit Fete here.

See the Rivalry at Bayou Classic

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Thanksgiving Weekend

Bayou Classic is an annual tradition each and every Thanksgiving weekend, with four decades of football games held mostly in New Orleans. The rivalry between Southern University and Grambling State couldn’t be closer, with their records matching each other almost evenly. The weekend is about more than just football, we’re celebrating HBCU culture at large, with a Battle of the Bands, parade, and fanfare throughout the weekend. Learn more about the historic meeting and read our Ultimate Guide to Bayou Classic here.

Celebrate the Holidays, New Orleans Style

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A couple enjoys holiday cocktails in the festive environment of the Carousel Bar in Hotel Monteleone.
Justen Williams, New Orleans & Co.
Celebrate the Holidays, New Orleans Style

November 27 - December 31

The day after Thanksgiving kicks off Holidays New Orleans style, a monthlong celebration that brings the holiday season to life. During the holiday season, enjoy Celebration in the Oaks, NOLA Christmas Fest, the Manning Family Children's Holiday Parade, Algiers Bonfire Festival, and more, plus shopping, dining, music, and fun festivities. Learn more here and experience the magic of New Orleans in December.

Ring in the New Year

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Fireworks on the river
Cheryl Gerber
New Year's Eve

December 31

New Orleans is the perfect place to ring in the new year, with parties, restaurant reservations, concerts, and children’s celebrations all on the calendar. Take a look at 7 Reasons to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in New Orleans and expect many of the same offerings to be available on December 31.