Top Spring Festivals in New Orleans

Tough time picking which spring festival to attend? We get it. From legendary festivals like Jazz Fest to local ones like the Zurich Classic – and plenty of festival-adjacent events in between – there’s a lot to choose from. Not to mention, the amazing music lineups, delicious food vendors, and arts and culture featured at every fest can make it overwhelming to narrow down your choices. 

To help you sort through your seemingly endless options, we’ve created a go-to list of spring festivals and big events. Come down to New Orleans to check out one (or more) and be a part of the much-anticipated lineup of spring festivals.

JUMP TO:

MARCH | APRIL | MAY

March Festivals

Danny Barker Banjo & Guitar Festival 

March 24-29, 2026

The Danny Barker Banjo + Guitar 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.

Wednesday at the Square Weekly Concert Series 

Every Wednesday from March 11 - May 6, 2026

Wednesday at the Square, sponsored by the Young Leadership Council of New Orleans, presents a series of free outdoor concerts featuring well-known local artists. The weekly concert series highlights a variety of indigenous musical styles, including jazz, rock, funk, swamp-pop, Latin rhythms, and more. New Orleans’ most famous brass bands are known to play at this annual concert series. Plus, admission is FREE and open to the public.

New Orleans Entrepreneur Week 

March 9-14, 2026

NOEW isn't a conference. Dubbed the Mardi Gras of entrepreneurship by USA Today, NOEW is a uniquely New Orleans festival experience designed to connect, educate, and inspire the entrepreneurial ecosystem across the Gulf South. New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW) is a six-day entrepreneurial fest where startup founders, business leaders, aspiring entrepreneurs, industry experts, investors, and creatives come together to celebrate, learn, and network at the intersection of innovation and culture. Many events within NOEW are free to attend and some are ticketed. 

New Orleans Book Festival 

March 12-15, 2026

Lovers of literature rejoice - the New Orleans Book Festival returns this March. In partnership with New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, the multi-day event will include readings, panel discussions, symposia, keynote speeches, and a family day with book readings and distributions. Admission to New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University is free and open to the public. 

Mardi Gras Indian Uptown Super Sunday 

March 15, 2026

Super Sunday is not a festival, but it's certainly a spring outing that you won’t want to miss. Make your way to Central City to check out the stunning footwork, hand-sewn suits, and soul, culture, and beauty that can only be found here in New Orleans.  

French Film Festival

March 19-24, 2026

​The New Orleans French Film Festival is known as one of the longest-running foreign language festivals in the country. The festival hosts screenings of modern and classic French cinema at the Prytania Theater in Uptown New Orleans - one of the oldest single-screen movie theaters in Louisiana. The festival includes showings of full-length and short films (all with English subtitles), live music, lectures, parties, and more.

New Orleans Opera Festival

March 24 – April 1, 2026

The inaugural New Orleans Opera Festival will celebrate the city’s rich operatic history while redefining its present, bringing opera out of the box and to venues across the city. Highlights include “Dialogues des Carmélites” at the Old Ursuline Convent, but there’s plenty more performances to catch. Find more information here.

Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival 

March 25-29, 2026

Founded in 1986, the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival is best known for its “Stella” shouting contest, where aspiring Stanley Kowalski imitators compete to best recreate the iconic scene from “A Streetcar Named Desire.” The unique spring festival also features masterclasses for aspiring writers, panels, live theater, special meal-centric literary celebrations, and educational walking tours in a historically literary city. That same weekend, be sure to check out the Saints + Sinners Literary Festival, an internationally-recognized event that unites LGBTQ+ publishers, writers, and readers from throughout the United States and beyond. Ticket prices vary. 

Congo Square Rhythms Festival 

March 28-29, 2026

Presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Congo Square Rhythms Festival is free to attend and features brass bands, Black Masking Indians, New Orleans funk and African dance, delicious cuisine, and an arts market.

Brews, Boils & Bubbles Festival 

March 29, 2026

Enjoy boiled seafood paired with champagne at this outdoor fest. Held on the New Orleans Lakefront, this laid-back fest will feature plenty of boiled seafood options as well as cocktails and bubbles. Kick back and listen to live music as you feast.

April Festivals

Hogs for the Cause

April 10-11, 2026

Hogs for the Cause is a pork-centric festival and cook-off contest featuring nearly 100 barbecue chefs competing for various categories. Held right by the New Orleans Lakefront, this two-day festival also includes more than 20 musical acts. Watch a panel of judges taste test and tell fans which chef has the best ribs or best sauce. Proceeds from the festival benefit pediatric brain cancer, so you can eat your pork with a purpose.

Overlook Film Festival 

April 9-12, 2026

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 spring. Interactive experiences, podcast recordings, and panels are also part of the fest. Ticket prices vary.

French Quarter Festival 

April 16-19, 2026

French Quarter Festival is an annual celebration of the vibrant French Quarter neighborhood of New Orleans. With dozens of stages featuring local musicians and over 60 food and drink vendors - not to mention the gorgeous riverfront scenery and charming French Quarter streets to stroll - there’s no reason to miss this four-day-long event. The festival is free to attend. See our Ultimate French Quarter Fest Guide here.

Zurich Classic

April 20-26, 2026

The PGA’s star golfers head to the bayou for the annual Zurich Classic golf tournament. Enjoy a week of food, drinks, and of course, some world-class golfing at TPC Louisiana in nearby Avondale, all in support of the tournament’s host organization, the Fore!Kids Foundation.

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival 

April 23-26, April 30 - May 3, 2026

Jazz Fest is famous for a reason – every year, the Fairgrounds transform into a music lover’s paradise. With incredible food, drink, and craft vendors alongside a variety of stages featuring everything from world-famous headliners to local musicians, Jazz Fest truly appeals to everyone. This year’s lineup include Eagles, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, Kings of Leon, Lainey Wilson, Teddy Swims, Lorde, Jon Batiste, Tyler Childers, Raye, T-Pain, and many more! Whether you spend the day enjoying the melodies in the Gospel Tent or head outside to check out the larger stages, you won’t want to miss this fest. Check out our Ultimate Jazz Fest Guide here, and see the full ticketing breakdown here. 

May Festivals

New Orleans Greek Festival

May 22-24, 2026

Spending time by the bayou is a classic New Orleans experience, and there’s no better way to do it than at Bayou Boogaloo. Delicious food, arts and crafts tents, boat races, and live music will make your day hanging by the water one to remember. Hop on a kayak with a pal and a local brew to make the experience unforgettable.