Weekend Picks is your source for the best weekend activities in New Orleans. From live music to festivals, there’s plenty to do.

This weekend in New Orleans, kick off Pride month with the LGBTLOL Queer Comedy Festival, Pride Bash at Faubourg Brewery, and A Picnic for All Y’all in the French Market. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird also stops by. Check out our picks for the weekend below. 

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird 

Aaron Sorkin’s thought-provoking Broadway adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece stops at the Saenger this May 30-June 4. Tickets start at $35.

LGBTLOL Queer Comedy Fest 

LGBTLOL Queer Comedy Fest will run June 1-4, 2023, at venues around the city with multiple shows dedicated to inclusivity, intersectionality, and representation. Comedians on tap include Amber Autry (Nashville, TN); Colton Dowling (Austin, TX); L.G. Grey (Little Rock, AR); and NOLA’s own Shep Kelly. Find more information on the schedule of events here.

Tipitina’s Free Fridays 

Starting May 26 until September 1, Tipitina’s presents: Free Fridays, a no-ticket-required summertime concert series featuring New Orleans artists. This Friday, June 2, catch Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes + James Martin Band. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the show begins at 9 p.m. and is 21+. 

Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Concert Series 

This June, enjoy a variety of zydeco acts on Friday and Saturday nights at the Jazz & Heritage Center. This Friday, the Lost Bayou Ramblers kick things off while T Broussard ft. Mary Broussard perform on Saturday. Both shows start at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10. 

Choke Hole Wrestling: 5 Years 

Choke Hole Exxxtreme Drag Wrestling returns on June 2 and 3. Celebrating five years, the shows will feature Gorleenyah, Visqueen, Jassy, Garlic Junior, RAID, Deep Sea Double, Jocelyn Change, Laveau Contraire, Otto Von Blotto, and other drag queens. See the show at the Ace Hotel; tickets are $30 plus fees.  

A Picnic for All Y’all 

The French Market presents: A Picnic for All Y’all on Saturday, June 3. This year’s theme is Drag Brunch and they’ve put together an amazing show for the whole family, including performances from Eureka Starfish, Debbie with a D, Vanessa Carr, and Princess Stephanie. Enjoy food vendors and more from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event is free to attend and open to all.

Pridelandia

Held at Beanlandia (3300 Royal St.) on Saturday, June 3, this Pride festival is family-friendly and open to all. From 12-5 p.m., enjoy burlesque and drag shows, drag bingo, queer comedy, and lots of food. This event is free to attend.

Faubourg Brewery’s Pride Bash 

All are welcome to attend Faubourg’s free Pride Bash located at the brewery in New Orleans East. On Saturday, June 3 from 1-8 p.m., enjoy a drag show hosted by Drag Queen Extraordinaire, Laveau Contraire (6-8pm.), food from Fete au Fete, Hatch & Harvest & NoLa Cookie Co., and proceeds from beer sales benefiting Forum for Equality. This event is open to all ages and is dog-friendly.  

Adonis Rose & NOJO Celebrates PRINCE 

This Saturday from 7:30-9 p.m., enjoy a performance from Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra celebrating Prince. The Jazz Market is hosting the event, which also features performances from Casmè and Mecca Notes. Tickets are $30. 

BreakFest at the Broadside 

BreakFest is a morning festival with food, music, and wellness activities. The next installment is Sunday, June 4, from 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. This BreakFest finale event will feature music from Jon Cleary Solo Piano, Tuba Skinny, and Andrew Duhon Trio. Tickets are $20. 

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time 

Based on a novel of the same name by Mark Haddon, this story focuses on a mystery surrounding the death of a neighbor’s dog that is investigated by young Christopher Boone, who is on the autism spectrum. Catch the show at Le Petit Theatre from May 18 to June 4. Tickets start at $20.