Experience New Orleans Through Its Biggest Festivals and Celebrations
New Orleans celebrates boldly and often. Mardi Gras draws hundreds of thousands for historic parades and carnival traditions. Jazz Fest brings world-class performances across the last weekend of April and the first weekend of May. French Quarter Festival takes over the historic neighborhood in April with live Louisiana music (and it's free).
Summer brings ESSENCE Festival of Culture in early July, celebrating Black culture, wellness, and community, along with New Orleans Pride and Southern Decadence—massive LGBTQ celebrations bookending June through late August. Halloween gets a New Orleans spin in one of the country's most haunted cities, while sports fans flock for Bayou Classic in November and Sugar Bowl over New Year's.
Whether you're planning around a specific celebration or looking to time your visit to the city's biggest moments, our insider guides break down what to expect, when to book, where to stay, and how to make the most of your experience.
Know Your Dates? Book Today.
Planning a visit around a specific event? Search hotels & find the best available rates.
Explore the Top Festivals in New Orleans
Whether you're planning around a specific celebration or looking to time your visit to the city's biggest moments, our insider guides break down what to expect, when to book, where to stay, and how to make the most of your experience.
