The guys go with guys and the girls go with the girls. Traditionally, this is how bachelor/bachelorette parties have gone. But who said that the bride and groom-to-be have to celebrate the end of their single lives separately? And what are you to do if you and your future spouse share a group of friends? Try having one awesome co-ed celebration! This can be an experience for everyone to enjoy. After all, the more, the merrier! Festivals are a great way for the whole gang to come together for the weekend or even for just a day. With festivals year-round showcasing its extraordinary food and electrifying music and art, New Orleans is a city that undeniably brings people together and will definitely show you a good time!
New Orleans is known as the birthplace of jazz and it’s impossible to roam the city without the sound of music filling the air. If you and your spouse-to-be are music lovers, then a music festival would be a perfect idea for your co-ed celebration! The festivals below will be a sure smash and have a diverse lineup so there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Every March, there are plenty of live artists performing, installations filled with eccentric art, and food vendors! “Too Buku” weekend VIP pass holders receive a private section on the S.S. Buku with elevated views of the main stage. With complimentary bottle service, access to the artist/staff-only Grand Oaks Mansion, and access to a licensed massage therapist, this will definitely be an unforgettable weekend. That is, of course, if you don’t party too hard at the exclusive after-party of your choice that comes with this package.
With jazz, pop, funk, hip-hop, rock, zydeco, indie, and blues, Jazz Fest has live entertainment for everyone. The seven-day music festival is held at the end of April through the beginning of May at the historic Fair Grounds Race Course. If you want to view all the action up-close then the Krewe of Jazz Fest VIP package may be just right for you. With high-end folding seats along with private, upscale restroom facilities and a dedicated beverage concession area, your squad can enjoy Jazz Fest right in front of the Acura Stage. Everyone will be able to celebrate in style, while watching musical superstars perform just feet away.
Known as the “party with a purpose”, Essence Festival is a celebration of contemporary black music and culture. Past performers include Beyoncé, Charlie Wilson, Jill Scott, Frankie Beverly, Maze and the locally formed Rebirth Brass Band. Your co-ed celebration can be spent front and center in the Superdome watching your favorites perform with the VIP Weekend Ticket package. You can also enjoy a more intimate performance with artists performing in the four, club-level, super lounges. This will be a truly memorable experience for everyone.
Each October, the Voodoo Music Experience hosts a spellbinding weekend of music, food and culture in the Big Easy. With past performers such as Metallica, Drake, Outkast and the Foo Fighters, this Halloween-themed festival has continuously been a hit. You can dress up in a costume or arrive as you are. With food, drinks, interactive large-scale art installations, live entertainment and even carnival rides, the atmosphere at this festival will give your entire group a chance to let loose and have fun.
If it’s food that you and your bride or groom-to-be enjoy, then you’ve come to the right place. New Orleans and food are practically one and the same. From gumbo to beignets, there is never a shortage of food here. Your group can savor the flavor for your celebration at any of these fine food festivals.
Calling all food and wine lovers! Each spring thousands of food and wine enthusiasts gather in the French Quarter for the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience. The festival showcases hundreds of wineries and restaurants that feature local flavor and innovative new creations. Top chefs from around the city come together for this four-day event to create culinary experiences like no other. Whether you’re a group of food connoisseurs, or you’re just looking for a tasty time on the town, this festival has packages to please everyone in your party.
If your group enjoys a cocktail, shake things up for your co-ed celebration at this week-long festival! Each summer, the Tales of the Cocktail festival fills the French Quarter with thousands of people alongside some of the country’s best mixologists and bartenders. You and your crew can also enjoy lectures, book signings, dinner pairings, cooking and mixing demonstrations. Let the drinks and the good times roll!
With the Gulf of Mexico nearby, the Big Easy serves up some of the best fresh seafood around. You and your crew can get a taste of New Orleans at this much-loved three-day festival. With free admission you all can enjoy three days of live music, celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, local arts and crafts, and cuisine from top New Orleans restaurants and caterers. For the food lovers, music lovers, art lovers and even shoppers, this festival has you covered.
The culture of New Orleans is certainly unlike any other city in the world. This is evidenced in both the food and music. However, your co-ed celebration does not have to be limited to a food or music festival. New Orleans certainly has more to offer and these festivals serve as lagniappe, or a little something extra, to the Big Easy festival scene.
Does “Streetcar Named Desire” ring any bells? Playwright, Tennessee Williams gave birth to some of literature’s greatest works and credited the wondrous city of New Orleans as his muse. Held each year in late March, the five-day festival celebrates Tennessee Williams’ work and includes a plethora of noteworthy events. With speakers, contests, classes for aspiring writers, countless panels and live theater, this festival has it all; but it wouldn’t be complete without the Stanley and Stella Shouting Contest held in Jackson Square!
Every July in New Orleans, the Annual Running of the Bulls thumps through the streets of downtown New Orleans! The event is meant to pay homage to Encierro of Pamplona held in Spain. Though there are no actual bulls for the event in New Orleans, you and your crew can run from the Big Easy Rollergirls instead. This adrenaline pumping event will be fun for any group and of course there will be wine and spirits to get you in the spirit before and after the run.
Allow us to assist in contacting hotels, venues and vendors for your group accommodations of 10 or more. We can help make planning simpler and your dream wedding in New Orleans a reality.
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