There are more than 130 festivals in New Orleans every year, so there’s always something exciting going on whenever you visit the Big Easy. Here’s a closer look at some of the city’s major annual festivals—you can find a full calendar of events here.
Mardi Gras (February)
New Orleans’ most famous celebration can take place anytime between February 3 and March 9 (depending on the date of Easter), but the festivities actually start in early January (on January 6, or Epiphany). The early celebrations include parades, Carnival exhibits, and king cake tastings, and the week leading up to Mardi Gras Day sees parades and lots of other activities in the French Quarter and throughout the city.
Learn more about Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
French Quarter Fest (April)
The largest free festival in Louisiana, the French Quarter Fest is a weekend-long bash that highlights the music and cuisine of New Orleans and Louisiana as a whole. More than 300 musicians perform on nearly two dozen stages, and the food lineup features a wide variety of Cajun, Creole, American, and global cuisine.
Learn more about French Quarter Fest.
Jazz Fest (April-May)
Officially known as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, this annual festival takes place over two weekends in late April and early May and attracts some of the biggest names in music. The lineup is typically announced in December, but previous lineups have included performers like The Eagles, Stevie Nicks, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Batiste, Chris Stapleton, Pearl Jam, and more.
Essence Fest (July)
Held throughout the city—with big events taking place at the Superdome and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center—every Fourth of July weekend, Essence fest is a celebration of health and wellness, beauty, style, entertainment, food, and much more in the African American community. The festival features top-tier live music acts, drawing stars such as Cardi B, Patti La Belle, Janet Jackson, Usher, and more.
