No city throws a party quite like New Orleans does. Southern Decadence Festival is a 5-day annual event around the French Quarter and is one of the largest celebrations of the gay community in New Orleans. This year's theme is "Wicked, Wild & Wet," and the official colors are Black, Royal Blue, and Kelly Green. There are free street parties, but a pass will get you into all the events.
The Sugar Bowl doesn't come to New Orleans until New Year's Day, but you can get into the spirit early and celebrate the college football season with a huge country music concert at 5:30 p.m. Garth Brooks takes a break from his current Las Vegas residency to headline the Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff at the Caesars Superdome with Lainey Wilson and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. You can also take part in games and other immersive experiences at Tailgate Town in Champions Square. Overall, it's a great day to celebrate entertainment, college football, and the city of New Orleans.
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Head down to the Convention Center for the 5th annual New Orleans Tattoo Festival. This event is a tattoo lover's dream. It will feature celebrity special guests, live demonstrations, seminars, after-parties, and more. Tickets are $20 a day or $40 for a 3-day pass. Admission is free for kids under 12. Ticket purchasing availability and additional info are available online.
NOLA Caribbean Experience is a unique way to celebrate Caribbean Heritage Month. The festival will include live music, authentic food from vendors, and lots of dancing. In addition to the fest, days are jam-packed with activities such as a Kiddie Carnival Costume Workshop, the Tropical Pool Party, SOCAChella, Rum Punch Brunch, and much more. Tickets are on sale now - ranging from $5 to $15.
Ever since breaking out on Comedy Central with his own hit sketch series, Dave Chappelle has become one of the most in-demand, arena-level comedians in the United States. The same thought-provoking humor that drew millions to "Chappelle Show" has only grown more provocative in Netflix specials like "Sticks & Stones" and "The Closer." The comic isn't afraid to take on identity politics, cancel culture and other hot button issues, putting a sly and thoughtful spin on current events with a point-of-view that's undeniable his own. See him in person for a complete experience while laughing along with thousands of other fans.
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New Orleans is known for coffee nearly as much as beignets. Celebrate the former with the two-day NOLA Coffee Festival, which welcomes fans and industry professionals to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Learn about equipment, roasting, sourcing and other tricks of the trade while sipping on the best brewed beans. There's even a tattoo parlor on site. The best in the business square off in the Barista Threauxdown Competitions. Tickets are $15-$30. Get ready for a caffeine buzz!
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The annual Alligator Festival is a highly-anticipated event each year during the last weekend of September. The festival will feature live alligators that you can hold, music performances from 10 bands, carnival rides, food and craft vendors, and more. Have fun for a good cause, as proceeds go to fundraise for college scholarships awarded to local youth. Admission is only $5, and free entry for ages 10 and under. This 3-day event starts Friday from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM and goes from 11:00 AM on the weekend to 11:00 PM on Saturday at 9:00 PM on Sunday. Start the festivities early by coming for the free Local's Night on Thursday between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
You can’t visit New Orleans without trying one of its famous beignets, and the perfect place to try it is at the Beignet Festival. You can try anywhere from classic, sweet, and savory to unique beignets at this event. There will be local musicians and local participating restaurants involved. The event will end at 6 p.m.
NOLA x NOLA is two straight weekends of local music at venues all over New Orleans. From ragtime to Dixieland and other forms of jazz, all the bases are covered. Visit clubs, theaters and performance halls to see the best performers in the city play the music that helped shape the history of the Big Easy. Soak in the music and legacy at venues like Fritzel's Jazz Club, Café Negril, the Spotted Cat Music Club, and more. The full schedule is here.
Presented by Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, The National Fried Chicken Fest is an event worth celebrating. Over 40 restaurants & chefs from throughout the country join together to cook up innovative fried chicken meals. In addition, there will be three stages for live entertainment, a car show, games, photo installation, and plenty more activities to experience all while enjoying waterfront views of Lake Pontchartrain. There will even be a children's area for the little ones. Be sure to check back soon for updates on this year's lineup and additional details. Tickets are on sale today, ranging from $15 to $25 - children under 12 are free with purchase of an adult ticket.
