From April 21st to 24th, celebrate life in the French Quarter at the French Quarter Fest. Enjoy food from some of the finest restaurants in the Big Easy, such as Antoine's, Mrs. Wheat's Pies, and K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen, as well as a large variety of beer, wine, and cocktail options. Listen to live music performances from talented local artists on any of the 20 stages set up across the district, and you can take dance lessons at the French Quarter Traditional Jaz Stage if you want to get your groove on. Get more information and updates on the lineup on their official website.
Hogs for the Cause is the biggest BBQ and music festival in the county! Head down to the Lakefront Arena to enjoy two full days of music, local beer, and of course, food. The fest will feature three stages with 20+ bands and over 90 teams competing to serve some of the best pork dishes! General admission and VIP tickets are available for sale. Proceeds benefit both local and national children’s hospitals to provide relief for families with children who have brain cancer.
The Freret Street Festival has live music, performances, crafts, food, and so much more. This annual Freret Street Place will take place on the blocks between Soniat Street and Napoleon Avenue. Multiple stages with different performances are positioned along the streets including brass bands, swamp pop, sounds of rock, and New Orleans’ special sounds. You can also head to the market for shopping and eating. This festival is free and open to all ages!
If you’re in New Orleans for Easter Sunday, then you’re in for a treat because the annual official Gay Easter Parade will take place! This unique, vibrant parade showcases the creativity of the LGBTQ community as they flaunt flashy versions of their Easter Sunday finest. The parade kicks off in the French Quarter and takes a route passing every gay bar as well as gay-owned restaurants and other shops. Also, consider checking out the annual Easter Bonnet Contest held at Good Friends Bar.
Crawfish are a New Orleans favorite, and you can have an unlimited amount of it at Crawfest! This annual event hosted in the heart of Tulane University’s campus features over 20,000 pounds of crawfish, thousands of pounds of veggies, dozens of local food and art vendors, and live music on two stages.
The Jazz and Heritage Festival is a New Orleans event you can’t miss! Celebrating the Louisiana culture, the Jazz & Heritage Festival New Orleans is all about music, live performances, and food; moreover, there are Mardi Gras Indians parades, cultural showcases, and craft demonstrations. Ticket information is available here.
