Mardi Gras
Laissez les bons temps rouler (let the good times roll)! Every year in February or March (check dates), New Orleans indulges in Fat Tuesday, a rowdy celebration with parades, costumes, masks and huge crowds.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Each year on the last weekend of April and first weekend of May, "Jazz Fest" celebrates the rich musical culture of New Orleans and Louisiana. Various musical genres besides jazz are represented, with hundreds of live performances at the Fair Grounds Race Course and at venues throughout the city. Plenty of local food and craft vendors are also part of the fun.
Unknown Sitters
From 6/19/2024 - 10/12/2025
Explore the intrigue in the exhibition, Unknown Sitters, showcasing an array of unseen historical portraits. Engage with basic interpretations of these mysterious subjects and experience the depths of New Orleans' layered art history.
French Quarter History Talk
From 6/19/2024 - 9/28/2026
Uncover New Orleans' layered cultural history through insightful talks by Park Rangers from renowned National Historical Parks. These enlightening narrations decode the city's vibrant charm, serving as a journey rather than entity explorations.
Rodrigue: Before the Blue Dog
From 11/23/2024 - 9/28/2025
Guests can deeply examine the work of George Rodrigue, prior to his famous Blue Dog era, immersing themselves into his captivating portrayals of Cajun culture and landscapes. The event appreciates the artist's efforts towards the Cajun Revival, offering an emotionally-charged journey of increased understanding for Acadian culture.
Higher Heights Reggae and R&B
From 1/3/2025 - 12/26/2025
Talented artists promise a soulful journey through performances immersed in Reggae and R&B music at the Higher Heights event. The night bubbles with the magic of live music, pledging a groovy atmosphere brimming with good vibes and unforgettable memories.
Keith Duncan: Battle of the Bands
From 2/15/2025 - 8/10/2025
Immerse yourself in Keith Duncan's newest exhibit, 'Battle of the Bands', highlighting the rhythmic cadence of HBCUs marching bands through striking, large-scale fabric paintings. This visual tribute not only celebrates music but also invites a dialogue on discipline, athletics, unity, black culture, joy, and the rich narratives embedded in the South's HBCUs band tradition and their cultural importance to contemporary American history.
Fall of Saigon with Hoa Tay (Flower Hands)
From 3/15/2025 - 9/21/2025
Hoa Tay (Flower Hands) pays tribute to 50 years since the Fall of Saigon with creations by both promising and recognized Vietnamese-American artists from the American South. Through a wide range of styles and mediums, the event weaves critical insights into horror, resistance, and cultural shaping against a backdrop of intricate histories, revealing deep emotional experiences of the Vietnamese Diaspora.
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
From 4/24/2025 - 5/4/2025
The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is one of the premier cultural events in the world, celebrating the rich musical traditions of jazz, blues, and gospel. With performances from some of the best musicians, as well as local food, crafts, and cultural exhibits, this festival offers a full immersion in New Orleans’ vibrant arts scene.
String of Pearls
On 5/1/2025
Attendees can expect a beautifully emotive play that follows the story of one pearl necklace across the changing times and rending experiences of 27 diverse women. Reflective, whimsical, and heart-touching dialogue combines tales of laughter, revelation, and soul-stirring emotions.
BLK INK Book Festival
On 5/3/2025
Dive into a literary feast by interacting with over 90 authors from a wide variety of genres. The event amplifies all senses as it offers live DJ music, interactive storytelling in a serene garden setting, and the consistent drumbeat of exciting prizes.
Bounyful Green Markets
On 5/4/2025
This vibrant market brims with fresh produce, enchanting baked goods, and invigorating coffee for an activated palate. It also attracts aficionados of handcrafted items with an enthusing range - from fragrant incense, cozy woolen wear, and small-scale terrariums to local painting artworks ideal for excellent gifts and household embellishments.
A Course in Cocktails
On 5/7/2025
At this enticing event, attendees can enjoy the fascinating journey of savoring and learning about cocktail ingredients, design, and craft. It's a cocktail enthusiast's dream, as each gets an inside peek into the artful skill of mixology and tasting.
WYES Goes Country and Western
On 5/8/2025
Pull on those cowboy boots for a foot-stomping good time that benefits WYES. An exciting event filled with country charm and lively entertainment promises to leave everyone with lasting memories and smiling faces.
Brutal: Good Improv about Bad Jobs
On 5/9/2025
A vibrant improv comedy event promises laughs galore, inviting audience members to share their hilariously awful job stories. All shared experiences serve as fodder for a troupe of gifted comedians, transforming workplace grievances into lively, spontaneous comedy performances.
Laughs and Drafts Comedy Showcase
On 5/14/2025
Participants are assured an evening filled with hysterical laughs at the Stand Up Comedy event. The intimate venue promises undeniable humor by talented comedians, along with local craft beers to enjoy in a casual, welcoming atmosphere.
Bayou Boogaloo
From 5/16/2025 - 5/18/2025
Float on the Bayou St. John in colorful canoes as you are serenaded by live music at the Bayou Boogaloo in New Orleans, Louisiana. If you can't wait to experience live music and art with the community of Mid-City, then don't miss this chance to chill by the water with friends and family this spring.
Joie Des Femmes: Improv Comedy from an All-Femme Cast
On 5/16/2025
Femme improv comedy enchants with unexpected plots, quirky characters, and wit-infused banter. This deep dive provides a female perspective on improv, engendering riotous laughter, contagious cheer, and empowering females.
Comedy Beast Stand-Up Showcase
From 4/29/2025 - 10/21/2025
This weekly stand-up show boasts a lineup of hilarious comics, guaranteed to supply a steady stream of laughter. Attendees can couple their belly laughs with a selection of excellent drinks.
Champagne Stroll
On 5/10/2025
Indulge in a delightful evening on Magazine Street, where multiple businesses extend their hours for a triumphant spring celebration. The grand event is set to please with a shimmering offering of sparkling wine, enticing deals, lively band performances, and captivating art exhibitions, all free of charge to public attendees.
Jokes on Oak
On 5/10/2025
Craft Comedy Presents: Jokes on Oak showcases the rib-tickling antics of the funniest comedians from New Orleans. Featuring local food pop-ups and servings of refreshing craft beer, the event provides an enjoyable and thrilling comedy experience.
Mother's Day Brunch
On 5/11/2025
The Mother's Day brunch offers a grand family event to honor all the mothers and mother figures in your life by indulging in scrumptious entrees, indulging in free-flowing mimosas, and live music. Different prices for the groups are established with different age range categories to include everyone in this enchanting celebration.
Giselle
On 5/11/2025
Giselle is a classical ballet that tells the tragic love story of a peasant girl and a nobleman. With stunning choreography and emotional storytelling, this classic production is a must-see for any lover of the arts.
Nola Food Fest
On 5/17/2025
The Nola Food Fest promises an indulgent cornucopia, featuring an array of culinary offerings from 40+ local and national purveyors. The atmosphere brims with energetic entertainment, boasting live performances, DJ sets, engaging contests, giveaways, and plentiful attractions meant to cater to every member of the family, including free access for children 8 and under.
New Orleans Greek Festival
From 5/23/2025 - 5/25/2025
Experience a slice of beautiful Greece right in your hometown. The Greek Festival offers an immersive celebration of Greek culture, building conversations around enticing Greek cuisine, traditional music and dance, as well as a rich display of arts and handicrafts.
New Orleans Greek Festival Run and Walk
On 5/24/2025
The 35th annual New Orleans Greek Festival Run and Walk features a healthy outdoor celebration of Greek culture and heritage. Attendees can participate in a 5K or 1-mile event, followed by early access to the Greek Festival, indulging in sumptuous Greek food, vivacious music and dance, plus free admission and beer included with their race bib.
New Orleands Pop Up Plant Sale
From 5/24/2025 - 5/25/2025
With expert advice and affordable prices, this Plant Sale is a must-visit for anyone looking to spruce up their garden or home with heirloom vegetables, greenery, herbs, and perennials.
Bywater Neighborhood Tour
On 5/24/2025
Experience the vibrancy of Bywater, a historic suburban area blossoming with a host of art studios, restaurants, and brilliant creative industries. Walk alongside the Mississippi River, discovering charming Creole cottages, ornamented shotgun dwellings, and how the conversion of plantations to an industrial locality post-Hurricane Katrina transformed this serene neighborhood into a blooming cultural hot spot.
