JANUARY
Battle of New Orleans
Celebration
Re-enactment of the famous 1812
battle at Chalmette National Park features military
drills, musket firings and cooking demonstrations
and period costumes. On Saturday night, guided
lantern tours illuminate the “night before the
battle” within warring encampments. Call (504)
589-4428 for more information.
Celebration in the Oaks
From late November to early January,
historic city park becomes a holiday wonderland
with walks through the botanical gardens and a
two-mile driving route showcasing thousands of
lights. Santa appears nightly, with
horse-drawn carriages,
and miniature train
rides . Call (800) 672-6124
for more information.
Nokia Sugar Bowl Classic
Originated in 1935, this gridiron
classic unfolds at the Louisiana Superdome. Call
(877) 99-SUGAR for packages or (800) 672-6124 for
information.
FEBRUARY
Mardi Gras
Depending on the Gregorian calendar,
Mardi Gras falling on Tuesday from Feb. 3 through
March 9, is legendary in New Orleans with
freewheeling street parties, formal masquerade
balls, parades and more.
O’Houligan’s Ball
Legend has it that the Irish were
not invited to any of the New Orleans society Mardi
Gras celebrations. So in the early 1800’s, they
created their own
New Orleans International Boat Show
Louisiana Superdome hosts a wide
selection of new boats, engines and accessories for
fun on the water. (504) 780-1818
Nokia Sugar Bowl - Mardi
Gras Marathon
This 5K marathon starts on Sugar
Bowl Drive outside of the Louisiana Superdome and
winds through streets of the New Orleans.
MARCH
St. Patrick's Day Festival - There are several parades
to really enjoy!
3/11 St. Patrick's Day Parade - French Quarter-
5:00 p.m. at Molly's on the
Market.
3/12 Irish Channel Parade – Irish Channel & Garden
District
2:00 p.m. Felicity and Magazine Street
3/13 St. Patrick's Day Parade Old Metairie – Old
Metairie Rd.
3/17 Downtown Irish Club Parade – French Quarter and
Central Business District
Begins at 1:00 PM
3/17 Benefit Block Party – 2533 Constance St.
10AM-6PM
Annunciation
Square Playground, directly in front of St. Michael's
Special School.
Tennessee
Williams Festival -
Plays, literary panels, tours &
parties
March 20 - April 2
This festival is held various locations around the
French Quarter.
Super Sunday
- The New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians parade their new
outfits!
Sunday March 20, 12:00 P.M. The pre-parade party is at
Bayou St. John at Orleans Avenue.
The parade starts at 1:00 pm Sharp.
APRIL
New Orleans
City Park Spring Garden Show
Annual garden show at the Botanical Gardens of City
Park.
April 2nd-3rd Opens Early
The French Quarter Festival
largest public music festival
in the Gulf South
April 8th.-10th.
Public Stages are set up throughout the French Quarter
and the riverfront for three days of local music and
talent.
Pontchatoula Annual Strawberry
Festival
April 9th-10th Pontchatoula's Strawberry
Festival info.
French Quarter Easter
Parade - 2005Sunday,
April 11th at 11:00 AM
Angola LA, Spring Rodeo - World
famous prison rodeo
April 16th.-17th. Held on the
grounds of Louisiana's historically notorious Angola
State Penitentiary.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage
Festival loads food culture and local crafts
April 22nd. – May 1st. Held
at the New Orleans Fairgrounds
MAY
Zoo To Do -
Audubon Zoo's
Zoo to Do
fundraiser
May 6th. On
the grounds of the Audubon Zoo an evening of fine food
and dancing.
New Orleans Food & Wine
Experience
May 25-29 Chefs and wine from
all over the world show off with pride. Held
in French Quarter and Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Greek Festival
New Orleans
Greeks celebrate their Greek Heritage
May 27th.-29th.
Held at the Lakefront Hellenic Cultural Center.
JUNE
Back to the Beach Festival
Held on
Lake Pontchartrain Beaches
June
3rd.-5th. Plenty of music &
food,
French Market Tomato Festival
The
original creole tomato extravaganza
June
12th. Live music. In the French
Market.
JULY
Essence Music Festival
July 1st.-3rd. Essence Magazine's
annual music extravaganza in the Louisiana Superdome.
At the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center & Superdome
Go Fourth On the River
Celebrate the 4th of July In New Orleans
July 4 on the French Quarter
Riverfront with live music and fireworks.
Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo
July 28th.-30th. Fish for tarpon &
other Gulf South sport fish.
AUGUST
Satchmo Summer Music Festival
to honor Louis Armstrong's birthday.
August 4th.-7th.
White Linen Night in
The Art District New Orleans
August 6th.
live music, food & drink.
SEPTEMBER
Southern Decadence
-New
Orleans French Quarter
September 2nd.
-5th.
New Orleans Labor Day gay mini-Mardi Gras.
The Inter-Fest -City
Park at Marconi Meadows
September
10th.-11th. Music
Festival featuring cultural food of the Caribbean,
Africa and South America.
Oktberfest
at New Orleans Deutsches
Haus on South Galvez
September 23rd.-24th. & 30th – October 1st.
New Orleans Deutsches Haus beings its Oktoberfest
celebration, evening beer garden music and food.
OCTOBER
Art for Arts's sake
October
1st. is the city-wide opening
of the art season.
Angola LA, Rodeo - World famous prison rodeo
October
2nd, 9th.16th, 23rd, & 30th. The
world famous prison rodeo at the grounds of Louisiana's
historically notorious Angola State Penitentiary.
New Orleans Film & Video Festival
October
6th.-13th.
Gretna Heritage Music Festival
at Gretna's town
center October 7th.-9th.
Voodoo Music Experience
October
22nd. -23rd.
Mensaje Spanish Festival
Metairie, LA
October 21st.- 23rd. & 28th.- 30th.Cultural
Spanish and Latin American food, music.
Steel Pony Express
Louisiana Superdome
October 28th.-30th.
Motorcycle show and rally with vendors and live music.
Halloween New Orleans
October 27-30
NOVEMBER
Words & Music
Festival
Showcase
of new music and literary events.
November 3rd.-7th.
Swamp Fest
- The Audubon Zoo's annual celebration of Cajun culture
November 5-6 12-13 live
music & special attractions.
Opening day at the fair grounds
race course
November 24th.
New Orleans Fairgrounds
Bayou Classic
Louisiana Superdome.
November 26th. - 27th.
Southern University & Grambling University square off in
the annual football Bayou Classic!
DECEMBER
Christmas New Orleans Style
City-wide events include candlelight
caroling in Jackson Square, tours of historic homes
decorated in 19th century holiday style, cooking
demonstrations, and more.
New Year’s Eve
Jackson Square, in the heart of the
French Quarter, features fireworks and a lighted ball
dropping from atop Jackson Brewery to welcome the new
year.
Words & Music Literary Festival
Aspiring authors gather in the French
Quarter for a literary conference and workshop.
