Twelfth Night and Carnival opening ↗
January 6
Parade organizations begin the Carnival season. Consult individual krewes for routes and schedules.
New Orleans Annual Events Calendar
A year of music, food, neighborhood traditions and cultural celebrations. Use these recurring seasons to plan, then confirm exact festival dates and access with the linked organizers.
January
Martin Luther King Jr. Day ↗
Third Monday in January
Commemorations, service programs and civil-rights history resources.
February
Carnival parades and Mardi Gras ↗
January through Mardi Gras; date varies
Krewe schedules change each year. Verify parade routes and official city notices.
Black History Month ↗
February
Explore cultural institutions and their announced exhibitions and programs.
March
St. Patrick’s celebrations ↗
Around March 17
Neighborhood parades and celebrations; confirm the current year’s route and date.
St. Joseph’s Day traditions ↗
Around March 19
Community altars and Sicilian heritage traditions; visiting arrangements vary by host.
Congo Square and cultural programs ↗
Spring; organizer schedule varies
Check the Jazz & Heritage Foundation calendar for free and ticketed cultural programs.
April
French Quarter Festival ↗
Usually April
Music and food throughout the French Quarter; use the organizer’s annual schedule.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival ↗
Usually late April and early May
Plan transport and tickets from the official festival announcements.
Easter traditions ↗
March or April; date varies
Religious services and community celebrations have separate schedules.
May
Bayou Boogaloo ↗
Usually May
Bayou St. John music and community festival; verify dates, access and ticket rules.
Mother’s Day and spring outings ↗
Second Sunday in May
Book directly with venues and check museum, garden and restaurant calendars.
June
New Orleans Pride ↗
Usually June
Community celebrations and events; confirm organizers and age requirements.
Juneteenth ↗
June 19 and surrounding dates
Cultural programs and commemorations across New Orleans.
Hurricane-season planning ↗
June through November
Review official readiness information before summer and fall travel.
July
ESSENCE Festival of Culture ↗
Usually around Independence Day
Festival programming, venues and registration are announced by ESSENCE.
Independence Day ↗
July 4
Confirm public celebrations, weather notices and riverfront access.
Tales of the Cocktail ↗
Usually July
Cocktail-culture programming; some events require industry credentials or tickets.
August
Satchmo SummerFest ↗
Usually early August
Louis Armstrong’s musical legacy, with programming from French Quarter Festivals, Inc.
COOLinary dining ↗
Usually August
Participating restaurants publish their own menus, dates and booking terms.
September
Southern Decadence ↗
Usually Labor Day weekend
Confirm event organizers, age requirements and the current parade information.
Football season ↗
Fall; team schedules vary
Check official Saints and Tulane home schedules before planning a game-day visit.
October
New Orleans Film Festival ↗
Usually fall
The festival announces screenings, venues and ticket options each year.
Halloween and Krewe of BOO! ↗
October; parade date varies
Check the organizer for the parade route, schedule and related events.
November
All Saints’ Day ↗
November 1
Respect cemetery access restrictions and active family observances.
Bayou Classic ↗
Usually Thanksgiving weekend
Consult the official weekend schedule for the game and associated events.
Thanksgiving and local shopping ↗
Fourth Thursday in November and following weekend
Confirm restaurant reservations, shop hours and market dates directly.
December
Celebration in the Oaks ↗
Usually late November through the holiday season
City Park’s light displays and activities require current ticket and access information.
Réveillon dining and holiday music ↗
December
Participating venues set menus, reservations and performance dates.
New Year’s Eve ↗
December 31
Confirm official riverfront events, transport arrangements and weather updates.
How should I plan around these events?
Check the organizer’s current schedule before booking travel. Neighborhood access, streetcar routes, parking and venue hours can change during major events. Use RTA service information, the live weather page and our place map to plan nearby stops.
Calendar sources reviewed September 2026. Official tourism event listings provide additional announcements.