skip to main content
Jackson Square

The Best Fests

Annual New Orleans Events, Activities + More

New Orleans festivals you can’t miss

If you’re in the mood for merriment, New Orleans delivers year-round. In fact, our supremely social city hosts more than 130 annual festivals, parades, and celebrations. Some you’ve no doubt heard of — does Mardi Gras ring a bell? — but others are under-the-radar fetes worth finding. Whether you’re in town specifically to celebrate or are looking for something spontaneous to do, here are a few of our favorite New Orleans activities:

French Quarter Festival

April 13-16, 2023

More than 20 stages throughout the French Quarter celebrate local music and represent every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to R&B, New Orleans funk, brass bands, folk, gospel, Latin, Zydeco, classical, cabaret, and international.

Learn More
Man playing trumphet

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

April 28-May 7, 2023

It’s been called “the country’s very best music festival” with 13 stages of soul-stirring music—jazz, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, blues, R&B, rock, funk, African, Latin, Caribbean, folk, and much more—the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is a singular celebration.

Learn More
Kimpton Off The Record graphic

Kimpton Off the Record

June 1, 2023 | 7PM

Join us for a special night featuring Tank And The Bangas on June 1, 2023 at 7PM.

Learn More
audience at show

Essence Festival

June 29-July 3, 2023

Essence Festival of Culture promotes, celebrates, and explores health & wellness, spirituality, beauty & style, food, community & culture, entertainment, entrepreneurship, and much more within the African American community.

Learn More