Yearly Events
January
- Sugar Bowl Classic
January 1
Events include
tennis, swimming, basketball and sailing championships
February
- Valentine's Day Cruise on the Steamboat Natchez
February 14
"Romance on the River" includes a welcome glass of champagne, hors d'oeuves, buffet dinner, open bar, DJ for dinner music and dancing, and a moonlit cruise on the Mississippi River! For reservations, call (504) 569-1480 or visit SteamboatNatchez.com and ask for "Romance on the
River!"
January - February
(Mardi Gras is March 7 in 2000)
- Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras Season begins on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6. Mardi Gras
is a time for parties, parades, balls and celebrations. The final day
is Mardi Gras Day or Fat Tuesday. This is
held on the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, when we traditionally
sacrifice in imitation of Our Lord's 40-day fast in the dessert. Greatest free show on earth! Many Mardi Gras Day parades begin
at 8am and parades continue past sundown.
- Mardi Gras LIVE online!
March
-
St. Patrick's Day Parades
In the French Quarter and a New Orleans suburb
Late March
- Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival
This event attracts internationally known figures such as Alec
Baldwin, Dick Cavett and noted author Calvin Trillin.
End March/early April
- Annual Freeport-McMoran Golf Classic
PGA event drawing golfers around the world
- Spring Fiesta Association
Held on the first Friday after Easter
Many of New Orleans' private homes are open to the public. Tours
through plantation homes,
French Quarter Creole cottages and patios, and Garden District
mansions. Free classical concerts and opera are held all around
town. Tickets needed
April
- French Quarter Festival
Free 3 day community event held throughout the
historic French Quarter. Local restaurants participate in the
"world's largest jazz brunch"; local musicians perform on 13
stages. Second-line parade, fireworks over the Mississippi River,
patio tours, children's events. Get a room early!
- Crescent City Classic
10,000 meter race from Jackson Square
to Audubon Park drawing runners from all over the world.
End April/Early May
- Jazz & Heritage Festival
10-day musical celebration held
at the Fairgrounds Race Track and celebrated throughout the city. Music,
food, crafts, and more music! Outdoor stages host jazz, r'n'b, gospel,
African, Caribbean, Cajun, blues, ragtime, folk, bluegrass, reggae and
country music, with evening performances in venues all around town.
Hundreds of unofficial street bands, local arts, crafts and food.
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - official site. Showcases strong gospel, rhythm and blues, soul, and jazz acts.
- DiscoverNewOrleans.Com: Jazz Festival - schedule, ticket information, and more on the Jazz Fest.
- Jazzfest Bus-Ride Boogey Woogey Page
- Lousiana Music Archive - New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival - information on this year's festival, plus past years. Good set of links to related resources.
- New Orleans Heritage and Jazz Festival - InsideNewOrleans - includes daily schedules, ticket information, and more.
- Past Festivals
- 1997 Jazz Fest Guide
- 1998 OffBeat Magazine Jazz Fest Coverage - includes club listings, tips and recommendations, a look at Jazz Fest food, and a "Fan Connection" section for hooking up with fellow Fest-o-philes.
May
- Greek Festival
Celebrating Greek culture in the Crescent City,
featuring food, music, and more!
June
- French Market Tomato Festival
Featuring cooking demonstrations,
tomato tastings, and musical entertainment
July
- July 4:
Go 4th on the River
Join us for our annual 4th of July celebration with activities and entertainment for the entire family along the riverfront, ending with a spectacular fireworks show over the Mississippi River. Visit Go 4th on the River.com for events & attractions; print the savings
coupons offered.
September
- Weindorf New Orleans
This is a german cultural celebration held in Washington Square in
the Faubourg Marigny. Local German chefs serve authentic dishes
from their native lands. German beers and wines are sold. Oompah
music, chicken dancing, yodeling contest, children's activities.
- African Heritage Festival International
Music and culture of the local African heritage community
Music, food, dance,
arts, crafts and more!
End October
-
Boo at the Zoo
Audubon Zoo
November
- Bayou Classic Football Game
Bringing together Grambling and Southern
at their traditional end-of-season football game
December
- Christmas in the Oaks!
Holiday Light extravaganza..
2-hour driving tour, amusement rides,
entertainment, snacks and more!
now also known as the politically correct "Celebration in the Oaks!"
City Park
- New Orleans At Christmastime
Month-long holiday celebration. Involves
special Papa Noel hotel rates (Dec. 7-28), Reveillon dinners, tours
of historic homes decorated in Christmases past, candlelight caroling,
Christmas concerts, cooking demonstrations, teas, childrens' events.
- Christmas on the River
Bonfires on the River (Dec. 24)
From Baton Rouge to New Orleans, bonfires are lit along the Mississippi River to help guide Papa Noel to the Crescent City!
New Year's Eve!
- Bring in the New Year on Bourbon Street on the French Quarter's Largest Balcony! Join us for food, music, and fun at the Bourbon Vieux Room!
- Take the Steamboat Natchez for its special millenium cruise!
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