10 Biggest Festivals in New Orleans, Louisiana You Can’t Miss This Year
New Orleans is a city that knows how to celebrate, hosting world-famous festivals filled with music, culture, and incredible food.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
New Orleans has a festival for every interest. The city’s rich cultural legacy is brought to life via lively parades, live entertainment, and gastronomic pleasures. From jazz to seafood, here are some of the major festivals you shouldn’t miss this year.
1. Mardi Gras
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The most famous celebration in New Orleans, Mardi Gras is an explosion of color, music, and revelry. Massive parades roll through the streets, tossing beads and trinkets to excited crowds.
2. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
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Known as Jazz Fest, this world-renowned event showcases top-tier musicians across multiple genres. Beyond jazz, you’ll hear blues, gospel, rock, and zydeco from both legendary and rising artists.
3. French Quarter Festival
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A free, city-wide celebration of New Orleans music and culture, this festival features hundreds of local bands. Stages are scattered throughout the historic French Quarter, offering everything from jazz to brass bands.
4. Voodoo Music + Arts Experience
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This multi-day festival blends rock, electronic, and alternative music with immersive art installations. Held in City Park, it attracts major headliners and underground artists alike.
5. Essence Festival
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Celebrating Black culture, music, and empowerment, Essence Fest brings together top R&B, hip-hop, and gospel artists. Inspirational speakers, wellness workshops, and thought-provoking panels make it more than just a music event.
6. Satchmo SummerFest
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A tribute to jazz legend Louis Armstrong, this festival fills the streets with brass bands and traditional jazz performances. Held in the heat of summer, it keeps spirits high with ice-cold drinks and plenty of shade.
7. Oak Street Po-Boy Festival
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A dream come true for sandwich lovers, this festival is dedicated entirely to the famous po’boy. Dozens of local chefs compete to serve the most creative and delicious variations of the classic New Orleans sandwich.
8. Treme Creole Gumbo Festival
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This festival celebrates the deep-rooted Creole heritage of New Orleans through food, music, and culture. The star attraction is, of course, gumbo—served in every style imaginable, from seafood to chicken and andouille.
9. Bayou Boogaloo
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Set along the banks of Bayou St. John, this festival offers live music, local art, and family-friendly activities. One of its unique features is the opportunity to enjoy the event from the water—attendees bring kayaks, paddleboards, or floaties.
10. New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (NOWFE)
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Foodies and wine lovers flock to this event, which pairs fine dining with expertly selected wines. Local chefs and sommeliers host tastings, demonstrations, and extravagant multi-course dinners.