While New Orleans is known the world over for its remarkable Mardi Gras celebration, by no means is that the Crescent City’s only amazing party. In fact, this Louisiana gem features dynamic festivals all year long. Spring is a wonderful time to visit the city, as it comes alive with so many special events. Here’s a small sampling to get you started.
Downtown Irish Club St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 17, 2024
The Downtown Irish Club, Inc. is a social organization dedicated to preserving and perpetuating the Irish Identity in New Orleans. We're the only parade annually on St. Patrick's Day Proper with parade stops on Frenchmen, Decatur and Tchoupitoulas! Come out and enjoy the festivities. The parade starts at Washington Park and ends in downtown New Orleans.
Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival, March 20-24, 2024
For almost four decades, this festival has brought together award-winning writers, poets, historians, scholars, journalists, actors, musicians, and cultural experts. Enjoy five days of literary joy as thousands of book and theatre lovers descend on New Orleans for writer's craft sessions, literary panels, theatre events, author interviews, literary walking tours, culinary and cocktail events, and music.
Hogs for the Cause, April 5-6, 2024
This annual event, started in 2008, was created to bring back the Southern tradition of open-flame pig roasts. That year, the creators met a 4-year-old child who suffered from an incurable brain tumor. This inspired the founders to turn the event into a fundraiser for children with pediatric brain cancer and their families. Now Hogs for the Cause features barbecue, sauces, and sides prepared in every way imaginable. The cook-off competition is fierce, with teams competing in categories such as whole hog, ribs, sauce, and fan favorite. Ticket packages range from one-day passes to weekend-long passes that include an open bar and a special viewing area.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, April 25-May 5, 2024
Jazz Fest celebrates the unique culture and heritage of the region, with endless music, succulent local and regional delicacies, one-of-a-kind handmade arts and crafts, second-line parades, and much more. Over the years, Jazz Fest has received many honors, such as four-time Festival of the Year winner by Pollstar magazine. There are 13 stages featuring all kinds of music: jazz, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, blues, R&B, rock, funk, African, Latin, Caribbean, and folk. The event has showcased most of the great artists of New Orleans and Louisiana of the last half-century, such as Professor Longhair, Fats Domino, The Neville Brothers, Wynton Marsalis, Dr. John, Branford Marsalis, Harry Connick Jr., Ellis Marsalis, The Radiators, Irma Thomas, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Allen Toussaint, Buckwheat Zydeco, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Better Than Ezra, Ernie K-Doe, Vernel Bagneris, The Zion Harmonizers, and Beausoleil.
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