New Orleans celebrates all year. There's a festival for music, food, culture and just about everything in between, and many of them draw visitors from around the world. This month-by-month guide to New Orleans events and festivals will help you pick the right time to visit, and plan where to stay. Exact dates change every year, so always confirm on the official event website before you book.
Winter: Carnival Season and Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is the city's signature celebration. Carnival season begins on January 6 (Twelfth Night), and parades build over the following weeks to Fat Tuesday, which falls between early February and early March depending on the date of Easter. The biggest parades roll in the final two weekends, many along St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street.
Staying on Canal Street keeps you close to the parade action on Canal and St. Charles, which is one reason Mardi Gras hotels in New Orleans book up months in advance. Plan early, and expect street closures and higher demand during the final week.
Winter also brings college football's Sugar Bowl to Caesars Superdome around New Year's, and Saints home games through the end of the regular season.
Spring: French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest
Spring is peak festival season.
- French Quarter Festival (April): A free, multi-day celebration of Louisiana music on stages throughout the French Quarter and along the riverfront, with food from local restaurants.
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (late April to early May): "Jazz Fest" fills two long weekends at the Fair Grounds Race Course with jazz, gospel, blues, rock, zydeco, Cajun and brass bands, plus crafts and some of the best festival food anywhere. The Fair Grounds are about 3.5 miles from The Jung Hotel, a quick rideshare away. Jazz Fest hotels fill early, so book as soon as dates are announced.
- Crawfish season: Late winter through spring is prime time for boiled crawfish across the city.
Summer: Essence and Satchmo SummerFest
- Essence Festival of Culture (Fourth of July weekend): One of the largest celebrations of Black culture and music in the country, with evening concerts at Caesars Superdome and daytime events at the Convention Center. The Superdome is a short ride from Canal Street.
- Satchmo SummerFest (early August): A French Quarter celebration of Louis Armstrong, the city's most famous son, with music, seminars and food.
Summer is hot and humid, so plan outdoor sightseeing for mornings and evenings, and spend the afternoon at our rooftop pool, where the Rooftop Pool Bar serves seasonal cocktails.
Fall: Football, Food and Halloween
Fall is one of the best times to visit, with milder weather and a packed calendar.
- Saints season: Game days at Caesars Superdome bring the whole city out in black and gold.
- Food and music festivals: Fall weekends bring a rotating lineup of neighborhood festivals celebrating everything from po-boys to local music.
- Halloween: New Orleans embraces Halloween with costume parties, parades and haunted history tours in the French Quarter.
Holidays: Lights, Réveillon and New Year's Eve
In December, City Park glows with holiday lights, many restaurants serve traditional Réveillon dinners, and bonfires light the Mississippi River levees on Christmas Eve upriver from the city. New Year's Eve ends with fireworks over the river and celebrations in the French Quarter.
Year-Round Shows and Games
Between festivals, catch a Broadway tour at the Saenger Theatre (right around the corner from the hotel), a concert at the Orpheum Theater, or a Pelicans game at the Smoothie King Center. For the latest listings, see our area events calendar.
Where to Stay for New Orleans Festivals
The Jung Hotel & Residences on Canal Street is a convenient home base for events in New Orleans:
- Steps from the French Quarter for French Quarter Fest, Satchmo SummerFest and New Year's Eve.
- On Canal Street, close to Mardi Gras parades, with the Canal Streetcar at our door.
- A short ride to Caesars Superdome, the Smoothie King Center and the Fair Grounds.
- Room to spread out in our suites and residences, which are ideal for festival groups and families.
Coming for more than a festival? Explore the best things to do in New Orleans and the best restaurants in New Orleans. Hosting a group? Learn about meetings and events at The Jung Hotel.
Festival dates fill fast. View current offers and book your stay directly.