15+ things to do for Easter weekend in New Orleans
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Pastels and spring bonnets are encouraged at this weekend's Easter parades. The more creative, the better. Photo: Trung Le/Getty Images
New Orleans has plenty of things to do for Easter weekend, from parades to crawfish boils to 4/20 mashups.
- Here are some of your best bets this weekend.
Parades
👒 The Historic French Quarter Easter Parade starts at 9:45am at Antoine's and travels to St. Louis Cathedral. It focuses on mule-drawn carriages and convertibles. (Details)
💐 The 40th annual French Quarter Easter Parade rolls at 1pm Sunday. This was previously the Chris Owens parade. (Route)
- The route for the French Quarter parade was changed this year to avoid Bourbon Street amid enhanced security measures after the terrorist attack, WWL reports.
🎉 The 24th annual Gay Easter Parade rolls at 4:30pm through the Quarter. (Route)
🦞 Crawfish boils
- Mr. Ed's Oyster Bar in Metairie on Friday.
- Port Orleans Brewing Co. on Friday and Saturday.
- Buggin' Out Boils is at Miel Brewery all weekend.
- Pigeon Caterers has grab-and-go crawfish on Friday.
- The Basin in Lakeview on Friday.
Church pilgrimage and other Easter events
✝ The Nine Church Walk starts at 8am Friday at St. Stephen's Church. Parishioners will walk about 5 miles during the Uptown pilgrimage. (Details)
🐇 The NOLA Bunarchy bar hop starts at 6pm Saturday in the Marigny. (Details)
🪺 Join the grown-up egg hunt Saturday at Port Orleans Brewery. (Details)
🏆 Compete in the annual hat contest at 11am Sunday at the Omni Royal Orleans grand ballroom. (Details)
🥳 Good Friends Bar hosts its annual Easter bonnet contest Sunday. (Details)
📸 The Easter bunny is at Lakeside Shopping Center for photos. He's at the Audubon Aquarium too.
🚗 Lakeshore Drive changes
The Orleans Levee District is rolling out traffic restrictions and security checkpoints this weekend at the popular Easter weekend destination.
- The 5-mile stretch from Seabrook Bridge to West End Boulevard will only be open to eastbound traffic, authorities say.
- They'll also be using boats, helicopters and drones to help patrol.
- Authorities will be checking for speed, noise, window tint, seatbelt use and license plate violations, according to a statement.
4/20 events
🚬 The Broadside has The Iguanas and a free showing of Cheech and Chong's "Up in Smoke." The fun starts at 4:20pm Sunday, naturally. (Details)
🪩 The Awful Sweet Cabaret hosts a 420 Easter edition at 8pm at the Original Nite Cap. (Tickets)
Other things to do
🏃🏽♀️ The Crescent City Classic is Saturday and is one of the oldest 10ks in the country. (Details)
🐴 Celebrate Earth Day at Bayou Fest at the Sankofa wetland park and nature trail. It will have free horseback riding, kayaking and fishing. (Details)
- Louisiana Bucket Brigade is hosting an Earth Day Festival at The Broadside on Saturday too. (Details)
🦇 Hunt for Kreeps aka creepy Peeps from the Krewe of Krampus. (Details)
⛳️ The Zurich Classic starts Monday.
Go deeper: Heavenly Hash and Gold Brick eggs shine bright at Easter.