15+ New Orleans festivals to put on your calendar this spring
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A parade traverses the race track during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Photo: Jim Bennett/WireImage
It's spring, the most glorious time of the year in New Orleans. Crawfish are boiling, it doesn't feel like a furnace outside yet and everything is blooming.
Why it matters: This is one of the busiest social periods of the year, with festivals almost every weekend.
The big picture: Here are some of the big festivals and events for the next few weeks.
Algiers Mardi Gras Festival: This free festival was rescheduled for Saturday. The parade rolls at 9am.
March
New Orleans Entrepreneur Week: Features 100-plus sessions across the city. Free.
New Orleans Book Fest: Lectures, readings and dozens of sessions with local and national authors at Tulane University. Free.
NOLA Holi Festival: Rooted in Hindu mythology, the fest celebrates colors, love and new beginnings.
Wednesdays at the Square: These free weekly parties start March 11.
Super Sunday: Mardi Gras Indians have celebrations uptown, downtown and on the West Bank. The one at A.L. Davis Park on March 15 is free and open to the public.
St. Patrick's Day festivities: Check out parades and block parties downtown, in the Irish Channel and in Old Metairie.
St. Joseph's Day festivities: Altars and parades in New Orleans and Metairie honoring Italian heritage.
- The 54th annual pasta party is March 27.
Danny Barker Banjo and Guitar Festival: Music, banjo clinics and guest lectures at the U.S. Mint and other venues.
New Orleans Opera Festival: This new festival celebrates the city as the birthplace of American opera.
New Orleans French Film Festival: One of the longest-running international language festivals in the U.S.
Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival: Stellaaaaaa!!! Don't miss the calling competition.
Saints + Sinners Literary Festival: The Tennessee Williams Fest also hosts this LGBTQ+ focused event.
Congo Square Rhythms Festival: A free celebration showcasing the music, food and dance that made this city famous.
Big Bass Fishing Rodeo: Held at City Park, it's the oldest freshwater rodeo in the country.
Art in Bloom: Floral installations take over the New Orleans Museum of Art.
April
Overlook Film Festival: A four-day celebration of all things horror.
Hogs for the Cause: One of the country’s largest and most popular barbecue and music festivals.
- We judged their barbecue competition last year. Go deeper.
Crescent City Classic: This iconic New Orleans "party race" has been run for more than 40 years.
Easter parades in the French Quarter.
French Quarter Fest: Free music on 20+ stages, plus dozens of food vendors.
Jazz & Heritage Fest: Headliners include the Eagles, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart and more.
Shorty Fest: Trombone Shorty headlines with Cimafunk, Tank Ball, Big Freedia and more.
Brews, Boils & Bubbles: A newish seafood festival celebrating all things boiled.
May
Bayou Boogaloo: Music, kayaking, food and art in Mid-City.
Keith Lee's Familee Day: A new festival from the famous food TikToker.
Greek Fest: Food, wine, music and dancing along Bayou St. John.
The bottom line: Pace yourself. Festival season is just getting started.
Go deeper: More festivals