Any time is a good time to visit New Orleans. The biggest party in New Orleans may be Mardi Gras, but festivals, celebrations, parades, and events fill the calendar year 'round.

Festivals

The annual festival schedule is long and varied. Not a month goes by without some festival or two or three on the calendar. The biggest bash of the year is Mardi Gras in February. In March, the crawfish has a three day festival devoted to cooking and eating the local delight. The Jazz Heritage Festival plays in April/May, as does the French Quarter Festival, and both attract thousands of visitors. Festivals and fireworks are on for the 4th of July and a Satchmo festival in August. Between September and the holidays, there are festivals for tomatoes, catfish, plants, the Japanese, gumbo, Vietnamese, and many more. Capping off the year is the month-long Christmas Festival with free cooking demonstrations, free nightly concerts, special hotel rates and meals, tours, parties, and a beautifully decorated French Quarter. Literary events include a Tennessee Williams festival and the Word and Music festival.

Other Events

With the Louisiana Superdome and the neighboring New Orleans Arena offering a variety of sporting events, concerts, and other attractions, a visitor shouldn’t have a chance to be bored or idle. And if you’re there at the right time, you can go to the races.

Parades and Funerals

The biggest parade of the year is Mardi Gras, and the whole week leading up to Fat Tuesday is filled with celebrations, parties, and more. St. Patrick’s Day in March is worthy of three parades on different days, with one whole day devoted to the Saint. The Italian-American club parades as does the Italian-Irish club in March. Most festivals include a parade and often fireworks. But some of the most impressive parades are not scheduled because they occur only at the time of the passing of a jazz musician. These are more dignified parades.

The Weather

New Orleans is blessed with a rather temperate climate and four seasons. Spring is early, and the summers steam. Winters are fairly mild but can be downright cold with wind off the Mississippi. The sun shines a lot, but showers can pop up, so bring an umbrella.