| New Orleans is a popular destination for | | | | |
| travelers the world over for exhilarating and | | | | September |
| renowned events and festivals throughout the | | | | |
| year. Everyone knows about Mardi Gras and the | | | | Southern Decadence Festival |
| Jazz and Heritage Festival, but the Crescent | | | | |
| City is home to a wide variety of | | | | Getting to the famous Southern Decadence |
| entertaining things to do any time of year. | | | | Festival is easy when you stay at one of the |
| | | | most charming and affordable New Orleans |
| Celebrate the artistry of Louis Armstrong at | | | | boutique hotels in the French Quarter. |
| the Satchmo Summerfest, participate in a "Gay | | | | Founded by a small group of friends in 1972, |
| Mardi Gras" at the Southern Decadence | | | | this annual gay festival has become a |
| Festival and don't miss the excitement of the | | | | renowned event, attracting around 120,000 |
| Bayou Bacchanal event. | | | | participants each year. Commonly referred to |
| | | | as New Orleans' "Gay Mardi Gras", the event |
| Plan to attend these amazing New Orleans | | | | takes place each year from the Wednesday |
| happenings occurring between the months of | | | | before Labor Day into the early morning hours |
| July and December and make a French Quarter | | | | on Labor Day Monday. |
| hotel your home base to experience all the | | | | |
| fun so you can relax between activities and | | | | Held in the streets and venues throughout the |
| enjoy a close proximity to these events. | | | | French Quarter, the excitement-filled |
| | | | festival features lively talent contests, |
| Recommended New Orleans hotels near events: | | | | musical performances, a colorful parade, |
| | | | costume show and pulse-pounding dance |
| Holiday Inn French Quarter Hotel | | | | parties. |
| | | | |
| Holiday Inn Chateau LeMoyne hotel in the | | | | October |
| French Quarter | | | | |
| | | | Halloween in New Orleans |
| July | | | | |
| | | | Normally a carnival for the senses any time |
| Go Fourth on the River | | | | of year, during Halloween, New Orleans' |
| | | | renowned eccentricities are out in full force |
| During your stay at a great French Quarter | | | | during this season. In the Big Easy, dressing |
| hotel in New Orleans, take time to enjoy a | | | | up and hitting the streets is definitely not |
| patriotic annual event that has impressed | | | | just for kids. |
| thousands of New Orleans visitors and locals | | | | |
| alike for almost twenty years. Celebrate the | | | | The celebration is not limited to just one |
| stars and stripes in the Big Easy, where you | | | | day; it is more of a season. Fully-costumed |
| will find an extravaganza of shopping, | | | | revelers can be seen traipsing the streets, |
| dining, and live shows throughout the city. | | | | nighttime vampire balls have become a |
| | | | mainstay and the Voodoo Music Festival gains |
| Sit back and take in the sights and sounds of | | | | in popularity every year. The Rainbow |
| the River parade. Learn how Mardi Gras is | | | | District also plays host to numerous costume |
| made at Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World. Enjoy | | | | balls and is the location of sizzling |
| some world-class shopping in the French | | | | non-stop dance parties. |
| Market, Shops at Canal Place, JAX Brewery and | | | | |
| the Riverfront Marketplace. Dance to the | | | | November |
| sounds of lively bands at Woldenberg Park, | | | | |
| the Riverwalk Marketplace, Blaine Kern's | | | | Bayou Bacchanal |
| Mardi Gras World and the French Market | | | | |
| Performance Pavilion. | | | | Attend the exhilarating Caribbean Carnival of |
| | | | New Orleans to be immersed in the rhythms of |
| Cap off an unforgettable day with the always | | | | a steel band, the spicy scents of Caribbean |
| spectacular Dueling Barges Fireworks display, | | | | food and the vivid hues of brightly-attired |
| the highlight of the event that has been | | | | participants. |
| named the "5th Must-See Fireworks Display in | | | | |
| the U.S." by the American Pyrotechnic | | | | Hosted by Caribbean Carnival/Friends of |
| Association. | | | | Culture, this exciting festival features |
| | | | multi-colored costumes, steel bands, soca |
| Essence Music Festival | | | | music and authentic cuisine. Don't miss the |
| | | | thrilling parade that starts at Harrah's |
| Held during the Fourth of July weekend, this | | | | Casino, heads down Canal Street and concludes |
| festival is a celebration of African-American | | | | at Armstrong Park, located just half a mile |
| music and culture. Events include | | | | from the Holiday Inn French Quarter hotel. |
| crowd-pleasing performances by the top names | | | | |
| in soul, R&B, Hip-Hop and more, drawing | | | | Bayou Classic |
| around 200,000 fans each year from all over | | | | |
| the country. | | | | First held in 1974, the Bayou Classic is the |
| | | | yearly meeting between two long-time rivals - |
| The music is not the only highlight of the | | | | Grambling State University and Southern |
| festival. Empowerment seminars by renowned | | | | University. One of the most well-known of |
| speakers are also a staple of the event. The | | | | Black College Football events, this match |
| Essence Fest Marketplace, held at the New | | | | draws over 200,000 fans each year to the |
| Orleans Convention Center is the perfect | | | | Crescent City. |
| place to find African-style arts and crafts, | | | | |
| New Orleans Creole cuisine, clothing, art and | | | | When you stay at one of the many French |
| jewelry. For your festival lodging needs, | | | | Quarter hotels, you will enjoy easy access to |
| turn to one of the best options for New | | | | the exciting action of the big game. In |
| Orleans boutique hotels, located just one | | | | addition to the main event, this rivalry goes |
| mile from the Convention Center. | | | | beyond the field with a competition between |
| | | | the school's bands in addition to a rousing |
| August | | | | Greek Step Show. |
| | | | |
| Satchmo Summerfest | | | | December |
| | | | |
| If you're staying at a New Orleans French | | | | Christmas in New Orleans |
| Quarter hotel, be sure to attend The Satchmo | | | | |
| Summerfest, a tribute to the life of renowned | | | | Spend an unforgettable holiday season in the |
| jazz artist Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, a free | | | | Crescent City. New Orleans likes to do |
| community event held at Louisiana State | | | | everything big, and Christmas is no |
| Museum's Old U.S. Mint. This four-day event | | | | exception. Delight in a dazzling world of |
| offers an exciting line-up of musical | | | | twinkling lights, sumptuous holiday meals, |
| performances on four stages featuring | | | | angelic Christmas concerts and caroling. |
| Traditional Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Brass | | | | |
| Band and the Children's Stage. | | | | Stroll or take a ride through the city |
| | | | bedecked in its holiday finery with a home |
| In addition to all the toe-tapping music, | | | | and garden tour, learn the art of fine dining |
| this event includes speakers, seminars and | | | | with a cooking demonstration and search for |
| discussions with recording industry | | | | the perfect holiday gifts in the shops and |
| professionals, writers, researchers and | | | | boutiques. |
| musicians. Don't miss special events such as | | | | |
| the Louis Armstrong birthday party, Return of | | | | New Years in New Orleans |
| the Satchmo Art Show, kids' entertainment, | | | | |
| parade, a luncheon and more! | | | | Ring in the New Year in the Big Easy, and it |
| | | | will surely be a celebration you won't soon |
| Tales of the Cocktail | | | | forget. From elegant soirees to casual |
| | | | gatherings, this city has a plethora of |
| Place this annual culinary and cocktail | | | | things to do to commemorate the holiday. |
| festival on your calendar of must-do events | | | | |
| in New Orleans. As the birthplace of the | | | | Head to Jackson's Square, within walking |
| cocktail, New Orleans is the perfect location | | | | distance of French Quarter hotels, where |
| for this unique event. | | | | revelers gather to count down the last |
| | | | seconds of the year. Marvel at the fantastic |
| Inaugurated in 2003, this widespread | | | | fireworks display over the Mississippi River |
| gathering of mixologists, bartenders, | | | | to start the new year off with a bang. For |
| authors, chefs and designers features five | | | | families with children, the Louisiana |
| days of events including demonstrations, | | | | Children's Museum and the Audubon Zoo feature |
| tastings, seminars, competitions, | | | | celebrations for the little ones. |
| dinner-pairings and more. | | | | |