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