Photo Courtesy of www.neworleansonline.com
Springtime is here! And New Orleans knows exactly how to celebrate the perfect weather—outdoor music and food festivals. New Orleans festivals celebrate all things New Orleanians love: music, food, drink and the outdoors. Here are some of our favorites that we recommend you visit the city for if you can. These festivals have to be experienced to be believed.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – Weekends of April 26 – May 5
The biggest of all the festivals, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival—otherwise known as Jazz Fest—is an enormous celebration of local and national music alike. There you’ll find music of all types, from jazz and Cajun to traditional African and rock, plus a plethora of delicious local foods, including the fest’s famous Crawfish Bread.
French Quarter Fest – April 11 – 14
French Quarter Fest is perhaps the second biggest New Orleans festival in the spring and spans from the river to deep into the French Quarter. Stages are set up in the streets and on grassy spots throughout the area, and the entire scene is packed with people. And of course, food stands are lined up along various parts of the fest, showcasing the finest in local cuisine.
Wednesdays at the Square – Wednesdays from March 6 – May 22
As a fundraiser for the local chapter of the Young Leadership Council (YLC), Wednesdays at the Square is like a mini festival held each Wednesday in the spring in Lafayette Square in the middle of the New Orleans Central Business District. Restaurants and artists come out to show off their wares while patrons jam out to the musicians on stage, which are different every week.
Greek Fest – May 24 – 26
Every year on Memorial Day weekend, Greek Fest celebrates the local Greek heritage on the grounds of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in the Lakeview area of New Orleans. Greek food, music, art and culture are found throughout the fest, and the experience is perfect for adults and children alike.
Bayou Boogaloo – May 17 – 19
On the banks of Bayou St. John, Bayou Boogaloo is an annual festival that combines the quintessential festival attributes of music, food, art and local business. The setting is perfect, and you can often find residents in rafts and kayaks enjoying the fest from the waters of the bayou itself.
There are still many more New Orleans festivals in the spring—too many to name here! Be sure to take a trip to New Orleans in the spring when you can to take advantage of the beautiful weather and all the culture celebrated at these fests.
