Street scene with red trams, palm trees, and buildings. Orange traffic cones line a nearby sidewalk in an urban setting.

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2025-2026 Area Event Calendar

Name: Southern Decadence
Start: 2025-08-28
End: 2025-09-01
Location: French Quarter, New Orleans

Two skeletons are sitting and leaning on a surface, with candles lit nearby, creating an eerie atmosphere in dim light.

Halloween

October 31, 2025

If you thought that Halloween was just a night for the kids to go trick or treating with their parents in tow, you need to think again. Here in New Orleans, like everything else, it’s different.

A delicious pot of gumbo with shrimp, sausage, and vegetables in a savory broth is served, garnished with green onions and herbs.

Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival

November 8, 2025

If you love brass bands and gumbo – or, better yet, enjoying some delicious gumbo while listening to brass bands playing live in beautiful Louis Armstrong Park – this is the event for you! Visit Armstrong Park for lots of live music, and arts market, and of course, gumbo!

A Christmas tree with glowing lights and a star on top, surrounded by blurred lights and greenery at dusk.

Celebration in the Oaks

November 28, 2025-January 5, 2026

From Thanksgiving through the New Year, enjoy one of the most spectacular, family-friendly holiday light displays in New Orleans and the country. Watch as the grounds of New Orleans City Park are transformed into 25 acres of dazzling lights and breathtaking, festive displays.

A brightly lit stadium with an empty football field under large floodlights, casting light beams onto the green turf.

Bayou Classic

November 28-29, 2025

Join us for a citywide celebration - a multi-day event featuring a parade, battle of the bands, and much more! These events culminate with a football matchp between the Tigers of Grambling State and the Jaguars of Southern University on November 29.

Two people ice skating on a shiny outdoor rink, wearing black and white skates, with reflections visible on the ice.

NOLA Christmas Fest

December 20-29, 2025

NOLA ChristmasFest invites you into an enchanting winter wonderland. From dazzling holiday displays—featuring a brand-new giant gingerbread house—to an expanded ice slide zone, a sparkling ice-skating rink, thrilling Carnival rides, and festive live entertainment, there’s magic for everyone.

Allstate Sugar Bowl

January 1, 2026

One of the greatest college football traditions of all time takes place every New Year's Day in the Superdome. Each year, the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the second-oldest bowl college game in the country, hosts a major championship game – either the champions of the Southeastern and Big 12 conferences or a College Football Playoff Semifinal.This year's game will be between the University of Georgia and Notre Dame.

Musicians are playing brass instruments like trombones and tubas, dressed in white shirts, performing outdoors.

Krewe du Vieus

January 31, 2026

The Krewe du Vieux is one of the earliest parades of the New Orleans Carnival calendar. In the old tradition, it is noted for wild satirical and adult themes, as well as for showcasing some of the best brass and traditional jazz bands in New Orleans. The parade goes through the Marigny and French Quarter, ending at their official ball. The Krewe Du Vieux Ball follows the parade, and is open to the public.

A colorful Mardi Gras mask with green, purple, and gold decorations, including beads and ribbons, is shown hanging.

Mardi Gras Day

February 17, 2026

Mardi Gras Day - also known as Fat Tuesday - marks the final day of Carnival Season! It is always the day before Ash Wednesday, and is the biggest day of celebration during Mardi Gras. Zulu and Rex parades roll, but other parties and city-wide celebrations occur as well.

Three people celebrating in green attire, holding mugs with green beer, wearing hats, and smiling joyfully in a festive setting.

Downtown Irish Club St. Patrick's Day Parade

March 17, 2026

The parade begins at Washington Park. We will have a pre-party at the Marigny Brassiere (corner of Frenchmen St and Royal St) beginning at 4PM. Live music will be provided by "Catie B. & The Hand Me Downs."

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

Various Dates 4/23/26-5/3/26

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, or as the locals call it, Jazz Fest, is the celebration of the unique culture and heritage of New Orleans and Louisiana. Featuring an endless amount of music, succulent local and regional delicacies, one-of-a-kind handmade arts and crafts, second-line parades and so much more.

A man in a suit plays the trumpet passionately. He holds a cloth in his hand, and his expression shows concentration and joy.

Satchmo Summer Fest

August 1-2, 2026

Satchmo SummerFest is an annual event, held as a tribute to one of New Orleans’ most famous native sons, the late Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong. Thousands of people visit the city to dance to traditional New Orleans blues and jazz, and to sample the delicious food.

Red Dress Run

August 8, 2026

A charity “run” in New Orleans, Red Dress Run is hosted by the New Orleans Hash House Harriers. All locals and visitors attend this annual event dressed in red attire - specifically, dresses. This event involves a two-mile run beginning at Crescent Park in the Bywater.

French Quarter Festival

August 16-19, 2026

Each spring, thousands of attendees from near and far make their way to New Orleans’ historic French Quarter for the annual French Quarter Festival (FQF). This massive celebration highlights the food, music, art, and culture of this beloved neighborhood.