Your Gateway to Festivals and Celebrations in New Orleans
Celebrate, Indulge, and Unwind in the Heart of the Big Easy
Discover a symphony of festivities at Loews New Orleans Hotel, nestled on the ideal intersection of the Arts District and Central Business District. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of the city as our prime location positions you within blocks from some of the premier annual festivals.
From the world-renowned Jazz Fest to the lively Mardi Gras celebrations, our hotel is your gateway to the vibrant traditions that make New Orleans an unparalleled destination.
Indulge in the revelry and return to the comfort of your room or suite, where luxury meets convenience, creating an unforgettable stay amidst the lively rhythm of the Big Easy.
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) - 14.7 mi, less than a 25-minute drive away
- Located within one mile of the French Quarter, Magazine Street, Bourbon Street, Riverwalk, Caesars Casino, Caesars Superdome, the acclaimed World War II Museum, and the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Festival Vacation Package Connecting Room Package
Upcoming Concerts
- September 16: Bruno Mars brings the The Romantic Tour to New Orleans with special guests Anderson Paak as DJ Pee Wee and Raye.
Upcoming Sports Events
- September 27: NOLA Saints will host the Las Vegas Raiders at the Superdome
- October 11: NOLA Saints will host the Minnesota Vikings at the Superdome
- November 8: NOLA Saints will host the Cleveland Browns at the Superdome
- December 6: NOLA Saints will host the Green Day Packers at the Superdome
New Orleans Festival & Event Highlights
Hispanic Heritage Concert Series | September 19 - October 10
Experience the vibrant sounds and rich traditions of Hispanic Heritage Month at the French Market District's Hispanic Heritage Concert Series. Every Saturday at 1pm, enjoy free live music in the Historic French Market—one of New Orleans' most iconic destinations. Discover local culture, explore nearby shops and eateries, and celebrate the city's diverse heritage. Concerts are free and open to the public.
NOLA Fashion Week | September 20 - 26
New Orleans Fashion Week, a fashion and beauty event, draws attention and stimulates economic growth by merging these two industries on the runway and infusing them with the creative spirit of New Orleans. Through a Top Design Competition and support for local nonprofits, NOFW raises awareness, creates opportunities, and contributes to the Gulf Coast in a stylish manner.
New Orleans Cocktail Week | September 21 - 27
Cocktail Week is an annual 7-day event that showcases the best bars and restaurants in the area, bringing locals and travelers together to experience the epicurean masterpieces of New Orleans’ renowned chefs, mixologists, and bartenders.
NOLAxNOLA | September 24 - October 4
NOLAxNOLA (NOLA by NOLA) is an unforgettable celebration of live music and entertainment in New Orleans spanning two weekends every fall. Taking place in dozens of iconic music venues across the city and featuring a diverse lineup of local and national artists, NOLAxNOLA gives music enthusiasts options to experience transformative performances in nearly every genre, every neighborhood, on every night of the 11-day festival.
Black Americana Fest | September 25 & 26
BlackAmericana Fest is a platform to honor and celebrate the musical heritage, legacy, and contributions of Black artists making music in the Americana and Folk genres in New Orleans and the Mississippi River Delta region
National Fried Chicken Festival | October 2 - 4
The National Fried Chicken Festival (FCF), presented by Raising Cane’s, is a two-day outdoor festival bringing together hundreds of thousands from across the nation around a shared love of great food, music, and culture.
Gretna Festival | Select days October 3 - 24
Gretna Fest is a culture festival in Gretna, Louisiana. The festival offers live music from local, national, and international acts, food, arts & crafts, games, and much more.
Art for Arts Sake | October 3
Presented by the Magazine Street Merchants Association, Art for Art's Sake is back for their annual showcase of art, food, music and fun on Magazine Street. With over 100 shops, stores, restaurants and galleries participating along the six-mile stretch, Art for Art’s Sake is expected to bring out hundreds of shoppers on Saturday, Oct. 3. Come check out the street's biggest event of the year. Enjoy complimentary wine samples provided by Breaux Mart, special deals and extended hours at a variety of participating Magazine Street businesses and live music throughout the day.
Gentilly Fest | October 9 - 11
Gentilly Fest celebrates all things "Gentilly," including continuous live music on three stages, sumptuous food from a variety of local restaurants & caterers, and fine arts and crafts for sale from many local vendors.
Oktoberfest | New Orleans | October 9-10, 16-17, and 23-24
Step into the Deutsch world at the Deutsches Haus’ annual Oktoberfest. This festival features all things German: brats, sauerkraut, pretzels, strudel, and, of course, beer! In fact, festival goers have almost 30 beer options—both local and German—as well as various wines and over 20 different schnapps. If you’re looking to fuel your competitive spirit, enter the 5K race from the Fairgrounds to the festival on October 18. Or get in on the German fun by participating in the Masskrugstemmen, a daily contest in which participants must hold a Beer Stein with one arm straight out and parallel to the ground. Oktoberfest is a whirl of German fun, so grab those lederhosen and get to chicken dancing!
WWE Money in the Bank | October 10 - 12
WWE's Money in the Bank comes to the Smoothie King Center on Saturday, October 10. The event is built around its namesake ladder matches, where men's and women's competitors climb for a briefcase holding a contract for a championship match, cashable any time over the following year. Winners tend to pick the least convenient possible moment for whoever's holding the title.
Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival | October 10 - 12
The Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival, established in 2006, continues New Orleans’ historic role in making the blues and R&B among the most influential sounds in the world. The Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival presents many of the top performers from southern Louisiana and Mississippi, plus delicious food and unique visual art.
Nola Funk Fest | October 16 - 18
NOLA Funk Fest is the coming out party for The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience, a museum of grand scale dedicated to the preservation of Louisiana’s rich musical history. This festival features programming that gives attendees a taste of what the museum will offer. The 2023 festival featured an exhibit titled I Found My Thrill: The Music and Artistry of Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew, which continued a run at the New Orleans Jazz Museum before embarking on a state-wide tour. At NOLA Funk Fest 2024, a new exhibit on Louisiana Blues made its debut at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. In 2025, the fest focused on celebrating Black Masking Indians -- their music, legacy and culture -- with exhibits and special programming.
Praise Fest | October 16 - 18
PRAISE FEST ON THE BAYOU is a three-day celebration of Gospel music, faith, and community set in the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana.
NOLA Film Fest | October 22 - 27
The 2026 New Orleans Film Festival takes place in-person between October 22-27, and virtually until November 1.
Krewe of BOO! | October 24
Krewe of BOO! became New Orleans' Official Halloween Parade in 2007 and since then has grown to be a spooktacular weekend of Halloween-themed events, combining the magnitude of Mardi Gras with the macabre theatrics of All Hallow's Eve. Featuring floats of world-renowned Kern Studios, the parade's beautifully horrific props and sculptures start with talented Kern artists, sketching creative images for the unique Krewe of BOO! Once approved by Chief Spookster Brian Kern’s discerning eye, the images “come to life” as 3-dimensional fiberglass or papier-mâché props that excite and frighten parade-goers with their imaginative artistic style.
Halloween New Orleans | LGBT | October 30 - Nov 1
New Orleans is home to year-round, nonstop fun, especially in October with so many things to do. Halloween New Orleans is among the best of them, spanning the last weekend of October with legendary LGBTQ events.
Freret St Festival | October 31
6 blocks containing over 200 local artist and chefs. 46 brick and mortar businesses. 3 stages. 20 bands. 1 amazing day.
NOLA Zydeco Festival - Home | October 31 & November 1
Join us for the 6th Annual NOLA Zydeco Fest, a vibrant celebration of Creole music, culture, food, and dance—this year taking place on the bayou at Heritage Park in Slidell! This one-of-a-kind festival brings together legendary zydeco performers, cultural heritage experiences, and authentic Louisiana vibes for all ages.
2026 New Orleans Kidney Walk | November 1
The 25th Annual New Orleans Kidney Walk is Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Concert Meadow in Lafreniere Park and we hope you will support this important event. The New Orleans Kidney Walk is the opportunity that brings the kidney community together for a day of kidney health education and to raise funds for NKFL programs and services. Local hospitals, transplant centers, nephrology offices, pharmaceutical companies, and other supporting businesses join together to share information with patients and walkers. Your sponsorship contribution of the New Orleans Kidney Walk will ensure we can continue our work that improves quality of life and positive health outcomes for kidney and transplant patients in Louisiana.
Bayou Bacchanal - New Orleans French Quarter | November 7
Bayou Bacchanal is presented by the Friends of Culture organization, which provides a cultural link between the Greater New Orleans area and the island nations of the Caribbean. The fest will be held on Sunday, November 7, 2026.
Beignet Fest | November 7
Get ready to dive into the food culture of New Orleans—where big flavor, big fun, and a big impact come together for families touched by autism.
Oak Street Po' Boy Festival | November 8
The festival will once again host 40 food vendors and beverage vendors, live music on multiple stages, special game watch areas, VIP access, Arts Market, Kids Zone, a quiet area, sponsor-activations, opening parade, and a po-boy competition juried by celebrity judges. The festival continues to maintain its status as one of the most unique and exciting events of the year. Each fall, since 2007, New Orleanians have set aside a day to honor the humble and historic po-boy sandwich where upwards of 50,000 strong come to eat, drink, dance and shop the historic and vibrant Oak Street.
LUNA Fête | November 13 - 15
LUNA Fête is a visionary initiative by Arts New Orleans that demonstrates the power of art to transform communities. This free, public festival of light, art, and technology celebrates New Orleans’ creative industries, offering a memorable experience for diverse audiences.
LUNA Fête’s 12th Edition in November 2026 will span from Gallier Hall to the Piazza d’Italia, transforming downtown New Orleans into a playground of light via LED lights, lasers, and projected artworks.
Sober Fest | November 21
Music has always been at the heart of New Orleans, but for people in recovery, music-oriented events can often be places where they feel challenged or excluded. We believe that building community and having fun is an important part of recovery, and Bridge House / Grace House is proud to host an alcohol-free music festival where everyone can come together to enjoy amazing artists and have a really great time in a sober-supportive environment.
Celebration in the Oaks | November 27 - January 1
City Park’s largest fundraiser, Celebration in the Oaks, is THE New Orleans holiday tradition. This incredible light festival has enchanted Park visitors since the 1980s and is vital to the Park’s maintenance, care, and beautification year round. Make memories with your loved ones in City Park this holiday season.
NOLA Holiday Parade | December 5
Our family-centered Holiday Parade is back, and will be even bigger and better this year! The parade will start from The French Market with an extended route through Downtown!
Christmas Eve Bonfires on the Levee | December 24
There are many colorfully imaginative traditions dating back to the earliest Cajun settlers of the regions of southern Louisiana to the west and north of New Orleans. One of them is the lighting of the bonfires along the Mississippi River on Christmas Eve.