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
New Orleans Festival & Event Highlights
French Film Festival | March 19-24
Showcases French and Francophone films with screenings, parties, and discussions across the city.
New Orleans Opera Festival | March 24 - April 1
The inaugural New Orleans Opera Festival will celebrate the city’s rich operatic history while redefining its present, bringing opera out of the box and into the vibrant heart of the French Quarter.
Tennessee Williams Literary Festival | March 25-29
Vibrant celebration of literature, culture, and the legacy of Tennessee Williams.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival | March 27
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 – there is something for everyone at Jazz Fest!
Congo Square Rhythms Festival | March 28-29
A free weekend festival in Louis Armstrong Park honoring the African roots of New Orleans music, with live bands, dance, artisan markets, and food vendors.
Crescent City Classic | April 4
The annual Crescent City Classic is not only a great physical challenge but a fun, local tradition as well. Held on the Saturday before Easter, amateur and professional runners alike unite for New Orleans’ signature 10k race. Some dress in Easter-themed costumes while others come decked out in full workout attire, but all have a good time for a good cause.
French Quarter Festival | April 16-19
Since 1984, the French Quarter Festival has celebrated the essence of New Orleans with over 20 stages showcasing every genre of local music, from traditional jazz to brass bands and Zydeco. Known as the city’s “favorite festival,” this event highlights the culinary excellence of over 60 Louisiana restaurants and attracts visitors from around the world to the iconic French Quarter.
Zurich Classic Golf Tournament | April 20-26
Weeklong golf event at nearby TPC Louisiana that attracts fans nationwide with concerts, activities, and ancillary events.
Wednesday at the Square Garden Series | May
Wednesday at the Square, sponsored by the Young Leadership Council of New Orleans, presents a series of free outdoor concerts featuring well-known local artists. The weekly concert series highlights a variety of indigenous musical styles, including jazz, rock, funk, swamp-pop, Latin rhythms, and more. New Orleans’ most famous brass bands are known to play at this annual concert series. Plus, admission is FREE and open to the public.
Essence Festival of Culture | July 3-5
Held over Fourth of July weekend at the Caesars Superdome and throughout downtown New Orleans, this multi-day party named for its founder and sponsoring magazine combines high-octane music performances with inspirational speakers and provocative conversations about gender, race, culture, and art. The popular event brings a slew of big names to New Orleans for large evening performances, intimate lounge shows, and DJ parties. By day, the Empowerment Experience spotlights dozens of speakers on thought-provoking topics such as religion, economics, and education. These are traditionally free.
Tales of the Cocktail | July 19-24
Enjoy a week-long celebration of cocktails and mixology at the annual Tales of the Cocktail® (TOTC) event. This global cocktail conference, organized by the nonprofit organization Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, aims to educate, advance, and support cocktail professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Satchmo SummerFest | August 1-2
Our two-day celebration is one of the only festivals in the world dedicated to honoring Louis Armstrong and features two stages of music, a delicious culinary lineup featuring Louisiana restaurants, and an incredible indoor lecture series poised to educate guests on Armstrong’s history and enduring impact.
Satchmo SummerFest is scheduled annually to coincide with Louis Armstrong’s birthday on August 4th; the first festival took place on what would have been his 100th birthday, the same year the New Orleans airport was renamed Louis Armstrong International Airport. The artist often stated in public interviews that he was born on July 4, 1900 (Independence Day), a date that has been noted in many biographies. Armstrong died in 1971, and his true birthdate, August 4, 1901, was not discovered until the mid-1980s.
Louis Armstrong was raised in a poor section of New Orleans known as “Jane Alley.” Throughout his career, he entertained millions – from heads of state and royalty to the neighborhood kids on his stoop in Corona, New York. Despite his fame, he lived a simple life in a working-class neighborhood. The man known around the world as “Satchmo,” short for Satchelmouth, was widely recognized as a founding father of jazz – a unique American art form. In 1932, Melody Maker magazine editor Percy Brooks greeted Armstrong in London with “Hello, Satchmo!” and the nickname stuck. His influence as an artist and cultural icon is universal, unmatched, and very much alive today.
NOLA Pickle Fest | August
NOLA Pickle Fest, benefitting the Brees Dream Foundation, returns. This unique, festival-style pickleball tournament will feature 24 tournament-quality PickleRoll courts, live music, a celebrity exhibition match, VIP experiences, and much more.
Southern Decadance | August
This Labor Day weekend extravaganza is a cornerstone of queer culture in New Orleans. The multi-day event is often regarded as a combination of New Orleans Pride and Gay Mardi Gras, though with a bawdier, adult-focused twist. Southern Decadence attracts attendees from all over the world and encompasses street parties, concerts, club events, a parade, and much more.
Gretna Festival | October
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.
National Fried Chicken Festival | October
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.
Krewe of BOO! | October
All are welcome to join the spooky festivities!
Oak Street Po' Boy Festival | October
The Oak Street Po-Boy Festival highlights not only the importance of the po-boy itself, but also the rebirth of a once-thriving shopping district with roots as deep as the neighborhood itself. At Oak Street Po-Boy Fest, try dozens of varieties of po-boys in the Uptown Carrollton neighborhood. It’s a block party with multiple stages of live music, an arts market, and lots of other food for the taking. The food lineup is usually released in the days before the festival, but expect everything from oyster Rockefeller po-boys to smoked beef cheek po-boys to deep-fried buffalo shrimp banh mi and vegan oyster mushroom po-boys.
LUNA Fête | November
LUNA Fête combines dynamic contemporary art, film, and technology in a multi-day, large-scale public art festival. Free and open to the public, LUNA Fête offers innovative and exciting fun for all ages.
Beignet Fest | November
At Beignet Fest, patrons can try beignets topped or stuffed with a variety of sweet or savory delicacies. The festival’s menu lineup includes more than 80 menu options with nearly 50 unique takes on beignets.
Besides beignets, Beignet Fest organizers are planning a full day of live, local music as well as an interactive Kids Village, Artist Market, Coffee Café sponsored by PJ’s Coffee, Beer Garden and other fun activities to showcase the culture of New Orleans.
