Mardi Gras celebrations are what the city of New Orleans is known for. The streets of the city get quite crowded during that time of the year. However, did you know that there are many festivals in New Orleans throughout the year? There are, and you must attend one of them during your family vacation. Simply decide which time of year you want to vacation in New Orleans. Then choose the festival in New Orleans that interests your family the most. It is the best way to participate in local events while still seeing the best attractions in New Orleans.  

Attend These Festivals in New Orleans During a Family Vacation 

Spring Festivals in New Orleans 

There are plenty of festivals in New Orleans during the spring. So, you can easily attend one during your family vacation in New Orleans.  

Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Parade 

This parade is on the second Saturday of March. First, a Mass is held at St. Mary’s Assumption Church. After that, the parade begins at the corner of Magazine and Felicity Streets. Dress in green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day as floats and marching bands go down the street.  

If you cannot make it to the parade, try to have your family attend the Irish Channel Block Party. This party is held on the Thursday before St. Patrick’s Day. Although, in 2023, this event falls directly on St. Patrick’s Day. There is free music and entertainment to enjoy during the block party.  

NOLA on Tap 

The largest beer festival in Louisiana is NOLA on Tap. It is currently being held in the middle of March in Lafreniere Park. You can sample hundreds of different beers, as well as wine. Also, soft drinks and water are available for kids and non-drinkers.  

As you enjoy your drinks, listen to live music and watch a doggie drag competition.  

Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival 

Top playwrights, actors, and speakers arrive in New Orleans every spring for this literary festival. Literary panels and master classes are offered to those who attend. You should definitely go to the theatrical performances and cocktail parties. Keep in mind this festival is geared more toward older kids.  

Freret Street Festival 

There are more than two hundred vendors at the Freret Street Festival. You will find exactly what you are looking for from those vendors. I recommend you listen to live music, do a little shopping, and eat New Orleans cuisine all day long.  

French Quarter Festival 

This festival in New Orleans is held in the French Quarter. The entire area between the Riverfront and Jackson Square is filled with food, live music, and activities. This festival is one of the best ways to experience the French Quarter during a vacation in New Orleans.  

Summer Festivals in New Orleans 

The temperatures may rise in New Orleans during the summer, but that doesn’t mean the fun ends. Add one of these festivals to your to-do list when you vacation in New Orleans during this time of the year.  

New Orleans Wine and Food Experience 

This annual culinary event highlights local restaurants, as well as many fine wines from around the world. I highly recommend attending this five-day event that raises money for local non-profits.  

Bastille Day Fête 

This is a French national holiday festival and celebrates French heritage in New Orleans. This day is filled with delicious food, live music, and plenty of activities to keep families like yours busy.  

Running of the Bulls 

You don’t need to travel to Spain to experience the Running of the Bulls. You can join in on the fun right in New Orleans. Although, in New Orleans, people do the running and there are no bulls involved.  

Your family will run away from the New Orleans Roller Derby Girls as you try not to get knocked down by the bats on their rollerblades. But you can easily watch this event if you don’t feel like running.  

The attire for this event is all white with a little bit of red. 

Red Dress Run 

The Red Dress Run is held on the second Saturday in August every year. This charity runs normally begins in the French Quarter. If you register, you should dress in red and then follow the route to the end. You can even do the run with a drink in your hand.  

You must sign up for this event, even if you want to watch it. The reason for this is that only registered people find out the exact location of the Red Dress Run.  

Fall Festivals in New Orleans 

The fun doesn’t stop in New Orleans once the temperatures begin to drop. In fact, this is when the festivals really start to heat up.  

National Fried Chicken Festival 

The best-fried chicken is found in the South! Actually, you should be thrilled that they have dedicated an entire festival to it in New Orleans! 

All types of fried chicken are served at this festival. You can find it spicy, mild, crispy, extra crispy, and more.  Try a few different versions before deciding which one you think is the best.  

Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival 

Another type of food the South does really well is barbecue. This festival offers delicious barbecue options, as well as great music. Imagine spending up to three days eating the best barbecue in the world while listening to jazz and blues music.  

Oktoberfest 

Head over to Deutsches Hous in Kenner to experience a traditional Oktoberfest in New Orleans. Lots of cold beer will be waiting for you. Plus, you can eat German cuisine, do a little German folk dancing, and listen to traditional German music.  

Krewe of Boo 

This parade is in the French Quarter every year near the end of October. This is the official Halloween parade in New Orleans. People from the floats toss out items like candy, doubloons, and voodoo doll pins.  

Basically, think of this parade as a mini version of all the Mardi Gras parades.  

Oak Street Po-Boy Festival 

The Oak Street Po-Boy Festival is on the first Sunday of November. A po-boy is a submarine sandwich, sub, or hoagie in other parts of the country. No matter what you call it, you must eat at least one during this festival in New Orleans.  

Winter Festivals in New Orleans 

The holiday season in New Orleans means everyone is ready to get out and spend time with friends and loved ones. Plus, there is no better place to do that than one of the winter festivals.  

Christmas Eve Bonfires on the Levee 

On Christmas Eve, bonfires are started on the banks of the Mississippi River. They light the way for Papa Noël.  

You will find these bonfires in St. James Parish. But most of them will be in the communities of Paulina, Gramercy, and Lutcher.  

Luna Fête 

One of the favorite festivals in New Orleans during the holidays is Luna Fête. You will find thousands of lights included in the installations at the Convention Center Pedestrian Park.  

Mardi Gras 

The very first day of Mardi Gras actually begins on January 6th. This day is called Twelfth Night. The entire carnival season runs through the end of February, or the beginning of March, depending on the year.  

Mardi Gras is filled with parades, parties, and so much more. Arrive at any time during Carnival season and join in on the fun.  

These are the best festivals in New Orleans you can attend during a family vacation. There are many others you can choose from during a fabulous family vacation in New Orleans.  

So, are you ready to book a vacation and attend one of these festivals in New Orleans?  

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to schedule a planning session with me by clicking here. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.  

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