New Orleans in the springtime is a busy city, with numerous festivals for every type of traveler. From legendary events like Jazz Fest to local ones like Bayou Boogaloo, there’s so much to choose from. Visitors will appreciate the amazing music lineups, delicious food vendors, and arts and culture featured at every festival. It can be a bit overwhelming to narrow down the choices, so here are some Spring highlights to consider when planning your next big NOLA getaway.
Danny Barker Banjo & Guitar Festival, March 6-10: This event pays homage to the beloved New Orleanian musician, writer, instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, and lyricist. There’s a mixture of programming including live music performances, panel discussions and workshops, special events and outings, and second lines.
New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, March 11-16: Dubbed the Mardi Gras of entrepreneurship by USA Today, NOEW aims to connect, educate, and inspire the entrepreneurial ecosystem across the Gulf South. This six-day entrepreneurial fest brings startup founders, business leaders, aspiring entrepreneurs, industry experts, investors, and creatives together to celebrate, learn, and network at the intersection of innovation and culture.
New Orleans Book Festival, March 14-16: This multi-day event at Tulane University includes readings, panel discussions, symposia, keynote speeches, and a family day with book readings and distributions. Admission is free.
NOLA Food Fight, March 14: This gastronomic extravaganza, organized by Yeah You Right Events, is an all-you-can-eat food fest all in support of a local non-profit for at-risk teens. General admission tickets are $85.
Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival, March 20-24: This event is best known for its “Stella” shouting contest, where aspiring Stanley Kowalski imitators compete to best recreate the iconic scene from “A Streetcar Named Desire.” The unique spring festival also features masterclasses for aspiring writers, panels, live theater, special meal-centric literary celebrations, and educational walking tours in a historically literary city. That same weekend is the Saints + Sinners Literary Festival, which unites LGBTQ+ publishers, writers, and readers from throughout the U.S. and beyond.
Overlook Film Festival, April 4-7: Celebrating all things horror in America’s most haunted city? Yes, please! Experience feature-length and short films from both experienced filmmakers and emerging artists. Interactive experiences, podcast recordings, and panels are also part of the fest.
French Quarter Festival (photo courtesy Zack Smith/New Orleans & Company)
French Quarter Festival, April 11-14: This is an annual celebration of the vibrant French Quarter neighborhood of New Orleans. With dozens of stages featuring local musicians and over 60 food and drink vendors—not to mention the gorgeous riverfront scenery and charming French Quarter streets to stroll—there’s no reason to miss this four-day-long event.
Zurich Classic, April 22-28: The PGA’s star golfers come to the bayou for this annual golf tournament. Enjoy a week of food, drinks, and of course, some world-class golfing at TPC Louisiana in nearby Avondale, all in support of the tournament’s host organization, the Fore!Kids Foundation.
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, April 25-28, May 2-5: Every year, the Fairgrounds transform into a music lover’s paradise. With incredible food, drink, and craft vendors alongside a variety of stages featuring everything from world-famous headliners to local musicians, Jazz Fest truly appeals to everyone. This year’s headliners include The Rolling Stones. Whether you spend the day enjoying the melodies in the Gospel Tent or head outside to check out the larger stages, you won’t want to miss this fest.
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