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Special Events in New Orleans
January
College Baseball
From the crack of the bat to the slide on into home, NCAA baseball packs a wallop of home run frenzy for what's oft called America's favorite pastime. Diamond action starts in January, continuing through most of June.
LSU Tigers, Loyola Wolfpack, New Orleans Privateers, Nicholls State Colonels, Southeastern University Lions, Southern University Jaguars, Tulane Green Wave
Battle of New Orleans Celebration
Re-enactment of the famous 1812 battle at Chalmette National Park features military drills, musket firings and cooking demonstrations with period costumes. On Saturday night, guided lantern tours illuminate the "night before the battle" within warring encampments. Call (504) 589-4428 for more information.
February
Mardi Gras
Depending on the Gregorian calendar, Mardi Gras falling on Tuesday from Feb. 3 through March 9, is legendary in New Orleans with freewheeling street parties, formal masquerade balls, parades and more. Call (800) 672-6124 for more information.
O'Houligan's Ball
Legend has it that the Irish were not invited to any of the New Orleans society Mardi Gras celebrations. So in the early 1800's, they created their own O'Houligan's Ball where outrageous costumes mocked popular society gatherings. Call (504) 529-1317 for more information.
March
Children's World Fair
International exhibition at the Children's Museum features music, literature, crafts, and food from 16 countries. Call (800) 672-6124 for more information.
Tennessee Williams / New Orleans Literary Festival
Five days of theatrical and musical events, lectures, panel discussions and literary tours -- some free -- are part of a salute to the great playwright. Call (504) 581-1144 for more information.
Louisiana Crawfish Festival
The Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette is the scene for this crawfish extravaganza featuring some 25 ways to cook crawfish along with non-crawfish dishes, plus rides, games and live entertainment. Call (504) 874-1921 for more information.
April
Crescent City Classic
The 10K Crescent City Classic road race starts at the Quarter's Jackson Square, heads downtown and to Esplanade Ridge on a tree-shaded route winding up at historic City Park. Call (504) 636-1020 for more information.
Louisiana Swamp Romp
Crawfish and other Cajun favorites star at the Louisiana food festival unfolding for more than a decade featuring bands, beads and Mardi Gras dancers. Call (512) 441-9015 for more information.
French Quarter Festival
Committed to a pivotal role in rebuilding of New Orleans, the nearly quarter-century old French Quarter Festival provides economic impact of some $75 million over three days of family fun, with the World's Largest Jazz brunch, 10 music stages, kid's activities, an art show and more. Call (504) 522-5730 for more information.
May
Greek Festival
Greek music, food, crafts and entertainment reign at the Hellenic Cultural Center. Call (504) 282-0259 for more information.
New Orleans Wine & Food Experience
Featuring wines from more than 100 wineries worldwide, the festival also showcases New Orleans restaurant excellence. Call (504) 529-WINE for more information.
June
Great French Market Tomato Festival
Cooking demonstrations, tomato tasting and musical entertainment. Call (504) 636-1020 for more information.
International Arts Festival
The Big Easy's third oldest festival takes over Marconi Meadows Park for a family-oriented fusion of arts, crafts, jazz, reggae, salsa, zouk and R&B. Cajun, Caribbean and African cuisine. Call (888) 767-1317 or (504) 367-1313 for more information.
Mayor's Arts Awards
The Arts Council of New Orleans underscores the city's unsinkable spirit with honors to recipients during a festive luncheon gala and patron party. Call (504) 523-1465 for more information.
July
Essence Music Festival
Essence Magazine hosts a music festival in and around the Louisiana Superdome and the French Quarter over the 4th of July weekend, featuring food, music, seminars and presentations by famous authors. Call (800) 274-9398 for more information.
Go Fourth on the River
Featuring food, music, attractions and a spectacular fireworks display over the Mississippi River. Call (504) 636-1020 for more information.
Red River Western Festival
At the Louisiana State Fairgrounds in Shreveport, the Red River Western Festival (part of Ark-La-Tex) celebrates heritage of the Old West with chuckwagons, music jamborees, costume competition and barn dancing. Call (318) 798-3014 for more information.
August
Satchmo Summerfest
Music and food combine within the French Quarter to honor native son Louis Armstrong. Call (504) 636-1020 for more information.
Tales of the Cocktail
Southern Comfort's Tales of the Coctail in the French Quarter provides a three-day opportunity to celebrate the history and culture of New Orleans dining and drinking. Call (504) 636-1020 for more information.
White Linen Night
This open-air event features gallery exhibit openings throughout the city's Warehouse Arts District. Call (800) 672-6124 for more information.
September
National Football League
If it's fall and you're ready for some football, count on the National Football League to deliver non-stop grid action, leading to playoffs, and the incomparable Super Bowl. The NFL has come a long way since its 1920 founding in Canton, Ohio at Ralph Hay's Hupmobile dealership. NFL action was first televised in 1939 when NBC broadcast within New York City. The NFL's Longest Day was on Christmas, 1971, in a playoff between the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins, and Miami's 17-0 Perfect Season unfolded the following year. But that's history, and prospects for new milestones start in September.
College Football
NCAA Football, created in 1997 to promote college football ideals, makes no bones about the importance of each game. Losing at any time during the season can thwart a team's chances for postseason action or an NCAA Championship. No wonder NCAA Football marketers have adopted a tagline of "NCAA Football: Every Game Counts."
LSU Tigers, Tulane Green Wave, Nicholls State Colonels, Southeastern University Lions, Southern University Jaguars
October
Art for Arts' Sake
Galleries throughout the city open the season with evening activity culminating in music, food and dancing at the Contemporary Arts Center. Call (800) 672-6124 for more information.
Halloween in New Orleans
In a city ripe with voodoo legend, Halloween gets special treatment with haunted house tours, costume parties and a Moonlight Witches Run. Call (800) 672-6124 for more information.
Oktoberfest
German food, drinks and polka are in plentiful supply at Deutsches Haus on South Galvez. Call (800) 672-6124 for more information.
November
National Basketball Association
Toronto, Canada was the site of the National Basketball League's first game on Nov. 1, 1946, with the Huskies hosting the New York Knickerbockers at Maple Leaf Gardens. Thirteen original rules were drafted by Dr. James Naismith, creator of basketball. Pro basketball suffered in popularity in the early 1950's, but one rule change -- that of the 24-second clock -- transformed the sport from a dull, stalling game to an exciting, offensive showcase. Icons along the way, from Bob Cousy and Wilt Chamberlain to Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, have immortalized what's now the National Basketball Association's game, creating long-standing rivalries from coast to coast.
December
All Holladay Hop and LP Release Celebration
In mid-December, Dubla Music hosts a free concert with local independent Hip Hop artists and DJs to celebrate the holidays and their newest album release, at The Big Top on Clio. Call (504) 638-3014 for more information.
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