New Orleans is known as a city of culture, music , history, wonderful food, fabulous Southern hospitality and its very own unique, exotic, compact personality.
7 January 2007
Katrina has not dampened the spirit in the vibrant city and with so much going on you'll find a good reason to go throughout the year. Here are ten good ones.
1. Mardi Gras
Noted as the city is for jazz, Cajun and Creole cooking, and the French Quarter, Mardi Gras eclipses all as New Orleans’ most famous centrepiece. It has arguably the greatest economic and cultural impact of any event in the city. A time of revelry, fraternity, festivity and unabashed indulgence, Mardi Gras reflects New Orleanians’ rich heritage, unleashes the joyous soul of the city and invites everyone to join in the fun. The festival embraces the city’s social and cultural variety, from the Mardi Gras Indians to the Zulu parade to the Endymion ball, and brings everyone together in the spirit of revelry. 2006 marked a monumental year for Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The 150th anniversary of Carnival was a homecoming for many and a coming out party for the city's renowned hospitality industry.
Mardi Gras 2007 Parade Schedule
Twenty-nine parades are expected to roll in 2007 to celebrate the 151st anniversary of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, with even more filling the streets of several of the city’s suburbs. The New Orleans parading fun starts on Saturday, Jan. 27 , as Krewe du Vieux winds its way through the French Quarter, and culminates with the traditional line-up of Zulu, Rex, Elks and Crescent City on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 20. Between Feb. 18 and 28, more than two dozen krewes will ride the traditional parade route through the heart of the city, from Napoleon Avenue to St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street. So grab your ladders, fill your coolers, and find that perfect corner to catch all the beads, doubloons and carnival spirit!
http://www.neworleanscvb.com/static/index.cfm/contentID/706/sectionID/1/subsectionID/0
2. Tennessee Williams Literary Festival
March 29, 2007 - April 1, 2007
http://www.tennesseewilliams.net
Location: Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre, 616 St. Peter St. & throughout the French Quarter
Phone: (504) 581-1144
This is an annual five-day celebration held in late March, which showcases national and regional scholars, writers and performing artists. Programs include panel discussions, theatrical performances, a one-act play competition, lectures, literary walking tours, musical performances and a bookfair.
3. French Quarter Festival
April 13, 2007 - April 15, 2007
www.frenchquarterfestivals.org
Phone: (504) 522-5730 or (800) 673-5725
Enjoy 250 hours of free entertainment featuring more than 150 musical performances on fifteen stages throughout the French Quarter over a three-day weekend. Nearly 60 food and beverage booths located in Jackson Square and Woldenberg Riverfront Park will make up the "World's Largest Jazz Brunch," a signature event, featuring authentic local cuisine from renowned area restaurants.
4. 38th Anniversary New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
April 27, 2007 - May 6, 2007
http://www.nojazzfest.com
Location: New Orleans Fair Grounds, 1751 Gentilly Blvd.
Phone: (504) 522-4786
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is one of the world's greatest celebrations. More than 4,000 talented musicians, cooks and crafts people assemble to share their unique cultures and heritage with locals and visitors alike over the 10-day festival, held at the Fair Grounds and throughout the city
5. New Orleans Wine and Food Experience
May 23, 2007 - May 27, 2007
http://www.nowfe.com
Phone: (504) 529-WINE
What a fantastic, five-day feast for all the senses, featuring wines from around the world and the best of New Orleans' culinary culture. Events include seminars, Grand Tastings, Brunch & the Royal Street Stroll.
6. The French Market Creole Tomato
June 9, 2007
http://www.frenchmarket.org
Location: French Quarter - Dutch Alley and the Farmers’ Market
Phone: (504) 524-8843
This is a celebration that pays homage to the famous Creole tomato, which is grown locally. There are cooking demonstrations by the city's premiere chefs with Creole tomatoes, food booths selling dishes made with Creole tomatoes, fresh samplings, music and sales of the famous Creole tomatoes.
7. 13th Annual Essence Music Festival
July 5, 2007 - July 7, 2007
Location: Louisiana Superdome
For more information visit www.essence.com
The 13th Annual Essence Music Festival returns to the Big Easy in 2007 – we are coming home! Known as "the party with a purpose" for its hip-hop, rhythm and blues and soul performances at the Louisiana Superdome by night, and inspirational "empowerment seminars" by day, this year's Essence Music Festival will be held July 5, 6 and 7, stretching a Wednesday Independence Day holiday into the weekend. With the festival’s confirmed return to New Orleans for the next three years, Essence fans can count on what they've come to expect – three days of great music in a city with world-class restaurants and a rich cultural fabric -- a place that doesn't holler "last call" when the party's just getting started.
8. Satchmo SummerFest
August 2, 2007 - August 5, 2007
http://www.frenchquarterfestivals.org
Location: French Quarter
Phone: (504) 522-5730 or (800) 673-5725
"What a Wonderful World" you'll discover during an entertaining and educating weekend in the French Quarter honouring New Orleans' native son, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong. The Satchmo-inspired program includes musical performances, lively discussions, jazz exhibits, a jazz mass, activities for budding young jazz fans, a club crawl, "red beans and ricely yours" foods, and a star-studded line-up of performances that would have made Louis smile.
9. Southern Decadence
August 29, 2007 - September 3, 2007
http://www.southerndecadence.net
Location: French Quarter
Phone: (504) 522-8049
This marks the end-of-summer gay pride celebration held every Labour Day weekend. Loads of events including the Southern Decadence Parade, dance spectaculars and drag shows are central to the fun.
10. Christmas in New Orleans – Whole month of December
Celebration in the Oaks
November 24, 2007 - December 30, 2007
Times: Mon. - Thurs., 5:30p.m. - 10:00p.m.; Fri. - Sun. 5:30p.m. - 11:00p.m.
http://www.celebrationintheoaks.com
Location: New Orleans Botanical Garden in City Park
Phone: (504) 483-9415, 831-4368, 722-6505
Admission: $5.00 Per person, Free Children (3 & under)
City Park's annual lighting display of magical holiday lights and musical displays to delight every age will take place nightly during the 2006 holiday season in the newly replanted Botanical Garden, Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, and Storyland fairytale playground. Join us as we try to build back our great city, hold on to our traditions and bring joy, hope, and normalcy to those that have lost so much. Dates: Weekends Only November 24th through November 26th and Closed December 24th and 25th.
Christmas New Orleans Style
December 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007
http://www.frenchquarterfestivals.org
Location: New Orleans
Phone: (504) 522-5730 or (800) 673-5725
There's no place like New Orleans for the holidays during Christmas New Orleans Style, a celebration of uniquely New Orleans holiday activities taking place throughout December. Experience the magic of the season in a city steeped in traditions of the past, but with the food, music and good times of today. More than 100 festivities are planned during the month-long event, showcasing the cultural diversity that adds spice to the gumbo of New Orleans' heritage.
Bonfire Adventure
December 24, 2007
Times: 3:00 p.m. Departure
http://www.graylineneworleans.com.
Location: Gray Line Tours, Departs from Lighthouse @ Toulouse Street and the Mississippi River
Phone: (800) 535-7786 or (504) 569-1401
Celebrate a time honoured Louisiana tradition-the lighting of the bonfires on the banks of the Mississippi! Includes: a guided tour of Destrehan Plantation, an informal "Cajun Country" dinner, and period craft demonstrations of open fire cooking. Guided motor coach tour with some walking required. Guaranteed reservations required by 4pm on day prior to tour departure.