New Orleans Official Visitors Guide - 2026 Summer/Fall
Festivals & Events
2026-06-26 13:37:11
THE MARDI GRAS YOU DON’T KNOW: Behind the Mask with Secret Krewes
Everybody knows about the most prestigious parades of Mardi Gras, where you can catch decorated shoes at the Krewe of Muses or hand-painted coconuts at the Krewe of Zulu on Mardi Gras Day. Then there are superkrewes – like Endymion, Bacchus, and Orpheus – that bring the razzle dazzle parade-goers have come to expect.
But you don’t want to miss lesser-known krewes that offer a glimpse into the creativity of Carnival. Here are a few to keep on your radar.
INTERGALACTIC KREWE OF CHEWBACCHUS
The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus is a walking parade perfect for sci-fi fans and creative minds. The best parts are the subkrewes, where you’ll see various interpretations of the parade’s theme through a nerdy lens. Some subkrewes include The Vampiric Council of New Orleans, Women of Wakanda, Muppets from Space, Mischief Managed … you get the gist! This parade usually rolls – err, walks – through the Bywater and into the French Quarter three Saturdays before Mardi Gras Weekend.
‘TIT RaX
Inspired by Bacchus, “the father of all superkrewes,” ‘tit Rax (pronounced "tee rex" and short for "petite") is the smallest parade you’ll see! Harkening back to school days for many New Orleanians, this event features intricately designed shoebox floats (often inspired by current events) that are pulled via string in a walking parade. This celebration is a champion of sustainability and low waste, but you can still expect to get tiny, handmade throws. Pro tip: bring binoculars! ‘tit R x typically parades the two Sundays before Mardi Gras Weekend.
SOCIETY OF ST. ANNE
It may seem like a secret, but the Society of St. Anne is open to all! Known for its unmatched creativity and fashion, this group marches from neighborhood to neighborhood in costume on Mardi Gras Day. (This krewe also has many subkrewes.) It’s the parade where you go to watch and end up being a part of the whole thing! Doesn’t get any more local than that.
Scan for the Parade Schedule!
Seasonal Festivals you don't want to miss!
Home to more than 130 festivals and events a year, New Orleans is a city known for its celebrations.
NOLAXNOLA
This celebration throughout the city lets you explore many eclectic neighborhoods while jamming out to some incredible live music this fall!
FRIED CHICKEN FESTIVAL
Marking 10 years this fall, the National Fried Chicken Festival offers all the crispy, crunchy, spicy goodness from local and regional cooks. Live music fills the festival grounds, where you can eat, shop, and jam to your heart’s content.
OKTOBERFEST
Celebrate all things German with beer, brats, music, and more. Taking place on the banks of Bayou St. John, this family-friendly event features a dog parade/costume contest, kids corner, more than 20 German beers, a variety of German wines, and over 20 types of schnapps.
KREWE OF BOO!
New Orleans’ beloved Halloween parade rolls through downtown and the French Quarter in late October. Artists design 3D paper mâché and fiberglass props that mimic all of Halloween’s spooky creatures. Don’t miss this chance to dress up in costume and celebrate in the “Boo Carré.” The parade is free to attend.
PO-BOY FESTIVAL
Enjoy a famous New Orleans po-boy (or two!) while paying homage to the Uptown Carrollton neighborhood. At the festival, you can try dozens of varieties of the classic New Orleans sandwich, visit one of the stages for live music, shop at a local art market, and taste plenty of other food as well. From classic fried shrimp to Thanksgiving and ice cream po-boys, this fest is a food lover’s paradise.
2026-2027 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
JULY
» ESSENCE Festival of Culture, July 3-5
» Go 4th on the River, July 4
» Running of the Bulls, July 10-12
» Tales of the Cocktail, July 19-24
» 2026 Americas Selection of Bocuse d'Or and Pastry World Cup, July 25-26
AUGUST
» Museum Month, Aug. 1-31
» COOLinary New Orleans, Aug. 1-31
Fun fact: Enjoy specially priced menus all month long.
» Satchmo Summerfest, Aug. 1-2
» Red Dress Run, Aug. 8
» Fidelity Bank White Linen Night
» Dirty Linen Night
SEPTEMBER
» Southern Decadence, Sept. 4-7
» NOLAxNOLA, Sept. 24-Oct. 4
Fun fact: This celebration of local live music offers back-to-back shows over festival dates.
OCTOBER
» New Orleans Music Month
» National Fried Chicken Festival
» Gentilly Fest, Oct. 9-11
» WWE Money in the Bank, Oct. 10
» NOLA Funk Fest, Oct. 16-18
» Krewe of BOO!, Oct. 24
Fun fact: This is New Orleans’ very own free spooky parade.
» Art for Art’s Sake
» Tremé Fall Fest
» Oktoberfest
» Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival
» Praise Fest
» NOLA Reggae Fest
» Halloween New Orleans
» New Orleans Film Festival
NOVEMBER
» Beignet Fest, Nov. 7
» New Orleans Marathon and Fit Fête, Nov. 13-14
» Bayou Bacchanal
» Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival
» Oak Street Po-Boy Festival
» Bayou Classic, Nov. 27-28
» Celebration in the Oaks, through Jan. 1, 2027
DECEMBER
» Holidays New Orleans Style, Dec.1-31
Fun fact: Enjoy caroling, home tours, traditions, and more all month.
» R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
» Manning Family Children's Holiday Parade
» Algiers Holiday Bonfire & Concert
» Greenway Supernova
» NOLA ChristmasFest
» Caroling in Jackson Square
» Holiday Home Tours
JANUARY
» Allstate Sugar Bowl
Fun fact: It’s also the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals.
» Krewe of Joan of Arc
» Teaser Fest
» Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus
» Krewe du Vieux
FEBRUARY
» Krewes: Muses, Endymion, Bacchus, Orpheus, Rex, Zulu
» Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras Day, Feb. 9, 2027
» Every Woman's Marathon, Feb. 28, 2027
» Tet Fest
Fun fact: Tet Fest marks the Vietnamese New Year.
MARCH
» New Orleans Book Festival
» Irish Channel Parade
» Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival
» Saints & Sinners LGBTQ+ Literary Festival (SASFest)
Fun fact: Part of the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival, it celebrates LGBTQ writers.
» Congo Square Rhythms Festival
Fun fact: This festival celebrates African drumming traditions in Congo Square.
» New Orleans French Film Festival
APRIL
» Crescent City Classic
» Gay Easter Parade
Fun fact: This parade is just one of many family-friendly parades on Easter Sunday.
» French Quarter Easter Parade
» French Quarter Festival
Fun fact: This is the largest free festival in Louisiana.
» New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, through the first of May
» Hogs for the Cause
» Overlook Film Festival
Fun fact: This festival bears the same name as the spooky hotel from "'The Shining."'
» Zurich Classic
MAY
» Zoo-To-Do
» Bayou Boogaloo
» New Orleans Greek Festival
JUNE
» New Orleans Pride
» Black Pride Weekend
» French Market Creole Tomato Festival
» New Orleans Restaurant Week
» New Orleans Juneteenth Festival
Mark your 2027 calendars — Mardi Gras Day is February 9th!
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