What ’s the best thing you could do in New Orleans this summer ? Leave ! Just kidding … sort of . If you ’re one of those lucky people who can transmigrate to a beach menage when hurricane time of year and five month of semitropical heating plant in , well , we envy you . But if , like the rest of us , you ’re sweating it out during the urban center ’s off - time of year , take solace in the fact that there are enough festivals , party , concerts andthings to do in NOLAto distract you from your wretchedness . And if that does n’t act , thebarsare always unresolved .
Slurp dem ersters at the New Orleans Oyster Festival
Friday June 1 - Saturday June 2Woldenberg ParkBig , meek Gulf bivalves are the whiz of this two - day festival , which includes an huitre - eating and shucking competition , lively euphony carrying into action by Feufollet and Maggie Koerner , plenty of Abita beer , and a beautiful riverfront thought . Raw or charbroiled , deep - fried and pucker in a po - boy . or simmer in a okra , oysters at this festival are delectable no matter what . price : complimentary
Be a kid again at June Under The Moon
Friday June 7Carousel Gardens Amusement ParkThere ’s nothing better than bait the Ferris Wheel , merry - go - beat , and roller - coaster when you ’re a fry – except for doing those exact same things as a drunk adult . June Under The Moon brings unlimited ride , an open stripe , and an adult - only atmosphere to Carousel Gardens , and , for the first time ever , you’re able to now make for your ( leashed ) dogs , too . The ticket price includes unlimited beer , a hot dog , jambalaya , and a vodka Abronia elliptica . Get yours soon , because ( unsurprisingly ) this event usually sells out . monetary value : $ 30 / soul and $ 10 / frank
Celebrate body positivity and raise cyclist visibility at the World Naked Bike Ride
Saturday , June 8Markey ParkWhether you set relatively small-scale ( a washup wooing ) , bare all , or do something in between ( body paint and glitter ) , you ’ll require to slather every fissure with sun blocker before demand part in this bare bike drive . Bring a bike to Markey Park and get ready for raft of day - drinking and looky - loo as you embark on a route that meanders through the Bywater , Marigny , and French Quarter . Cost : Free
Let your rainbow flag fly at New Orleans Pride
Friday June 7 - Sunday 9Various locationsThe days are getting longer , and the rainbow flags are wing on Rampart Street , which means one thing : It ’s almost prison term for Pride weekend . The LGBTQ+ celebration play stoppage parties , concerts , and brunches to New Orleans – plus a24 - float paradethat tramp through the Gallic Quarter on Saturday dark at at 7:30 pm . price : Varies by event
Enjoy the ultimate summertime crop at the French Market Creole Tomato Festival
Friday June 7 - Sunday June 9French MarketCreole Lycopersicon esculentum can inspire the palate or incite controversy ( do they or do they not belong to in gumbo ? Depends who you ask ) . And it ’s likely that the meaty , flavorful yield will do both at the thirty-third one-year Creole Tomato Festival . Just grab a Bloody Mary if the disputation gets too het up and trip the light fantastic toe it out at the two music stage , bump off the market in Dutch Alley , or observe a cooking presentation . monetary value : loose
Get some cannabis education at the Marijuana Business Conference & Expo
Wednesday , June 12 - Friday June 14Despite what those guy rope beat back the “ Weed World Candies ” vans might say you , recreational marijuana ( sadly ) remain illegal in New Orleans . But that does n’t mean we ca n’t host the cannabis industriousness ’s preeminent international conference , which brings together cannabis line of work executive , cultivators , and extractors . Whether you ’re a foreland shop class owner or a local farmer look to grow hemp , this is the space to watch all the In and outs of the industry . toll : $ 399 for the all - result straits
Two-step at the Cajun Zydeco festival
Saturday June 22 - Sunday June 23Louis Armstrong ParkPurists frequently complain that there ’s no ( or very minuscule ) idle words at Jazz Fest , but have no reverence – Cajun and zydeco music is the exclusive feature article at this ably describe fest in Louis Armstrong Park , which also boasts seafood vendors , kids ’ activities , and plenty of befog stations ( because two - stepping in New Orleans humidity is a good means to work up a sweat).Cost : innocent
Watch a pyrotechnic display over the Mississippi at Go 4th at The River
Wednesday July 4French QuarterNew Orleanians have made riverside firework shows a custom for literally hundreds of years . It ’s kind of cool to imagine that the pyrotechnic display and the French Quarter skyline have n’t change in all that clip . Ignore the proliferation of people Snapchatting the show , and you might experience like it ’s 1819 all over again . Cost : gratis
Celebrate Essence Festival’s 25th anniversary
Thursday July 5 - Sunday July 7Downtown New OrleansPrince , Beyonce , and Kendrick Lamar are just a few past star at this larger-than-life , annual celebration of black culture spearheaded byEssence Magazine . This year brings former First Lady Michelle Obama as the keynote speaker , as well as Missy Elliot , Mary J. Blige , and NAS to the Mercedes - Benz Superdome , plus a packed roll of prominent speaker to the Ernest Morial Convention Center . Cost : ticket start at $ 55
Run with the bulls (err, rollergirls) at San Fermin in Nueva Orleans
Friday July 12 - Sunday July 14Warehouse DistrictBig light residents love nothing more than an excuse to drink at the literal cracking of cockcrow . They do it after they time out from their avail industry graveyard shifts . They do it on Mardi Gras . And they do it atSan Fermin in Nueva Orleans , which starts at the sinful hour of 6:30am . That ’s when lashings of “ rollerbulls ” ( crimper derby members wielding bats and horn helmet ) fall on masses of bandanna - habilitate reveler . yield gain Big Easy Animal Rescue and BFF NOLA.Cost:$30-$95
Get at least some satisfaction with the Rolling Stones
Sunday July 14Mercedes - Benz SuperdomeThe Rolling Stones disappointed legions of Hawaiian shirt - wearing Jazz Fest dads when they by chance cancelled its headlining coming into court this yr . In a compromising move , the band added a New Orleans cease to its No Filter circuit . It ’s been 25 years since the Stones last rocked the Crescent City , but even as a septuagenarian recovering from heart surgical process , Mick Jagger still has moves like . . . well . . . himself . price : Tickets embark on at$100
Get in the spirit at Tales of the Cocktail
Tuesday July 16 - Sunday July 21Downtown / French QuarterThere will be more tweedy , tattooed , mustachioed “ barkeep ” in town than you could shake a rum cocktail at during this annual spirit industry trade conference . ( So , if that ’s your eccentric , definitely get on Tinder in mid - July ) . Cocktail industriousness seminar , savouring , competitions , and parties take over business district and – whether you ’re an pro or just a protagonist of the purport industry – there ’s equal parts fun and breeding to be had . Cost : Varies ; some events are free
Meet a sexy couple (or 50 of them) at Naughty in N’awlins
Wednesday July 23 - Sunday July 28French QuarterCome for the gender party , stay for the facesitting seminar ! This “ lifestyle event ” ( scan : swinger pattern ) include panel discourse , individual parties , a naked tramp pride parade , and hatful of overly friendly masses who are open in just about every way . Clearly , these complimentary spirits are doing something mighty , since this event has been a New Orleans keystone since 1998.Cost : Varies ; the parade is gratuitous to assist , but the hotel rate listed start at $ 99 / night
Eat like Daddy Warbucks on an Orphan Annie budget during Coolinary month
Thursday August 1 - Saturday August 31CitywideThe touristry sphere generally strive its nadir in August , which is the hot , grossest , brokest calendar month of the twelvemonth in New Orleans . So what do restaurant proprietor do to get bodies in the restaurants ? They offer three - course prix - fixe dinners for $ 39 or less . Now in its 15th year , Coolinary offers an extensive list of participating eating house , which includes voguish , James Beard honour - winning trendsetters , Creole grand dames , and every melody - conditioned spot in between . Cost : Varies
Honor Louis Armstrong at Satchmo Summerfest
Friday August 2 - Sunday August 4New Orleans Jazz Museum at the former U.S. MintLegendary malarky trumpeter , composer , and vocalist Louis “ Satchmo ” Armstrong get his well - deserved prison term in the Lord’s Day at Satchmo Summerfest , which brings two stages of live music , local nutrient vender , and seminar to the New Orleans Jazz Museum . Not holding this weekend - tenacious outcome at Armstrong Park feels like a neglect opportunity , but we guess the Hades - like climate may have something to do with it . toll : $ 6
Get artsy at White Linen Night
Saturday August 3300 - 700 blocks of Julia StreetLet ’s be tangible : Even the gauziest linen , stale champagne , and biggest handheld fan wo n’t save you from the heat at this occlusion party - cum - gallery - scuttle , which pull thousands of people to Julia Street ’s galleries , museum , eatery , and bars . But they sure are squeamish distractions . Cost : Free
Cast a spell at HexFest
Friday August 9 - Sunday August 11Bourbon Orleans HotelWitches are have a moment in pop cultivation – throttler , black - winged eyeliner , and crystals have n’t been this omnipresent sinceThe Craftcame out in 1996 . But corroborate the rise of Instagram - influencer witches is an ancient , land - base belief organization that predates Christianity . And what good place to lionize that than New Orleans ? HexFest brings “ Wiccan , rootworkers , and other magical teachers ” ( and yes , probably an amethyst choker or two ) to a creaky , haunted French Quarter hotel for shop , tours , panel discussion , and company . Price : $ 350
Get artsy all over again (but filthier this time) at Dirty Linen Night
Saturday August 10Royal Street , Gallic QuarterFrench Quarter gallery and business proprietor created Dirty Linen Night as a sly , tongue - in - cheek response to the Warehouse District ’s White Linen Night – and a direction to drum up business during the ho-hum summertime months . Don your grungy linen garb ( extra point for sweat and Chardonnay mark ) , take hold of a dirty martini , and ensure out even more art .
Run a 5K dressed as your favorite emoji at Red Dress Run
Saturday August 10French QuarterYes , this is technically another early - morning drink result .. but it ’s also so much more ! Thrown by the New Orleans Hash House Harriers ( “ a imbibing cabaret with a running problem ” ) , the Red Dress Run convey a ocean of ruby gowns a la ( the dancing lady emoji ) to the Gallic Quarter and raises money for charity . Register betimes , as the price goes up as the event approach , and by all odds get your red dress ahead of meter , because the vintage stores do sell out . Cost : $ 60 registration through June 30 ; $ 65 after that .
Celebrate LGBTQ culture at Southern Decadence
Thursday August 29 - Monday September 2French QuarterAh , there ’s nothing like Southern Decadence , when around 300,000 bears , twinks , leather daddies , otters , butches , and femmes descend on the Gallic Quarter in a weekend - retentive celebration . It ’s more than just a jumbo circuit party of concerts and puff display – it ’s both a celebration of gay culture and an act of resistance against the fundamentalist homophobes who show up for Decadence class after twelvemonth with the same shopworn “ God hates sin ” picket signs . Cost : Free
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San Fermin in Nueva Orleans|James Cage/flickr
The New Orleans Oyster Festival
Suzanne C. Grim/shutterstock
French Market Creole Tomato Festival
San Fermin in Nueva Orleans|James Cage/flickr
Crawfish Boil Fried Chicken from Picnic Provisions and Whiskey.|Visit New Orleans
Satchmo SummerFest
New Orleans Red Dress Run
