Bayou Bacchanal


Photo courtesy of Bayou Bacchanal on Facebook

We know, fall in New Orleans is packed with festivals, but please make room for this fabulous annual fest that pays homage to Caribbean culture and heritage right here in the Crescent City. The Caribbean islands nations and New Orleans have had ties for centuries, and, besides, just like the vibrant countries of the Caribbean, the city also knows a thing or two about throwing a serious Carnival party, complete with costumes, live music, amazing food, and, of course, a parade.

Bayou Bacchanal is presented by the Friends of Culture organization, which provides a cultural link between the Greater New Orleans area and the island nations of the Caribbean. The fest will be held over two days, on Friday-Saturday, November 1 and 2, 2024.

The fest opens on Friday, November 1, with an Wear White Dance party at Ashé Cultural Arts Center (1731 Baronne Street). Doors open at 11 p.m., and the attendees are encouraged to don all-white outfits. You can buy tickets online ($20-$25) or at the door ($30).

The main event falls on the next day, Saturday, November 2, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., at Congo Square in Louis Armstrong Park. The extravaganza starts with a parade. Attendees are invited to bring their families, don costumes, and join in on the fun. Marching bands and dance troupes will lead the procession, playing Soca, Dancehall and Reggae. The annual Bayou Bacchanal Parade is free and open to the public.

Once the celebration reaches the park, the fun will continue with live performances (highlighting Caribbean artists and DJs), dancing, a costume competition, and dozens of Caribbean food vendors doling out the delicious flavors of the island nations. Expect to sample such staples as jerk chicken, saltfish, roti, and curry goat and chicken. You can wash it all down with ginger beer or passionfruit juice, or any number of the delicious concoctions that will be available throughout fest grounds.

Immerse yourself into the Caribbean culture and party till the sun goes down (and beyond) at this lively festival!

Are you planning to visit New Orleans this fall?

The weather is mild, and we’ve got a fabulous lineup of festivals that celebrate the Crescent City’s unique culture and every food and drink imaginable. Visit FrenchQuarter.com/hotels to find your perfect historic French Quarter hotel that will put you right in the center of all of the action and within walking distance to many of New Orleans’ bars, restaurants and entertainment spots. Be in that number!


The Who Dat Nation Rally & Music Festival

How about a massive three-day festival to get ready for the upcoming NFL season? Saints fans can rally for the team at what will be the area’s largest pre-game party, the first of its kind. You can join the black-and-gold diehards on the weekend leading to the Saints’ season opener on Monday, September 9, against the Houston Texans at the grounds of the Jefferson Performing Arts Center in Metairie, not far from the team’s practice facility on Airline Drive. Here’s the rundown of the festival’s main events, which include a free concert on Friday and two days filled with food, music, rallies, and even a dog parade, on Friday-Sunday, September 6-8.

What: A Tribute to New Orleans Music Legends
When: Friday, September 6, 5-10 p.m.
Where: On the grounds of the Jefferson Performing Arts Center (6400 Airline Dr., Metairie)
Cost: Free (suggested donation $10)

The Who Dat Rally & Music Festival will kick off on Friday, September 6, with a special tribute to the New Orleans Music Legends (presented by the Maple Leaf Bar). Art Neville, Fats Domino, Dave Bartholomew, Dr. John, and Allen Toussaint will all be remembered by the tribute’s participants, whose lineup also has a few legends on its own, including Irma Thomas, Deacon John, and John “Papa” Gros.

The gates will open at 5 p.m., and the music will start at 6 p.m. The James Andrews band plays a special set of New Orleans classics at 7 p.m., and the tribute will kick off at 8 p.m. Tickets are not required, and the event is free though there’s a suggested donation of $10, with all donations benefiting the New Orleans Musician Clinic.

What: The Who Dat Nation Rally & Music Festival
When: Saturday, September 7 (noon – 10 p.m.) – Sunday, September 8 (11 a.m. – 9 p.m.)
Where: On the grounds of the Jefferson Performing Arts Center
Cost: $30-$45 adults; $10-$15 kids

The Rally & Fest continues with a weekend of music on three stages, food, and arts and crafts. A whopping 18 bands are scheduled to perform, including Blood Sweat & Tears, The Guess Who, the Family Stone, George Porter Jr., Cowboy Mouth, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Honey Island Swamp Band, All for One Brass Band, and many more (see the full schedule here).

Then there’s a massive Who Dat Nation pep rally, led by WWL Radio’s Bobby Hebert on-stage along with special guests on both nights. Hebert, by the way, is encouraging Who Dat fans to come dressed as a blind referee.

No fest is complete with food and beverages. Over a dozen restaurants, including Voleo’s Seafood, Copeland’s and Southern Snoball, will be on hand doling traditional New Orleans favorites.

Saturday will kick off with the Who Dat Nation Krewe of Paws Parade and Costume Contest. Judges will pick the best male and female pet costumes at noon, and the parade will begin at 12:30 p.m., led by the All for One Brass Band. You can register on-site for both the costume and the parade.

The kids can check out a Bounce Park specifically set up for the fest in the Children’s Village area. The Greater New Orleans Therapeutic Riding Center is also bringing several horses to interact with the children (no horseback rides though).

Tickets are on sale now, starting at $30 for a one-day, adult general admission ticket and $10 for a one-day ticket for kids 13 to 18 years old. Two-day passes are $45 for adults and $15 for kids.

What: The Guess Who and Blood Sweat & Tears VIP performances
When: Saturday, September 7, 5:30 p.m. (The Guess Who); Sunday, September 8, 5 p.m. (Blood Sweat & Tears)
Where: Jefferson Performing Arts Center Performance Hall
Cost: $60-$90

The two performances by the headlining The Guess Who and Blood Sweat & Tears will take place in the JPAC Performance Hall and require a VIP ticket. Tickets for The Guess Who range from $80 to $90, while tickets for Blood Sweat & Tears range from $60 to $90.


Boudin, Bourbon, & Beer!

boudin bourbon beer
Photo courtesy of Emeril Lagasse Foundation on Facebook

Every November celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse invites scores of top local and national chefs to join him for his one-night fundraiser featuring a specially curated, Louisiana-inspired menu, live music and open bar. Last year the event has attracted over 5,000 guests. This year will be more of the same, with over 70 chefs participating in the 9th annual Boudin, Bourbon & Beer Festival on Friday, November 8, 6-10:30 p.m. The fundraiser will be again held at Champions Square (Lasalle St.), an outdoor festival plaza located adjacent to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Lagasse chairs the event with James Beard award-winning chefs Donald Link and his business partner, Stephen Stryjewski, of the Link Restaurant Group (the company owns a family of restaurants, currently including Herbsaint, Cochon, Cochon Butcher, Calcasieu, Peche Seafood Grill, and La Boulangerie). Each year a celebrity chef is also invited to co-chair. TV host and restaurateur Guy Fieri was co-chair in 2018, and this year it’s going to be the celebrated chef and TV personality Aarón Sánchez.

The participating chef list is an impressive who-is-who on both local and national levels. In the past, the New Orleans chefs included Commander’s Palace Tory McPhail, Nina Compton of Compere Lapin and Bywater American Bistro, Isaac Toups of Toups Meatery and Toups South, Chris Borges of Josephine Estelle, and many more.

Visiting chefs hail from all over, from the Gulf South to West Coast to the Midwest, representing some of the best restaurants across the country. The chefs will once again be creating their dishes during the event and mingling with the attendees. For a full list of featured chefs and the menu updates, visit the event’s website. The chef lineup and the menu are usually announced in September.

Boudin, Bourbon, Beer
Photo courtesy of Emeril Lagasse Foundation on Facebook

In addition to the culinary spread, look for the Nat Sherman’s cigar lounge, a merch tent, and dessert tasting stations. Several open-bar stations with be stocked with premium spirits like bourbon cocktails from Buffalo Trace, and a variety of Abita beer. This year’s sponsors will also make their product available, including FIJI water, and the fine wines from JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery and Landmark Vineyards.

The music lineup is always solid at this event, so get ready to dance. Past performers included Honey Island Swamp Band, surf rock singer-songwriter Donavon Frankenreiter, bluegrass/Americana band Railroad Earth, and the country musician Lillie Mae.

Tickets typically go on sale in August and are available here ($135). They include unlimited food, open bar, cigars, and access to the auction and featured entertainment. The fundraiser benefits Emeril Lagasse Foundation, which focuses on culinary education, nutrition and arts programs. Please note that this event is 21+ only.

Boudin, Bourbon & Beer kicks off the Foundation’s two-night signature fundraising weekend and is followed on Saturday, November 9, by the wine auction and black-tie gala, Carnivale du Vin, now in its 15th year.

Where to stay

To enjoy the best of the Boudin, Bourbon & Beer this November, consider booking one of the boutique hotels in the French Quarter or Arts District. These historic neighborhoods are ideally situated within a short ride to Champions Square. Book a room at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels to have the best of the Crescent City and this unique culinary event at your fingertips.


Don’t Miss the New Orleans Mac N Cheese Fest

New Orleans Mac N Cheese Fest
Photo courtesy of NOLA Mac N Cheese Fest on Facebook

Why mac ‘n’ cheese, you ask? If we can throw a festival for a Creole tomato or pretty much every type of seafood swimming in the Gulf, why not celebrate this quintessential American dish?

The rest of the country has been honoring mac ‘n’ cheese with its own festival in places like California and New Mexico. Baton Rouge has one, and Chicago’s version is enormous, for example. Believe it or not, there wasn’t one in New Orleans until two years ago, but it looks like there’s always room for another food festival in our city.

New Orleans will be holding its third Mac N Cheese Fest on Saturday, October 12, from 11 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Louis Armstrong Park (701 N. Rampart St.). The sprawling park in Tremé sees its share of festivals, and it’s a perfect location because of its size and proximity to the French Quarter.

The fest is free and kid-friendly. It will feature dozens of mac ‘n’ cheese dishes from Louisiana restaurants, pop-ups and food catering businesses. You can buy food and drink tickets by the main entrance on the day of the fest.

This year, festival organizers are increasing the number of participating vendors yet again to accommodate the fest’s growing popularity. The inaugural festival was such a success several vendors even ran out of their offerings before the day was over. The organizers were working hard to ensure it didn’t happen last year. Last year, each vendor was set up to accommodate two lines of customers, serving at least one mac ‘n’ cheese dish, plus up to five non-mac items.

In the past, the vendor lineup included The Big Cheesy, a popular local grilled cheese restaurant with locations in Kenner and Uptown, House of Blues Restaurant & Bar, and Manning’s Sports Bar & Grill at Harrah’s, and French Quarter’s seafood mainstay Oceana Grill were represented last year.

The mac ‘n’ cheese dishes will be judged by a panel of professional and celebrity judges to select the best mac ‘n’ cheese in the city. Past winners included the local BBQ pop-up Gonzo’s Smokehouse & BBQ, in 2017, for its brisket mac ‘n’ cheese; and Uptown’s Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar last year, for its crawfish version of mac ‘n’ cheese.

New this year is the introduction of the Artist Market. This year will also be the start of a new festival tradition, the NOLA Mac n’ Cheese Eating Contest. The brave souls (with iron stomachs) will compete for the honor of earning the title of the New Orleans’ Biggest Mac n’ Cheese Fan.

The live music lineup is scheduled for the whole duration of the festival. Visit the festival’s website and Facebook page for the updates on the vendor and music lineup and the unveiling of this year’s roster of judges.

A portion of  proceeds from the event will benefit Special Olympics Louisiana, which will be at the Fest hosting the Unified Play Area. Bring the whole family!

Looking for somewhere to stay during your visit to New Orleans this fall? Find your perfect historic French Quarter hotel at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels.


How to Dress for Voodoo Music + Arts Experience

Voodoo Fest New Orleans
Photo courtesy of Voodoo Music + Arts Experience

Dressing for music festivals is always a challenge. How do you strike the perfect note between practical and Instagram-perfect? Throw unpredictable weather and Halloween into the mix, and you have a recipe for one of the most daunting wardrobe events ever. That’s why research, preparation and weather apps are your best friends when it comes to dressing for Voodoo Music +Arts Experience. Follow this advice, dress for fun and comfort!

Lovely layers

At Jazz Fest, you pretty much know what kind of weather to expect: hot and humid. However, the weather in late October can vacillate between warm and muggy to wet and rainy to cold and windy—sometimes all in one day. Check the weather reports beforehand and prepare accordingly.

Layers are your best friend, but they needn’t be boring and utilitarian—they can make a statement that’s all their own. Tie a flannel around your waist during the day and layer it under a moto jacket at night. Or bring a scarf that can double as a blanket or head wrap. You’ll be glad you have these multitasking pieces when the sun goes down and a chill sets in.

Comfortable shoes

Voodoo sprawls across 50 beautiful, wooded acres of City Park. Whether you’re trekking from your parking spot to the front gate,  standing in line at the amusement rides or staking out a prime spot by the main stage, you’ll be on your feet for hours on end. Do yourself a favor and opt for comfy, sturdy footwear. Sneakers, boots and comfy flats are all solid options. (Bonus pointed for studded, fringed, or equally bad-ass looking footwear with a rock-star vibe.)

Make rain plans

Unless there’s a serious deluge (as was the case in 2015), Voodoo is a rain-or-shine event. Bring a poncho—they’re a lot more crowd-friendly than umbrellas. In a pinch, you can rip arm and neck holes in a garbage bag and wear that. As far as footwear, you can’t go wrong with galoshes or shrimp boots. Grassy meadows turn to mud when it rains, and you’ll see at least one sad, solitary flip-flop surrendered to the muck.

Costumes

Voodoo takes place Halloween weekend (this year, it’s Oct. 25-27, 2019), which means New Orleanians seize upon the event as an excuse to costume. Don’t be afraid to get decked out. At least half of the crowd will be costumed, especially on Voodoo’s final day.

If it’s cold, try layering fleece tights under your costume, or add a coat that complements your look and has some pizzazz. (Colorful vintage versions, shaggy faux fur boleros or classic pea coats can all look great and enhance a costume, depending on what you’re going for.). In the event of inclement weather, accessories like wigs and headpieces are your best friends. They look festive, and they keep your head warm and dry. Face paint, glitter, horns and wings are other fantastic accessories—but if you forgot to pack Halloween pieces, keep in mind that some vendors may sell them at the merch tables.

Hope that helps—and see you at Voodoo!


New Orleans Burlesque Festival, September 13-14, 2019

Photo by Darrell Miller. Courtesy of New Orleans Burlesque Festival.

If you’re in town during the second weekend of September, check out the annual Burlesque Festival, an international event that brings together the best of local talent and some big international names. Dancers, emcees, comics, singers, and variety-act performers.

Photo by Darrell Miller. Courtesy of New Orleans Burlesque Festival.

Burlesque was one of the main attractions in the French Quarter in the 1940s-60s, featuring the largest concentration of burlesque clubs than anywhere in the country. It’s made Bourbon Street famous and launched many careers. Some of the most famous burlesque dancers to this day have performed in clubs on Bourbon Street — Evangeline the Oyster Girl, Lily Christine the Cat Girl, Blaze Starr. It’s only fitting that New Orleans is now the epicenter of the modern-day burlesque revival, with this festival carrying on the tradition of the golden age of burlesque since 2009.

Photo by Darrell Miller. Courtesy of New Orleans Burlesque Festival.

Events will be held at House of Blues. Check the festival’s Facebook page for more details and updates or by visiting neworleansburlesquefest.com.


White Linen Night

Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans white linen night
Photo courtesy of Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans on Facebook

Back in the days before air conditioning, New Orleanians kept cool and looked fresh in the face of August swelter by wearing light-colored linen clothing. Back in the days before White Linen Night, local art galleries felt the pinch of the August tourism slow down. In order to combat said slow down, and to showcase local summer fashion, White Linen Night was created (Hancock Whitney is the title sponsor). Art galleries and restaurants in the Arts/Warehouse District throw their doors open for a night of wine, art showcasing, dining, and more wine — plus modeling of, naturally, the latest in white-linen fashion.

The event, held on Saturday, August 3, this year, has several components that showcase local art and provide plenty of opportunities to eat, dance, drink, and stroll in the New Orleans’ Arts District. One of the main features is a free block party and an open house for galleries on the 300-700 blocks of Julia Street in the Arts/Warehouse District, with three stages for live music and dozens of food and drink stands. About 20 galleries on and around Julia St. will be open to the public, with an after-party traditionally held at the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC). As the name suggests, participants are invited to wear white.

This year, the White Linen Night celebrates 25 years of community building and art showcasing, so the party will be kicked up a notch with special events, giveaways, and more. The free Julia Street block party runs from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. There will be gallery giveaways, live music, art installations, food, and lots more. You can get food and drink tickets onsite or online ($12 for 10).

The CAC Cool Down Lounge is returning this year, providing a VIP-level respite from the heat, private bathrooms, and food and drink. Tickets usually sell out pretty quickly, so get yours soon ($50).

Every year, the CAC hosts its Open Call Exhibition in conjunction with White Linen Night. The showcase features the works of local artists. This year’s theme is “Identify Measures,” and the opening reception starts at 5:30 p.m.

The annual CAC “Party After Dark” celebration follows the block party of Julia Street. It’s the official after-party of the White Linen Night. It’s held at the CAC’s Camp Street Warehouse, 8 p.m. to midnight. This year’s party features DJs and a Drag Experience presented by Vinsantos and New Orleans Drag Workshop, plus a premium cash bar and light bites. Tickets are $10 in advance, and $20 on the day of the event (free for the CAC members).

You can check out this guide to see which galleries are participating. Remember, the block party is free, though you’ll have to get tickets to buy food and drinks. The event is usually really well attended, so parking is limited, though there’s some street parking as well as the paid parking lots in the area.

So, don your best white linen and brave the heat to support the CAC and the Arts District New Orleans as they celebrate 25 years of this unique event!

For more information, visit the Hancock Whitney White Linen Night website.


Get a Passport to New Orleans Culture During Museum Month


Photo courtesy of Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours from City Sightseeing New Orleans

From the vast National World War II Museum to the tiny New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, museum-lovers can have a field day in New Orleans. And the optimal time to visit them is August, when more than a dozen local museums offer an all-inclusive passport to explore than city’s treasures during New Orleans Museum Month.

To get in on the deal, visitors just need to purchase a membership at one of the participating institutions, where annual fees start at $45. A membership card from any participating museum lets you in free to all the others throughout the month of August.

Must-See Museums for Visitors

National World War II Museum (945 Magazine St.)

Housed on a six-acre campus with five soaring pavilions, the country’s official World War II Museum tells the story of the globe-spanning war that changed the world through the experiences of the men and women who lived through it. Expect to spend more than one day exploring its vast exhibits, which becoming a member allows you to do.

 Contemporary Arts Center (900 Camp St.)

The CAC is a hub of creative activity, from large-scale visual art exhibitions to music, dance, and theatre performances. The first Saturday in August, it also serves as ground zero for the Arts District’s annual White Linen Night, when it hosts a lively after party. Free admission to that hot-ticket event is included with a membership.

Ogden Museum of Contemporary Art (925 Camp St.)

Just across the street from the CAC, the Ogden boasts the largest collection of Southern art in the country, ranging from traditional folk art to cutting edge contemporary art and photography. Membership fees are discounted during August, and include free admission to live Ogden After Hours concerts every Thursday.

New Orleans Pharmacy Museum (514 Chartres St.)

Built in 1823 for Louis Dufilho, America’s first licensed pharmacy, this unique museum gives visitors a glimpse into oft-questionable medical practices in 19th century New Orleans, when opium was as common as aspirin and voodoo potions shared shelf space with patent medicines. Memberships include free admission to special programs.

New Orleans Museum of Art (City Park)

The city’s oldest fine arts museum dates first opened in 1911 and houses extensive collections of art from around the world. Set on a beautiful outdoor campus in City Park, NOMA is also home to the five-acre Sydney and Walda Bestoff Sculpture Garden. Memberships include members-only preview receptions and special events.


Women Take Center Stage During FestiGals


Photo courtesy of Festigals – festigals.org

Created by women for women, FestiGals celebrates women in all their glory during a power-packed weekend (June 21-23) that combines inspiring presentations and breakout sessions with plenty of only-in-New-Orleans fun.

Now in its eighth year, FestiGals kicks off on Friday, June 21, with a Celebrating Women’s Conference that includes a Shopping Showcase of women-owned businesses and a Hats Off Award Luncheon honoring exceptional women in the community.

On Saturday, June 22, FestiGals can explore New Orleans by touring historic homes in the Garden District and sampling local spirits at the Seven Three Distillery. That sets the stage for FestiGals’ marquee event: the annual STEP UP parade on Saturday night.

Led by 2019 Grand Diva Amanda Shaw, the internationally acclaimed Louisiana fiddle sensation, hundreds of women decked out in sparkles, glitter and boas will second-line through the French Quarter, strutting their stuff for enthusiastic crowds to the street beats of jazzy brass bands.

The fun starts with pre-parade cocktails at New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old US Mint, which benefits The American Heart Association, and continues at a post-parade After Glow Party at Harrah’s New Orleans Casino Theater. Revelers can refresh themselves with light bites and cocktails before hitting the Harrah’s dance floor, where Amanda Shaw will pick up her fiddle and heat things up with her crackerjack band.

On Sunday, June 23, “every woman is a queen” at the annual Drag Queen Brunch, which features spicy Bloody Mary’s and Creole cuisine, along with the always-entertaining antics of beloved New Orleans drag queen Reba Douglas.

FestiGals attendees can purchase tickets for individual events, or spring for the Total Weekend Diva Package ($350), at EventBrite. All tickets must be purchased by June 21.


Nola Crawfish Fest


Photo courtesy of NOLA Crawfish Festival

Taking place between the two Jazz Fest weekends, the fourth annual NOLA Crawfish Fest features three days of live music, beer, and some 6,000 pounds of boiled crawfish conjured by the NOLA Crawfish King himself, Chris “Shaggy” Davis. The fest will take place at Central City BBQ (1201 South Rampart Street) starting on Monday, April 29, through Wednesday, May 1 (3-10 p.m.) The timing might seem unusual, as most New Orleans festivals take place over the weekend, but with all the Jazz Fest fans in town looking to celebrate local culture between the two Jazz Fest-filled weekends this in fact seems perfect.

The venue, Central City BBQ, is a compound that stretches for half a block, containing a smokehouse, a BBQ restaurant, and an event space with a large yard and picnic tables. Besides a stellar lineup of live music the fest also features a crawfish cookoff and an eating contest. The 4th Annual Louisiana Fish Fry Ultimate Cook-off takes place on Wednesday, May 1 and the 2nd Annual Crawifsh Eatin’ Competition takes place on Tuesday April 30th.

The Cookoff

The annual cookoff will start at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, and anyone is invited to sign up for a chance to boil their best sack of crawfish with their choice of fixings. About 20 two-person teams are expected to compete in front of the local celebrity judges, who will pick a winner based on taste, fixings, and spice level. The judging begins at 5 p.m. with the winning team will being announced at 6 p.m. If you plan to compete you’ll need another person for your team, your own boiling rig, the recipe, and the fixings; 40 pounds of fresh Louisiana crawfish will be provided. The entrance fee is $50 per team.

The Eating Contest

The eating contest is coming back after its inaugural year to give you a chance to eat as much crawfish as you can in the allotted 7 minutes. The winner gets $100 and bragging rights, and all participants who sign up gain free admission to the festival on the day of the contest.

The Music Lineup

NOLA Crawfish Fest focuses on featuring local musicians, so this is a great chance to see them jam outside of the Fair Grounds and in a much smaller, more intimate setting. On Monday, George Porter, Jr, Dave Malone, Billy Iuso and Terrence Higgins are banding together to perform as the NOLA Crawfish Allstars. Neville Jacobs will perform with Cris Jacobs, Ivan Neville, Tony Hall, and Brady Blade. The ever popular Soul Brass Band is also scheduled to perform on Monday. On Tuesday, you’ll get to enjoy the Mike Dillon Band and Eric Krasno and Friends; while Wednesday will bring out Anders Osborne and Papa Mali, among others.

What Else Do You Need to Know?

The NOLA Crawfish Fest tickets are available for each day and in three-day VIP packages. General admission per day is $40 ($50 with a single order of crawfish included, which will get you 2 to 3 pounds). VIP packages start at $150.

There will be other kinds of food besides crawfish available for purchase, as well as drinks. The organizers ask that you don’t bring festival chairs as there’s plenty of seating around the stage and in the food area.

In terms of getting there and parking, Jazz Fest is always a very busy time in New Orleans, so expect traffic but a rideshare or a cab are both good transportation options. So is biking, and there is bike parking at the venue. If you plan to drive to the fest street parking is limited.

Finally, NOLA Crawfish Fest is rain or shine (so no refunds). You can get updates on the event here.

We hope you enjoy this chance to celebrate the Louisiana crawfish season!