Best time to visit New Orleans

+107

New Orleans

Dec28 - Jan07:

Experiences

Weather

Popularity

11 days

Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov

Sat Dec 28–Jan 07 Tue

Best time of year to visit New Orleans

February and March with the massive Mardi Gras celebrations are considered to be the best time to visit New Orleans. Notice though, such events draw huge crowds and prices rise dramatically. Apart from the hot weather, summer brings hot deals as well, so you can enjoy COOLinary New Orleans, a month of special offers in city's restaurants. A mild period from October through November is another lovely time to explore New Orleans and to taste a wide variety of local seafood. December and January are perfect for savvy tourists as the hotel rates are low and the city substantially cools off.

11 THINGS TO DO IN NEW ORLEANS (APRIL 26 - MAY 05)

Crawfish Season — Crawfish Season
December—July • food
It's crawfish time! Definitely the most important food season in New Orleans

Shrimps — Shrimps
April–February • food
Although available year-round frozen shrimps are nothing like fresh white and brown ones!

Plantation Pilgrimage — Plantation Pilgrimage
September–November | March–May • activity
If you are in New Orleans, you just can't miss seeing the old plantations!

Oysters — Oysters
November–April • food
Although Louisiana oysters are available year round, best time are the cooler months

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival — New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
April 23–May 03, 2020 • event
One of a kind celebration of the unique culture and heritage of New Orleans and Louisiana

Swamp Tours — Swamp Tours
May–October (all year round) • activity
The most exciting and easy way to discover New Orleans’ famous swamps and bayous

Sno-Ball — Sno-Ball
March–October • food
Sno-ball, not snow cone, is New Orleans' favourite armour against the long summer heat

Azaleas — Azaleas
March–April • nature
Enjoy the beautiful pinkish flowers blooming during this period

Hiking — Hiking
September–May • activity
Marshes, forests and bayous—there's a lot to explore around New Orleans

Louisiana Iris — Louisiana Iris
April • nature
A symbol of beauty, this flower even has a Krewe named after it

Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge — Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge
all year round • activity
The world's longest continious bridge over a body of water

33 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Mardi Gras — Mardi Gras
February 25, 2020 • event
The festival that has made New Orleans famous!

Red Dress Run — Red Dress Run
August 11, 2019 • event
A flamboyant run in red dresses accompanied by great music and plenty of beer

French Quarter Festival — French Quarter Festival
April 16–19, 2020 • event
Grounded in the most famous Quarter, the festival is full of food and free of charge

Easter Parades — Easter Parades
April 12, 2020 • event
For New Orleanians, Easter is a special time with more parades!

World Naked Bike Ride — World Naked Bike Ride
June 08, 2019 • event
New Orleans has been taking part in the World Naked Bike Ride since 2009

Tennessee Williams Literary Festival — Tennessee Williams Literary Festival
March 25–29, 2020 • event
Even if you are not a fan of literature, nothing in New Orleans is ever boring!

St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations — St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
March 17 • event
New Orleans changes the perceptions of St. Patrick's Day celebration

Voodoo Music + Arts Experience — Voodoo Music + Arts Experience
October 25–27, 2019 • event
The loudest of Halloween events in New Orleans

4th of July Weekend Events & Fireworks — 4th of July Weekend Events & Fireworks
July 04 • event
The Big Easy City is great at celebrating! Summers here are hot, and so are the festivities

Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo — Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo
May 17–19, 2019 • event
A joyful celebration of Louisiana food and music traditions

Celebration in the Oaks — Celebration in the Oaks
November 29 2019–January 01 2020 • event
A beautiful scene scattered around the City Park, Botanical Garden, Storyland, and Carousel Gardens

NOLA Holiday Lights — NOLA Holiday Lights
late November–early January • event
Yet another reason to celebrate in New Orleans

COOLinary New Orleans — COOLinary New Orleans
August 01–August 31 • food
Treat yourself to a fancy lunch or dinner in one of the city's famous restaurants offering money-saving specials for one month

White Linen Night — White Linen Night
August 03, 2019 • event
The SoHo of the South, the Warehouse district organizes a party of art and style

Dirty Linen Night — Dirty Linen Night
August 10, 2019 • event
A counterpart of White Linen Night, Dirty Linen Night is more quirky

Oak Street Po-Boy Festival — Oak Street Po-Boy Festival
November 03, 2019 • event
The favourite sandwich with a unique history is a pride of New Orleans and thus gets its own festival!

Wild Alligator — Wild Alligator
September • food
Farm raised alligator is available all year, but it is also more expensive than the wild alligator, available only during this period

NOLA ChristmasFest — NOLA ChristmasFest
December 20–31, 2019 • event
Get into Christmas spirit, meet Santa and celebrate winter in New Orleans

Lundi Gras — Lundi Gras
February 24, 2020 • event
The day before the Mardi Gras begins!

Mardi Gras King Cake — Mardi Gras King Cake
January 6–Ash Wednesday • food
The tasty and extraordinary colourful King cake to sooth your party

Jazz in the Park — Jazz in the Park
April 26–June 07, 2018 • event
Signature New Orleans jazz in Armstrong Park every spring

New Orleans Oyster Festival — New Orleans Oyster Festival
June 01–02, 2019 • event
American capital of oysters presents lots of delicious ways to enjoy your favorite seafood at the annual oyster celebration

Southern Decadance — Southern Decadance
August 29–September 02, 2019 • event
Known as Gay Mardi Gras, the festival is extravagant and joyful

Krewe of Boo Halloween Parade — Krewe of Boo Halloween Parade
October 19, 2019 • event
New Orleans would never miss a chance to dress up and party

New Orleans Film Festival — New Orleans Film Festival
October 16–24, 2019 • event
No one can celebrate cinema the way New Orleans does

BUKU Music + Art Project — BUKU Music + Art Project
March 20–21, 2020 • event
A vibrant mix of electronic, hip-hop, indie rock music, and large scale art

Rubber Duck Derby — Rubber Duck Derby
June 01, 2019 • event
Thousands of rubber ducks race for the grand prize of $5000

Rock 'n' Roll Marathon — Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
February 08–09, 2020 • event
What can be better than running accompanied by live bands and plenty of other entertainment?

Krewe of Jingle Parade — Krewe of Jingle Parade
December 07, 2019 • event
The official New Orleans holiday parade delights locals and visitors

Cinco de Mayo — Cinco de Mayo
May 05, 2020 • event
A great excuse to party and indulge in delicious Mexican foods

Louisiana Renaissance Festival — Louisiana Renaissance Festival
November 02–December 08, 2019 • event
One great adventure with a festival, theatre, theme park, shopping, and an educational experience

Louisiana Crawfish Festival — Louisiana Crawfish Festival
March 26–29, 2020 • event
A delicious showcase of Cajun cuisine and seafood

Louisiana Marathon — Louisiana Marathon
January 17–19, 2020 • event
A fast and flat race followed by a vibrant Louisiana-style celebration

Nearby destinations

Best time to visit Texas

Best time to visit Florida

Best time to visit Cancun

Best time to visit Miami

Best time to visit Cuba

Best time to visit Chicago

Best time to visit Mexico

Best time to visit Mexico City

Best time to visit Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.

Best time to visit Guatemala