On behalf of New Orleans & Company, reaching out with a reminder on why it’s a great time to visit New Orleans in Q1…
January 2022 (Average high of 64°): While most are seeing the end of the holidays, NOLA rolls from one celebration to the next when they kicked of Carnival season on January 6 which goes through March 1. Indulge in a king cake (or two or three or six), check out the first parades of the season (I heard today that they’re planning one dedicated to Betty White!!) or catch a theatre performance.
Jan 17 marks Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the Ashé Cultural Arts Center is your place for a weekend full of events, including a Day of Wellness. Enjoy a pop-up art market at the New Orleans African American Museum on MLK Day. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art has free museum admission, plus children’s activities and school group performances throughout the day. The New Orleans Museum of Art also has free admission and activities. Help beautify the Lafitte Greenway, or clean up City Park with their annual day of service. Or read up on some of the streets and parks in New Orleans named after Civil Rights leaders here.
February 2022 (Average of 66° but layers will be your best friend): Mardi Gras! While the date fluctuates year by year, Mardi Gras Day, oftentimes referred to as Fat Tuesday, typically falls during the month of February. The days leading up to the most special Tuesday of the year are filled with parades all across the city. Some of the best to experience are Krewe du Vieux, Muses, Endymion, and more. Try and catch a coveted Zulu coconut or beads from Rex on Mardi Gras Day. Browse the full list of Mardi Gras parades here and check for future Mardi Gras dates in advance.
Beyond the excitement of Mardi Gras and carnival season, there’s plenty more to see and do in Crescent City. The annual Tet Fest celebrates the Vietnamese New Year in New Orleans East. The fest features traditional Vietnamese food, performances, music and activities.
Black History Month kicks off in February and you can be sure that New Orleans has tons of citywide events, performances, showcases, and community service efforts that take place all month long in celebration of Black History Month. Take part in the planned events or create your own with our New Orleans Black History Itinerary.
March 2022 (Average high of 73°): March is a transitional month in New Orleans. As the excitement from Mardi Gras dies down and the weather warms up, the city is preparing for its next big mission: spring festivals. With local festivals throughout the city, March is an ideal month for travellers looking to experience New Orleans and its culture without being overwhelmed by larger crowds.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the Irish Channel Parade throughout the Lower Garden District – an annual event that locals and visitors alike take part in each year. Consider yourself a bookworm? Both the Tennessee Williams and Saints and Sinners literary festivals take place in March. Enjoy special activities, guest authors and speakers, booking signings and other literary fanatics at each fest.
If you’re a self-proclaimed foodie then Top Taco and Hogs for the Cause are two fests you won’t want to miss out on. One has unlimited tacos and tequila, and the other is a BBQ cookoff where you’re the judge and all proceeds go to fighting pediatric brain cancer. What more could you ask for?
If you’re looking for something you can only find in New Orleans then you have to pass by the Mardi Gras Indian Super Sunday. This is the perfect time to learn more about New Orleans’ Mardi Gras Indian culture and experience a second line.
The Wednesday at the Square concert series is a free music fest that features local performers. It’s an ideal family-friendly event for music lovers and musicians alike. Buku Festival is an immersive arts + music festival. Highlighted genres include EDM, hip-hop, indie rock and more.
