Essence Fest Is Back and Better Than Ever
14 Facts About New Orleans French Quarter Fest
New Orleans festivals celebrate anything you can imagine, including art, crawfish, po-boys, beer, music, fried chicken, playwrights, and much more. The French Quarter Fest is one of the Big Easy’s most anticipated events, giving locals and visitors a chance to experience some of the city’s best music and food.
Top Haunted Halloween Experiences in New Orleans
New Orleans is one of the most haunted cities in America and for good reason. The Big Easy is steeped in tales of ghosts, vampires, and eerie happenings. Therefore, it’s no surprise that thousands of people flock to NOLA for Halloween each year. The only holiday that beats those numbers is Mardi Gras.
8 Ways to Celebrate Father’s Day in New Orleans
Are you planning on spending Father’s Day in New Orleans? Lucky for you, there are tons of ways to celebrate Dad’s big day with food, fish, festivals, and of course, non-stop fun. Show Dad how much he means to you, NOLA-style, with these top-notch Father’s Day activities in and around the Big Easy.
Summer Festivals You Gotta See in New Orleans
Yes, summertime in New Orleans gets hot, but that doesn’t stop the fun. In New Orleans, every season is the best time for a festival, and summer is no exception. Plus, it’s one of the best times to visit New Orleans if you want to snag some great travel deals.
It’s Southern Decadence Time In New Orleans
Things start to kick off the Wednesday before Labor Day and stretch through the Sunday before. However, many participants hang around until the following Tuesday because the party’s just that much fun. In 2023, Southern Decadence takes place in New Orleans from August 31st through September 4th. The celebration is one of the city’s most significant annual events, joining the ranks with massive spectacles like Mardi Gras, Essence Fest, and Jazz Fest.
TAYLOR SWIFT’S ERAS TOUR IS COMING TO NEW ORLEANS FOR 3 SURPRISE SHOWS!
You were the lucky ones to score Taylor Swift Eras Concert Tour tickets in New Orleans, now what should you do? Taylor Swift is coming to New Orleans in October 2024 for three shows at the Caesar’s Superdome. Before you head to the Big Easy, here is everything you need to know about where to stay in NOLA.
7 Reasons New Orleans Is the Best Place to Celebrate New Year’s Eve
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in one of the world's most exciting and vibrant cities, New Orleans. Between the incredible food, dynamic music, and non-stop festivities, you’ll find something for everyone when you’re spending the New Year in the Big Easy.
The History of the French Quarter Easter Parade
It’s unsurprising that New Orleans is home to many Easter parades. After all, every year during carnival, parade after parade rolls through the city and surrounding areas, culminating in the greatest free show on earth on Mardi Gras Day. One of the most iconic Easter traditions in New Orleans is the Historic French Quarter Easter Parade.
It’s Southern Decadence Time In New Orleans
Each Labor Day weekend, New Orleans hosts one of the biggest annual events in the world that many fondly call the “Gay Mardi Gras.” Southern Decadence started over 50 years ago as a small going-away party and has exploded into one of the top Labor Day Weekend destinations for thousands of members of the LGBTQ+ community.
10 Reasons to Visit New Orleans in Summer 2022
Sure, NOLA gets hot and humid in the summer, and it's the kick-off of hurricane season. But it's also a great time to snag amazing deals on hotels and food and catch some very special events. Visiting New Orleans in the summer means COOLinary restaurant deals, Essence Fest, Satchmo Fest, July 4th celebrations, and so much more.
Must-See Upcoming Museum Exhibits in New Orleans
Between the outstanding food, world-famous music scene, and nonstop entertainment, New Orleans overflows with unique cultural experiences. The city's also no stranger to incredible art, both from local and global artisans and cr
Jazz Fest Food You Don’t Want to Miss
There’s no denying that Jazz Fest is one of the most legendary festivals, spanning 10 days in NOLA. Visitors flock to the Big Easy from all over the globe to experience the fantastic music, complete with mega headliners. But Jazz Fest isn’t just about music; there’s a whole other side to this festival that can’t be missed -- the food.
It’s Easter in New Orleans, Ya’ll: Five Ways to Celebrate
Anywhere else, Easter might mean going to mass, participating in an egg hunt, and chowing down on candy from the Easter Bunny. But, in New Orleans, Easter is a fabulous all-out affair, featuring fantastic brunches, colorful parades, and egg-citing extras.
St. Patrick's Day NOLA Style: Four Ways To Celebrate In The French Quarter
It’s no surprise that a city known for its celebratory nature has its own special ways of enjoying St. Paddy’s Day. This day o’ green, and the days leading up, are usually marked by parading, lots and lots of beer, and cabbage. For an unforgettable St. Patrick’s Day experience, enjoy some of the uniquely Irish events and places NOLA has to offer.
A Romantic Valentine’s Day In New Orleans 2022
There’s a reason locals say “Every day is Valentine’s Day in New Orleans.” NOLA is one of the most romantic cities in the world, so it’s the ideal destination for Valentine’s Day 2022. You’ll find some of the best music, food, and people in the world here. So, show the love of your life just how special they are with a romance-filled New Orleans vacation or staycation.
Satchmo Summerfest Returns to New Orleans
Satchmo Summerfest will take place the weekend of July 31 through August 1 at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, celebrating the life of beloved New Orleans musician Louis Armstrong.
Experience July 4th the New Orleans Way
The 4th of July is just around the corner, and the festivities lined up for that weekend are the perfect way to celebrate!
LGBTQ in NOLA: City of Acceptance
In a city as vibrant and diverse as New Orleans, it’s no surprise that it has a rich and celebrated LGBTQ culture.
How to Speak Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Here’s a handy guide to some of the most popular words and phrases you’ll hear throughout the carnival season!
Celebrating New Year's Eve in New Orleans
Well, lucky for you, there are several socially-distanced ways to celebrate and some special events that are planned to ring in the New Year in New Orleans.
The Arts, NOLA Style: Take To the Streets
If you had to pick just one thing that makes New Orleans truly stand out, it would have to be its people. NOLA’s culture is so diverse and rich, that the different people with their vast array of traditions, beliefs, and customs all weave together to create a beautiful web of authenticity that gives New Orleans its soul.
Getting Around NOLA Style: All About the New Orleans Streetcar
One of the great features you can enjoy when you stay in the Big Easy is the convenient access to the authentic New Orleans Streetcar. Besides being a go-to form of public transportation for locals, the streetcars are also a tourist destination all their own. Here’s a closer look at everything you need to know about NOLA’s iconic mode of transportation.
New Orleans Tailgating Guide
Whether you came to town for a Saints game or you are a long-time resident of the city, you’ll want to have the best tailgating experience. Read our complete New Orleans tailgating guide and you won’t miss a beat.
Kicking Off Carnival in the French Quarter
Millions flock to New Orleans each year for Mardi Gras, but this festive celebration is much more than one day. In 2023, Mardi Gras is on February 21, but the Carnival season kicks off every year on January 6th.
The Start of Essence Fest in New Orleans
Since its beginnings in 1995, Essence Fest has aspired to showcase African-American culture through food, entertainment, and lectures. The first-ever Essence Fest was intended as a one-time event to honor Essence Magazine’s 25th anniversary. But it quickly became so much more than that.
Over the years, the event started to grow and expand, soon becoming one of the most iconic events in the country. Every year, the Essence Festival of Culture occurs over the July 4th weekend, making for one super party in the Big Easy. Between the festival and the July 4th celebrations, there’s no shortage of fun and festivities.
The Essence Festival of Culture 2022
Today, Essence Fest draws in over 530,000 people every year, empowering black women through a celebration of culture and a slew of special events. These events include presentations from professionals that teach about personal development, leadership, building wealth, business topics, and much more.
There will also be stand-out performances from incredible talents like Nicki Minaj, Janet Jackson, Jazmine Sullivan, and Kevin Hart. Visitors will get to enjoy loads of fantastic food and incredible music and get to check out beautiful wares from various vendors.
Things to Know Before You Go
If you’re planning to attend Essence Fest in 2022, you need to know a few things. First off, Essence Fest welcomes everyone with open arms, regardless of race, so don’t miss this amazing event.
Currently, all attendees must show a valid ID and proof of Covid-19 vaccination. The fest will not be able to honor medical and religious exemptions. However, those who wish to participate and are not vaccinated can still enjoy Essence Fest virtually via ESSENCEstudios.com.
Most of the events taking place from June 30th to July 3rd will be in the Caesars Superdome or the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. You can purchase tickets for the entire weekend or get single-night tickets. Tickets are non-refundable.
Book Your Hotel Reservations Early
Don’t delay in booking your accommodations for the weekend. Hotels fill up fast as people flock to the Crescent City by the thousands to experience this awesome event.