Be sure to join us at the Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, New Orleans French Quarter hotel when you're in the area attending these New Orleans Special Events!
Essence Music Festival
Jul 4–7, 2013
"The Essence Music Festival is the nation's largest annual gathering of African-American musical talent featuring an unprecedented three days of cultural celebrations and ESSENCE Empowerment Seminars and three nights of musical performances. The Festival has featured some of the biggest names in entertainment including Prince, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Lionel Richie, Chris Brown and more! Birthed in New Orleans in 1995, the Essence Music Festival is held every Fourth of July weekend, bringing more than 200,000 attendees to the Crescent City and adding more than $1 billion to Louisiana's local economy. In 2007, presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton made special appearances at the Essence Music Festival. In 2008, CNN reported live on-site throughout the weekend; partnering with ESSENCE to develop and tape a co-branded special presentation "Black in America: Reclaiming the Dream". Source: www.essence.com/about
Africa Umoja
July 9–14, 2013
Experience the culture, color, sights and sounds of South Africa in this globally celebrated theatrical event, coming to the Mahalia Jackson as part of its U.S. tour this July. Tickets are on sale now – you won't want to miss it!
Tales of the Cocktail
Jul 17–21, 2013
This summer the industry’s most influential bartenders and spirit lovers from around the globe will drink in every ounce of cocktail knowledge and culture at Tales of the Cocktail® 2013. The world s premier cocktail festival returns to New Orleans with another non-stop schedule of educational seminars, tasting rooms, Spirited Dinners®, Spirited Awards®, competitions and more.
Satchmo SummerFest
Aug 1–4, 2013
"This year's attendance figures indicate that over 26,000 festival-goers gathered together to pay tribute to the life, legacy and music of Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong as well as to immerse themselves in the culture, food, music and everything that New Orleans has to offer. Even with early afternoon rain on Saturday and Sunday, the attendance numbers mirrored those of the 2008 festival.
With the success of this year's festival, it is evident that Satchmo SummerFest has become a cherished event for locals and visitors, including a great number of international travelers. This year's festival featured three stages of music throughout the grounds of the Louisiana State Old US Mint which included genres such as traditional jazz, contemporary jazz, and brass bands.
Satchmo SummerFest features uniquely New Orleans events that take place during the festival weekend. Beginning with the Satchmo Art show on Wednesday, incredible crowds were seen at all events. Over one hundred attendees gathered in Armstrong Park to celebrate at the Satchmo Birthday Party. On Sunday, patrons packed into St. Augustine Church to participate in the heralded Jazz Mass where, upon conclusion, crowds flocked into the streets to join in the second-line parade to the festival." Source: www.fqfi.org/satchmosummerfest
Southern Decadence
Aug 30–Sep 2, 2013
New Orleans knows how to throw a party, and our Pride celebration is no exception. Round-the-clock dancing and a blowout parade are just part of the rowdy good time - so come OUT and play!
VooDoo Experience
Nov 1–3, 2013
Voodoo Experience, also commonly referred to as Voodoo or Voodoo Fest, is a three-day music and arts festival held in City Park on Halloween weekend. The Voodoo Experience is known for its blending of high profile national artists from all genres along with local Louisiana musicians on multiple stages
Bayou Classic
Nov 29–30, 2013
The Bayou Classic is more than just a football game; with its colorful and glorified history, the Bayou Classic is a unique family fellowship that exists within a football game. The Bayou Classic features one of America’s greatest college sports rivalries, bringing the fans and alumni of Southern University and Grambling State University to New Orleans for a celebration of football, family and the traditions and pageantry surrounding Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The two schools split the proceeds from a series of Bayou Classic events. These proceeds provide support to the campuses' athletic programs and fund scholarships through the SU System Foundation and the GSU Foundation. Source: www.mybayouclassic.com
Allstate Sugar Bowl
Jan 2, 2014
The Allstate Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes Benz Superdome. The Allstate Sugar Bowl has been played annually since 1935. Along with the Orange Bowl and Sun Bowl (also played annually since 1935), the Sugar Bowl is the second-oldest bowl game in the country, behind the Rose Bowl (first played 1902, played annually since 1916). The Sugar Bowl is also a member of the Bowl Championship Series.
NBA All Star Game
Feb 16, 2014
New Orleans is slated to host the 63rd NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb 16, 2014. The 2014 All-Star Game will be played at New Orleans Arena, home of the Hornets. This will mark the second time that NBA All-Star will be hosted in New Orleans, having previously been held in the "Crescent City" in 2008.
"There is no better place to celebrate and showcase the NBA than in New Orleans, a city with a rich tradition of hosting major events that is second-to-none. Our 2008 NBA All-Star festivities proved a terrific experience for everyone involved, and we anticipate 2014 will be even better." A weeklong celebration, NBA All-Star showcases NBA players' passion for basketball, engagement with fans, commitment to community and respect for the history and tradition of the game.
Mardi Gras
Mar 4, 2014 and Feb 17, 2015
Mardi Gras parades usually start in the New Orleans area two Fridays before Mardi Gras Day.
"The celebration of Mardi Gras came to North America from France where it had been celebrated since the Middle Ages. In 1699, French explorer, Iberville, and his men explored the Mississippi River from the Gulf of Mexico. On a spot 60 miles south of the present location of New Orleans, they set up camp on the river’s West Bank. Knowing that the day, March 3rd, was being celebrated as a major holiday in Paris, they christened the site Point du Mardi Gras.
But, Mardi Gras’ roots predate the French. Many see a relationship to the ancient tribal rituals of fertility that welcomed the arrival of Spring. A possible ancestor of the celebration was the Lupercalia, a circus-like orgy held in mid-February in Rome. The early Church fathers, realizing that it was impossible to divorce their new converts from their pagan customs, decided instead to direct them into Christian channels. Thus Carnival was created as a period of merriment that would serve as a prelude to the penitential season of Lent." Source: Arthur Hardy's Mardi Gras Guide
WrestleMania XXX
Apr 3–6, 2014
WrestleMania XXX, WWE's biggest event of the year is coming to New Orleans. It will begin with a week of events leading up to the main event which will be held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The festivities will take place in and around the city. WrestleMania is more than just a one day event; it's a week-long celebration. In addition to WrestleMania XXX, other activities will include: WrestleMania Axxess – WWE's four-day interactive fan festival at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center; the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony; Monday Night Raw; WrestleMania Reading Challenge Finals; Be a STAR anti-bullying rallies; hospital visits and other pro-social activities designed to give back to the host community.
French Quarter Festival
Apr 10–13, 2014
French Quarter Festival showcases the finest music, food and culture this uniquely New Orleans event has to offer. The award-winning festival is a favorite of locals and tourists alike and is the largest FREE music festival in the South. Over 18 stages in prime locations throughout the French Quarter present over 250 hours of the best music New Orleans has to offer with 450 musicians representing every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to rhythm & blues and New Orleans funk, to brass bands, folk, gospel, Latin, classical and international music. More than 70 food and beverage booths located in Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and the Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S. Mint will feature authentic local cuisine from the area's finest restaurants.
Crescent City Classic
Apr 19, 2014
With top runners from throughout the world participating in previous years, the annual Crescent City Classic 10k has grown to become one of New Orleans' largest 10k races. The race takes participants throughout the city from historic Jackson Square to the modern financial district, past the elegant old homes of Esplanade Avenue and on to the ancient moss-draped oaks of City Park for a post-race celebration.
The Classic is organized by The Crescent City Fitness Foundation. The race is open to anyone who wishes to participate. It is a favorite with local runners and walkers from the New Orleans area as well as world-class athletes who view this race as one of the top races of its kind. The party following the race is also open to the runners' families and friends for a small admission fee. The celebration features some of New Orleans' favorite music as well as plenty of food and drink. The Crescent City Health and Fitness Expo, held the Thursday and Friday before the race, is also open to the public.
Zurich Golf Classic
Apr 24–27, 2014
TPC Louisiana is proud to be the permanent host of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Louisiana's premier tournament and the PGA TOUR's annual stop in the state. The Zurich Classic features the PGA TOUR's biggest names combined with the New Orleans' greatest food and music – all ready to enjoy right on the golf course. This is the PGA TOUR served up New Orleans style.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Apr 25–Apr 27, 2014 and May 1–May 4, 2014
"From the very beginning, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival was envisioned as an important event that would have great cultural significance and popular appeal. The Festival was the culmination of years of discussions and efforts by city leaders who wanted to create an event worthy of the city's legacy as the birthplace of jazz. A couple of other festivals were held in the years leading up to the first New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, but those events, different in format, did not take hold as the Jazz & Heritage Festival would." Source: www.nojazzfest.com
The French Market Tomato Festival & Cajun & Zydeco Festival
Jun 14–15, 2014
The French Market's Annual Creole Tomato Festival on Jun 9–10 celebrates its 26th anniversary as well as six years of continued partnerships between the French Market, Louisiana Seafood and Promotions Board (Louisiana Seafood Festival) and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation (Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival). This year festival-goers will be treated to cool misting and children's activities in Dutch Alley, a new shady and breezy French Market stage near the tree-lined and fountain-filled LaTrobe Park (behind the Gazebo Café) that will feature music programmed by the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival, and a 100 x 40-foot air-conditioned food demo tent alongside the Flea Market, sponsored and coordinated by the Louisiana Seafood and Promotion Board.
