Special Events in New Orleans, Louisiana

The French Market Tomato Festival & Cajun & Zydeco Festival
June 9-10, 2012
The French Market’s Annual Creole Tomato Festival on June 9 and 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.

Satchmo SummerFest
Aug 2-5, 2012 and 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

Bayou Classic
Nov 23-24, 2012
Nov 29-30, 2013
"The State Farm Bayou Classic is more than just a football game; with its colorful and glorified history, the State Farm Bayou Classic is a unique family fellowship that exists within a football game. The State Farm Bayou Classic has become the greatest and most distinguishable sporting event in all of Black America.

Everyone loves a grudge match. And that's what football fans can expect at the Bayou Classic sponsored by State Farm Insurance Companies. Every year, the game is a sell-out, attracting more than 62,000 fans. It'll be another terrific game this year as the Grambling State University Tigers and Southern University Jaguars football teams line up on the field to battle it out!

The gridiron match-up between Grambling State University and Southern University, two great Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) rivals, represents the best that collegiate sports have to offer: teamwork, tradition, passion and fierce competition." Source: statefarmbayouclassic.com 

Allstate Sugar Bowl
Jan. 2, 2013 and 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. 

Super Bowl XLVII
February 3, 2013
The 47th edition of the Super Bowl and the 43rd modern era National Football League championship game is scheduled to be played in 2013 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Mardi Gras
Feb 12, 2013 and Mar 4, 2014
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

Crescent City Classic
March 30, 2013
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.

Women's Final Four
April 5 - 7, 2013  

French Quarter Festival
April 11- 14, 2013
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.

Zurich Golf Classic
April 25 - 28, 2013
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
April 26 - 28, 2013 and May 2 - 5, 2013
"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

Essence Music Festival
July 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   

NBA All Star Game
Feb. 16, 2014
New Orleans is slated to host the 63rd NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, February 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.