From Mardi Gras to Michelin Stars: 26 reasons to visit New Orleans, USA in 2026

New Orleans in the USA is a city that thrives on food, festivals and celebrations. As 2026 inches closer, the city promises an exciting calendar packed with iconic festivals, world-class music, culinary brilliance, and historic milestones. From Mardi Gras parades to jazz-filled streets, New Orleans offers unforgettable experiences and authentic American charm.


There are endless reasons to visit New Orleans, and as 2026 draws closer, we put together the top 26 things to do and experience in the city!
Participate in a Mardi Gras Parade
New Orleans gears up for one of its biggest annual cultural celebrations with Mardi Gras on January 6 till Fat Tuesday on February 17, during which the whole city comes together with vibrant parades, music, and colours.
Taste the King Cake
Get a taste of the Mardi Gras speciality, king cake, a baked treat combining the flavours of a cinnamon roll and a coffee cake, available in traditional, creative, or savoury forms.
Attend One of the Biggest Concerts

New Orleans is gearing up for the first-ever U.S. Rockin'1000 concert at Caesars Superdome in January, as hundreds of musicians and fans are set to participate in one of the world’s biggest musical congregations, which is coming to the US for the very first time.
Be a Part of Vietnam’s Culture in New Orleans
The city is home to a large Vietnamese population, and Tết Fest, celebrating the Lunar New Year, is a highlight which takes place at Mary Queen of Vietnam Church, filled with authentic food, music, and family-friendly fun.
Catch a Broadway Show
The Broadway scene at the Saenger Theater offers shows year-round, with two seasons from January to June and October to December. The current season continues into winter and spring, with performances of Hell's Kitchen, Water for Elephants, The Phantom of the Opera, The Great Gatsby, Monty Python's Spamalot, and more.

Savour the Crawfish

New Orleans is known for its crawfish, and digging into a pile during the season between February and May is an incredible culinary experience.
Visit during Spring
New Orleans has a busy spring calendar with festivals and events such as St. Patrick’s Day, Easter parades, New Orleans Book Festival (March 12–15), Overlook Film Festival (April 9–12), Hogs for the Cause (April 10–11), French Quarter Fest (April 16–19), and many more setting the spring energy in motion.
Catch a Ballet Performance
Catch a performance at Mahalia Jackson Theater with New Orleans Ballet Association’s yearly events, as Tango After Dark on January 24, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s contemporary choreography on March 21, set the stage on fire.
Celebrate Culture

Another major highlight is the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, an annual celebration of music, art, culture, and heritage taking place from April 23 to May 3, which goes back to its origins in 1970.
Walk in a New Orleans Pride Parade
New Orleans is recognised as one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly cities in the US, and Pride month is celebrated all across the city. June is packed with events such as New Orleans Black Pride, Pridefest, and Southern Decadence.
Celebrate USA’s Semiquincentennial
As part of America's 250th anniversary, New Orleans will see the largest-ever flotilla of tall ships from around the world, creating a majestic nautical spectacle along the historic Mississippi River as well as a parade of sail, public ship tours, fireworks, and a seafood cook-off.
A Fun-filled Summer

The summer season in New Orleans from May to September is jam-packed with an array of festivals celebrating everything from the Creole tomato, jazz legend Louis Armstrong, to the food + wine scene, Running of the Bulls, White Linen Night, and Tales of the Cocktail.
Step into the World of Golf
New Orleans is adding another feather to its cap this June 26–28 with the first-ever LIV Golf, a professional men's golf league at Bayou Oaks at City Park, dispersing the energy of sporting events across town.
A Multicultural Experience
A celebration of Black culture, ESSENCE Festival of Culture, between July 3 and 5, features a series of main stage performances, programming, and speakers tailored to the Black community.
Experience the 2026 Americas Selection of Bocuse d’Or and Pastry World Cup

The Americas selection of the Pastry World Cup and Bocuse d’Or will return to New Orleans and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center July 25–26, 2026, in conjunction with the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) Showcase, the largest restaurant and hospitality industry tradeshow in the US Gulf Region, following a historic debut in New Orleans in 2024.
Take an Amtrak Ride
Take a ride on The Amtrak Mardi Gras Service, Amtrak's newest route, offering departures between New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal and Mobile, Alabama on a scenic coastal journey with stops in Mississippi's most beautiful Gulf Coast destinations.
An Eventful August
August is an eventful month in New Orleans with events such as COOLinary, presenting New Orleans’s culinary offerings and Museum Month, celebrating the league of different museums in the city.

Immerse in the Live Music Scene
New Orleans’ music scene is an undying celebration of local musicians, music venues, and New Orleans culture. From catching a show at any jazz club or a NOLAxNOLA show in September, the city pulsates with music in every vein.
Taste New Orleans’ Culinary Wonders

New Orleans’ love affair with food is undeniable, with dishes like gumbo, po’boys, beignets, and jambalaya tracing centuries of cooking traditions and local flavours. Apart from the endless food joints serving these delicacies, fall is a great time to explore New Orleans’ culinary side with festivals such as National Fried Chicken Fest, Crescent City Blues & BBQ Fest, Beignet Fest, Oak Street Po-Boy Fest, Treme Creole Gumbo Fest, and more gracing the air.
Discover the Sporting Culture
New Orleans has a dedicated sporting culture with NFL and NBA teams dialling up the sports pulse all year round. Special events such as the Savanna Bananas in March or the Savanna Bananas in September add to the sports fever even more.
Uncover the Spooky Side
The city is known for its spooky history, and during Halloween, haunted houses, ghost tours, and the Krewe of BOO! Parade keeping the spookies alive.

Encounter the Michelin Stars
In 2025, the MICHELIN Guide honoured top New Orleans restaurants in a historic first selection. Emeril’s stands alone as the only restaurant in the MICHELIN Guide American South to receive two MICHELIN Stars, while Zasu and Saint-Germain each earned one star.
Honour Thanksgiving Traditions

Bayou Classic is an annual tradition each Thanksgiving weekend, with four decades of football games held mostly in New Orleans. It is about more than just football, and is a cultural celebration of Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU), with a Battle of the Bands, parade, and fanfare throughout the weekend.
Holiday the New Orleans Way
Holidays in New Orleans is a monthlong celebration of the season with Celebration in the Oaks, NOLA Christmas Fest, the Manning Family Children's Holiday Parade, Algiers Bonfire Festival, and more, plus shopping, dining, music, and fun festivities, embracing the cheer of the joyous month.
Ring in the New Year
Ultimately, ring in the New Year at a lively New Orleans party, restaurant, concert, or family-friendly event.

So in 2026, New Orleans is waiting to impress you!


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