New Orleans Mardi Gras, Jazzfest, french quarter fest and more

	Festivals \| Mardi Gras
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Events
Key dates and festivals during 2005/2006
4-7 Aug 2005	Satchmo Summer Fest 2005
28 Feb 2006	Mardi Gras 2006
21-23 Apr 2006	French Quarter Festival 2006
28 Apr - 7 May 2006	New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2006

New Orleans Festivals

New Orleans celebrates pretty much everything and rarely does a month go by without an excuse to dust off your fancy dress, hit the streets and party. As well as the major organised events like Mardi Gras and JazzFest, the party atmosphere is out in force at other times of year like Halloween when the bars are filled with revelers in elaborate costumes. Depending on what sort of holiday you want, you may or may not want to visit at a time when one of the major celebrations is on. But whatever your preference, you'll find all you need to know to make an informed decision right here.

Festival Photos

Battle of the Bands at the French Quarter Festival New Orleans

Mardi Gras

The greatest party on Earth? New Orleans Mardi Gras ('Fat Tuesday') is the culmination of weeks of parades and parties that begin in early January and culminate on the Tuesday before Lent...celebrated across Europe as pancake day. On Mardi Gras day all of the parade floats (built by friendly societies known as Krewes) form a seemingly endless convoy along St Charles Avenue and cruise towards the French Quarter where the party really begins. Mardi Gras is a spectacle to behold, with something for everyone. Children and families will enjoy catching beads from the passing floats on St Charles. Adults can soak up the bawdy revelry in the French Quarter. If you want a relaxing or quiet holiday then Mardi Gras is not the time to visit New Orleans, otherwise read on...

French Quarter Festival

French Quarter Festival is the locals' JazzFest. Held just before the bigger, world famous New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, French Quarter Fest is a celebration of New Orleans food and music. For fans of traditional New Orleans Jazz, this festival can be a better choice than its larger sister. Originally intended as a small festival for residents, the French Quarter Fest is now a major tourist attraction. The three day festival includes 150 live performances showcased on 15 stages that line Bourbon Street and the grounds of the Old US Mint. A highlight of the festival is the battle the bands...a play-off between three local jazz bands. Local food stalls provide sustenance throughout. And the best bit? It's all free.

Jazz & Heritage Festival

A whole week of jazz music in New Orleans City Park close the the Fairgrounds where Buddy Bolden and the early jazz greats used to perform. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival features music across the whole spectrum of jazz. This is a world-famous festival and the city is heaving during JazzFest week. Early booking of flights, accommodation, event tickets and evening concerts is essential.

Satchmo SummerFest

The little music festival held at the height of summer when temperatures soar and all you really want to do is perch under a tree with a Mint Julep and wile away the hours to the sound of music. Satchmo SummerFest is a celebration of local boy and king of jazz Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong's birthday. As a result it features a plethora of brass bands and brass players as well as lectures on jazz history, the life of Louis and other educational events. Held mainly in the grounds of the Old US Mint, this can be a great time to visit (if you can stand the heat) as it's traditionally low season in the city.