Janet Jackson plays at the 30th Essence Festival this July
Summer in New Orleans may be slower but there's still a raft of events happening over July and August. Here are some cultural highlights for the coming months.
JULY
4th
July 4th Celebrations
Lots of events across the city, including the Dat Dog hotdog eating contest, Go Fourth on the River and the city’s evening fireworks display.
ESSENCE Festival of Culture
The largest African-American culture and music event in the country celebrates its 30th anniversary, with music, movies, lifestyle and educational seminars and much more. Through July 7th. More info
Black Girl Giggles Festival Shows
The local comedy collective has some great comedy shows all across Essence weekend, with headliners such as our own Saya Meads, Geneva Joy and many more very funny comics. More info
11th
Anything Goes
Part of the Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre 2024 season. Embark on a journey filled with music, dance, and romance in the toe-tapping extravaganza. This 2022 Revision of the classic tale brings an abundance of dance music and timeless hits including "I Get a Kick Out of You," "You're the Top," and "Let's Misbehave". More info
Mean Girls
Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts is presenting the regional premiere of this pop culture hit. The hilarious and poignant Broadway adaptation of Tina Fey’s cult teen movie that delivers sharp wit, catchy songs, and a powerful message about kindness. More info
12th
Running of the Bulls
The city’s own version of Spain’s Encierro de Pamplona. Runners gather in the traditional colors of Spain’s bull run and run from the Big Easy Roller Derby, who chase runners with plastic bats on their roller skates. More info
Bastille Day Fête
The annual festival celebrating the French national holiday, Bastille Day Fête is back at the Alliance Française. There will be live music, a silent disco, French food & drinks, games, and more! More info
18th
A Streetcar Named Desire
The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans returns to the Marigny Opera House with A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. Williams’ Iconic Pulitzer Prize-winning drama that follows Blanche’s odyssey from the columns of her ancestral Mississippi Delta mansion into the depths of the French Quarter is fraught with steamy sensuality. More info
21st
Tales of the Cocktail
A week-long celebration of cocktails and mixology, with seminars, demonstrations, tasting sessions, parties and much more. Through July 26th. More info
AUGUST
1st
Museum Month
An annual collaboration between museums of all sizes across the greater New Orleans area during the month of August. Through August 31stt. More info
COOLinary
Enjoy over a month of deals at participating restaurants and feast your way through New Orleans. Specially priced three-course lunches, dinners, and brunches can be found all throughout the city. More info
Pippin
Part of the Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre 2024 season. With an electrifying score by Stephen Schwartz, this Tony Award-winning musical revival enchants audiences. Join Pippin, heir to the Frankish throne, on a journey through battles, temptations, and political intrigue in search of true fulfillment. Yet, amidst the grandeur, he learns that happiness is found in life's simplest moments. More info
3rd
White Linen Night
Guests don their finest white linen attire and take to the streets to explore the city’s art scene. Julia Street transforms, hosting a multitude of galleries, live music, food and drink, and art installations. More info
Satchmo Summer Fest
An annual summer music festival that honors the music and legacy of one of the city’s favorite sons, Louis ‘Satchmo’ Armstrong. Stages are set up around the U.S. Mint in the French Quarter. Through August 4th. More info
10th
Red Dress Run
A charity run, hosted by the New Orleans Hash House Harriers. All participants wear red attire - specifically, dresses. The event involves a two-mile run, beginning at Crescent Park in the Bywater. More info
Dirty Linen Night
A response to White Linen Night, this time it’s the galleries of the French Quarter who open their doors with music, drinks and special exhibitions. More info
30th
Southern Decadence
The multi-day event is a combination of New Orleans Pride and Mardi Gras. Attendees from all over the world arrive for street parties, concerts, club events, a parade, and much more. More info
JULY
4th
July 4th Celebrations
Lots of events across the city, including the Dat Dog hotdog eating contest, Go Fourth on the River and the city’s evening fireworks display.
ESSENCE Festival of Culture
The largest African-American culture and music event in the country celebrates its 30th anniversary, with music, movies, lifestyle and educational seminars and much more. Through July 7th. More info
Black Girl Giggles Festival Shows
The local comedy collective has some great comedy shows all across Essence weekend, with headliners such as our own Saya Meads, Geneva Joy and many more very funny comics. More info
11th
Anything Goes
Part of the Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre 2024 season. Embark on a journey filled with music, dance, and romance in the toe-tapping extravaganza. This 2022 Revision of the classic tale brings an abundance of dance music and timeless hits including "I Get a Kick Out of You," "You're the Top," and "Let's Misbehave". More info
Mean Girls
Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts is presenting the regional premiere of this pop culture hit. The hilarious and poignant Broadway adaptation of Tina Fey’s cult teen movie that delivers sharp wit, catchy songs, and a powerful message about kindness. More info
12th
Running of the Bulls
The city’s own version of Spain’s Encierro de Pamplona. Runners gather in the traditional colors of Spain’s bull run and run from the Big Easy Roller Derby, who chase runners with plastic bats on their roller skates. More info
Bastille Day Fête
The annual festival celebrating the French national holiday, Bastille Day Fête is back at the Alliance Française. There will be live music, a silent disco, French food & drinks, games, and more! More info
18th
A Streetcar Named Desire
The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans returns to the Marigny Opera House with A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. Williams’ Iconic Pulitzer Prize-winning drama that follows Blanche’s odyssey from the columns of her ancestral Mississippi Delta mansion into the depths of the French Quarter is fraught with steamy sensuality. More info
21st
Tales of the Cocktail
A week-long celebration of cocktails and mixology, with seminars, demonstrations, tasting sessions, parties and much more. Through July 26th. More info
AUGUST
1st
Museum Month
An annual collaboration between museums of all sizes across the greater New Orleans area during the month of August. Through August 31stt. More info
COOLinary
Enjoy over a month of deals at participating restaurants and feast your way through New Orleans. Specially priced three-course lunches, dinners, and brunches can be found all throughout the city. More info
Pippin
Part of the Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre 2024 season. With an electrifying score by Stephen Schwartz, this Tony Award-winning musical revival enchants audiences. Join Pippin, heir to the Frankish throne, on a journey through battles, temptations, and political intrigue in search of true fulfillment. Yet, amidst the grandeur, he learns that happiness is found in life's simplest moments. More info
3rd
White Linen Night
Guests don their finest white linen attire and take to the streets to explore the city’s art scene. Julia Street transforms, hosting a multitude of galleries, live music, food and drink, and art installations. More info
Satchmo Summer Fest
An annual summer music festival that honors the music and legacy of one of the city’s favorite sons, Louis ‘Satchmo’ Armstrong. Stages are set up around the U.S. Mint in the French Quarter. Through August 4th. More info
10th
Red Dress Run
A charity run, hosted by the New Orleans Hash House Harriers. All participants wear red attire - specifically, dresses. The event involves a two-mile run, beginning at Crescent Park in the Bywater. More info
Dirty Linen Night
A response to White Linen Night, this time it’s the galleries of the French Quarter who open their doors with music, drinks and special exhibitions. More info
30th
Southern Decadence
The multi-day event is a combination of New Orleans Pride and Mardi Gras. Attendees from all over the world arrive for street parties, concerts, club events, a parade, and much more. More info