Stellllaaaaaa performances all round at the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival (photo by Paul Oswell)
Festival season is in full flow, and while most people rightly look to Jazz Fest and French Quarter Fest as the main events this spring, there are so many other options to check out. Here’s a list of the some of the lesser-known events that represent the many facets of New Orleans' varied cultural nooks:
Tennessee Williams Literary Festival (March 22-27)
Book panels, performances of William’s plays and literary presentations take place all across the city. There’s also the famous “Stella!” shouting contest in Jackson Square. WEBSITE
NOLA Chamber Fest (March 23-26)
An annual chamber music festival and competition collaboratively presented by Lyrica Baroque, New Orleans Friends of Music and the University of New Orleans. The festival aims to inspire and motivate musicians through the unique experience of tight-knit collaboration and artistic independence that only chamber music can offer. WEBSITE
2023 Patois New Orleans Human Rights Film Festival (March 23-26)
Founded in 2004 by New Orleans artists and activists, PATOIS: The New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival is dedicated to nurturing the city’s human rights community, supporting the work of local organizers and organizations involved in these struggles, and providing a forum for artistic expression of local and international issues. WEBSITE
Louisiana Crawfish Festival (March 23-26)
Boiled Crawfish with all the fixins & dishes such as Crawfish Bread, Crawfish Pasta, Crawfish Pies, Crawfish Rice, and Crawfish Jambalaya from food stalls. There’s also Cajun bands, kids entertainment and family areas. WEBSITE
Saints and Sinners Literary Festival (March 24-26)
A who’s who of the LGBTQ literary world for a weekend-long extravaganza. This year, the festival makes its highly anticipated return. WEBSITE
Mud Fest (March 25th)
Mud Fest is a fun-filled festival that encourages kids and families to get messy with Louisiana Children’s Museum. Their giant dirt pile is perfect for climbing, building, burrowing, and digging with tools and toys. WEBSITE
Freret Street Festival (March 25th)
A 6-block party where over 200 local artist and chefs, 46 brick and mortar businesses, three stages and twenty band make for one amazing day. WEBSITE
Fête Française (March 25th)
A free outdoor street festival hosted annually by Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orléans. In addition to serving as the school’s largest fundraiser, this fun-filled event celebrates all things uniquely French and helps to keep the Francophone heritage alive and well in New Orleans and Louisiana through a variety of food, music, art, entertainment, children’s activities, and more. WEBSITE
Congo Square Rhythms Festival (March 25-26)
Celebrating the long heritage of what is known as the oldest neighborhood of free African Americans in the United States. There will be two stages celebrating New Orleans traditions that come from the African diaspora: jazz, funk, brass bands, gospel, and blues. WEBSITE
Spring Fiesta 2023! (March 25-26)
French Quarter Courtyard & Home Tours, parades, promenade in Jackson Square, parade carriage rides, and a gala. WEBSITE
Hogs for the Cause (March 31-April 1)
This massive BBQ festival is all about BBQ, bands and of course, the cause. This two- day fest features live music, the battle for best BBQ and lots of family fun. WEBSITE
Tennessee Williams Literary Festival (March 22-27)
Book panels, performances of William’s plays and literary presentations take place all across the city. There’s also the famous “Stella!” shouting contest in Jackson Square. WEBSITE
NOLA Chamber Fest (March 23-26)
An annual chamber music festival and competition collaboratively presented by Lyrica Baroque, New Orleans Friends of Music and the University of New Orleans. The festival aims to inspire and motivate musicians through the unique experience of tight-knit collaboration and artistic independence that only chamber music can offer. WEBSITE
2023 Patois New Orleans Human Rights Film Festival (March 23-26)
Founded in 2004 by New Orleans artists and activists, PATOIS: The New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival is dedicated to nurturing the city’s human rights community, supporting the work of local organizers and organizations involved in these struggles, and providing a forum for artistic expression of local and international issues. WEBSITE
Louisiana Crawfish Festival (March 23-26)
Boiled Crawfish with all the fixins & dishes such as Crawfish Bread, Crawfish Pasta, Crawfish Pies, Crawfish Rice, and Crawfish Jambalaya from food stalls. There’s also Cajun bands, kids entertainment and family areas. WEBSITE
Saints and Sinners Literary Festival (March 24-26)
A who’s who of the LGBTQ literary world for a weekend-long extravaganza. This year, the festival makes its highly anticipated return. WEBSITE
Mud Fest (March 25th)
Mud Fest is a fun-filled festival that encourages kids and families to get messy with Louisiana Children’s Museum. Their giant dirt pile is perfect for climbing, building, burrowing, and digging with tools and toys. WEBSITE
Freret Street Festival (March 25th)
A 6-block party where over 200 local artist and chefs, 46 brick and mortar businesses, three stages and twenty band make for one amazing day. WEBSITE
Fête Française (March 25th)
A free outdoor street festival hosted annually by Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orléans. In addition to serving as the school’s largest fundraiser, this fun-filled event celebrates all things uniquely French and helps to keep the Francophone heritage alive and well in New Orleans and Louisiana through a variety of food, music, art, entertainment, children’s activities, and more. WEBSITE
Congo Square Rhythms Festival (March 25-26)
Celebrating the long heritage of what is known as the oldest neighborhood of free African Americans in the United States. There will be two stages celebrating New Orleans traditions that come from the African diaspora: jazz, funk, brass bands, gospel, and blues. WEBSITE
Spring Fiesta 2023! (March 25-26)
French Quarter Courtyard & Home Tours, parades, promenade in Jackson Square, parade carriage rides, and a gala. WEBSITE
Hogs for the Cause (March 31-April 1)
This massive BBQ festival is all about BBQ, bands and of course, the cause. This two- day fest features live music, the battle for best BBQ and lots of family fun. WEBSITE
