Down here in New Orleans, we are in the thick of festival season. As if there weren’t already several reasons to visit the Crescent City, the amazing spring & summer festivals are sure to attract visitors from across the country.

French Quarter Festival (April 6-9) was a huge success with over 700,000 attendees. Aaron Neville drew a large crowd and even gained the attention of Trombone Shorty who completely rescheduled a trip to see Neville perform. French Quarter Fest has made a large effort in recent years to book big time New Orleans artists that may have been overlooked by others. It is a wonderful salute to the talented individuals that this city has bred. Along with wonderful musicians, the festival features food and beverages from some of the city’s best known restaurants. For those of you who missed out this spring, be sure to join us next April for more cultural fun.

Aaron Neville – By David Harris

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is just around the corner (April 28-30 & May 4-7). Jazz Fest has quite the line-up this year with headliners including Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Maroon 5, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, Kings of Leon, Usher, Meghan Trainor, Lorde, Snoop Dogg, and Pitbull. There is a major name for each and every generation to enjoy. Along with the bigger names, Jazz Fest prides itself on featuring local artists as well. The Rebirth Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins, and Deacon John will all be performing. While the music acts are what guests come for, the food is what makes them stay. Crawfish Bread, Fried Chicken, Meat Pies, and Shrimp Poboys are just a few of the delicious delicacies available. You won’t want to miss out on this magnificent celebration of music and cuisine at The Fair Grounds.

Jazz Fest – By Burt Chandler

Another fabulous festival that many enjoy is New Orleans Oyster Festival (June 3-4). To really kick off summer, you can head on out to Woldenberg Riverfront Park and experience all things oyster. The festival highlights unique flavors and dishes from the local restaurants. To accompany these tasty treats, Oyster Fest hosts live music and arts & crafts. A personal favorite is the famous oyster shucking contest. Competition always means more fun!

Bourbon House BBQ Oyster Poboy – By Paul Broussard

Besides these larger, more well-known festivals, New Orleans is also home to The French Film Festival (April 21-27), Brunch Fest (April 22^nd), New Orleans Wine and Food Experience (May 25-28), Greek Fest (May 26-28), and the ACCENT produced event FestiGals (June 22-24) along with several others. You don’t want to miss the festive fun that our city has to offer!! Come on down to The Big Easy!

FestiGals Bodacious Bras for a Cause Brunch