Bayou Boogaloo

The 11^th Annual Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo runs from May 20-22. The festival is located in Bayou St. John, a beautiful area in Mid-City near City Park with a grass space to fit a small festival and a canal where visitors can rent out kayaks and listen to music on the water. Headliners this year are The Wailers, Irma Thomas and Lowrider Band accompanied by tons of local acts and performers. The festival is free to the public.

Greek Fest

A weekend fit for the gods, Greek Fest has been celebrating Greek culture in New Orleans for 43 years through traditional cuisine and music. The festival runs May 27-29 in Bayou St. John. $7 daily admission includes Hellenic dance performances, cathedral tours, cooking demonstrations and much more. Those sporting a tasteful toga on May 29 earn free admission and get to compete for Best Toga. There will also be a festival 5K walk/run May 27.

International Beer Festival

The New Orleans International Beer Festival returns for its 5th year highlighting craft beers from around the world. For a $40 ticket to gain general admission, festival goers can keep a souvenir mug and enjoy unlimited samplings of over 150 different kinds of beer. The festival is June 4 at Champions Square and will feature educational sessions on anything and everything related to beer, as well as musical performances. 

Bastille Day Fête

The Bastille Day Fête is a free festival taking place at the Riverwalk’s Spanish Plaza July 11. The fest celebrates the pivotal moment that tipped off the French Revolution and the rich French heritage of New Orleans. There will be live music from Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots, T’Monde and Hot 8 Brass Band, as well as a water show on the river and a dog costume contest. Food from Antoine’s, St. James Cheese Company, Cafe Degas and more will be available.

Satchmo SummerFest

The summer counterpart to the celebrated French Quarter Festival, Satchmo SummerFest offers the same dedication to celebrating local cuisine and music. The festival, which runs August 5-7, takes place in the heart of the French Quarter. Admission is $5 daily, and includes a wide array of musical performances that stay true to New Orleans roots with an emphasis on jazz and brass bands. There will also be 13 food vendors featuring traditional New Orleans eats. 

Dirty Linen Night

On August 13, one week following the more well-known White Linen Night, Dirty Linen Night is a perfect example of the sense of humor New Orleans and its residents possess. Dirty Linen Night is another open-gallery night where people can explore art and enjoy food and music, this time along Royal Street, Jackson Square and Dutch Alley, as opposed to the Warehouse District, which is where White Linen Night takes place. The name refers to the recommendation of patrons to wear the same, unwashed clothes worn for White Linen Night.