There is nothing quite like spring in New Orleans. The weather gets warmer and the days get longer. The golden light shines through the branches of the great oak trees, and colorful flowers begin to bloom. The people of the city come out of their hibernation and take to the streets, parks and patios to celebrate another blossoming season.

There is nothing better than an afternoon stroll in Audubon Park on an early spring day, when the breeze of the leftover winter chill balances perfectly with the strength of the southern sun.

Suddenly, long walks to class seem more bearable. Tulane University students spend more time sunbathing or sporting on the quad than in their dorms. And, everyone is making plans to go to “the Fly” before sunset. 

As usual, there are more exciting things to do in New Orleans than just admire its natural beauty. Spring time is also festival season! 

It seems like a lifetime ago that spring 2020 was rudely interrupted by the spread of COVID-19. Due to the lingering pandemic, the city has been unable to host their usual spring lineup of beloved festivals for the past two years. The loss was not only felt by regular festival-goers but also musicians, artists and local business owners who missed out on opportunities to celebrate and sell their work. 

This year there is a lot to make up for, and the community is coming together to make these events better than ever. Last month’s Mardi Gras was just the beginning, kicking off many more celebrations to come.  

BUKU Music + Art Project is fast approaching, with popular music acts such as Tame Impala, Tyler, the Creator and Kali Uchis in attendance. Music festivals like BUKU are the perfect vehicle to bring mainstream musicians that might not usually visit New Orleans on tour to the city to please their southern fans. The “underground warehouse party” aesthetic adds another layer of grit to the spirit of the festival, complete with graffiti art installations and stages made out of shipping containers. BUKU’s venue is located along the Mississippi River at the Market Street Power Plant. Fans at the festival will be able to take in the views of the historic port city and their favorite artists playing late into the night.

Later, on April 21, is the beloved French Quarter Festival, where crowds gather in the heart of the French Quarter to celebrate local Louisiana music, food and culture. Free and open to the public, this festival features live musical performances, second line parades and the world championship oyster-eating competition. This activity is an all-time favorite of tourists and locals alike. 

Spring makes many students remember how lucky they are to go to school in a city that loves its community and takes any chance they can get to celebrate it in style.

Tulane’s own annual Crawfest will return in-person and in full swing to campus after a two-year hiatus on April 23. New students unfamiliar with pre-pandemic traditions will finally be able to experience the joy of peeling crawfish on the Berger Family Lawn, surrounded by their closest friends and classmates. Hopefully some veteran crawfish eaters will be there to offer their tips. Just like the seafood itself, this year’s Crawfest will be worth the wait.

Seniors may be feeling especially sentimental this spring, knowing they will soon be walking across the stage with the class of 2022 to receive their diplomas. For some on campus, this spring is a bittersweet one, as many recall fond memories of years past and try to answer questions about their futures. But it can also be a season of rebirth. Everyone, including soon-to-be graduates, can use this time to set new intentions and find opportunities that excite you. 

Like the changing seasons, your time at Tulane won’t last forever. Enjoy it while it lasts!