NEW ORLEANS (NOLA WEEKEND) - Right after Carnival, New Orleans and its surrounding areas gear up for a busy spring festival season.

Last year, several spring festivals were postponed until the fall but still got axed anyway due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. For now, many festivals have already announced their return to the lineup, and this year seems a bit more optimistic for festival-goers hoping to attend events.

Music lovers can look forward to the return of the city’s big music festivals, including French Quarter Fest, Jazz Fest and BUKU Fest. Foodies can find festivals dedicated to crawfish, barbecue, gumbo, strawberries and other Louisiana delicacies.

We found more than 30 festivals and major events filling the lineup kicking off this March.

Here’s your guide to New Orleans spring festivals to mark on your calendar. Check back for updates as we get them.

Louisiana Crawfish Festival announces new dates this spring — Louisiana Crawfish Festival returns this spring (tcw-wafb)

March 2022

New Orleans Book Festival

March 10 - March 12 | Tulane University

The New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University brings together leading authors to celebrate their works, along with readings, panel discussions, keynote speeches. This event provides an opportunity for outlets, authors and readers to interact with each other in one of the most vibrant and culturally diverse cities in the world.

Visit the website for the full author lineup and schedule.

New Orleans Home & Garden Show

March 11 - 13 | Caesars Superdome

After a two-year hiatus, the New Orleans Home & Garden Show returns to the Superdome. Find everything for your home under one roof at this prominent consumer home expo as it celebrates its 65th anniversary. During the annual expo, hundreds of vendors participate in food and product demonstrations, seminars and workshops.

For updates, visit New Orleans Home & Garden Show website.

Independence Sicilian Heritage Festival

March 11 - 13 | Highway 51, Independence, La.

The Independence Sicilian Heritage Festival will take place on Highway 51 in the center of town.

Festivities kick off on Friday (March 11) night and events will be all day and night on Saturday and Sunday (March 12 & 13). Each night there is a full lineup of live music on the main stage and classic homemade Sicilian food will be available for purchase.

For more info, visit indysicilianfest.com.

New Orleans French Film Festival

March 11 - March 17 | Prytania Theatre

The New Orleans French Film Festival, one of the longest-running foreign language festivals in the country, will showcase contemporary and classic francophone cinema at the historic Prytania Theatre. Part of the lineup will also stream on the festival’s virtual cinema. In celebration of its silver anniversary, the festival pays homage to the legendary Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski (1941-1996) and his Francophone magnum opus: “Trois Couleurs (Three Colors Trilogy)”.

Visit neworleansfilmsociety.org to see the full lineup, schedule and purchase festival passes.

Wanderfest

March 12 - March 13 | Spanish Plaza

Wanderfest, the world’s first outdoor travel festival for women, heads to Spanish Plaza at the Riverwalk.

Hundreds of travel lovers from around the world will join to take part in a celebration of all things travel. From influential speakers to live musical performances, from a marketplace of women-owned travel businesses to excursions around town, Wanderfest says it aims to connect and inspire women around the world. The event also features the first-ever Wander Woman Parade with a New Orleans-style second line down the French Quarter to celebrate women and raise funds for a local charity.

Find tickets and schedule information on the website.

St. Patrick’s Day Parades & Celebrations

March 12 - April 2 | Greater New Orleans Area

From the Irish Channel to the North Shore, New Orleans and its surrounding areas go green to honor St. Patrick’s Day. Expect green beer, bagpipes and plenty of produce. Several local neighborhoods host parades and festivities.

See the 2022 schedule of parades and block parties here.

Fiesta De Los Isleños

March 12 - March 13 | Los Islenos Museum Complex

Head to St. Bernard Parish for the 46th annual cultural celebration of the Isleños people who migrated from the Canary Islands to St. Bernard during the 1700s.

Cultural traditions, food, music, and dance are celebrated. Entertainment includes well-known musicians and dancers from the Canary Islands, music from local bands and amusement rides for children. Admission is $5 (kids ages 12 and under free).

Wednesday at the Square Concert Series

March 16 - May 18 | Lafayette Square

After a two-year hiatus, the 10-week, free concert series, Wednesday at the Square, returns for its 15th year. The concerts will take place every Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in downtown New Orleans at Lafayette Square (between Camp Street and St. Charles Avenue, directly across from Gallier Hall).

Headliners Anders Osborne with Dave Jordan and the NIA kick off the series on March 16. See the full concert series lineup here.

Louisiana Crawfish Festival

March 17 - March 20 | Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center

The Louisiana Crawfish Festival returns to St. Bernard Parish for a weekend of festivities at the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center. Eat crawfish in every way imaginable. Plus, enjoy live music, crafts and rides. Tickets are $8 online in advance and $10 at the gate.

Visit the website for more information and to purchase tickets.

Amite Oyster Festival

March 18 - 20 | Downtown Amite

The Amite Oyster Festival returns to celebrate everything oysters with food, live music, carnival rides and arts and crafts.

Visit the website for more information.

Sista Strut

March 19 | City Park Festival Grounds

Strut your stuff at this walk to raise awareness of breast cancer among women of color. This breast cancer walk is a celebration among survivors and those ready to strut for a cure.

Visit the website to register.

Uptown Super Sunday

March 20 | A.L. Davis Park

Each year, on the Sunday closest to St. Joseph’s Day, Mardi Gras Indians come out in their elaborate, full regalia participating in traditional rituals which centers around A.L. Davis Park, at Washington Avenue and LaSalle Street, and throughout Central City.

New Orleans Entrepreneur Week

March 21 - March 25 | Multiple Venues

Entrepreneurs, investors, students and professionals congregate in New Orleans for a week of discussions, education and competition all to support growing companies and entrepreneurial success. Enjoy this jam-packed networking summit with citywide events.

Visit the website, noew.org, for complete event details and registration information.

New Orleans Bourbon Festival

March 23 - March 26 | Contemporary Arts Center & New Orleans Marriott

The New Orleans Bourbon Festival returns for the enjoyment of bourbon lovers. Food, spirit and culture converge as the festival brings together distilleries, restaurants speakers and industry professionals. Festivities kick off with a bartender competition at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum and culminate with two grand tastings at the Contemporary Arts Center.

For festival updates and ticket information, visit the website.

Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival

March 23 - March 27 | Multiple Venues

This literary fest, known for its popular “Stella” shouting contest, returns with writing workshops, theatre events, literary panels, literary walking tours, music events, culinary and cocktail events and more.

For the full schedule at ticket information, visit the website.

BUKU Music + Art Project

March 25 - March 26 | Market Street Power Plant

The BUKU Music + Art Project is set to return to New Orleans for its 10-year anniversary and the first show since 2019. Australian psychedelic rock band Tame Impala will headline on Friday and Grammy award-winning artist and fashion icon Tyler, the Creator will headline on Saturday.

The diverse and eclectic festival is known for showcasing artists in hip-hop, EDM, R&B and indie music scenes. The festival, known for its strong support of local talent, will also showcase artists from New Orleans and nearby cities.

See the lineup here.

Congo Square Rhythms & Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival

March 26 - March 27 | Armstrong Park

You’re in for a smoking combo. In 2019, The Tremé Creole Gumbo and Congo Square Rhythms festivals merged to blend two festivals into a one-of-a-kind event. The event celebrates New Orleans traditions that spring from the African diaspora and features live music, food and an arts market. Entry is free.

Visit the website for more information.

Freret Street Festival

March 26 | Freret Street from Napoleon to Valmont

The Freret Street Fest returns spanning six blocks for food, craft vendors, live music and other activities. The daylong festival features live music performances across three different stages.

For more information, visit the website.

NOLA Zydeco Fest

March 26 | Crescent Park

The NOLA Zydeco Fest returns for its second year for Zydeco music and fun for all ages at Crescent Park. The family event celebrates South Louisiana music, food and culture and features live music acts and authentic Zydeco dance lessons. Musicians include Chris Ardoin, Rusty Metoyer, Marcus Ardoin and others.

Visit the festival’s Eventbrite page for more information.

Jazz Fest 2020: New ticket options include four-day weekend pass, increased Saturday pricing — New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival returns (tcw-wafb)

April 2022

Hogs for the Cause

April 1 - April 2 | UNO Lakefront Arena Fairgrounds

Hogs for the Cause, the popular barbecue and music festival, heads back to Orleans Parish this spring after moving to Plaquemines Parish in 2021. Pork, beer and music round out this two-day event for a good cause. Local and regional barbecue competitors battle it out over the pit during the cook-off.

Music features headliners Galactic with special guests Luther Dickinson & Corey Glover and Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers.

See more details about the lineup here. Tickets for the Friday event start at $50 each, Saturday tickets start at $60 each and can be purchased at www.hogsfest.org.

NCAA Men’s Final Four

April 1 - 4 | Caesars Superdome

The 2022 NCAA Men’s Final Four will be played at Caesars Superdome with the National Semifinals being played April 2 and the National Championship tipping off on April 4. Several festivities will surround the major sporting event in New Orleans including the Tip-off Tailgate in Champions Square, March Madness Music Festival at Woldenberg Park and the Men’s Final Four Fan Fest at the Convention Center.

See the schedule of events at the NCAA website.

Abita Springs Busker Festival

April 3 | Abita Springs Trailhead Museum & Park

A full day of free French Quarter-inspired street music awaits you at the Abita Springs Busker Festival. Hot food vendors will also be available if you need a snack in between sets. Local vendors from the Abita Springs Art & Farmers Market are also part of the mix.

See more details at the website.

Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival

April 8 - April 10 | Memorial Park Ponchatoula

Head to “Strawberry Paradise” for this free, three-day fest spotlighting the strawberry. Festival-goers can enjoy strawberries served up in almost every way imaginable at this sweet event. This free, family-friendly outdoor festival happens at Memorial Park in downtown Ponchatoula. Weekend festivities also include tons of music, games, rides and strawberry eating contests.

Check the website and Facebook page for updates.

Festa Italiana

April 8 - April 10 | Rivertown Kenner

Former Kenner police chief Nick Congemi founded this festival to celebrate the rich Italian heritage and customs embedded into the formation of the Kenner area. Live music, food, rides, games and crafts are the festival’s main features.

More information to be announced via the festival’s website.

Caesars Sportsbook Crescent City Classic

April 16 | Citywide

After two years, the Crescent City Classic returns to an in-person event. Runners and walkers can look forward to one of the region’s premier 10k road races. The Easter weekend tradition attracts more than 25,000 participants of all ages and levels, including competitive and amateur racers. A two-day expo precedes the race, and a post-race festival closes out the event at City Park.

Zurich Classic of New Orleans

April 18 - April 24 | TPC Louisiana

The Zurich Classic attracts some of the biggest golf pros to New Orleans on this major stop on the annual PGA Championship Tournament Circuit. This family-friendly event tees off at TPC of Louisiana in Avondale, La. Ticket prices start at $40.

Find tickets and more information at the website.

Angola Rodeo

April 23 - April 24 | Louisiana State Penitentiary

Thousands of visitors flock to the longest-running prison rodeo in the nation. In addition to the various rodeo events, many visitors look forward to the arts and crafts show including the intricate, handmade works from inmates. Tickets are $20.

French Quarter Festival

April 21 - April 24 | French Quarter & Woldenberg Park

After a two-year hiatus, French Quarter Festival, the largest free festival and showcase of Louisiana music, food, and culture, returns this spring.

This year’s festival will bring regional cuisine from more than 50 local restaurants, more than 260 Louisiana acts on 20 stages and special events that celebrate New Orleans’ diverse, unique culture. The festival will operate from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. each day of the event. See the day-by-day music lineup here.

Plaquemines Parish Seafood Festival

April 29 - May 1 | Plaquemines Parish Government Complex

Head to Plaquemines Parish for a celebration of the parish’s unique heritage, and feast on great local seafood while you’re at it. The fest also features live music, a 5K race, rides, crafts and the Seafood Queen Pageant.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

April 29 - May 1 & May 6 - May 8 | Fair Grounds

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival returns to the Fair Grounds this spring for the first time since 2019. Headliners include The Who, Stevie Nicks, Foo Fighters, Lionel Richie, Jimmy Buffett, Luke Combs, The Black Crowes, Willie Nelson and Erykah Badu. One of the city’s most world-renowned events attracts thousands of music lovers for virtually every kind of American music in a diverse lineup. The event is also known for popular food vendors like the sought-after Crawfish Monica, cochon de lait po-boys and Mango Freeze.

See the complete daily music lineup here.

Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo now free all weekend — Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo returns (tcw-wvue)

May 2022

NOLA Crawfish Festival

May 2 - May 4 | The Broadside

The NOLA Crawfish Festival, an annual fest produced by crawfish connoisseur Chris “Shaggy” Davis, is set to return as a three-day event at the Broadside. Local bands jam while festival-goers gobble pounds of crawfish at the outdoor event. General admission tickets start at $45.

Find tickets for the festival via the Broadside’s website.

Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo

May 20 - May 22 | Bayou St. John

The 2022 Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo is set to return back to its original location along the banks of Bayou St. John. Festival organizers say plans for the 16th annual event include more than 30 bands spanning across four stages, a kid’s area, large art market, many neighborhood food and drink vendors, yoga and water activities.

Food Fight Festival

May 26 | Crescent Park

The producers of the Top Taco festival debut this new food event at Crescent Park. The food and drink competition and tasting event features 40 restaurants and 30 spirits competing to see who can create the top traditional and creative New Orleans dishes and cocktails. Ticket prices start at $75 for general admission is $75, which includes tastings, cocktails and beer.

Visit the website for tickets and more information.

New Orleans Greek Festival

May 27 - May 29 | Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Opa! This annual festival celebrates the Greek heritage in New Orleans over Memorial Day weekend. The festival features a menu of authentic Greek dishes, including baklava, roasted lamb, gyro and moussaka. The cultural immersion also includes dance performances, live music, cathedral tours and cooking demos. Tickets are $10, and children ages 12 and under enter free.

Visit the Greek Fest website for details.

*All dates and information are subject to change.

Contact us if there are any changes in schedule.

2022 New Orleans Spring Festival & Major Events Schedule