Top 5 Things to do in New Orleans this Month
MARCH
With Mardi Gras in the rearview, New Orleans in March is a month of Lent and rest. Yeah right! The party never stop in New Orleans as the spring festivals begin. Every weekend is chock full of entertaining parties and events. There’s over a dozen different celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day alone. Below are our choices for the best of the best things to do in the New Orleans Hit List this month.
Hit the Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 13th
New Orleans celebrates St. Patrick’s Day the way they celebrate other big events- with a parade. More than one parade, to be precise. The biggest of them all takes places in the Garden District between Jackson and Louisiana, and St. Charles Ave. and Magazine Street. The parade kicks off around 1pm with dune buggies and marching krewes handing out beads and serenading women with green carnations in exchange for kisses. By the time the big floats reach Magazine Street at Restaurant Row, both the riders and the crowd and sufficiently inebriated.
Keep your head and hands high in the air because you never know what might be coming your way. Riders toss bars of Irish Spring, giant green cabbages, Moon Pies, carrots, and green and white beads decorated with 4-leaf clovers. It’s all a ton of fun until somebody loses an eye. Get there early to reserve a good spot or make a reservation at a table near the window at any of the restaurants along the route.
Hit the Tracy’s & Parasol’s St. Patrick’s Day Block Party
Thursday, March 17th
This is an adults-only event where green is as prevalent as beer. Two popular Irish pubs in the Garden District located around 100 yards apart combine their resources to host the biggest Saint Patrick’s Day celebration in the city. You will usually find the Guinness Tap Truck and serenading bag pipers roaming around the area. Most of all, though, you’ll see a lot of drunk guys and gals toasting to their heritage or just toasting to the luck of the Irish.
Hit the Mardi Gras Indians Super Sunday
Sunday March 20th
Aside from Mardi Gras, Saint Joseph’s Day is the biggest day of the year for the Mardi Gras Indians. The party starts at A.L. Davis Park at Washington & LaSalle in Central City at noon. The parade usually kicks off around 2:00pm and winds its way through the neighborhood with brass bands and all the big Indian Chiefs in their new suits. If you’re lucky, you’ll see the rival “gangs” square off in celebratory calls and chants. This event is highly susceptible to the weather so if it’s raining or there’s high winds, expect Super Sunday to be postponed until some time in April.
Hit the New Orleans Bourbon Festival
March 23-26 The Contemporary Arts Center & Marriott Hotel
Bourbon Fest stormed the scene in 2017 and quickly became a favorite of bourbon fans around the country. With dozens of seminars for the connoisseur and two nights of grand tastings for those that like to sample top flight bourbons and tasty bites from some of New Orleans best restaurants, Bourbon Fest has plenty to tickle the palate. The past two years hasn’t been kind to the event organizers as they were forced to shut down in 2020 the day before the festival. Unable to bounce back in 2021, fans are looking forward to this year’s events scheduled for the Contemporary Arts Center in the Warehouse District and the seminars at the Marriott Hotel on Canal Street. in Addition, several restaurants around town will host Bourbon-centric dinners on the 23rd and 24th.
Hit the BUKU Fest
March 25-26 Mardi Gras World
Covid-19 was particularly unkind to the EDM scene with two years of BUKU Music + Arts Project cancellations and the catastrophic demise of the popular Voodoo Fest in October. Teenage ravers and Gen Z wannabees finally have their chance to down the psychedelics, crowd surf, and vertical jump to the repetitive bass beat from some of the countries finest DJs in a Warehouse-like environment. Fans will also get to enjoy big-name headliners like Tyler the Creator, Tame Impala, Alison Wonderland, and $uicide Boy$. With the Mississippi River backdrop at Mardi Gras World, this event is sure to rage.
FEBRUARY
February is one of the best months to be in New Orleans. Every weekend is packed full of parades, balls, parties, crawfish boils, and even romantic dinners. While the weather may not always cooperate in February, there are usually more good days than bad. Except, of course, Nyx Wednesday, Muses Thursday, and Mardi Gras Day. Here’s our selection of the Top 5 Hit List in New Orleans with a special Carnival edition.
Hit the Chewbacchus Parade
Saturday, February 5th 7:00pm
According to their website, “The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus (IKoC) is a Mardi Gras parade organization for revelrous Star Wars freaks, Trekkies, Whovians, mega-geeks, gamers, cosplayers, circuit benders, cryptozoologists, UFO conspiracy theorists, mad scientists, and all super nerds.” For the freaks and geeks who participate in the walking parade through the Marigny, their sacred being is a Drunken Wookie who is hard not to spot. Members carry signature throws and end the parade at Chewbacchanal, the after party taking place this year at The Fillmore. This year’s parade was supposed to start on St. Claude Avenue in the Bywater and wind its way down Elysian Fields, through the Marigny Triangle, and then down Decatur Street until it reached Canal Street. But like all things Covid-related, the route has been shortened. Now starting on Elysian Fields, the sun-krewes will have to forego their home turf in the Bywater this year. For tickets to Chewbacchanal, click here.
Hit the King Cake Block Party
Sunday, February 6th 11:00am-6:00pm
Bywater Bakery feels like one of those places that has been in the neighborhood forever, but it’s only been around since 2017 when Chef Chaya left her helm at Whole Foods Market and opened her first solo endeavor. When the weather’s nice, locals and tourists line up at the window for tasty muffins and bagels, and fill the outdoor tables on the sidewalk. Bywater Bakery usually kicks off the carnival season with a block party, but those plans were scuttled by the Omicron variant. Luckily it’s been rescheduled for the 6th of February with a fantastic lineup of bands including Deacon John, Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, John Boutte, Herlin Riley, Sunpie Barnes, Soul Brass Band, David Torkanowski, Josh Paxton, and Washboard Chaz. Proceeds from the event benefit the New Orleans Musicians’ Assistance Foundation’s Makin’ Groceries program.
Hit the Krewe du Vieux Parade
Saturday, February 12th 6:30pm
This year’s theme is Vaxxed & Confused so expect plenty of lampooning of city officials, as evidenced by the recent withdrawal by Dr. Jennifer Avegno who was supposed to ride as the parade Queen this year. As with many of the Carnival parades in 2022, Krewe du Vieux’s route was shortened due to NOPD staffing issues. Bypassing the Marigny Square, the parade of 18 satirical floats will start on Royal Street and Elysian Fields before strolling down Frenchmen Street and turning into the French Quarter. Parade will stretch through the CBD and Warehouse District and end at the KdV Ball at the Sugarmill. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased through members or at Up in Smoke and Peaches Records on Magazine Street and at Louisiana Music Factory on Frenchmen Street. It’s the next best thing to being in the parade.
Hit the Muses Parade
Thursday, February 24th 6:30pm
Over the last decade, the all-female Krewe of Nyx has stolen some of the spotlight from the all-female Krewe of Muses, which began in 2002 as the headlining parade on Thursday night. But bitter turmoil has struck Nyx over the past two years with half the krewe quitting in protest over remarks made by their their controversial founder/captain Julie Lee. Now all eyes will be back on Muses as their 1,500 riders, 25 floats, dozens of marching krewes, and other peculiar performers take to the old traditional route down Napoleon and St. Charles Avenue. Due to police shortages, the Magazine Street portion of the parade has been canceled so expect huge crowds on the sidewalk side and neutral grounds this year. Though the theme remains a secret until parade day, the big catch at Muses is a decorative shoe, hand painted and glittered by the members themselves.
JANUARY
Saint-Germain
3054 St. Claude Avenue 504-218-8729
HOURS: Wed 5pm-11pm Thu 5pm-11pm Fri 5pm-11:30pm Sat 5pm-11:30pm Sun 5pm-11pm
There’s something uniquely special about this small cottage in the Bywater churning out incredible 5-course tasting menus that rotate every two weeks. Chefs Trey Smith and Blake Aguillard have been nominated for James Beard Best Chef South and recently landed in the Top 10 Best New Chefs of 2021 in Food & Wine Magazine.
The front of the house is under the tutelage of Drew Delaughter, and the three partners make the 12-seat restaurant warm and inviting. Recent visits have included standout courses like steak tartare on spongy sourdough with shaved blue cheese; scallop, corn, and porchetta in citrus foam gastrique; and paneed pork cheeks over creamy grits.
And don’t sleep on the wine bar and back patio for guests looking for a small plate and cocktail or an approachable glass of wine. Dinners cost $110 and optional truffles added to any course for $30 with wine pairing at $55.Cocktails are reasonably priced at $10 and under.
2832 Royal Street
HOURS: Mon 11am-4pm Thu 2pm-7pm Fri 2pm-9pm Sat 10am-9pm Sun 10am-7pm
January is the coldest month of the year in New Orleans so it’s time to find something fun to do indoors. Jam NOLA (Joy, Art, & Music New Orleans) isn’t necessarily my jam, but it’s a great place for tourists and locals that want to get some interesting Instagram photos in a safe, socially distant yet interactive experiential pop up.
There are 12 exhibits of classic New Orleans scenes designed by over 20 different local artists. A walk-thru usually lasts about an hour and JAM NOLA is available for group parties of 10 or more and private parties on off hours. Admission costs $29 for adults and $20 for kids, students, seniors, military, health providers, and first responders.
Blush Ball
310 Andrew Higgins Drive
Friday, January 28th 8pm-12am
The Pussyfooters, one of the most popular and original dance troupes, are back after a year hiatus and they are ready to paaarty! The one hundred members of the all-female krewe and their Pussy Handlers always put on a party with a purpose. Since its inception, the Pussyfooters have raised over $170,000 for the Metro Center for Community Advocacy.
The Pussyfooters once a year fundraiser includes top local funk bands, DJs, choreographed dancing by the ladies, and a silent auction. Patron tickets are $60 and include one hour of open bar from 8-9. General Admission is $40 and starts at 9pm. Tickets can be purchased through members or online.
Allstate Sugar Bowl
Superdome
January 1st 7:30pm
The 88th Annual Allstate Sugar Bowl returns to the New Orleans Superdome on January 1st. Fans will be excited to return to the dome this year with the game featuring two teams that rarely play in the Big 6 Bowl games. With Alabama and Georgia in the Semi Finals and LSU having a mediocre season, this year’s game between the highest ranking SEC and Big Twelve teams fell to Ole Miss and Baylor.
There are a number of high-profile events surrounding the game including a French Quarter parade on New Year’s Eve and a huge tailgate with live music at Champions Square that starts at 4pm. Expect to see the Baylor and Ole Miss team colors in full effect on Bourbon Street this weekend with the winners partying all night long and the losers heading home.
Phunny Phorty Phellows
Willow Street Car Barn
January 6th 6:30pm
The Phunny Phorty Phellows are one of those quirky “only-in-New Orleans” events that take place on the first night of carnival season. The Phorty Phellows were originally founded back in the 1800s and survived for about a decade. A krewe of Oak Street (KOAK) members and their friends revived the tradition by launching a streetcar full of costumed crazies into the evening with adoring fans awaiting their departure.
Those fans gather early around the old streetcar barn drinking cocktails and champagne ready to toast the riders as they embark on their 6-mile route along Carrollton and St. Charles streetcar lines. The Storyville Stompers will be on hand to serenade the riders as they toss beads and trinkets to the kids and adults standing along the route. Social distancing rules no longer allow anyone other than riders inside the barn, but encourage fans to spread out along the route. Construction on the tracks may alter the route as well. Best to catch it close to Carrollton Avenue or near the riverbend.