[Logan Ellzey, Unsplash]

Best Things to Do in New Orleans This Weekend

07:00 March 19, 2024
By: Staff

Best of the March 20-24, 2024 Weekend in NOLA


Tennessee Williams Fest

tennesseewilliams.net

The Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival will be running March 20-23. The festival honors theater, New Orleans culture, literature, and the culmination of them all in playwright Tennessee Williams. The literary festival's weekend will be filled with authors panels, readings, and more. The festivities will kick off with Jacob Storms' Tennessee Rising: The Dawn of Tennessee Williams, a play depicting the life and career of the playwright.

Bourbon Fest

neworleansbourbonfestival.com

New Orleans Bourbon Fest, taking place March 20-24, is the perfect for all Bourbon lovers to gather in a city historically tied to Bourbon. The fest will kick off with the Bourbon Brawl on March 20, followed by a variety of VIP events and tastings. The event will also include seminars on the history and future of bourbon, as well as food tastings to pair with the drinks. Many industry experts will be sharing their knowledge and experience for event goers to enjoy and learn from.

Louisiana Crawfish Festival

louisianacrawfishfestival.com

The Louisiana Crawfish Festival will be taking place in St. Bernard Parish at the Frederick Sigur Civic Center from March 21-24. The fest first began in 1975 and has been a staple in the community ever since. There will be several musical performances including by LA Strip, Bag of Donuts, Groovy 7, and more. The four-day festival will also include classic carnival rides, drinks, and, of course, crawfish.

Larry Fleet at Fillmore

livenation.com

Larry Fleet will be pulling on NOLA's heart strings on Friday, March 22 at the Filmore. Come enjoy this country singer-songwriter's talent with a show starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale with options starting as low as $23 for general admission standing room only. Fleet grew up playing bluegrass in Tennessee, starting playing music at just 6 years old, and has been a prolific musician ever since. Some may also know Fleet from his TV debut competing on singing competition show Real Country.

Shell-A-Bration

crcl.org/program/shell-a-bration

Come "shell-a-brate" costal restoration with the Coalition to Restore Costal Louisiana on Friday, March 22 at the Louisiana Swamp Exhibit at the Audubon Zoo. The Shell-A-Bration serves as a fundraiser and an opportunity to promote the coalition's Oyster Shell Recycling Program. The night will include fresh Louisiana oysters, local Abita beer, a silent auction, and music by Louis Michot. Tickets start at just $75 for this night of fun, music, and food all for an essential cause.

Wine Fête at the Hermann-Grima House

hgghh.org/events/wine-fete-24

Come support the preservation of French Quarter history at Wine Fête on Friday, March 22 starting at 6 p.m. The night will fundraise for the Herman-Grima house, a museum and historical site in the French Quarter. The museum offers enlightening tours depicting life in an 1800's French Quarter home, as well as The Exchange Shop, which are operated by one of the oldest Southern women-led nonprofits, The Women's Exchange. The night will include a silent auction, live music, specialty cocktails, and more.

Volks Fest at the Deutsches Haus

deutscheshaus.org/volksfest-schedule

Come celebrate the fact that spring has sprung, the German way, with the Deutsches Haus from March 22-23. Entrance is just $5 for non-members to enjoy a day of German food, beers, and more. The weekend will include a dachshund race, picnicking under the oaks, German wine tastings, and schnapps tastings. Taste currywurst, bratwurst, soft pretzels, goulash, and more for a day of German fun in the sun.

Fête Français

fetefrancaise.com

Fête Française is a fun filled day free to the public for all to enjoy this March 23. The festival is hosted by Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orléans, on the corner of General Pershing and Magazine streets. The block party will include musical performances, food, drinks, art, and fun for kids of all ages. There will be a variety of classic carnival games and activities for all to enjoy. The festival fundraises for the school and is known for being one of the biggest French festivals in the city.

Louisiana Derby

fairgroundsracecourse.com/events/louisiana-derby

The 111th Louisiana Derby day will be off to the races on Saturday, March 23 at the Fair Grounds. General admission is just $10 to see a full day of highly contested and anticipated horse races. Dress in your derby best and head out for a day at the track. Whether you've been keeping up all season for which horse to pick or choose day of based on looks, it is sure to be a day of festive fun.

Congo Square Rhythms Festival

jazzandheritage.org/events/2024-congo-square-festival

The Congo Square Rhythms Festival will take place March 23 and 24 at Armstrong Park. Come celebrate rich culture and pay respect to the embedded history of African peoples living in Louisiana. This free weekend of festivities will showcase the music, food, and dance that New Orleans is known for. Both days will kick off with a drum circle, followed by a thrilling lineup of performers and cultural experiences, including a Mardi Gras Indian Battle on Sunday.

Building by Boiling Seafood Boil Cook-Off at NOLA Brewing

nolabrewing.com/new-orleans-irish-channel-nola-brewing

Head to NOLA Brewing on Saturday, March 23 for Building by Boiling, a seafood cook-off fundraiser for People's Housing+. The festivities will begin at 11 a.m. and continue through the afternoon until 4 p.m. Advance tickets run just $40 each and include unlimited seafood. The day will include live music by The Original Pinettes Brass Band, a silent auction, prize draw, and more. There will be 20 teams serving up seafood looking to earn the superlative of Best Shrimp, Most Creative, and Fan Favorite.

National Cocktail Day Celebration at the Sazerac House

sazerachouse.com

Celebrate National Cocktail Day at the Sazerac House on Sunday, March 24 starting at 2 p.m. Learn the rich history of cocktails in the U.S. prohibition-era speakeasies to the craft cocktail bars of today from Drinks Historian Elizabeth Pearce. Participants will taste four distinct craft cocktails and learn how to recreate them back home. Tickets are $35.

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