Ahava Festival
Woldenberg Riverfront Park: 1 Canal St.
March 7-8: 11:00 a.m. | ahavafest.com
The Ahava Festival is a free music and art festival designed to promote community and love. With a goal of raising $100,000 for a list of national and local charities, Ahava has chosen New Orleans as this year's selected city where guests can share in the power of giving and the joy of art and music. The event will feature a variety of New Orleans cuisine, as well as a lineup of bands that includes Amanda Shaw, The Rees Family (aka Pelican 212), and Groovy 7.
Los Isleños Fiesta
1357 Bayou Rd., St. Bernard
March 7-8: 11:00 a.m. | facebook.com/losislenossociety
Experience the celebration of Louisiana's Spanish heritage at this year's Los Isleños Fiesta. Held in Historic St. Bernard, this colorful festival will feature rides, living history, and folk crafts that aim to celebrate and educate the New Orleans community about the rich Spanish history that still influences the city to this day. One of the highlights of this fiesta is the incredible live music, and this year's festivities will host performances by Faith Becnel, The Topcats, Ryan Foret, and more. Admission is only $3, and kids 12 and under are free.
Bourbon Festival
Hilton New Orleans Riverside: 2 Poydras St.
March 11-14: Times vary | neworleansbourbonfestival.com
Get to know the ins and outs of one of New Orleans's most symbolic spirits at this year's Bourbon Fest. This year's festival will host a variety of events centered around experiencing exceptional bourbon and New Orleans cuisine, including a bourbon seminar series, a bourbon and burlesque show, and grand bourbon tastings held in an authentic 1920s speakeasy. The event will also include a bourbon brunch and patron party and will highlight recent efforts to support "Women in Bourbon." After attending this boozy festival, Bourbon Street will never seem quite the same.
Sun Belt Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Championships
Smoothie King Center: 1501 Dave Dixon Dr.
March 14-15: Times vary | smoothiekingcenter.com/events/detail/sun-belt-conference-mens-and-womens-basketball-championships
For the seventh consecutive year, the Sun Belt Conference will bring all the excitement of an NCAA Division I tournament to the Big Easy. The final four teams for both men and women will compete for the championship over one weekend, as well as for the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I National Basketball Championship. Don't miss this opportunity to see some of the best collegiate athletes in action at New Orleans's very own Smoothie King Center.
Top Taco
Woldenberg Park: 1 Canal St.
March 19: VIP, 6:00 p.m.; General Admission, 7:00 p.m. | toptaconola.com
Top Taco is one of New Orleans's most popular food festivals, where visitors can sample unlimited gourmet tacos and signature cocktails from some of the best restaurants in the city. Patrons can enjoy live music and tequila lounge areas while eating to their heart's content, and they will ultimately be able to vote for awards coveted among the vendors, like Top Creative Taco, Top Traditional Taco, and Top Creative Cocktail. With renowned restaurants like NOLA Caye, House of Blues, and Ugly Dog Saloon on site, this event is truly a taco-lover's dream.
The 84th Annual Spring Fiesta and Historic Homes Tour
826 St. Ann St.
March 21 - 22 and 28 - 29: Times vary | springfiestanola.com
The Spring Fiesta offers visitors the chance to experience some of New Orleans's most beautiful architecture and historic buildings firsthand. Attendees can watch the event's parade of horse-drawn carriages through the French Quarter and can tour private homes, gardens, and courtyards that will leave them in awe of the charm and elegance of the Big Easy's most personal cultural gems. The festivities also include the presentation of the Spring Fiesta queen and her court at Jackson Square, capping off an event filled with historical magic.
