It's springtime in New Orleans, and in addition to some beautiful weather, we also have the kickoff of the city's busy festival season.
Spring brings some spirited music to the Big Easy in the form of the world-renowned Jazz Fest. The annual 10-day event, which features thousands of musicians, cooks, and craftsmen, welcomes about 500,000 visitors who bring in over 300 million dollars of revenue to the city.
While Jazz Fest is one of the largest festivals held in New Orleans, there are several smaller events that take place each spring, offering visitors some good food and festivities for some bigger causes.
[Courtesy of Where Y'at Staff]
A Celebration of Words
This year, the Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival will celebrate their 40th anniversary of bringing award-winning writers, poets, historians, scholars, journalists, musicians, and cultural experts together for five inspirational days of literary revelry in New Orleans.
The annual festival is a celebration of literature, theater, cuisine, and music. Each year, thousands of book and theater lovers come to New Orleans from all over the country for the festival's writers' craft sessions, literary panels, theater events, author interviews, literary walking tours, culinary and cocktail events, music events, and, of course, their famous Stella Shouting Contest.
Their mission is threefold: to serve the community through educational, theatrical, literary, and musical programs; to nurture, support, and showcase regional, national, and international writers, actors, musicians, and other artists; and to honor the creative genius of Tennessee Williams, who considered New Orleans his spiritual home.
The festival also hosts the annual Tennessee Williams Scholars Conference, as well as the Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival Gala, which recognizes and honors those individuals who have had a significant impact on the literary arts.
This year's festival will be held March 25 to 29, 2026. To learn more, purchase passes, volunteer, or donate, please visit tennesseewilliams.net.
[Courtesy of Gustavo Escanelle]
Pork and a Purpose
For over 18 years, Hogs for the Cause has established itself as one of the country's best BBQ and music festivals for an amazing cause. As one of the premier nationwide sources of funding for families with children fighting pediatric brain cancer, through the amazing efforts of their teams and fans, Hogs for the Cause has raised over 15 million dollars to date.
Working with both local and national children's hospitals, including Manning Family Children's, Ochsner Children's Hospital, Duke Children's Hospital, Medical University of South Carolina Children's Health, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, and Children's Hospital of San Antonio, Hogs for the Cause offers both monetary relief and care to families with children who have brain cancer.
This year's event will welcome 90 local and regional BBQ masters and the best backyard chefs who will compete in seven categories: whole hog, ribs, pork butt/shoulder, porkpourri, sauce, fan favorite, and fundraising champion. There will also be musical performances headlined by Stephen Wilson Jr., Charles Wesley Godwin, and many more.
The 2026 Hogs for a Cause will be held on April 10 and 11, 2026, at the UNO Lakefront Arena. To learn more, purchase tickets, or donate, please visit hogsfest.org.
Whatever Floats Your Boat
Bayou Boogaloo, which was founded in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina, is a three-day music and arts festival that had originally taken place on the banks of Bayou St. John in Mid-City.
The festival, which has hosted about 15,000 attendees each year, is organized by the Friends of Bayou St. John, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting stewardship, cultural appreciation, responsible recreation, and initiatives that help to support a clean and healthy Bayou St. John that is accessible to all.
Festival dates for 2026 are May 15 to 17 and the festival will now be taking place at the Pitot House and the Broadside. For more information on sponsorships or volunteering, please visit thebayouboogaloo.com.
Opa, Opa, Opa
Established in 1973, the New Orleans Greek Festival offers an incredible array of authentic homemade Greek dishes and pastries in a friendly family atmosphere. There is live music, dancing, cooking demonstrations, and shopping, as well as a walk/run.
The annual event hosts over 19,000 guests, and proceeds from the Greek Festival help to support the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the oldest existing Orthodox community in the Americas.
This year's Greek Fest will be held from May 22 to 24, 2026. To purchase tickets, volunteer, or donate, please visit gfno.com.
[Courtesy of Gustavo Escanelle]
Ole', a Fun Way
The Running of the Bulls, literally, hits the streets of New Orleans every July. This uniquely entertaining event draws its inspiration from the original event in Pamplona, Spain. San Fermin en Nueva Orleans has a flock of derby skaters—instead of bulls—on roller skates traveling through the city armed with foam-filled plastic bats, which brings a crazy twist for a whole new level of excitement.
While the first annual Running of the Bulls in New Orleans began back in 2007 with only 200 participants, this fun-filled event now attracts more than 14,000 runners and 400 derby athletes from all over the country.
The festivities feature four events throughout three days: Txupinazo, the Running of the Bulls, La Fiesta de Pantalones, and El Pobre Mi. A portion of the proceeds from the events helps to support Beth's Friends Forever, whose mission is to supplement the resources of women fighting cancer throughout the Greater New Orleans area.
This year's Running of the Bulls will be held from July 10 to 12, 2026. To learn more or purchase tickets, please visit nolabulls.com. To learn more about Beth's Friends Forever, please visit bethsfriendsforever.org.
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