Lakeside2Riverside: March 2024
St. Joseph's Day Celebration at the French Market
March 9 | frenchmarket.org
Celebrate St. Joseph's Day at the French Market this year, which starts at 11 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m. This traditional Catholic holiday was introduced to New Orleans by Sicilian immigrants in the late 19th century and includes beautifully decorated altars dedicated to St. Joseph, as well as deceased loved ones. The day will include discussions with Mardi Gras Indians and A New Orleanians, who will discuss the cultural history of St. Joseph's Day and the many traditions surrounding the holiday. Come experience a part of the rich cultural history of New Orleans through this multifaceted holiday.
Black Panther in Concert
March 9 | lpomusic.com
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra will be putting on a unique movie watching experience of Marvel Studio's Black Panther. Come enjoy this action-packed and Academy-award winning superhero film with the added drama of an orchestra playing Ludwig Göransson's score live as the movie plays. The film follows T'Challa, king of Wakanda, as the deals with being challenged by the murderous Killmonger. The showing will take place at The Mahalia Jackson Theater and will run for two and a half hours plus an intermission. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and tickets start at $28.
Food Fight
March 14 | foodfightnola.com
Food Fight is the ultimate event for any foodies in NOLA. Come taste delicious bites from many of the city's top restaurants as they compete. Some of these winning categories include Top Traditional Dish, Top Creative Dish, Top Creative Cocktail, Top Vegetarian Dish, and more. The night will also include spirit and cocktail tastings. Food Fight benefits the PLEASE Foundation, which works to end the cycle of poverty within New Orleans through education, mentorship, leadership training, and scholarships. Come enjoy some good food and friendly competition all in support of a great cause.
New Orleans Book Festival
March 14-16 | bookfest.tulane.edu
The New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University is the perfect opportunity for all book lovers to gather, learn, and enjoy. The fest will feature both fiction and nonfiction, as well as old classics and new releases. There will be readings, panels, discussions, keynote speeches, and more. Readers will have the opportunity to interact with authors and ask questions, as well as get hard copies signed. The festival is free and open to the public, with a wide range of events taking place across Tulane's uptown campus. Family day of the fest will take place Saturday, March 16.
New Orleans Bourbon Festival
March 20-24 | neworleansbourbonfestival.com
The New Orleans Bourbon Festival is the perfect weekend for all Bourbon lovers to gather in a city that is historically tied to bourbon and taste all it has to offer. 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
March 21-24 | louisianacrawfishfestival.com
The Louisiana Crawfish Festival will be taking place in St. Bernard Parish at the Frederick Sigur Civic Center. The event is hosted by the Louisiana Crawfish Fest Foundation, which works to help those in need and support other community programs in the St. Bernard Parish area. The festival first began in 1975 and has been a staple in the community ever since. There will be several musical performances, including LA Strip, Bag of Donuts, Groovy 7, and more. The four-day festival will also include classic carnival rides, drinks, and, of course, delicious crawfish.
Lucia di Lammermoor
March 22 & 24 | neworleansopera.org/lucia-di-lammermoor
The New Orleans Opera will be hosting two performances of Gaetano Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Both performances will include a pre-opera party, a "nuts and bolts" lecture, and, of course, the performance itself, which will be followed by a post-show talkback. The show is an operatic Italian tragedy performed in three powerful acts. The first show, on the 22nd, will begin at 6:30 p.m., while the second performance on the 24th will start in the afternoon at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale for this not-to-miss and immersive operatic experience.
Fête Française
March 23 | fetefrancaise.com
Fête Française is a fun, French-filled day that is free to the public. The festival is hosted at and by Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orléans, which is located on the corner of General Pershing and Magazine. The block party will include musical performances by Galactic, the Lost Bayou Ramblers' Louis Michot, and more. There will also be food, drinks, art, and fun for kids of all ages, as well as a variety of classic carnival games and activities for all to enjoy. The festival fundraises for the school and is known for being the biggest French festival in the city.