Early Spring is a wonderful time to visit New Orleans. The weather is wonderful, the craziness of Mardi Gras has settled down, and the festivals take on a more family-oriented and even genteel feeling. I’ve got a selected list of events that will appeal to everyone – from gentle reminders of the antebellum south to rowdy parades.
The opens in a new windowSpring Fiesta will take place on March 5-6, and March 12-13, 2016. If you are a history buff, or just curious about what those big old houses look like inside, this is the festival for you. Over the course of two weekends, 20 private homes in the French Quarter, Uptown and the Garden District will open their doors to the public for guided tours, which will include gardens and courtyards. Another lovely part of the Fiesta is the Presentation of the Spring Fiesta Queen and her Court at Jackson Square, followed by the Night in Old New Orleans parade, in which horse-drawn carriages make their way sedately through the Vieux Carre. For more information and how to get tickets, visit the opens in a new windowSpring Fiesta website.
You wouldn’t think a holiday as festive as opens in a new windowSt. Patrick’s Day would be confined to only one weekend in New Orleans, would you? Between the 11th and 17th of March, you can enjoy THREE parades in honor of our city’s Irish roots:
– Friday, March 11: Molly’s at the Market Irish Parade – 6 pm
– Saturday, March 12: Irish Channel Parade – 1 pm
– Thursday, March 17: Downtown Irish Club Parade – 6:00 pm
There are also block parties both weekends. The biggest parties take place on both March 12th and 17th at Tracey’s Original Irish Channel Bar in the Uptown/Garden District from 11am to ?? and also at Parasol’s from 10am to 8pm.
The opens in a new windowEgg Scramble (a.k.a. the City Park Easter Egg Hunt) will be a bit different this year – it’s sponsored by the Angry Birds movie! 36,000 eggs filled with candy and stickers will be waiting for eager little hands, along with carnival rides, face painting, music a balloon artist, and the Easter Bunny! You must have a printed ticket, and no tickets are expected to be available at the gate, so opens in a new windowget them early!
The opens in a new window2016 9th Annual Congo Square Festival will be March 19-20, from 11:00 am. to 7:30 pm both days, and it is free and open to the public. Revel in the Afro-Caribbean music, art and food, including African drumming, chanting and dancing from Mardi Gras Indians and African dance troupes. Don’t forget the food! Many vendors will being a taste of Africa and the Caribbean to Congo Square, along with a large Arts Market. Middle and High School bands will compete for over $30,000 in instruments, a group from Ghana will perform and gospel, R&B and Jazz groups will keep you moving throughout the weekend!
You won’t want to miss these fun happenings, along with opens in a new windowMardi Gras Indians Super Sunday, the opens in a new windowEaster Parades, and the opens in a new windowTennessee Williams Literary Festival. March in New Orleans is a great time for families, couples and groups looking for a good time, and we welcome you to reserve your stay at opens in a new window1896 O’Malley House!