opens IMAGE file People often think the only time to visit New Orleans is around Mardi Gras, and that we don’t have anything going on the rest of the year. Nothing could be farther from the truth! NOLA is a city that never stops having fun – even in July, when the sun is hot and the music and festivities are even hotter!
We start the month with a big celebration of our nation’s birth- the annual and world renowned Go Forth on the River – wherein thousands gather on the banks of the Mississippi to watch Dueling Barges, each with an amazing fireworks display choreographed to patriotic music, and visible from both sides of the river.
The same weekend is the acclaimed opens in a new windowEssence Music Festival, July 2-5, 2015. The lineup for this event is incredible, with musical superstars such as Usher, Mary J Blige, and Missy Elliot. Comedians include Kevin Hart and Luenell. The inspiration contimues with speakers Deepak Chopra, Shaun T, Kim Burrell and many more. Most of the event will be held at the Superdome and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. It’s recommended to come to town on Wednesday the 1st and leave on Monday the 6th so you don’t miss any part of this powerhouse festival.
The following weekend, on July 11th, a uniquely New Orleans affair takes over the streets of the French Quarter. Patterned after the famous Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, the opens in a new windowSan Fermin en Nueva Orleans still has runners with their red sashes, but substitutes Roller Derby dames for the steers. Which is more dangerous? You decide! Stay for the whole festival though, it starts on the 9th with a wine dinner, continues on the 10th with El Txupinazo, the kick-off party, crescendos with the La Fiesta de Pantalones party and finishes with Pobre Mi party, all benefiting Animal Rescue New Orleans. What not to like!?
opens in a new windowTakes of the Cocktail is an event for pub professionals and partakers alike. This year it’s held July 15-19, 2015 and is a week-long libation celebration. Taking place at different venues throughout the city, there are tastings, workshops, classes and demonstrations. And we can’t think of a better place for it than New Orleans!
The hot month of July finishes with the opens in a new windowSatchmo Summerfest in the French Quarter July 30 – August 2. There will be music, food, music-history seminars, a jazz mass, a second-line parade, an art contest and more. No true jazz aficionado would dream of passing up on this commemoration of a New Orleans native son, Louis Armstrong.
Make your plans and book your stay soon, so you don’t miss out on any of the hot New Orleans fun in the summertime!