5 Awesome Summer Festivals in the New Orleans Area

The New Orleans area comes alive with festivals in the summer months. There’s no excuse to stay home with so many fun events on the calendar, so be sure to check out these popular occasions and mark your calendar for your favorite picks.

1. New Orleans Oyster Festival
June 3–4, 2017

Woldenberg Park will be filled with delicious delights this June for the Oyster Festival. The festivities will include cooking demonstrations, live music, an oyster shucking contest and an oyster eating contest. Come hungry as there will be plenty of flavors to sample. Try garlic and bacon fried oysters from Creole House, Luke’s oyster stew, an oyster Rockefeller po-boy from Oceana, oyster gumbo from The Famous Gumbo Pot, and more!

2. Covington JuneFest
June 17–18, 2017

Visit Coquille Park and Recreational Center on the other side of Lake Pontchartrain in Covington between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. for Junefest. You’ll find a slew of vendors offering art, crafts and commercial wares. You’ll also see plenty of tasty food vendors on-site, so don’t dine before you arrive!

3. Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival
June 24–25, 2017

The Cajun-Zydeco Festival is a free favorite that takes place in Louis Armstrong Park. From 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., the festival offers a heaping helping of folk music. The streets will also fill with Cajun cuisine and handcrafted goods, so you’ll find no end of delights to enjoy as you stroll through the park.

4. ESSENCE Festival
June 29–July 2, 2017

The ESSENCE Festival, hosted by Essence Magazine, celebrates contemporary African American music and culture. Expect to hear blues, jazz, hip-hop, and R&B at this massive festival in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. 2017 headliners include Diana Ross, Solange, Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, Chaka Khan, Chance the Rapper, and more.

5. Satchmo SummerFest
August 4–6, 2017

Satchmo SummerFest is a celebration of New Orleans icon Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong. Over his lifetime, Satchmo revolutionized the face of jazz. As the native hometown of this music legend, New Orleans holds a special place in its heart for Satchmo and all things jazz. SummerFest takes place in the French Quarter and includes three days of jazz, food and fun. Daily admission is just $5.

What festivals are on your calendar this summer? Share your favorites near Springs at River Chase and Springs at Fremaux Town Center in the comments section below!