It may be getting hotter, but baby, its festival season!
MAY
2 THURS
Swing in the Park
Lafreniere Park, Metairie. Bring your lawn chairs, food, and refreshments and enjoy music by the LPO. Free and open to the public. Bring canned food donations for Second Harvest Food Bank. Music begins at 6 pm.
3 FRI
Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do
Audubon Zoo. Featuring live entertainment, local and international cuisine from over 70 New Orleans restaurants, a luxury car raffle, premium cocktails, and a silent auction. $175/person. 8 pm-midnight.
4 SAT
Chalk Fest Arts Festival
Children’s Museum of St. Tammany, 21404 Koop Drive, Mandeville. This festival is free to the public and will consist of art, entertainment, food, fun, and a chalk art contest. 10 am-4 pm.
5 SUN
Youth Service Day
Louisiana SPCA. Kids have the opportunity to get involved and give back to the animals. This program is intended for children between the ages of 7 and 12 years of age. $25/registrant. 10 am-3 pm.
11 SAT
Annual Krewe of Turtles Parade
Brennan’s Restaurant, 417 Royal St. The “Slowest Second Line on Earth” – A 10-float wagon parade in honor of Brennan’s 10 Turtles, led by bagpipers and police escort, will roll for the fifth time through the streets of the French Quarter. 11 am-1 pm.
17-19, FRI-SUN
Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo Music Festival
500 N. Jefferson Davis Pkwy., New Orleans. Three days of food, music, art and community along the beautiful and historic Bayou St. John. Free admission.
18 SAT
New Orleans Fido Family 5K
City Park Festival Grounds, 4 Friederichs Ave., New Orleans. Enjoy this Inaugural road race, by running, walking or strutting with your mutt. Register at fidofamily5k.events. $45/person. 8:30 am-12:30 pm.
23-26, THURS-SUN
New Orleans Greek Festival
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1200 Robert E. Lee Blvd. Enjoy homemade traditional Greek food, wine, pastries, and other great desserts! Traditional Greek dancing and live music plays near the Bayou. Admission $8/person, kids under 12 free. Times vary by day.
25-26, SAT-SUN
Treme/7th Ward Arts & Culture Festival
814 N. Robertson St., New Orleans. Long known as bedrocks of indigenous art, culture, and history, the Tremé and 7th Ward neighborhoods will be celebrated for their immeasurable contributions. Free and open to the public. Noon-7 pm.
JUNE
1 SAT
Rubber Duck Derby (Nola Family is a proud sponsor)
New Orleans City Park Big Lake. Face painting, kids activities, food, and music. Thousands of rubber ducks will be racing for the grand prize of $5,000. $5/duck donation. 4 pm.
8 SAT
Bluesberry Festival
Bogue Falaya Park, 213 Park Drive, Covington. Enjoy a day filled with Abita Blueberry Beer, signature dishes from the Food Truck Roundup, and the interactive children’s village. $25/adult at the gate, kids 10 and under are free. 10 am-7 pm.
8-9, SAT-SUN
Creole Tomato Festival
French Market District, 1235 N. Peters St. The 33rd Annual Festival will feature two live music stages, a cooking demo stage, and kids activities. Frenchmarket.org. Free admission. Times vary by day.
22-23, SAT-SUN
NOLA Caribbean Festival
Central City BBQ, 1201 South Rampart St. Family friendly festival with kids zone containing inflatables, drum tent, arts & crafts tent, face painting and baby friendly area. Plus, delicious Caribbean food, drinks, and music. $10/person. 5-10 pm.
22-23, SAT-SUN
Cajun Zydeco Festival
Armstrong Park, 701 Rampart St., New Orleans. The only festival that features exclusively Cajun and zydeco music will have great seafood, large arts market, activities for kids, and lots of misting fans to keep everyone cool. Free admission. 11 am-7:30 pm.
29 SAT
Light Up the Lake
City of Mandeville, 3101 E Causeway Approach, Mandeville. Enjoy a picnic beginning at 10 am. Keep Mandeville Beautiful Kid’s Tent will be located near the stage offering fun activities for kids of all ages. Entertainment on stage begins at 6 pm. The night will end with a fireworks display.
