Calendar of Events

For general information, contact the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau, 2020 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130 (tel. 800/672-6124 or 504/566-5011; www.neworleanscvb.com).

For an exhaustive list of events beyond those listed here, check http://events.frommers.com, where you'll find a searchable, up-to-the-minute roster of what's happening in cities all over the world.

January

Allstate Sugar Bowl Classic. First held in 1934, this is New Orleans's oldest yearly sporting occasion. 2007 marked Allstate's first sponsorship of this college football championship, in the triumphantly refurbished, if still tarnished emotionally, Superdome. The football game is the main event, but there are a series of other fan- and visitor-related activities. Fans tend to be really loud, really boisterous, and everywhere during the festivities. For information, contact Allstate Sugar Bowl, 1500 Sugar Bowl Dr., New Orleans, LA 70112 (tel. 504/828-2440; www.allstatesugarbowl.org). January 1, 2008.

February

Lundi Gras. This is an old tradition that has been revived in the last decade or so. It's free, it's outdoors (celebrations are at Spanish Plaza), and it features music (including a jazz competition) and the arrival of Rex at 6pm, marking the beginning of Mardi Gras, plus an appearance by the King of Zulu. For more information, contact New Orleans Riverwalk Marketplace, 1 Poydras St., New Orleans, LA 70130 (tel. 504/522-1555). Monday before Mardi Gras. February 4, 2008.

Mardi Gras. The culmination of the 2-month-long carnival season, Mardi Gras is the big annual blowout, a citywide party that takes place on Fat Tuesday (the last day before Lent on the Christian calendar). The entire city stops working (sometimes days in advance!) and starts partying in the early morning, and the streets are taken over by some overwhelming parades -- which, these days, go through the Central Business District instead of the French Quarter. Day before Ash Wednesday. February 5, 2008.

March

St. Patrick's Day Parades. There are two: One takes place in the French Quarter beginning at Molly's at the Market (1107 Decatur St.) on March 14, and the other goes through the Irish Channel neighborhood following a route that begins at Jackson Avenue and Magazine Street, goes over to St. Charles Avenue, turns uptown to Louisiana Avenue, and returns to Jackson Avenue. The parades have the flavor of Mardi Gras, but instead of beads, watchers are pelted with cabbages, carrots, and other veggies. For information on the French Quarter parade, call Molly's at the Market (tel. 504/525-5169). The Irish Channel parade takes place in early March. Because there's no organization to contact about this one, you can try the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau for more information.

St. Joseph's Day Parade. Another city-centric festivity that gets little play outside of the area. St. Joseph is the patron saint of families and working men. His veneration was brought to New Orleans by Italian and Sicilian immigrants. On his saint's day, in addition to the parade, which takes place the weekend around March 19, you may want to visit the altars devoted to St. Joseph, moving and elaborate works of art featuring food, candles, statues, and much more, all of which takes days to construct. You can find them all over the city, at various churches (where you might get fed after services), private homes (where you will likely also get fed), and at the American Italian Museum and Library, 537 S. Peters St. For more information, call tel. 504/522-7294. March 17-19.

Super Sunday. This is the annual Mardi Gras Indians showdown, which takes place on the Sunday nearest St. Joseph's Day. This is an incredible but sadly underappreciated event in New Orleans, when the Indians are all in one place; the feathers fly and the chants are ongoing. These days more than ever, it's hard to say who will show. Unfortunately, there are no contact numbers nor firm times or locations for this event (though it's roughly in the Bayou St. John area and uptown, around the corner of LaSalle and Washington), and for that matter, recently the two neighborhoods have been doing their respective things on Sundays 2 weeks apart. For more information, you can try checking with www.nola.com or the Metropolitan Tourism board, or just show up in town and drive into that area and ask around, or just watch for feathers and listen for drums. Usually in mid- to late March.

Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival. The 22nd anniversary of the festival takes place in 2008. A 5-day series celebrating New Orleans's rich literary heritage, this festival includes theatrical performances, readings, discussion panels, master classes, musical events, and literary walking tours dedicated to the playwright. By the way, the focus is not confined to Tennessee Williams. Events take place at venues throughout the city. For info, call tel. 504/581-1144 or go to www.tennesseewilliams.net. March 26-30, 2008.

Spring Fiesta. The fiesta, which begins with the crowning of the Spring Fiesta queen, is more than half a century old and takes place throughout the city -- from the Garden District to the French Quarter to Uptown and beyond. Historical and architectural tours of many of the city's private homes, courtyards, and plantation homes are offered in conjunction with the 5-day event. For the schedule, call the Spring Fiesta Association (tel. 504/581-1367). Last 2 weekends in March or early April.

April

The French Quarter Festival. For hard-core jazz fans, this is rapidly becoming an alternative to Jazz Fest, where actual jazz is becoming less and less prominent. It kicks off with a parade down Bourbon Street. Among other things, you can join people dancing in the streets, learn the history of jazz, visit historic homes, and take a ride on a riverboat. Many local restaurants set up booths in Jackson Square, so the eating is exceptionally good. Events are held all over the French Quarter. For information, call or write French Quarter Festivals, 400 N. Peters St., New Orleans, LA 70130 (tel. 504/522-5730; www.fqfi.org). Usually mid-April.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest). A 10-day event that draws musicians, music fans, cooks, and craftspeople to celebrate music and life, Jazz Fest rivals Mardi Gras in popularity. Lodgings in the city tend to sell out up to a year ahead, so book early. Events take place at the Fair Grounds Race Track and various venues throughout the city. For information, call or write New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, 1205 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, LA 70116 (tel. 504/522-4786; www.nojazzfest.com). Usually held the last weekend in April and first weekend in May.

The Crescent City Classic. This 6-mile road race, from Jackson Square to Audubon Park, brings an international field of top runners to the city. For more info, call or write the Classic, P.O. Box 13587, New Orleans, LA 70185 (tel. 504/861-8686; www.ccc10k.com). Saturday before Easter.

May

Greek Festival. Located at the Holy Trinity Cathedral's Hellenic Cultural Center, this 3-day festival features Greek folk dancing, specialty foods, crafts, and music. For more information, call or write Holy Trinity Cathedral, 1200 Robert E. Lee Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70122 (tel. 504/282-0259; www.greekfestnola.com). Last weekend of May.

New Orleans Wine & Food Experience. During this time, antiques shops and art galleries throughout the French Quarter hold wine and food tastings, winemakers and local chefs conduct seminars, and a variety of vintner dinners and grand tastings are held for your gourmandistic pleasure. More than 150 wines and 40 restaurants are featured every day. For information and this year's schedule, call or write Mary Reynolds, P.O. Box 70514, New Orleans, LA 70172 (tel. 504/529-9463; www.nowfe.com). Five days toward the end May.

June

The Great French Market Tomato Festival. A celebration of tomato diversity, this daylong event features cooking and tastings in the historic French Market. For more information, call or write the French Market, P.O. Box 51749, New Orleans, LA 70151 (tel. 504/522-2621; www.frenchmarket.org). First Sunday in June.

International Arts Festival. This 3-day gathering of calypso, reggae, and soca (a blend of soul and calypso) musicians is held in City Park and includes a heady helping of ethnic foods and arts and crafts. For more information, call or write Ernest Kelly, P.O. Box 6156, New Orleans, LA 70174 (tel. 504/367-1313). Second week of June.

July

Go Fourth on the River. The annual Fourth of July celebration begins in the morning at the riverfront and continues into the night, culminating into a spectacular fireworks display. For more information, go to www.go4thontheriver.com or contact the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau at tel. 800/672-6124. July 4th.

Essence Music Festival. The return of this 3-day event (after a stint in Houston, which lobbied hard to keep it), sponsored by the venerable magazine, to the Superdome is a significant one for the city. Nighttime entertainment brings the top names in African-American entertainment. (2007's lineup included Beyonce, Ludacris, the O'Jays, the Isley Brothers, Lionel Richie, and many others.) Known as a "party with a purpose," the daytime offers seminars with motivational speakers, crafts and trade fairs, and other activities, not to mention huge crowds. www.essence.com. Early July.

Tales of the Cocktail. The first mixed drink was invented right here in New Orleans, where they still love to drink (you may have noticed!), and eat, and talk about both those activities. With cocktail tours of local bars, tie-ins with local restaurants, panels featuring local restaurant owners, chefs, drinks specialists, authors, and plenty of clever, quirky events, it's quickly becoming one of the year's top events. For information, go to www.talesofthecocktail.com. Mid-July.

August

Satchmo Summerfest. Hometown boy made very good is now celebrated with his own festival, held around his real birthday (he claimed to be born on July 4th, but records prove otherwise). It includes the usual local food and music in Satchmo's honor, with the emphasis on jazz entertainment and education, including activities for kids to ensure Satchmo lives on for generations to come. For location updates and information, call or write French Quarter Festivals, 400 N. Peters St., New Orleans, LA 70130 (tel. 504/522-5730; www.frenchquarterfestivals.org). August 2-5, 2008.

September

Southern Decadence. The pinnacle of gay New Orleans, where more than 100,000 gay men come to town to flaunt it, whether they got it or not. The multiday party hits its frenzied peak on the Sunday before Labor Day as participants flock to follow a secret parade route, making sure to stop into many bars along the way. People travel from far and wide to be a part of the festivities. There is only an informal organization associated with the festival, and it's hard to get anyone on the phone. For information, try the website www.southerndecadence.com or contact Ambush Magazine (tel. 504/522-8047; fax 504/522-0907). Labor Day weekend.

The Rayne Frog Festival. Cajuns can always find an excuse to hold a party, and in this case they've turned to the lowly frog as an excuse for a fais do-do (dance) and a waltz contest. Frog races and frog-jumping contests fill the entertainment bill -- and if you arrive without your amphibian, there's a Rent-a-Frog service. A lively frog-eating contest winds things up. For dates and full details, contact Lafayette Parish Convention and Visitors Commission, P.O. Box 52066, Lafayette, LA 70505 (tel. 800/346-1958 in the U.S., 800/543-5340 in Canada, or 337/232-3808; www.lafayettetravel.com). Labor Day weekend.

October

Art for Arts' Sake. The arts season begins with gallery openings throughout the city. Julia, Magazine, and Royal streets are where the action is. For more information, contact the Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., New Orleans, LA 70130 (tel. 504/523-1216; www.cacno.org). Throughout the month.

Gumbo Festival. This festival showcases one of the region's signature dishes and celebrates Cajun culture to boot. It's 3 days of gumbo-related events (including the presentation of the royal court of King and Miss Creole Gumbo), plus many hours of Cajun music. The festival is held in Bridge City, on the outskirts of New Orleans. For more information, contact the Gumbo Festival, P.O. Box 9069, Bridge City, LA 70096 (tel. 504/436-4712). Second weekend in October. October 10-12, 2008.

Festivals Acadiens. This is a series of happenings that celebrate Cajun music, food, crafts, and culture in and near Lafayette, Louisiana. (Most of the events are in Lafayette.) For more information, contact the Lafayette Parish Convention and Visitors Commission, P.O. Box 52066, Lafayette, LA 70505 (tel. 800/346-1958 in the U.S., 800/543-5340 in Canada, or 337/232-3737; www.lafayettetravel.com). October 10-12, 2008.

New Orleans Film Festival. Canal Place Cinemas and other theaters throughout the city screen award-winning local and international films and host writers, actors, and directors over the course of a week. Admission prices range from $6.25 for NOFF members to $7.25 for general admission. For dates, contact the New Orleans Film and Video Society, 843 Carondelet, No. 1, New Orleans, LA 70130 (tel. 504/309-6633; www.neworleansfilmfest.com). Midmonth.

Halloween. Rivaling Mardi Gras in terms of costumes, Halloween is certainly celebrated more grandly here than it is in any other American city. After all, New Orleans has a way with ghosts. Events include Boo-at-the-Zoo (end of Oct) for children, costume parties (including a Monster Bash at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center), haunted houses, formal and informal costume extravaganzas and much more. Apart from Southern Decadence, it's the biggest magnet for gay and lesbian visitors. You can catch the ghoulish action all over the city -- many museums get in on the fun with specially designed tours -- but the French Quarter, as always, is the center of the Halloween-night universe. October 31.

Voodoo Music Experience. This 2-day music festival, set in City Park, was the first major event to return to the city, 2 months after Hurricane Katrina, buoying the spirits of the first wave of people working on reconstruction, with a lineup that featured Nine Inch Nails. In 2006, the lineup included Rage Against the Machine, Ben Harper, Wilco, Dr. John, Common, The Smashing Pumpkins, and The Black Crowes, among many others. An increasingly big draw, there are seven stages, with top regional and international acts (www.voodoomusicfest.com). Last weekend in October.

November

Swamp Festival. Sponsored by the Audubon Institute, the Swamp Festival features long days of live Swamp Music performances (lots of good zydeco here), as well as hands-on contact with Louisiana swamp animals. Admission to the festival is free with zoo admission. For information, call or write the Audubon Institute, 6500 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70118 (tel. 504/861-2537; www.auduboninstitute.org). First weekend in November.

Words & Music: A Literary Fest in New Orleans. This highly ambitious literary and music conference (originated in large part by the folks behind Faulkner House Books) offers 5 days' worth of roundtable discussions with eminent authors (with varying connections to the city), original drama, poetry readings, and master classes, plus great music and food. For authors seeking guidance and inspiration and for book lovers in general, call tel. 504/586-1609 or visit their website at www.wordsandmusic.org for exact dates.

December

Christmas New Orleans-Style. New Orleans loves to celebrate, so it should be no surprise that they do Christmas really well. The town is decorated to a fare-thee-well, there is an evening of candlelit caroling in Jackson Square, bonfires line the levees along the River Road on Christmas Eve (to guide Papa Noël, his sled drawn by alligators, on his gift-delivering way), restaurants offer specially created multicourse Réveillon dinners, and hotels throughout the city offer "Papa Noël" rates.

Why? Because despite all the fun and the generally nice (read: not hot and humid) weather, tourism goes waaay down at this time of year, and hotels are eager to lure you all in with cheaper rates. This is one of the top times to come to town -- you can have the city virtually to yourself. For information, contact French Quarter Festivals, 400 N. Peters St., Suite 205, New Orleans, LA 70130 (tel. 504/522-5730; www.frenchquarterfestivals.org). All month.

Celebration in the Oaks. Lights and lighted figures designed to illustrate holiday themes bedeck sections of City Park. This display of winter wonderment is open for driving and walking tours. Driving tours are $12 per family car or van, and walking tours are $5 per person. For information, contact Celebration in the Oaks, 1 Palm Dr., New Orleans, LA 70124 (tel. 544/482-4888; www.neworleanscitypark.com). Late November to early January.

New Year's Eve. The countdown takes place in Jackson Square and is a big, reliable street party. In the Southern equivalent of New York's Times Square, revelers watch a lighted ball drop from the top of Jackson Brewery. December 31.