It’s always a good time to visit New Orleans, but this is an extra special year, as Royal Sonesta New Orleans celebrates it’s 50th anniversary. We’ve compiled a list of 50 events, attractions, offers, and more to make your New Orleans trip planning a little easier. Round out your visit with one of these overnight offers, and  join in the celebration!

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August

French Quarter Fling at Royal Sonesta New Orleans

Guest Select package at Royal Sonesta New Orleans, Aug-Sept travel

Aug. 1-31: COOLinary New Orleans- A month full of the city’s famous restaurants offering lunch and dinner specials. Restaurant R’evolution’s menu includes lunch specials for $20 and brunch and dinner specials for $39

Aug. 10: Red Dress Run – Both men and women will don red dresses and race throughout the French Quarter to support more than 100 local charities.

Aug. 21-24: NOLA Downtown Music and Arts Festival – features pop-up shops, food trucks and musicians

Aug. 21: Tulane University football season begins. Full season here.

Aug. 23-25: 13th Annual Running of the Bulls – The Big Easy Rollergirls and various other roller derby leagues act as bulls on Saturday’s “bull run”, chasing participants throughout the city’s Central Business District.

Aug. 29-Sept. 2: Southern Decadence – One of the largest annual celebrations and festivals in New Orleans. A six-day event held by the LGBTQ community during Labor Day Weekend

Aug. 31: LSU football season begins. Full season here.

September

Saints Home Football Games in the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Full schedule is available here.

Sept. 11: Royal Sonesta New Orleans’ 50th Anniversary

 Sept. 9-15: Restaurant Week in New Orleans – Restaurant R’evolution’s menu                       includes lunch specials for $20 and brunch and dinner specials for $39

Sept. 10-22: National Fried Chicken Fest with live entertainment at Woldenberg                  Park

Sept. 21: NOLA on Tap Beer Fest – A dog-friendly beer festival featuring an                            amazing music lineup, more than 400 local, national and homebrewed beers,                      delicious food vendors, games, prizes, Beer Judge Certification Program awards,                 Barktoberfest and much more.

Sept. 28: Gleason Gras – Annual fundraiser by former Saints player Steve Gleason, which raises awareness for ALS and supports the Team Gleason Foundation

October

4-5, Oct. 11-12, Oct. 18-19: Oktoberfest – German food, music and beer

Oct. 5: Art for Art’s Sake – A showcase of art, food and music on Magazine Street. Features artwork and other goodies from over 100 participating shops, stores, restaurants and galleries

Oct. 5: Beignet Fest at the Festival Grounds at New Orleans City Park – Features more than 30 beignet dishes, live/local music performances, a Kid’s Village, Art Market and VIP Experience

Oct. 16-23: New Orleans Film Festival, hosted by the New Orleans Film Society

Oct. 18-21: Crescent City Blues & Barbeque Festival – Features live music, and arts market and food vendors

Oct. 25-27: Voodoo Music + Arts Experience – A multi-day music and arts festival held in City Park

Oct. 12: NOLA Mac ‘n Cheese Fest in Louis Armstrong Park

Oct. 19: Krewe of Boo Parade – A Halloween-themed parade that goes through the French Quarter

November

November 3: Oak Street Po-Boy Festival – Features live music and more than 30 vendors offering a variety of po-boys

Nov. 4-8: New Orleans International Wine Awards  – A wine competition and consumer tasting event

Nov. 8: Boudin, Bourbon and Beer – Annual fundraiser hosted by the Emeril Lagasse Foundation in Champions Square, Restaurant R’evolution regularly participates.

Nov. 9: Carnivale du Vin – A charity wine auction hosted by Emeril Lagasse Foundation that brings together the top names in food, wine and entertainment to benefit children’s charities

Nov. 16: Treme Gumbo Festival – A festival highlighting brass bands and gumbo

Nov. 25: Bayou Classic, Grambling State vs. Southern University football game – Prior to the game, fans are treated to a parade, fan festival, empowerment and career seminars and a Battle of the Bands

Date TBD: Lighting of the Balconies, held annually at the Royal Sonesta New Orleans.  Two young patients from Children’s Hospital New Orleans will ceremoniously “flip the switch” to illuminate thousands of lights on the property’s wrought iron balconies

December

Réveillon throughout December: A Crescent City tradition that dates back to the                   early 19th century – Restaurant R’evolution hosts a Holiday Dinner and Brunch
Teddy Bear Tea at Royal Sonesta New Orleans – Held throughout the holiday season

Zoo Lights  at Audubon Zoo features an annual holiday lights display

Sonesta ES Suites New Orleans, opening in late 2019

Dec. 12-15: LUNA Fete in Lafayette Square – Free and open to the public with light projections and installations

Dec. 14: Jingle on the Boulevard holiday parade

TBD: Teddy Bear Tea on the Road – Staff from Royal Sonesta visit patients at Children’s Hospital New Orleans, complete with Santa and other favorite holiday characters

TBD: Krewe of Jingle Parade holiday parade

Ongoing

50thanniversary package at Royal Sonesta New Orleans

The Perfect Thyming cocktail at The Jazz Playhouse – Celebratory 50th anniversary cocktail

Special Desire Oyster Bar dish celebrating 50 years of Royal Sonesta New Orleans – Pan Roasted Redfish, Rockefeller Crust, Fried P&J Oysters, Potato Croquettes

Bar R’evolution’s launch of a daily happy hour. Drink prices ranging from $5-7 and bites from $7-21

Nightly live music at The Jazz Playhouse

The pool and Oasis Bar at Royal Sonesta New Orleans

The opening of the brand new Louisiana Children’s Museum

A six-acre expansion of the New Orleans Museum of Art

The upcoming opening of Sazerac House – An interactive, high-tech experience that will take visitors through a journey of the history and culture of spirit

A new world-class airport terminal will open at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

The unveiling of the Bollinger Canopy of Peace at the National World War II Museum

Past Events

Mardi Gras season – Kicked off with Twelfth Night on Jan. 6 and lasted through Fat Tuesday on March 5

Greasing of the Poles at Royal Sonesta New Orleans – Greasing of the Poles is considered by many to be the French Quarter’s official kickoff to Mardi Gras weekend. Royal Sonesta New Orleans originated the ritual of greasing the building’s support poles as a practical means to deter overzealous revelers from shimmying up to the coveted balcony space. Nearly half a century later, the practice has evolved into a star-studded and music-filled event, even spawning its own international fan club that faithfully hails from Switzerland each year to participate.

50th Anniversary of the New Orleans Jazz + Heritage Festival