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Mardi Gras New Orleans
Starts: 02/17/2026 - Ends: 03/04/2025
There's no better place to experience the excitement of Mardi Gras than in New Orleans! During this world-famous celebration, the city comes alive with vibrant parades, festive costumes, and lively music. It's the perfect time to explore New Orleans' iconic attractions, indulge in delicious local cuisine, and immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of the city. Whether you're catching beads on Bourbon Street or enjoying the sights and sounds of the festivities, Mardi Gras in the Big Easy is an unforgettable experience.
After enjoying the festivities, unwind at Slidell KOA, where you can relax in a safe and serene setting while staying close to the excitement of the city.
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Beignet Fest
Starts: 11/16/2025 - Ends: 11/16/2024
Hailed by Garden & Gun and Southern Living as one of the best food festivals in the South, Beignet Fest is a premier Louisiana food event celebrating one of New Orleans' most iconic dishes. With over 80 menu options, including nearly 50 unique takes on beignets - both sweet and savory - there's something for every taste. The festival also offers vegan and gluten-free options, making it accessible for all.
Proceeds from the event support the Beignet Fest Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and supporting programs for autistic youth and their families in the Greater New Orleans area.
After indulging in the delicious beignets and enjoying the festivities, camp at Slidell KOA, where you can unwind in a peaceful, natural setting.
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Bayou Bacchanal
Starts: 11/01/2025 - Ends: 11/02/2024
Bayou Bacchanal, the original Caribbean Carnival of New Orleans, is back for a vibrant two-day celebration of Caribbean culture and heritage. Presented by Friends of Culture, the event features authentic Caribbean cuisine, dance, and music, creating a lively and immersive experience. Friends of Culture works to strengthen the cultural connection between the Greater New Orleans region and the Caribbean islands.
After a lively celebration, retreat to Slidell KOA, where you can relax in a tranquil setting while remaining close to the city of New Orleans.
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Celebration in the Oaks
Starts: 11/29/2025 - Ends: 01/03/2025
Celebration in the Oaks is an annual holiday festivity from Thanksgiving through the New Year! It is one of the most spectacular holiday light shows in the country.
The grounds of New Orleans City Park are transformed into 25 acres of dazzling lights and breathtaking, festive displays. The Park, Botanical Garden, Storyland and Carousel Gardens Amusement Park are all captured with hundreds of thousands of lights to create a winter wonderland here in the Big Easy. There are two ways to enjoy the lighted displays:
- Enjoy the scene of illuminated oak trees with a driving tour throughout the park. Over a million lights will be scattered throughout the 2.25-mile drive to set the scene for the holiday season to come.
- You can also book a walking tour, which includes access to Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and the Botanical Garden.
As City Park's largest fundraiser, this incredible light festival has enchanted park visitors since the 1980s and is vital to the Park's maintenance, care, and beautification year-round. Tickets go on sale November 1st.
Book a stay at Slidell KOA, a conveniently located campground open year-round, ideal for holiday getaways.
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Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival
Starts: 11/09/2025 - Ends: 11/10/2024
The Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival is a free weekend celebration showcasing the music, food, and dance that define New Orleans. Enjoy live R&B, Funk, and Brass Bands while savoring delicious gumbo in the scenic Louis Armstrong Park. With an arts market, incredible performances, and plenty of local flavor, this event is a must for music and food lovers alike.
After a day of enjoying live music and flavorful gumbo, unwind at Slidell KOA, where you can relax in a serene environment while remaining close to the city's top attractions.
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Christmas Eve Bonfires on the Levee
Starts: 12/24/2025 - Ends: 12/24/2024
There are many colorfully imaginative traditions dating back to the earliest Cajun settlers of the regions of southern Louisiana to the west and north of New Orleans. One of them is the lighting of the bonfires along the Mississippi River on Christmas Eve.
At dusk, usually around 7:00 p.m., the structures are doused with flammable liquids and set ablaze, lighting the sky and the surrounding area with towering flames that would be impossible for Papa Noël and his reindeer to miss. The crowds that gather to watch these spectacular conflagrations enjoy a free show and, in some locales, free bowls of hot gumbo are served up by local residents. The blazes are often accompanied by displays of fireworks, set off by the fires themselves.
One of the best ways to ensure “a good seat” for a bonfire on the levee is to book a narrated motor coach excursion with Gray Line Tours. Two options are available: the four-hour Christmas Eve Bonfire Express, which only includes the bonfires, and the 6½-hour Christmas Eve Bonfire Adventure Tour, which includes a tour of San Francisco Plantation and a holiday dinner there.
Book a stay at Slidell KOA, a conveniently located campground open year-round, ideal for holiday getaways.
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Tour of the French Quarter History Galleries
Starts: 11/10/2024 - Ends: 03/08/2026
Discover more than 300 years of French Quarter history at the French Quarter History Galleries. This 35-minute guided tour showcases historic objects and images from the Historic New Orleans Collection's holdings, exploring the stories of immigrant communities, artists, musicians, and the complex legacies of slavery and civil rights activism. Tours are available at 11:30 AM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. After a day of exploring, return to the comfort of Slidell KOA, where you can relax and unwind in a natural setting while staying close to the city's top attractions.
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50th Louisiana Crawfish Festival
Starts: 03/20/2026 - Ends: 03/23/2025
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Louisiana Crawfish Festival, where you can enjoy live music, delicious food, and exciting carnival rides!
The Louisiana Crawfish Fest Foundation is dedicated to supporting community programs in St. Bernard Parish and the surrounding areas. Through its efforts, the foundation aims to promote the values of kindness and respect in all relationships, encouraging the spirit of the Golden Rule in daily life.
Book your weekend stay at Slidell KOA for convenient, safe, and family-friendly camping.
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St. Patrick's Day Parade
Starts: 03/15/2026 - Ends: 03/17/2025
St. Patrick's Day is another reason to celebrate in the Big Easy! Music and bands in the parade, dancing groups, floats, and float trucks bring this festivity to life - only stopping to award their beautiful beads and flowers to the lucky parade goers along the route!
Be sure to check out the website for all event details: a block party, parade, and more celebrations in downtown New Orleans.
- Sat, March 15 - Parasol's Block Party 10am - 8pm
- Sun, March 16 - St. Patrick's Day Parade on Metairie Rd. - 12pm
- Mon, March 17 - Downtown Irish Club Parade - 7:00pm
After enjoying the St. Patrick's Day festivities, retreat to Slidell KOA, where you can relax in a tranquil environment while being just a short drive from the parties and parades in the city.
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July 4th Weekend Special Event
Starts: 07/04/2025 - Ends: 07/05/2025
Fourth of July Weekend: Food Trucks & Live Entertainment at Slidell KOA!
July 4th: Tootsie's 5 - 9 pm
July 5th: Goodtimes 5 - 9 pm
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Labor Day Weekend Special Event
Starts: 09/05/2025 - Ends: 09/06/2025
Labor Day Weekend: Food Trucks & Live Entertainment at the park! Enjoy the holiday weekend camping and join the family-friendly festivities!
Sept 5: Tootsie's BBQ 5 - 9 pm
Sept 6: Goodtimes at Ida's 5 - 9 pm
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The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience
Starts: 06/11/2025 - Ends: 06/15/2025
The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience is a top culinary festival celebrating the city's rich food and drink culture. Now in its 33rd year, it brings together hundreds of wineries and restaurants, featuring bold flavors and creative dishes from New Orleans' best chefs. Recognized by USA Today as one of the best food and wine festivals in the country, it's a must-attend for food lovers. The event also gives back—raising over $1.5 million for local nonprofits that support food, culture, and community.
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Running of the Bulls
Starts: 07/12/2025 - Ends: 07/14/2025
Many know about Spain's famous Encierro de Pamplona, but not everyone realizes that New Orleans has its own version of the Running of the Bulls. In this playful twist, the “bulls” are roller derby skaters decked out in Spain's traditional bull run colors, complete with horned helmets, chasing down participants and playfully swatting them with plastic bats during the annual Encierro.
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Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival
Starts: 05/31/2025 - Ends: 06/01/2025
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation proudly presents the 2025 Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival, honoring the vibrant musical roots of Southwest Louisiana. Join the outdoor event at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center in New Orleans, for a celebration of authentic Louisiana sound.
Free and open to all!
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Creole Tomato Festival
Starts: 06/07/2025 - Ends: 06/08/2025
The French Market Creole Tomato Festival is a beloved tradition in New Orleans celebrating the region's famous Creole tomatoes, marking the beginning of summer. Held at the historic French Market, the festival highlights fresh local produce, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and a variety of tomato-based dishes.
The event takes place throughout the French Market district from Dutch Alley to Farmers Market.
Free and open to the public.
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New Orleans Pride
Starts: 06/13/2025 - Ends: 06/15/2025
Each June, New Orleans comes alive with events that celebrate and unite the LGBTQ community and its allies. From parades and parties to fundraisers and community gatherings, the city's inclusive and welcoming spirit shines all month long. Be sure to check the official events calendar for all of the Pride celebrations.
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Mardi Gras New Orleans
Starts: 02/17/2026 - Ends: 03/04/2025
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Mardi Gras New Orleans
Starts: 02/09/2027 - Ends: 02/24/2026
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Mardi Gras New Orleans
Starts: 02/29/2028 - Ends: 03/16/2027
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Mardi Gras New Orleans
Starts: 02/13/2029 - Ends: 02/29/2028
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Beignet Fest
Starts: 11/16/2025 - Ends: 11/16/2024
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Beignet Fest
Starts: 11/16/2026 - Ends: 11/16/2025
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Beignet Fest
Starts: 11/16/2027 - Ends: 11/16/2026
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Beignet Fest
Starts: 11/16/2028 - Ends: 11/17/2027
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Bayou Bacchanal
Starts: 11/01/2025 - Ends: 11/02/2024
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Bayou Bacchanal
Starts: 11/01/2026 - Ends: 11/02/2025
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Bayou Bacchanal
Starts: 11/01/2027 - Ends: 11/02/2026
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Bayou Bacchanal
Starts: 11/01/2028 - Ends: 11/03/2027
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Celebration in the Oaks
Starts: 11/29/2025 - Ends: 01/03/2025
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Celebration in the Oaks
Starts: 11/29/2026 - Ends: 01/03/2026
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Celebration in the Oaks
Starts: 11/29/2027 - Ends: 01/03/2027
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Celebration in the Oaks
Starts: 11/29/2028 - Ends: 01/04/2028
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Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival
Starts: 11/09/2025 - Ends: 11/10/2024
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Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival
Starts: 11/09/2026 - Ends: 11/10/2025
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Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival
Starts: 11/09/2027 - Ends: 11/10/2026
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Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival
Starts: 11/09/2028 - Ends: 11/11/2027
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Christmas Eve Bonfires on the Levee
Starts: 12/24/2025 - Ends: 12/24/2024
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Christmas Eve Bonfires on the Levee
Starts: 12/24/2026 - Ends: 12/24/2025
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Christmas Eve Bonfires on the Levee
Starts: 12/24/2027 - Ends: 12/24/2026
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Christmas Eve Bonfires on the Levee
Starts: 12/24/2028 - Ends: 12/25/2027
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Special Event Weekends
Starts: 07/04/2025 - Ends: 07/04/2025
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Special Event Weekends
Starts: 09/05/2025 - Ends: 09/05/2025
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50th Louisiana Crawfish Festival
Starts: 03/20/2026 - Ends: 03/23/2025
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St. Patrick's Day Parade
Starts: 03/15/2026 - Ends: 03/17/2025
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St. Patrick's Day Parade
Starts: 03/14/2027 - Ends: 03/16/2026
