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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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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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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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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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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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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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Red Dress Run
Starts: 08/09/2025 - Ends: 08/09/2025
If you've ever found yourself wondering why the streets of New Orleans are filled with people in red dresses on the second Saturday of August, it's all thanks to the Red Dress Run.Hosted by the New Orleans Hash House Harriers - a self-described drinking club with a running problem - this wildly popular event is equal parts fun run and festive fundraiser. Participants, both locals and visitors, don their best red dresses (yes, everyone wears one) and set off on a lively two-mile run starting at Crescent Park in the Bywater.The celebration continues with lunch and live music beginning at 11:30 a.m. Open only to those 21 and older, the event is open to all, whether or not you're a Hash House Harrier. Registration is strongly encouraged, as 100% of proceeds benefit local New Orleans charities.
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Satchmo SummerFest
Starts: 08/02/2025 - Ends: 08/03/2025
Satchmo SummerFest is a two-day celebration held annually on the first weekend of August, honoring the life, legacy, and music of one of New Orleans' most iconic native sons, Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong. First launched in 2001 to mark what would have been his 100th birthday - the same year the city renamed its airport Louis Armstrong International - the festival has become one of the only events in the world solely dedicated to celebrating Armstrong's enduring influence.Scheduled to coincide with Armstrong's actual birthdate, August 4 (discovered in the mid-1980s, though he famously claimed July 4, 1900, as his birthday), the festival features two stages of live New Orleans jazz and blues, a mouthwatering lineup of food from local Louisiana restaurants, and an indoor lecture series that explores Armstrong's life, music, and cultural impact.Born and raised in a poor New Orleans neighborhood known as Jane Alley, Armstrong rose to international fame, yet remained deeply connected to his roots. Whether performing for royalty or neighborhood children on his stoop in Queens, New York, he lived simply and stayed true to his community. Known worldwide as “Satchmo” - short for Satchelmouth, a nickname coined during a 1932 London visit - Armstrong is widely regarded as a founding father of jazz. His legacy as a musician, cultural ambassador, and trailblazer continues to resonate across generations.
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Tales of the Cocktail
Starts: 07/20/2025 - Ends: 07/25/2025
Tales of the Cocktail® is the premier annual gathering for the global drinks industry—a hub for sharing cutting-edge ideas, techniques, and products through in-person education, tastings, networking events, and prestigious awards.Since its inception in 2002 as a walking tour of New Orleans' iconic cocktail bars, Tales of the Cocktail® has evolved into the world's leading cocktail conference, drawing professionals and enthusiasts from around the globe to the heart of the French Quarter.The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) proudly announces the 23rd edition of Tales of the Cocktail®, set to take place July 20–25, 2025, at the historic Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans. This year's theme, Evolve, will focus on the continuous transformation of the cocktail industry—spotlighting innovation, adaptation, and the growth necessary to shape its future.
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New Orleans Saints vs New York Giants
Starts: 10/05/2025 - Ends: 10/05/2025
NFL Week 5: New Orleans Saints vs New York Giants at the Caesars Superdome.
Check the website for details and tickets.
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Bastille Day Celebration
Starts: 07/11/2025 - Ends: 07/11/2025
Experience one of the summer's most exciting celebrations! The Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans invites you to the annual Bastille Day Fête — a vibrant outdoor evening filled with French music, cuisine, culture, and community spirit in the heart of New Orleans.
Wander into a charming, village-style gathering with twinkling string lights, authentic French food and wine, lively music, and dancing under the stars. Savor a handpicked selection of local food and craft vendors as we celebrate French heritage in a joyful, family-friendly atmosphere!
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NOLA Pickle Fest
Starts: 08/06/2025 - Ends: 08/10/2025
NOLA Pickle Fest is a unique pickleball tournament and weekend festival set in the vibrant heart of New Orleans. Created for both players and fans, this lively event combines thrilling competition with live music, local vendors, and fun for the whole family — all while supporting the Drew Brees Foundation.
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New Orleans Saints vs New England Patriots
Starts: 10/12/2025 - Ends: 10/12/2025
NFL Week 6: New Orleans Saints vs New England Patriots at the Caesars Superdome.
Check the website for details and tickets.
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Southern Decadence
Starts: 08/29/2025 - Ends: 09/01/2025
This Labor Day weekend celebration is a staple of queer culture in New Orleans. Often described as a blend of New Orleans Pride and Gay Mardi Gras—with a bold, adult-oriented edge—Southern Decadence draws crowds from around the globe. The multi-day festival features lively street parties, concerts, club events, a vibrant parade, and so much more.
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New Orleans Saints vs Jacksonville Jaguars - Preseason
Starts: 08/17/2025 - Ends: 08/17/2025
NFL Preseason Week 2: New Orleans Saints vs Jacksonville Jaguars at the Caesars Superdome.
Check the website for details and tickets.
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New Orleans Saints vs Denver Broncos - Preseason
Starts: 08/23/2025 - Ends: 08/23/2025
NFL Preseason Week 3: New Orleans Saints vs Denver Broncos at the Caesars Superdome.
Check the website for details and tickets.
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New Orleans Saints vs Arizona Cardinals
Starts: 09/07/2025 - Ends: 09/07/2025
NFL Week 1: New Orleans Saints vs Arizona Cardinals at the Caesars Superdome.
Check the website for details and tickets.
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New Orleans Saints vs San Francisco 49ers
Starts: 09/14/2025 - Ends: 09/14/2025
NFL Week 2: New Orleans Saints vs San Francisco 49ers at the Caesars Superdome.
Check the website for details and tickets.
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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: 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
