After a long Carnival season, the fun keeps going in spring in New Orleans with festivals of all sizes, concerts, comedy, parades, theater and more.

Spring festivals match music and barbecue at Hogs for the Cause on the Lakefront. French Quarter Festival brings hundreds of musicians to the riverfront and the historic district. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival brings its huge mix of touring acts, local bands and international visitors to the Fair Grounds. Bayou Boogaloo brings music, comedy and burlesque to Bayou St. John in May. And New Orleans Greek Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary.

There also is a big slate of concerts, including plenty of late-night jams at Jazz Fest time. Look for Wilco, Paul Simon, Curren$y, St. Vincent and more at local venues.

Stand-up comedians also hit local venues from Sports Drink to the Saenger Theatre. Headliners include Kevin Hart, Taylor Tomlinson, W. Kamau Bell and Josh Johnson.

Other events range from Art in Bloom at the New Orleans Museum of Art to horror films at the Overlook Film Festival at Prytania Theatres, and the New Orleans Giant Puppet Festival at a dozen downtown venues. Culinary events include Brews, Boils and Bubbles on the Lakefront and Food Fight in Metairie’s Lafreniere Park. Touring Broadway productions of “Hamilton” and “The Wiz” come to Saenger Theatre as well.

The listings below have dates, locations and other details for a host of events in the New Orleans area. Check Gambit’s print issue and our website for more information and events through spring.

MARCH

thru March 30

‘Once Upon a Mattress’

Princess Winnifred pursues her prince over the objections of his overbearing mother, the Queen, in the musical comedy adaptation of a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. At Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts. Tickets $41-$45 via rivertowntheaters.com. 

thru March 30

Twilight concerts at Longue Vue

Longue Vue House and Gardens hosts a Wednesday night concert series through April 30. Performers include Mia Borders, Paul Sanchez, Shovaly Plus and more. Events are at 5-7 p.m. Admission $7.50 per person, and series subscriptions are available via longuevue.com.

thru April 6

‘Jersey Boys’

The story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is told by the band members in a jukebox musical featuring the songs “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Rag Doll” and more. At Le Petit Theatre. Tickets $27-$97 via lepetittheatre.com.

thru May 4 

We Will Dream Festival

The biennial theater festival features an array of events. Marking the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the festival’s theme explores bodies of water and connection and remembrance. Events include the AZUCAR New Play Reading Festival in early April and the experiential show “Wonder Wander” April 4-13 in City Park. Many events are at the Andre Cailloux Center for Performing Arts and Cultural Justice. For a list of events and tickets, visit nodreamdeferrednola.com. 

thru May 6

Wednesday at the Square

The weekly free concert series in Lafayette Square features two bands each night, an arts market and food and drink vendors. Upcoming headliners include People Museum on April 2, The Deslondes on April 9, Soul Rebels on April 16, George Porter Jr. and Runnin’ Pardners on April 23 and more. Concerts are at 5-8 p.m. Visit ylcwats.com for details.

March 24-29

New Orleans

Entrepreneur Week

The week includes many events and a two-day summit with sessions on entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, AI, finding capital, health care and more. The summit is at Loyola University New Orleans. Visit noew.org for schedule and details.

March 26-30

Tennessee Williams New

Orleans Literary Festival

The annual festival features tribute readings, discussions of Tennessee Williams’ work, writing marathons, panel discussions about literary techniques and topics, walking tours, live music and more. Mink Stole, a Dreamlander who starred in many of John Waters films and has released an album will sing, accompanied by Harry Mayronne on piano. Productions coinciding with the festival include “Orpheus Descending” by the Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans, and “A Recluse and His Guest” by the Mudlark Puppeteers with Night Shade. Many events are at the Monteleone Hotel or French Quarter locations. Visit tennesseewilliams.net for a full schedule and tickets.

March 27

Food Fight

More than 40 restaurants, caterers and pop-ups compete in the tasting event at Metairie’s Lafreniere Park. There are categories for best traditional, creative and vegetarian dish, as well as creative and traditional cocktails. Participants include Addis NOLA, Bayona, Jamaican Jerk House, The Nori Guys, Origen Bistro, Union Ramen, Willie Mae’s, Wishing Town Bakery Cafe and more. There’s music by James Andrews, Pell will DJ and Dohm Collective will run a silent disco. Tickets $95-$145 via foodfightnola.com.

March 27

‘Titanic: An Immersive Voyage’

Visitors walk through an immersive space that recreates the Titanic and the story of its sinking through video animations and 3-D video, with scenes of the recreated interior rooms and the appearance of the iceberg that collided with the ship. The attraction opens March 27 at the Scottish Rite Temple. Tickets $20.90-$37.90 via expo-titanic.com/new-orleans.

March 27-29

The New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane

Tulane University hosts the festival of speakers and authors. Thursday opens with a symposium about the future of American democracy led by Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic. The festival line-up features Dr. Anthony Fauci, Bob Woodward, former New York Times editor Dean Baquet, Michael Lewis, Walter Isaacson, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, W. Kamau Bell, Ken Auletta, former news anchor Don Lemon, Sarah M. Broom, Sarah Vowell, astronaut Catherine “Cady” Coleman, librarian Amanda Jones, Gen. Mark A. Milley, political strategists and commentators David Axelrod and Karl Rove, columnists Charles Blow, Max Boot, Maureen Dowd and many more. There also are many sessions on New Orleans culture with local authors. Events are at Tulane University. Visit bookfest.tulane.edu for details.

March 27-30

Art in Bloom

The annual floral show at NOMA follows the theme “Les Jardins de la Nouvelle-Orleans,” and designers and artists fill museum galleries with displays that match artworks. There’s a patron party on March 26 and events during the expo. Find details at noma.org.

March 27-30

‘Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars’

Tiana leads a cast of more than 50 Disney stars from a variety of stories, including Moana, Woody and Buzz from “Toy Story,” Mirabel from “Encanto,” Raya from “Raya and the Last Dragon” and more. The show incorporates skating, acrobatics, special effects and more. At UNO Lakefront Arena. Tickets $20 and up via ticketmaster.com. 

March 27-April 6

‘Every Brilliant Thing’

Alex Martinez Wallace stars in playwright Duncan Macmillan and comedian Jonny Donahoe’s one-man show. In it, a boy copes with his mother’s mental health issues and other setbacks by creating a list of good things, which he maintains as he grows to adulthood and gains perspective. The NOLA Project presents the show at Big Couch. Tickets $20-$55 via nolaproject.com.

March 27 – April 13

‘Orpheus Descending’

In Tennessee Williams’ 1957 drama, Val, a musician from New Orleans with a mysterious past, arrives in a small Southern town that’s full of its own hidden secrets and troubles. The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans kicks off its 10th season with the show at Marquette Theater at Loyola University New Orleans. Tickets $10-$55 via twtheatrenola.com.  

March 28

‘The Great Gatsby’

The Los Angeles-based World Ballet Company adapted F. Scott Fitzgerald’s story and added lavish costuming to invoke the Jazz Age and the wealth of Jay Gatsby. A troupe of 40 dancers recounts the story of Gatsby’s desire for Daisy and the truth behind all the decadent facades in the Broadway-style ballet. At Orpheum Theater. Find tickets via orpheumnola.net.

March 28

Orleania Open Studios

The artists at Orleania Art Studios hold an open studio night with live music, a DJ and food from El Pastor in the courtyard. There are more than 30 artists working in all sorts of media in the hub of studios at 1521 St. Ferdinand St. Visit @orleania.art.studios on Instagram for information. 

March 28-30

Big Bounce America

The touring bounce house attraction features seven huge inflatables, with a 24,000-foot bounce house, a 900-foot obstacle course, sports-themed games and the sea foam OctoBlast. There are sessions for all ages, from toddlers to adults. At UNO. Find tickets and information at thebigbounceamerica.com.

March 28-30

New Orleans Home and Garden Show

The Home Builders Alliance of Greater New Orleans presents the home show featuring 200 exhibits on products and techniques to build, renovate or decorate a home. Attractions include hot air balloon rides inside the Superdome. At Caesars Superdome. Find tickets via ticketmaster.com. 

March 28-30

Saints & Sinners LGBTQ Literary Festival

The festival features readings, panel discussions with writers, editors and publishers, workshops, pitch sessions and more. Writers include Robert W. Fiesler, Clayton Delery, Greg Herren, Frank Perez, Timothy Shaffert, Julia Watts and more. The Last Bohemia Soiree has entertainment by Kitten on the Keys, Fauxnique and Tim Murray. Many events are at the Monteleone Hotel. Visit sasfest.org for full schedule and tickets.

March 28-April 6

‘Billy Elliot’

In the coming-of-age comedy, a coal miner’s son discovers he has great aptitude for ballet, and a teacher helps young Billy find an opportunity to follow his dream. Jefferson Performing Arts Society presents the show at Jefferson Performing Arts Center. Find tickets via ticketmaster.com. 

March 29

Big Bass Rodeo

The freshwater fishing rodeo takes place in City Park and along Bayou St. John, and there are kayaking races as well. Individual and student groups compete in catch-and-release bank fishing. There’s also entertainment and educational activities. Go to neworleanscitypark.org to register and for information.

March 29

Brews, Boils & Bubbles

The festival features a variety of boiled seafood from local restaurants and vendors, local craft beer and live music by Cupid, Tonya Boyd-Cannon, Big 6 Brass Band, Flow Tribe and more. On the Lakefront near UNO. Advance tickets $20 via brewsboilsbubbles.com, and $30 on the day of the event.

March 29

Freret Street Festival

The street festival packs three stages and many local food and craft vendors onto six blocks of Freret Street from Napoleon Avenue to Valmont Street. Visit freretstreetfestival.org for details.

March 29-30

Congo Square Rhythms Festival

The festival has two stages for live music and African dance, and there are food vendors, an art market and kids’ activities. The line-up features Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and the Golden Eagles, Erica Falls, Bo Dollis Jr. and the Wild Magnolias, Trumpet Mafia, The Nth Power, Original Pinettes Brass Band, Bamboula 2000, Kumbuka Dance Ensemble, N’Fungola Sibo and more. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation presents the festival at Congo Square. Find information via jazzandheritage.org.

March 30

Abita Springs Busker Festival

The free festival celebrates Louisiana roots music with live performances and food and drink vendors at Abita Springs Park, next to the Tammany Trace. The regular Trailhead farmer’s market is open during the fest. Visit trailheadmuseum.org/busker-festival for details. 

APRIL

April 1

April Fools Day Parade

The Krewe du Fool presents its costumed parade with a brass band and Little Freddie King as Grand Marshal. The procession starts at Franklin Avenue and Royal Street and follows a route through Marigny. Visit krewedufool.com for details. 

April 2

Evenings with Enrique

The concert series features Latin sounds in the New Orleans Botanical Garden on Wednesdays in April. Performers include Arpa, Margie Perez, AsheSon and more. Events are at 5-7:30 p.m. Admission is free for Louisiana residents. Visit neworleanscitypark.org for information.  

April 3-7

New Orleans Giant Puppet Festival

The line-up features more than 20 local and visiting companies and performers including Mudlark Puppeteers, Midnight Radio Show, ToyBox Theatre, Night Shade, Mr. Bone Tangles, Velvet Effigy, Quintron and Miss Pussycat and more. There are shows at a dozen venues, puppet slams, a parade and workshops. Visit neworleansgiantpuppetfest.com for tickets and information.

April 3-6

Overlook Film Fest

The horror film fest includes 25 new and classic feature films and three slates of short films, and many filmmakers will attend screenings. Opening night is Christopher Landon’s mystery thriller “Drop.” “Chain Reactions” is about artists whose lives were changed by “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” The Dracula story “Abraham’s Boys” gets a world premiere at the fest, and there’s a screening of David Lynch’s “Lost Highway.” Most screenings and panels are at The Prytania Theaters, and there are extra showings on April 7-8. Visit overlookfilmfest.com for details. 

April 4-5

Hogs for the Cause

The annual barbecue and music festival features three stages and 90 teams roasting hogs and serving a variety of dishes. The music line-up features Charley Crockett, Stephen Wilson Jr., Zach Top, Willow Avalon and more. The event raises funds to fight pediatric brain cancer. On the grounds of the UNO Lakefront Arena. Find tickets and information at hogsfest.org.

April 4 & 6

‘Elixir of Love’

The New Orleans Opera Association sets Gaetano Donizetti’s classic opera in the Wild West. The poor farmer Nemorino falls for the wealthy Adina, but she has her eye on Sgt. Belcore. Nemorino turns to doctor Dulcamara, asking for a secret potion that will gain him Adina’s affections. At the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Tickets $18-$235 at neworleansopera.org. 

April 4-6

Volksfest

The German celebration of spring includes a maypole, Dachshund races, music, German food, wine and schnapps tastes and more on the grounds of Deutsches Haus. Visit deutscheshaus.org for details.

April 5

Jammin’ on Julia

Arts District New Orleans organizes the night of gallery openings, music and drinks. The free event includes nearly 20 participating galleries clustered on Julia, Camp and Magazine streets and St. Charles Avenue. At 5-9 p.m. Visit artsdistrictneworleans.com for information. 

April 5

Mud Fest

The Louisiana Children’s Museum assembles a giant dirt pile for kids to play on and explore with tools and toys. There are activities, music by Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes and the Louisiana Sunspots and Greyhawk Perkins, and sprinklers, pools and bubbles to clean off. Visit lcm.org for details.

April 5

St. Bernard Irish Italian Islenos Parade

The annual parade features floats, marching groups and throws, especially fruit and produce, on W. Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette. The procession begins at 11 a.m. Find information at facebook.com/iiiparade.

April 5

Monster Jam

The monster truck show features Grave Digger, El Toro Loco, Jurassic Attack, Megalodon, Vendetta and more. At Caesars Superdome. Find tickets via ticketmaster.com.

April 5-6

New Orleans National Vodou Day

New Orleans National Vodou Day includes two days of events, starting with a symposium at Xavier University on April 5. On April 6, there is a procession beginning at the Moonwalk on the Riverfront, followed by a ceremony and a blessing in Congo Square. Visit vodouday.org for details. 

April 5-6

Spring Garden Show

The LSU AgCenter sponsors the annual garden show with local master gardeners at the New Orleans Botanical Garden. There are plant sales, educational displays, a craft market, live music, cooking demonstrations and more. At 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days. Visit neworleanscitypark.org for details.

April 6

Secret Gardens Tour

The self-guided tour includes courtyards and gardens of private homes in the French Quarter, open from noon to 4 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for Patio Planters.  Visit patioplanters.net for tickets and details.

April 8-20 

‘Hamilton’

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s blockbuster Broadway musical about Alexander Hamilton chronicles the Founding Father’s life, from his role in the American Revolution assisting George Washington to his relationship with Eliza Schuyler Hamilton. He also is a rival to Aaron Burr, resulting in their climactic duel. The touring production returns to the Saenger Theatre. Find tickets via saengernola.com.

April 10-13

French Quarter Festival

There are hundreds of local musicians on up to 22 stages spread throughout the French Quarter, from the New Orleans Jazz Museum to Jackson Square and along the Riverfront to Spanish Plaza. Performers include Irma Thomas, Mia X, Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Soul Rebels, Charmaine Neville, Rockin’ Dopsie and the Zydeco Twisters, Chapel Hart and more. There also are night concerts at select venues inside and outside the French Quarter, with performers including Shamarr Allen, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Omari Neville and the Fuel and more. There are many food vendors, a kids’ area and more. Visit frenchquarterfest.org for details.   

April 11-13

Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival

The festival features live music, amusement rides, a parade, food and drink vendors, and local farmers selling strawberries in Ponchatoula Memorial Park in downtown Ponchatoula. Visit lastrawberryfestival.com for details. 

April 13

Egg Scramble

The Easter egg hunt will scatter 13,000 eggs around the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and Storyland, and some eggs include prizes such as tickets for City Park attractions. The hunt is meant for children under 9 years old, and admission is $25 for anyone over 36 inches tall. The event includes amusement rides. Find information at neworleanscitypark.org.

April 13

Songkran Festival

The Thai new year festival is highlighted by cultural performances and Thai food. Admission is free. At Wat Wimuttayaram Thai Temple on the West Bank. Find information via @watwimuttayaram on Instagram.

April 19

Bunarchy

The bunny-themed, costumed bar hop raises funds for animal rescue organizations. Find information via @nolabunarchy on Instagram. 

April 19

Crescent City Classic

The annual 10K run winds its way from Poydras Street near the Caesars Superdome to the French Quarter and ends in City Park. There’s a free two-day health and fitness fair at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans coinciding with the race. Visit ccc10k.com to register and for information. 

April 19

‘Jason’s Lyric Live!’

Playwright and producer Je’Caryous Johnson mounted a live version of the movie for the 30th anniversary of its release, including some stars from the 1994 movie, and the touring production comes to Mahalia Jackson Theater. In the drama, after witnessing traumatic domestic violence as boys, two brothers grow up following distinctly different paths, and they cross again as neither can forget the past. Find tickets via mahaliajacksontheater.com.

April 20

French Quarter

Easter Parade

The Easter parade features floats, bands, throws and more as it circles the French Quarter. There’s a hat contest before the parade, and the procession begins at 1 p.m. at Royal and St. Louis streets. Visit frenchquartereasterparade.com for details.

April 20

John Waters: The Naked Truth

John Waters became a cultural icon for his movies “Hairspray,” “Serial Mom,” “Pink Flamingos” and other cult classics. He’s also an author and shares personal stories and his unique insights on stage. At Civic Theater. Tickets $35-$150 via civicnola.com. 

April 21-27

Zurich Classic

The PGA Tour tournament is at TPC Louisiana in Avondale. The week includes Pro-Am events. Visit zurichgolfclassic.com for tickets and information. 

April 24-27 & May 1-4

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

Festival headliners include Pearl Jam, Lil Wayne & The Roots, John Fogarty, My Morning Jacket, Dave Matthews Band, Luke Combs, Ledisi, Kamasi Washington, Patti LaBelle, Irma Thomas, Big Freedia and many more. Hundreds of musicians perform on more than a dozen stages, many dedicated to Louisiana and New Orleans sounds. The music, culture and art of Mexico will be featured in the Cultural Exchange Pavilion and on other stages spread around the New Orleans Fair Grounds. The festival also features a large array of local food vendors, craft vendors from across the country, tents highlighting Louisiana folklife and more. Visit nojazzfest.com for tickets and information.

April 25-27 

‘Ricky Graham’s New Orleans Fairy Tales’

Actor and playwright Ricky Graham gives Grimm’s fairy tales a yatty makeover, with stories like “Hansel and Gretna” and “Rouxpunzel.” The show is not aimed at the youngest audiences. At Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts. Find tickets via rivertowntheaters.com.

MAY

May 1-18

‘Doubt, A Parable’

In John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, a nun in a Bronx school is suspicious of the relationship between a student and a young priest and struggles with the truth and judgement. Ashley Santos directs the show for Le Petit Theatre. Tickets $22-$87 at lepetittheatre.com. 

May 8-25

‘Tiny Beautiful Things’

A struggling writer takes over an unpaid advice column gig and the persona of Sugar and tries to respond to the real problems of strangers. Crescent City Stage presents the adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s best-selling book. At Marquette Theatre at Loyola University New Orleans. Visit crescentcitystage.com for information.

May 9-25

‘Something Rotten!’

In the musical comedy, brothers Nigel and Nick Bottom run a theater in London in Elizabethan times. They’re struggling to succeed and constantly upstaged by William Shakespeare and his Globe Theatre, until they try a sneaky way to beat him to the punch with a new production. At Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts. Tickets $41-$45 via rivertowntheaters.com. 

May 10-11

‘Giselle’

New Orleans Ballet Theatre presents the classic French ballet, which tells the story of a young peasant woman who falls in love and dies of heartbreak, only to be resurrected in a story of ghosts and vengeance. At Orpheum Theater. Find tickets via neworleansballettheatre.com. 

May 13-18

‘The Wiz’ 

‘The Wiz’ adapted “The Wizard of Oz,” with Dorothy whisked away by a tornado to a strange land, with a soundtrack of soul, rock, gospel and funk and tunes like “Ease on Down the Road.” The touring Broadway production comes to Saenger Theatre. Find tickets via saengernola.com. 

May 15

‘The Sleeping Beauty’

The Grand Kyiv Ballet presents Charles Perrault’s classic ballet, in which a King and Queen’s daughter is cursed by an evil fairy to sleep for 100 years and is eventually awoken by a prince in this full telling of the story. At Jefferson Performing Arts Center. Find tickets via ticketmaster.com. 

May 16-18

Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo

The music festival on the banks of Bayou St. John has a line-up including Big Freedia, 420 Mob featuring members of Parliament Funkadelic, former Meter Leo Nocentelli, rap collective glbl wrmng, LSD Clownsystem, Joy Clark, Desert Nudes, Bo Dollis Jr. and the Wild Magnolias and more. There’s also a variety entertainment stage with comedy, burlesque and more, as well as a crawfish eating contest and a large art market. Many festival attendees enjoy the fest from boats and rafts on the bayou. Visit thebayouboogaloo.com for information.

May 23-25

New Orleans Greek Festival

The festival marks its 50th year celebrating Greek culture in New Orleans. There’s live music and traditional Greek dance on the banks of Bayou St. John and inside the Hellenic Cultural Center. The festival offers an array of Greek food, Greek wines and beers, a market with a wide selection of pastries and baked goods, and more. Festival attractions also include kids’ activities and tours of the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Visit gfno.com for information.

May 30

Bingo Loco

The touring bingo show is a participatory game with high-energy gameshow segments, including dance-offs, lip syncing, prizes and more at Joy Theater. Find tickets via bingoloco.com or thejoytheater.com. 

Tags