* St. Patrick's Day Parades

* Irish-Italian Parades (St. Joseph's Day) - French Quarter
In the French Quarter and a New Orleans suburb

* Crescent City Classic
10,000 meter race from Jackson Square to Audubon Park drawing runners from all over the world.

* Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival
March - April
This event attracts internationally known figures such as Alec Baldwin, Dick Cavett and noted author Calvin Trillin. Festival activities revolve around Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré, the Cabildo of the Louisiana State Museum, the Historic New Orleans Collection, the Palm Court Jazz Café, and the Contemporary Arts Center.

April

* French Quarter Easter Parade
Don't miss Chris Owens' Annual French Quarter Easter Parade on Sunday, April 16! This year's theme is Eggs-tradinary Easter. It kicks off at 11:00 am at the Royal Sonesta Hotel with many other weekend activities scheduled. Please call (504)888-7608 for more information.

* French Quarter Festival - French Quarter
14 musical stages throughout the historic Vieux Carré and New Orleans cuisine from nearly 60 food and drink booths. April 21-23, 2006

* Spring Fiesta - French Quarter
Many of New Orleans' private homes are open to the public. Tours through plantation homes, French Quarter Creole cottages and patios, and Garden District mansions. Free classical concerts and opera are held all around town. Tickets needed. For additional information: (504) 581-1367

* Jazz & Heritage Festival - New Orleans Fairgrounds
Last weekend of April - 1st weekend of May
A musical celebration held at the Fairgrounds Race Track and celebrated throughout the city. Music, food, crafts, and more music! Outdoor stages host jazz, r 'n b, gospel, African, Caribbean, Cajun, blues, ragtime, folk, bluegrass, reggae and country music, with evening performances in venues all around town. Hundreds of unofficial street bands, local arts, crafts and food.

* Annual Zurich Classic - PGA Tour
A four-day event filled with world-class players, non-stop PGA TOUR action and the kind of food and fun you can only find in New Orleans, the Zurich Classic is without a doubt the crown jewel of the charitable events produced by the Fore!Kids Foundation. For additional information call: (504) 342-3000.

May

* Food & Wine Experience
Join the outstanding restaurants that make New Orleans a premier culinary destination as they are paired with exceptional wines from around the world. For more information, please call: (504) 529-WINE

* Greek Festival - Hellenic Cultural Center, 1200 Robert E. Lee Blvd.
Celebrating Greek culture in the Crescent City, featuring food, music, and more! For additional information call: (504) 282-0259

June

* French Market Tomato Festival - French Quarter
Only in a city as consumed with food as New Orleans could you have an eagerly awaited festival honoring the tomato. Featuring cooking demonstrations, tomato tastings, and musical entertainment

July

* Essence Music Festival - Louisiana Superdome
The Essence Music Festival is the nation's largest annual African-American event, offering more than 50 acts each night on five stages.

* Go 4th on the River
- French Quarter
July 4
Join us for our annual 4th of July celebration with activities and entertainment for the entire family along the riverfront, ending with a spectacular fireworks show over the Mississippi River. Visit Go 4th on the River.com for events & attractions; print the savings coupons offered.

August

* Satchmo Festival
New Orleans' native son, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, is honored in true New Orleans fashion at the Satchmo SummerFest.

* White Linen Nights
Explore the hippest art scene in New Orleans and its stunning galleries at Ninth Annual White Linen Night, held each August in New Orleans' Arts District. For more information call: (504) 528-3805

September

* Shrimp Festival - Morgan City, LA
Deep in the heart of Cajun Country, every Labor Day Weekend, tens of thousands of people celebrate at Louisiana's oldest chartered harvest festival. For more information call: (985) 385-0703.

* Alligator Festival - Luling, LA
A 4 day long long affair that showcases Louisiana Alligator. Alligator Meat Pies, Alligator Sauce Piquante, Alligator Balls, Fried Alligator, Alligator Burgers and it's all good. For more information call: (985)785-9035

October

* Oktober Festival - Deutsches Haus, 200 S. Galvez St.
Every weekend in October
Traditional German music, dancing, food and drink. For additional information call: (504) 522-8014.

* Art for Arts Sake - French Quarter, Julia & Magazine streets
This annual rite of fall has become one of the hottest events of the year for art lovers and party-goers in and around New Orleans. The free citywide gallery hop marks the opening of the city's arts season. For more information call: (504) 528-3805.

* Swamp Festival - Audubon Zoo
Celebrate the Swamp Fest with Cajun food, music, and crafts.

* Voodoo Music Festival - City Park
City Park brings you the hottest bands for this 2-day event. With a roster expected to include as many as 80 acts.

* Wooden Boat Festival - Madisonville, LA
Festival features 100 wooden boats from all over the united states, an enourmous children's village, crafts, food and great music. For additional information: (985) 845-9200

* Scarium at the Aquarium- Aquarium of the Americas
Children can get kooky with many different Halloween-themed activities including arts and crafts, creepy stage shows, face painting, animal presentations and more Halloween fun.

* Boo at the Zoo - Audubon Zoo
Held in conjunction with Children's Hospital, this annual Zoo extravaganza features games, special entertainment, trick-or-treat, a haunted house, and the Zoo's Ghost Train.

* Halloween- French Quarter
New Orleans is one of the best cities to be in during Halloween Weekend. Spend Halloween in a city full of ghosts and voodoo legends.

November

* Louisiana Renaissance Festival - Hammond, La
Every Weekend - Nov - Dec
Open rain or shine the "Louisiana Renaissance Festival" brings to life what an English village and festive market place could have been like, mixed with a little bit of Louisiana spice! For more information call: (985) 429-9992.

* Bayou Classic Football Game - Louisiana Superdome
Weekend after Thanksgiving
Bringing together Grambling and Southern
at their traditional end-of-season football game

December

* Caroling Cruises on the Steamboat Natchez
Holiday tunes fill the air over the mighty Mississippi River as area choral groups and high school choirs are featured aboard the authentic Steamboat NATCHEZ. Enjoy the holiday decorations and calliope concert on the two-hour narrated cruise. For reservations, call (504) 569-1480 or visit SteamboatNatchez.com

* Celebration in the Oaks! - City Park
Holiday Light extravaganza..2-hour driving tour, amusement rides, entertainment, snacks and more! Throughout December in City Park. Click here for Holiday Tour information.

* Christmas on the River - Gramercy, Lutcher, and Paulina LA
Bonfires on the River (Dec. 24)
From Baton Rouge to New Orleans, bonfires are lit along the Mississippi River to help guide Papa Noel to the Crescent City!