Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, the holiday season: There’s a reason to visit New Orleans almost any time of year. And you’ll always receive a warm welcome: “The hospitality in New Orleans is unmatched, the vibe is pure joy and everyone has a smile,” Fora X Advisor Vicki Winters said.
This article breaks down the best times to visit New Orleans — as well as how to navigate hurricane season and the city’s times of less savory weather — all with insights from Fora travel advisors.
When is the best time to go to New Orleans, season-by-season?
Here are the best months to visit New Orleans, organized by travel season.
January, February and March: Carnival parades, Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day and Easter
Winter months bring the most travelers to New Orleans. New Orleans is an increasingly popular destination for New Year’s celebrations, but Tet, an important holiday among the city’s large Vietnamese population, is also celebrated. The end of the holiday season is enchanting, but it’s Mardi Gras — as well as the rest of Carnival Season — that puts New Orleans in the national spotlight. (Also check out our guide to Carnival Rio, if you’re open to traveling further south.)
“While much of the country is buried in snow, New Orleans offers mild winters filled with vibrant parades, live music and incredible food,” Fora Advisor Anna Dobrenski said. “Check the calendar for Mardi Gras parade schedules and get ready to catch some trinkets from the floats.”
Anna said she loves how the Krewe of Muses, an all-female krewe (a type of New Orleans social club), throws glittered and embellished high-heel shoes in lieu of the traditional beads.
The city takes on a special energy during Carnival Season, which kicks off every January 6th. The first half of the season runs through Mardi Gras day, which usually falls somewhere in mid-February or early March. The festivities extend for another few weeks.
For crowd-averse travelers, Fora Advisor Stephanie Hankins recommended visiting Uptown over New Orleans’ famous French Quarter.
“Ride the trolley, find a spot to watch the parades and enjoy a bloody mary or Champagne margarita at Superior Grill & Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler!,” she said.
Black History Month is celebrated in New Orleans, too. Many of the city’s museums and public buildings host special events, and Black-owned restaurants and shops are highlighted by the city.
By early spring, however, the city reaches its peak travel season. March is arguably New Orleans’ busiest month. The weather is at its most temperate — the perfect time for a honeymoon trip (check out the most romantic hotels in New Orleans) or a spring break New Orleans girls’ trip. St. Patrick’s Day is the last major holiday of these three months, and the celebration is one of the biggest outside Boston. Easter is also widely celebrated in New Orleans, though the energy takes on a quieter vibe compared to previous holidays.
“The Easter Holiday is a festive time in the Big Easy, with overflowing, elegant boozy brunches to parades celebrating the end of Lent,” Fora X Advisor Kris Weir said. “It’s a relaxed but enthusiastic atmosphere on the gentler side of chaotic Mardi Gras.”
April and May: quieter streets, pleasant weather and Jazz Fest
April and May continue to bring great weather; although, it can get fairly warm toward the end of this period. Festivals and parades continue until the end of April, albeit with a milder flair than those in February and March. Jazz Fest puts the festivities on pause until after summer’s heat has passed.
“Spring in New Orleans is quite possibly the best season: lush gardens, perfect weather and no crowds after Mardi Gras!” Fora Advisor Tracy Burpee said. “It's a wonderful time to stroll the districts and take in the sights.”
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (often referred to as Jazz Fest) celebrates the music, culture and cuisine of New Orleans. It’s usually held over two weekends in late April and early May, and showcases an incredible lineup of jazz, blues, gospel, R&B and rock artists. Acts are made up of both local legends and international stars. Beyond the music, Jazz Fest highlights the city’s heritage with art markets, cultural exhibits and iconic New Orleans gastronomy.
June through September are New Orleans’ hottest months. You won’t see many major festivals and celebrations during this period, as temperatures, rain and humidity can be particularly severe. Hurricane season also peaks in August and September. If you don’t mind braving the weather, summer is the best time of year to visit New Orleans if you want a more low-key trip away from other travelers.
“Summer in New Orleans isn't as bad as one might think!” Fora Advisor Tracy Burpee said. “Even when it's so hot the pavement is buckling, you can always find a cold drink and a fun time in New Orleans — and they never go down better than the height of the summer!”
If you’re not a fan of heat and humidity, most Fora Advisors recommend visiting during a different time of year.
“It is even more hot and humid than you can imagine,” NOLA-based Fora Advisor Karla Coreil said. “But we have great AC! Look for indoor activities like Mardi Gras World, the NO Museum of Art or the world-renowned WWII Museum.”
If you prefer outdoorsy activities, Karla recommended joining a sunset kayaking excursion or alligator tour.
The one exception to large gatherings in summer is the beginning of the NFL season. New Orleans Saints games have achieved a near-religious following there, and it’s one of the better atmospheres for a football game (unless the Saints are playing a rival).
October, November and December: Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s Eve
By October, crowds start to return to New Orleans’ charming streets. If you’re looking for a quieter vacation and a relatively laid-back atmosphere, it's better to visit outside of the major holidays and long weekends. Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s (again) are exciting times to enjoy the city. Many local businesses participate in some fashion. October, November and December are arguably the best months to visit New Orleans if you want the most balanced experience: fun holidays and quieter off-days. The overall vibe is still energetic, but magnitudes less than what you can expect during Carnival Season.
“Fall is a great time to visit NOLA,” Fora Advisor Alicia Anderson said. “Seeing the changing leaves while visiting a historic cemetery or on a swamp tour adds a lot of depth to the experience. Few cities do Halloween like NOLA does!”
Halloween is yet another time of year where New Orleans excels. Parades become a regular sight on weekends again, but with an occult twist.
“If you love Halloween, it's hard to beat the happily haunted atmosphere of New Orleans!” Fora Advisor Heather Budd said. “Visiting New Orleans in October is my favorite, especially during Halloween. The incredible costumes, ghost tours and the parties make it the perfect destination!”
November and December bring cooler weather, and ghosts, vampires and voodoo witches are toned down — NOLA has a love affair with all things occult — in favor of holiday season decorations.
Book and plan your trip to New Orleans with a Fora Advisor
A Fora Advisor will help you get the most out of your NOLA trip. They can help you decide when to visit, unlock complimentary hotel perks — including at the most unique places to stay in New Orleans — and, if you prefer, help you plan out an itinerary.
Best time to visit New Orleans: FAQs
Read on for more information about the best times to visit New Orleans, plus a spotlight on hurricane season.
When is Mardi Gras? What about Jazz Fest?
The Mardi Gras season usually begins around mid-February — whatever day Fat Tuesday falls on — and runs between four and eight weeks, depending on when Ash Wednesday occurs. Part of Carnival Season, which kicks off every January 6th, Mardi Gras is when New Orleans’ nightlife is at its peak. Tens of thousands from all over crowd the city’s streets, jazzy rhythms flow from the music halls and everyone on Bourbon Street has a daiquiri or hurricane cocktail in hand. Jazz Fest is usually held the last weekend of April through the first weekend of May. If you’re a music — or gastronomy — lover, this will be your best time to visit New Orleans.
“One thing to note for Jazz Fest is to book accommodations and restaurant reservations way in advance, as things tend to book up very quickly,” Fora X Advisor Natalie Stegman said.
Alternatively, if you’re interested in authentic NOLA music without the crowds, Fora Advisor Jane Henzerling shared a pro tip: “Head to NOLA the week before Jazz Fest — many of the best players rehearse by playing in local venues across the city. It's a great way to see incredible musicians in more intimate spaces.”
Is New Orleans a good spring break destination?
New Orleans is one of the top spring break destinations in the United States, especially during years when spring break coincides with Mardi Gras. But even when the two events don’t overlap, spring is an electric time to go to New Orleans. Virtually every night feels like a party on Bourbon Street, and lively parades run through Magazine Street most weekends. Outside of Bourbon Street (and to some degree Canal Street), New Orleans is actually a family-friendly destination for spring break, too.
What time of year is New Orleans the busiest? When’s the best time for avoiding crowds?
The best areas to stay in New Orleans are at their busiest during Carnival Season, especially between the start of Mardi Gras and the end of March. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds — maybe because you’re visiting with kids (check out the best family hotels in New Orleans) — we recommend visiting in fall for a couple reasons. First, you’ll miss NOLA’s hottest and most humid weather. Second, while the streets are much quieter than they are during Mardi Gras, there’s still a fun energy in the city.
When is New Orleans’ hurricane season? How serious is hurricane season? Should you avoid visiting during this period?
Hurricane season technically lasts from June 1st to November 30th, but August and September are especially volatile. Obviously, if a hurricane is set to hit during a planned trip, it’s wise to cancel (this is where travel insurance is a good idea). However, hurricanes are almost always noticed and tracked well in advance. In other words, if you’re planning a trip that’s set to occur a few weeks out, you should be able to avoid any pending major storms. On the other hand, if you’re planning a trip for the following hurricane season, you are taking a bit of risk.
What’s New Orleans’ weather like? When does NOLA receive the most rain per day?
Aside from summer, when it can be hot and humid, New Orleans generally enjoys comfortable, pleasant weather — though, even in the middle of winter, it’s not unusual for temperatures to hit the 80s. Even winters here are fairly mild. Although, it can get cold at night — occasionally dropping into the 40s and below. Rain is common all year, but peaks in summer. On the bright side, rain showers can provide a bit of relief from the city’s otherwise hottest season.
“Experiencing a storm in New Orleans doesn't have to take away from the experience,” Fora X Advisor Caroline Weilert noted. “There is something magical about seeing the rain fall through the gorgeous, mature trees — the live oaks rich in history and stories that give NOLA a large part of its character.”
Does New Orleans have an off-season? When’s the best time to go to NOLA for lower prices?
Summer is New Orleans’ quietest travel season almost exclusively because of the weather and lack of major events. The blazing heat, frequent rain and threat of hurricanes usually makes August, in particular, the most affordable time of year to visit New Orleans. If you want to avoid the heat but still experience NOLA’s amazing energy, there are pockets throughout fall, winter and spring that offer more approachable rates. Essentially, visit outside of the holidays for the best prices. A Fora Advisor can help you decide when to visit the city so you get the most out of your budget.
Is New Year’s a good time to visit New Orleans?
New Year’s is one of the best times to visit New Orleans. In recent decades, New Orleans has become a more intimate alternative to New Year’s celebrations in other big cities in the United States. (It doesn’t hurt that New Orleans enjoys milder winter weather than many other cities.) The Fleur de Lis Drop in Jackson Square, a New Orleans twist on the classic ball drop, followed by a fireworks display over the Mississippi River are at the heart of the celebration. The French Quarter comes alive. Jazz music spills out of clubs; parades and the cheerful buzz of locals and travelers ring in the New Year.
Is there an overall best time of year to go to New Orleans?
There is not one, single “best time to visit New Orleans.” It comes down to your preferences. If you can’t wait to experience New Orleans' party atmosphere at its most vibrant, then Mardi Gras is, of course, the best time to visit. If you’re more interested in the city itself and other sights, go during fall or spring. Hotel rates are a little more approachable, the weather is usually great, there’s still a great energy and virtually all the city’s best sights and attractions are open.
Fora X Advisors Natalie Stegman and Caroline Weilert both said October was their favorite time of year to visit New Orleans. Go for the weather, stay for festivals like Art for Art’s Sake and NOLAxNOLA.
“Most ‘perfect days’ — temperature-wise — in NOLA happen in October,” Natalie said.
Caroline added how “the weather in October is temperate and perfect for both daytime and nighttime exploration.”
Alternatively, Fora X Advisor Vicki Winters contended that “any time is the right time to visit NOLA: I had a bachelor party visit in November, I attended a conference during Halloween and Mardi Gras in February is fire!”
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