Best Time to Visit New Orleans: Weather, Festivals and Prices by Month

The best time to visit New Orleans is from late February through May, when the weather is warm but not oppressive, crawfish are in season and the city hosts its biggest festivals, including Mardi Gras, French Quarter Festival and Jazz Fest. October and November are almost as good, with milder temperatures and fewer crowds. The cheapest time is June through August, when hotel rates fall by half but heat, humidity and daily storms are intense. December is pleasant and festive. Hurricane season runs from June through November, with the highest risk from mid-August to early October.

We live in New Orleans, and we can tell you that the city changes completely through the year. In February, it is a Carnival city, with parades rolling down St. Charles Avenue and costumes everywhere. In April, it is a music festival town where you can hear hundreds of bands for free. In August, the streets go quiet at midday, locals hide in air conditioning and you can get a table anywhere. In December, the oaks of City Park glow with lights, and restaurants serve traditional Réveillon dinners. Each season has something to offer, but each also has trade-offs in price, weather and crowds.

Once you’ve picked your dates, see our list of things to do in New Orleans, our 48-hour itinerary and our guide to where to stay.

• Feb 9, 2027Mardi Gras day next year
• Mar–MayPeak crawfish season
• 91°FAverage July high, with high humidity
• Jul–AugLowest hotel prices of the year

New Orleans month by month

Spring (March to May): the best season

Spring is New Orleans at its best. Azaleas and jasmine bloom, temperatures range from the 70s to the mid-80s and the humidity hasn’t reached full strength. It is also crawfish season, which runs from about January to June and peaks from March through May. Boiled crawfish, spiced with cayenne and served by the pound with corn and potatoes, are a spring ritual. Our New Orleans food guide explains how to eat them like a local.

Spring is also festival season:

• St. Patrick’s Day parades in mid-March throw cabbages, carrots and potatoes along with beads, in the Irish Channel and Metairie.
• St. Joseph’s Day on March 19 brings elaborate altars of food and flowers in Italian American homes and churches, and Mardi Gras Indians parade in their spectacular beaded suits around this date on “Super Sunday.”
• French Quarter Festival, usually in mid-April, is one of the largest free music festivals in the country, with hundreds of local acts on stages throughout the Quarter and along the river.
• New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, or Jazz Fest, takes place over two long weekends in late April and early May at the Fair Grounds Race Course, with a dozen stages covering jazz, blues, gospel, zydeco, rock and more, plus legendary food booths. Tickets cost money and hotels book up early.

The downside is price. Hotels can double or triple during festival weekends, and many require minimum stays. Book several months ahead, or aim for weekdays between festivals.

Mardi Gras and Carnival season

Carnival season begins on January 6, Twelfth Night, and ends on Mardi Gras day, or Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. Because it depends on the date of Easter, Mardi Gras moves every year, falling anywhere from early February to early March. In 2027, Mardi Gras day falls on February 9.

The biggest parades roll during the final two weeks before Fat Tuesday, especially on the last weekend. Super krewes like Endymion, Bacchus and Orpheus put on enormous parades with giant floats, marching bands and celebrity riders. Parades are free to watch along St. Charles Avenue, Canal Street and in Mid-City. Families tend to gather Uptown along St. Charles, while the French Quarter is crowded and rowdy, especially on Bourbon Street.

Mardi Gras is the most expensive time of year to stay in New Orleans, and hotels often sell out months in advance with three- or four-night minimums. If you want the parade experience at lower prices, visit the weekend two weeks before Fat Tuesday, when smaller parades roll and crowds are lighter. Our Mardi Gras guide has the full planning details.

Summer (June to September): hot, quiet and cheap

New Orleans summers are intense. Highs reach the low 90s, humidity is often above 70 percent and the heat index can exceed 105°F. Most afternoons bring short, heavy thunderstorms that can flood low-lying streets within minutes. Locals adapt by moving slowly, staying in the shade and planning outdoor activities for the morning or evening.

The upside is value. Hotel prices are at their lowest, often half of spring rates, and many restaurants offer summer specials, including prix-fixe lunches and the long-running “COOLinary” promotion with discounted multi-course meals at top restaurants. Museums and indoor attractions, like the National WWII Museum, are perfect for hot afternoons. Our New Orleans on a budget guide explains how to make the most of summer deals.

Summer festivals include the Essence Festival of Culture over the Fourth of July weekend, a huge celebration of Black culture and music at the Superdome and convention center, which drives hotel prices up for that week. Satchmo SummerFest in early August honors Louis Armstrong with music and food. Southern Decadence over Labor Day weekend is one of the largest LGBTQ+ celebrations in the South.

Hurricane season

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. For New Orleans, the greatest risk is from mid-August through early October. Hurricane Katrina struck on August 29, 2005, and Hurricane Ida hit on the same date in 2021. Most summers pass without a direct hit, but tropical storms can bring heavy rain, flooding and power outages, and evacuations can disrupt travel.

If you travel during this period, choose refundable or flexible bookings, consider travel insurance purchased before a storm is named and watch forecasts from the National Hurricane Center starting about a week before your trip. Our hurricane season guide and domestic travel insurance guide explain your options.

Fall (October and November): a close second

By mid-October, the heat finally breaks, humidity falls and evenings become pleasant. Fall is one of the best times to visit, with fewer crowds than spring and good hotel deals outside big events. Halloween is a major celebration in New Orleans, with costume parades, parties in the French Quarter and Marigny, and ghost tours. The Fair Grounds horse racing season opens on Thanksgiving Day, a local tradition with families dressed up and big hats. Food festivals happen almost every weekend, including the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival and others celebrating gumbo, beignets and more. Football season fills the city on Saints home game weekends.

Winter (December to February)

Winter is mild, with highs in the 60s and occasional cold snaps into the 30s at night. It can be gray and damp, but it rarely stops you from walking around. December is a lovely time to visit. City Park’s Celebration in the Oaks fills the park with lights, hotels and restaurants decorate, and many restaurants serve Réveillon dinners, a Creole Christmas tradition of multi-course meals. On Christmas Eve, families along the Mississippi River upriver from New Orleans light huge bonfires on the levees to light the way for Papa Noël. Early December often has some of the year’s best hotel prices.

The Sugar Bowl college football game around New Year’s and the New Year’s Eve celebration in the Quarter bring crowds. January is relatively quiet, aside from the start of Carnival season and the arrival of king cake, a ring of sweet pastry with icing and a tiny plastic baby hidden inside, sold everywhere until Mardi Gras.

When are hotel prices lowest and highest?

Weeknights are almost always cheaper than weekends. Check the city’s festival and convention calendars before booking. Our guide to finding cheap hotels explains how to compare total costs.

Rain and flooding

New Orleans is one of the rainiest major cities in the United States, averaging more than 60 inches of rain a year. Heavy downpours can flood streets quickly because much of the city sits below sea level and depends on pumps. If you see standing water, don’t drive through it, and avoid parking in low spots during storms. Pack a small umbrella and shoes that can handle puddles, especially from June through September.

What to pack by season

Spring and fall: Light layers for warm days and cooler evenings, comfortable walking shoes and something a little dressy for dinner at the old Creole restaurants, a few of which still prefer jackets for men. For festivals, bring sunscreen, a hat, a refillable water bottle and a small bag, since many events limit bag sizes.

Summer: The lightest, most breathable clothing you own, a compact umbrella, sandals or shoes that can handle wet streets, and a light sweater for heavily air-conditioned restaurants and museums. Plan for at least one change of clothes a day.

Winter: A warm jacket, layers and closed shoes. Cold snaps are short but damp, and wind off the river makes 40°F feel colder.

Mardi Gras: Costumes are encouraged, especially on Fat Tuesday, along with comfortable shoes, a bag for catching beads and throws, a small folding stool and a portable phone charger. Crowds make it hard to find bathrooms and food quickly, so carry water and snacks.

Which season suits you?

For first-timers: March, April, October or November for the best weather and plenty to do.

For festival lovers: April and early May for French Quarter Festival and Jazz Fest, or February for Mardi Gras.

For food lovers: Spring for crawfish, December for Réveillon, summer for restaurant deals.

For budget travelers: July, August or early December.

For families: Uptown Mardi Gras parades, spring weekdays or the December holiday lights.

Common mistakes

Booking Mardi Gras late. Hotels fill months ahead, and prices climb steadily.

Underestimating summer heat. Plan indoor activities in the afternoon and drink lots of water.

Assuming Mardi Gras is the same date every year. Check the calendar; it moves with Easter.

Ignoring the convention calendar. A big conference can make a quiet month expensive.

Skipping travel insurance in hurricane season. Buy it before a storm is named.

Frequently asked questions

Plan your trip

1. Choose your season based on weather, festivals and budget.
2. Check the Mardi Gras date and the festival and convention calendars.
3. Book hotels early for spring and event weekends.
4. Buy flexible rates or travel insurance for summer and fall trips.
5. Pack for heat and rain from May through September.