New Orleans Multicultural Festivals
Looking for something fun to do in New Orleans after taking a fishing trip with us at Whiskey Bayou Charters? Celebrating the rich culture in New Orleans is always complimented by amazing art, delicious food, and groovy music. New Orleans is also vibrant and diverse, with many exciting festivals bringing people together to appreciate the qualities that set them apart. Check out some of the fantastic multicultural festivals New Orleans has to offer.
Greek Fest
Each year, during Memorial Day weekend, New Orleans celebrates Greek Culture with the New Orleans Greek Festival set up at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. You’ll hear Greek music and experience delicious Greek cuisine during this 3-day indoor/outdoor event. Take some time to sample some Greek wines, iced Greek coffee, and ouzo. Don’t forget to let it loose on the dance floor too!
This event is family-friendly, so bring your kids so they can enjoy activities and arts and crafts. An Athenian playground is set up outside, where the kids can play and get their face painted.
Adults can watch cooking demonstrations or even rent a canoe to ride down the Bayou St. John, while still being able to hear the sweet sound of music. You can also take part in a toga contest on Sunday, and all entrants get in free.
Running of the Bulls
Each year in July, New Orleans hosts its own version of Encierro de Pamplona. Rather than running away from real bulls, though, people gather in the traditional colors of Spain’s bull run and run from New Orleans Roller Derby Girls whose chase people with plastic bats while skating on their rollerblades.
Thousands of New Orleanians gather in Downtown New Orleans in the early morning to participate in the run, all of them wearing white with a dash of red. The festivities don’t have to end after the race is over, though! Many of the bars in the Warehouse District remain open all day.
Asian Pacific American Society Festival
New Orleans has welcomed dozens of nationalities since it was founded over 300 years ago. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are among the most recent group of arrivals. It’s estimated that Louisiana has a population of 54,000 Asian and Pacific Islanders, making up about 1.2% of the state’s population.
Each year in April, the Asian Pacific American Society hosts the Asian Pacific American Society Festival at the Audubon Zoo. The festival features delicious food, live entertainment, arts & crafts, and other fun activities.
Carnaval Latino
Hispanic culture has been around in New Orleans for almost 300 years. Every year in October, Carnaval Latino returns to downtown New Orleans to celebrate Latin culture. The Hispanic American Musicians and Artists Cultural Association hosts Carnaval Latino to celebrate Latin American food, art, culture, and music.
Soul Fest
Soul Fest is presented by AARP every spring at the Audubon Zoo. The festival is a weekend-long celebration of African American culture and history. The festival is free with zoo admission and offers activities for children, educational opportunities, honors achievements of the African American heritage, and even health screenings.
Throughout the festival, you’ll find learning and crafts stations that honor the cultures of China, Brazil, Jamaica, Haiti, and Africa. You can also enjoy soul food and Creole cuisine while you listen to fantastic music!
Image From Unsplash
