This weekend in New Orleans, celebrate Mardi Gras like it’s already here. Head uptown for Mid-Summer Mardi Gras on Saturday, where a walking parade will take over town. Also on Saturday, enjoy the Ogden Museum of Southern Art’s 15th Anniversary celebration with free museum admission and a day filled with activities. Finally, jam out to some fantastic live music at the NOLA Downtown Music & Arts Festival, Thursdays at Twilight, and Lil’ WeezyAna Fest.
SATURDAY
Ogden Museum’s 15th Anniversary Celebration – This Saturday at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, celebrate the museum’s 15th anniversary with free admission featuring kids and adult art activities, scavenger hunts, yoga, music, food, free snowballs, and more. The all-day schedule of events can be found here, and the party is free!
Mid-Summer Mardi Gras – Though Mardi Gras 2019 may be about 200 days away, the Krewe of Oak and Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus are giving us a little something to hold us over. Mid-Summer Mardi Gras is the walking parade of the summer. From 7 p.m. -10 p.m. on Saturday night, throw on your best costume and head to More Fun Comics on 8200 Oak St. to parade to Palmer Park and back. Tickets are $10 for adults to join the parade and can be purchased here. Following the parade, La Casita on 8400 Oak St. will host an after party.
Lil’ WeezyAna Fest – The Fourth Annual Lil’ WeezyAna Fest is this Saturday, and you won’t want to miss it. The festival, run by New Orleans native Lil Wayne, is known for its surprise guests and lively atmosphere. Tickets start at $65.50 and can be purchased here. The festival begins at 7 p.m. in Champions Square.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
NOLA Downtown Music & Arts Festival – Hosted by the New Orleans Jazz Museum and held at the Old U.S. Mint, NOLA Downtown Music + Arts Festival is back with two days of live music, dancing, and more. Friday afternoon is known as “Swing Friday” with dance lessons, music, and documentary film screenings. Then, on Saturday, enjoy live music from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from artists all over the region and beyond. Admission is free.
LAGNIAPPE
Thursdays at Twilight – Enjoy music from some of the finest musicians in New Orleans with City Park’s Thursdays at Twilight. Held at the Pavilion of the Two Sisters in the Botanical Garden, this Thursday features swing jazz band Roamin’ Jasmine. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here. Gates open at 5 p.m. and music begins at 6 p.m.
