You'll need a slightly higher budget to visit during this time of the year, but if you enjoy the festive, bustling nature of the festival, this is the ideal time. A charming local favorite, this 2-day festival offers an authentic glimpse into local NOLA culture. There’s also plenty of drink and live music available to make it a party! The well-known festival called Mardi Gras, the New Orleans Jazz, and Heritage Festival will enliven your holiday for good. This date, also known as Twelfth Night, officially marks the start of Carnival season. You're taking a … 1. I prefer not to deal with extreme weather temps. As you can see, the best time of year to visit New Orleans really depends on your travel preferences and the types of conditions under which you’ll best enjoy all that the Big Easy has to offer. Read below for information about New Orleans weather in October (Photo credit – gonola). As a perk, however, the crowds are smaller and you'll pay less for accommodation than you will in other months. See a Saints game at the Superdome, a Mardi Gras parade in the French Quarter or a Jazz Fest concert! These are considered the best months for comfortable and cooler weather to enjoy the best of New Orleans attractions you’ll be checking out on your trip. Read below for information about New Orleans weather in July (Photo credit – findyourneworleanshome.com). If you visit for the French Quarter Festival (early April) or JazzFest (late April to early May), expect large crowds but plenty of music, food, and fun. New Orleans’ July highlight is undoubtedly their 4th of July riverfront celebration. It’s the time between the peak tourist season and the off season. *** Some of the links on Hotel Jules are affiliate links, which means if you do make a purchase, we may make a small commission (at no extra cost to you.) Best time to visit New Orleans. New Orleans Events in January. See the best of burlesque from the top burlesque dancers from around the world. In no particular order, here are the best things to do in New Orleans for any first-time visitor: 1. These contain details about temperatures, precipitation and more. History of Mardi Gras Beads; Best Time to Visit Scotland; Free Things to Do in Boston ; Things to Do in New Orleans With Kids; Free Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta; Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/GettyImages. The Hands-Down Best Time to Visit New Orleans Leave Mardi Gras to the amateurs: Halloween in New Orleans is the most haunting party of the year. We've been there the months of September, October, November and December multiple times, and we prefer October -- it's not humid (for the most part), not much rain at all, and you're able to kick around in shorts & a tee, or a short sleeved shirt and jeans. If you go to the New Orleans around these months, these months are the major time for festival. Furthermore, we analyzed all climate data and provide a recommendation about which months are best to visit New Orleans for your holiday. 143 reviews. You can expect average highs between 85 – 90℉ (29-32℃) – which can feel hotter due to high humidity. The best part? Best times to visit New Orleans: November, December, March-May. July 04 • event. or. October to January offers the mildest weather you’ll find in New Orleans (ranging from around 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit). For weather, I think the best month to visit is October...Halloween is a blast in New Orleans. New Orleans has incredible hotels for all types of visits! Monthly precipitation levels are also one of the lowest of the year, so you can count on amazing conditions for outdoor activities! 11,604 posts . Have a Great Time in New Orleans at the Best Time of the Year. If you’re a hot weather person that can handle heat and extreme humidity, then take advantage of low tourist season and visit New Orleans sometime between June and mid-September. Pre-book a bus tour or river cruise for the best bonfire views. Live music, food and art line the banks of Bayou St. Johns and features fun activities like a bicycle pub crawl and paddle boat races. Fact-Checked by. When's the Best Time to Visit the U.S. Virgin Islands? Mardi Gras events take place several weekends from February to early March, with specific dates changing each year. Both are only a few minutes away from our craf… Winter is a sweet spot for a New Orleans visit. On Fourth of July, New Orlean's hosts Go 4th on the River, a celebration with fireworks shot off from dueling barges on the Mississippi River. Overall, New Orleans is at its best in spring and fall. January is the coolest month of the year with an average high of 62℉ (16℃) and low of 43℉ (6℃) with windy conditions. Getting to New Orleans. For weather, I think the best month to visit is October...Halloween is a blast in New Orleans. But it is located in the USA’s Deep South, so weather conditions can range from pleasantly comfortable, to cold and windy, to oppressively muggy. March warms up considerably as the beautiful spring season appears. The mild weather, combined with a number of special events make it a great time to vacation in the city. Mardi Gras celebrations take over the city in February and March if you’re looking for an iconic Crescent City atmosphere. It’s an awesome way to appreciate art and get in the holiday spirit! for New Orleans. What is the best time to visit New Orleans weather wise? If I had to choose though, I'd say October. Empowerment also takes center stage at the Beauty Carnival, a free series of educational workshops and sessions. With an average high of 71° F (22° C) and an average low of 55° F (13° C), many visitors find this to be the most comfortable weather to be outdoors, therefore making November the best time of the year to visit New Orleans. For peak party season, plan on visiting during February or March. The best time of year to visit New Orleans depends entirely on what you want out of a vacation. Where beer lovers unite! Do you handle heat and humidity well, or do you find it unbearable? It’s unlike any fireworks display you’ve ever seen! Muggy and oppressive conditions continue, and you can expect to find highs of around 90℉ (32℃) with average lows of 73℉ (23℃). Hello again. What months are the best time to visit New Orleans? The most well-known festival is Mardi Gras, which spans two or three weeks in February or March. Hiking . Hiking Featured in. Worthwhile endeavours: checking out the holiday decorations around the French Quarter and Garden District, and seeing City Park’s oak trees adorned in hundreds of thousands of glittering lights and displays for Celebration in the Oaks. Envision . Temperatures vary between 46°F to 63°F. New Orleans is a very live and active city. With the possible exception of July and August (unless you thrive on heat and humidity), just about any time is the right time to go to New Orleans. If there’s a city that knows how to do Halloween right, it’s New Orleans! She has a background in tourism marketing and has written for TripSavvy since 2011. Enjoy indoor and outdoor activities at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, including live music, food, drinks, seminars, lectures and top local talent paying tribute to Armstrong’s life and music. The best time of the year to visit New Orleans is February through May, when Mardi Gras festivities are underway, and temperatures are comfortable. New Orleans’ best oyster vendors offer oysters fried, raw or chargrilled as local bands entertain visitors with live music all day long. Thank you for using our links! This prime championship game – played by either the champs of the Big 12 and Southeastern conferences or as a Playoff Semifinal – brings a whole slew of revelers and parties to the French Quarter. On this page, you will find information about the climate and the best time to visit New Orleans. Take advantage! Galleries and businesses stay open late to welcome visitors with drinks and dining al fresco opportunities as they make their way through the exhibits and performances. There are some incredible things to do in New Orleans that won’t believe! New Orleans promises to be a good time, and you know it will always deliver. With infamous festivals like Mardi Gras and the Jazz Fest, the Big Easy is always hopping — so when is the best time to visit New Orleans? 176 helpful votes. Best Time of the Year to Visit New Orleans. While you won't find as many exciting events as winter or spring, it's a great time to visit. If you’re a college football fan, NOLA is a fun place to be on the first day of the year. It’s also an African American heritage celebration with incredible brass music in the neighborhood said to be USA’s oldest of free African Americans. Bonfires were set up along the Mississippi River to light the way for the Cajun Santa Claus, Papa Noël. Go ahead and come to visit at Mardi Gras, remembering that the Mardi Gras season, called Carnival, runs for several weeks before the big event, which is usually in mid-February or early March. Winter's not bad either. Average temperatures range from the low 70s to mid-80s. This is due to the near-perfect weather with average highs of 78℉ (25℃)  to average lows of 60℉ (15℃) that make it easy to enjoy the plethora of events. You’ll have no shortage of daily Mardi Gras-themed parades and parties hosted by a myriad of ‘krewes’ to keep you entertained! As far as special events, there is the Mardi Gras season, January through March. This is the time when festivities and celebrations take place. The Hands-Down Best Time to Visit New Orleans Leave Mardi Gras to the amateurs: Halloween in New Orleans is the most haunting party of the year. There’s the Krewe of Muses, Krewe of Bacchus, Krewe of Orpheus, Krewe of Zulu – just to name a few. Megan Romer is a travel writer focused on southern Louisiana. For an unforgettable trip filled with festivals, drop in between January and March to catch Mardi Gras and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. What better way to beat the heat than with a frozen margarita? Springtime in New Orleans offers a host of activities for families: free live concerts in Lafayette Square (602 Camp St., New Orleans, LA) feature authentic Louisiana music; picnicking in Audubon Park (6500 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA); and wonderful food that can be found nearly everywhere in the city just by taking a stroll. Temperatures vary between 48°F and 85°F. Depending on your travel activity preferences – and how weather resilient you are – there are a few times of the year that you may find more favorable than others. For those who enjoy cooler temperatures and like a little bundling up at night, the best time to visit New Orleans would be December through March. Starting out back in the 1930’s as a rivalry game between historically black universities, Grambling State and Southern University, the Bayou Classic has become one of NOLA’s biggest sporting events. Fontainebleau State Park And although Mardi Gras is undoubtedly the highlight of the year in the Big Easy, we have to wonder: when is the best time to visit New Orleans? Locals and tourists alike flock to the city's streets to see parades and catch the famed beads. Along with July, the month of August is the hottest and rainiest time of the year. If you’re a hot weather person that can handle heat and extreme humidity, then take, Final thoughts on the best time of year to visit New Orleans, » The BEST Time to Visit New Orleans [January 2021]. There are two high tourist seasons is New Orleans: spring and fall. As the second half of the month approaches, temperatures start to rise to hot summer levels. Make sure to carve out ample time to wander the streets and soak it all in. Easter Parades. 4. Something wrong? When it comes down to deciding the best time to visit New Orleans based solely on weather, you have to consider a few questions: Are you a hot weather person or a cold weather person? Best Time to Visit New Orleans in the Shoulder Season. Do you want to attend a major event? No Answers In: New Orleans By: admin [17] Jan 1, 2014. Sign Up Now » Sign Up. Be sure to make reservations in advance! New Orleans prides itself on its deep Irish heritage, as can be seen in their massive celebration of St. Patrick’s Day – one of the biggest in the U.S. Take part in several days’ worth of more parades involving floats, cabbages, and of course, public drinking! We created climate tables and charts for the location of New Orleans. There’s no shortage of Cinco de Mayo festivities taking place throughout local Mexican restaurants and bars celebrating all out with music, food and drinks! Level Contributor . Member Log In. The city is filled with exquisite details, and if you look close enough, you can see the magic in each of them. A great place to visit in New Orleans at night. Marshes, forests and bayous—there's a lot to explore around New Orleans. December and January are also good times to visit New Orleans - there are few crowds and room rates are at their lowest. Re: Best and Worst times to go . Share. Take a walking tour in New Orleans! Source: travel.usnews.com. A local favorite, this one-day festival celebrates New Orleans’ most beloved sandwich, the po-boy. Nights feel chilly with an average low of 45° F (7° C). The Worst time to Visit New Orleans is Summer – June through August On Christmas Eve, don't miss Bonfires On The Levee. Sign Up Now. This is our INSIDER GUIDE for the best times to visit New Orleans! Party lovers consider this the best time of the year to visit New Orleans! © Courtesy of offfstock - Fotolia.com. Will middle to late September be a good time? There are always events going on that you can immerse yourself in, and there's plenty of great food and culture to explore. But you must be willing to deal with some rain because these months are also New Orleans’ hurricane season. I’m sure you know a bit about New Orleans, but we have a few historical facts you might not have heard yet. The early spring months are particularly nice when you're avoiding icy winter conditions up North and the fall months are great for cozy, homey neighborhood street fairs and a touch of holiday festiveness. You can also count on plenty of food and live music all day. The best time to visit New Orleans is from February to May when the weather is comfortably cool and the celebrations are in full swing. Because of the cooler spring weather and big festivities, February to May is the best time to visit New Orleans. New Orleans is a good place to visit regardless of the time of year. 3. A wide variety of special events run throughout the entire year. October 15th to December 23rd. January is the coolest month of the year with an average high of 62℉ (16℃) and low of 43℉ (6℃) with windy conditions. We created climate tables and charts for the locations of New Orleans und San Antonio. NOFWE offers visitors the Royal Street Stroll, an unforgettable walk along the French Quarter’s most scenic street, dotted with food and wine tasting stops. Try Beignets at Cafe Du Monde. and understand more pleasant weather brings more crowds. Overall, summers in the Big Easy are very hot, rainy and muggy. Not sold on New Orleans? A wide variety of special events run throughout the entire year. The first half of May is much like April with pleasant, dry weather. If you’re a foodie and want to sample some of New Orleans’ top restaurant menu offerings, you’ll want to check this out! The city’s historic architectural landmarks are used as contemporary art canvases for incredible light installations. Best time to visit New Orleans is in the months from February to May. Summer can be brutally hot, but if you're hoping to avoid crowds and maybe save a few bucks, a summertime visit isn't a bad idea. Author: Melisse Hinkle New Orleans is a very live and active city. Read below for information about New Orleans weather in May (Photo credit – tripsavvy.com). New Orleans Weather in January. The answer depends on several factors. New Orleans is a good place to visit regardless of the time of year. Average Monthly Weather in New Orleans. A beautiful Cajun holiday tradition going back to the time of the area’s earliest settlers. Read below for information about New Orleans weather in March (Photo credit – Youtube). Mardi Gras. Editor’s note – These are the 15 most beautiful beaches in New Orleans! Lucky visitors get to attend this free festival held annually at Champions Square, where local bakeries offer $1 samples of their delectable versions of Mardi Gras’ most famous treat: king cake. The annual Essence Music Festival, held in July, showcases performances from some of the most popular R&B and hip-hop artists. Temperatures are still pleasantly balmy (average highs are usually around 60 degrees) and bargain hotel rates can be found. Last updated: Nov 22, 2019. There’s plenty of soul food and amazing music to be enjoyed – including jazz, gospel, rhythm and blues and big band. based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). A unique 5-day festival commemorating famous writer and playwright, Tennessee Williams, 40-year New Orleans resident and NOLA devotee. April is in the spring in New Orleans and is typically the 4th coldest month of the year. This lively 3-day music festival on the water is one you don’t want to miss if visiting the Big Easy in May. By: Judith K. Tingley. The warmest time of year is generally early August where highs are regularly around 93.7°F (34.3°C) with temperatures rarely … November weather is crisp and cool and in the clear of hurricane season. Enjoy a variety of activities, from lectures and workshops with writers and actors, to theatrical performances and an entertaining one-act play competition. So I already mentioned Beignets. But if you want to catch the Mardi Gras and the Allstate Sugar Bowl, then head over there in January. A whole series of Pride events take place throughout the weekend with Saturday night’s show-stopping Pride Parade in the French Quarter as the major highlight. Destination Expert. Suggest an edit. If I had to choose though, I'd say October. With 130-plus festivals held in the state each year, there's undoubtedly something to do year-round. Which makes sense for the city known as “the most haunted in America.” Aside from Mardi Gras, Halloween showcases the city’s best costumes and all-out dressing up and provides an amazing time for kids and adults alike. Spring is New Orleans' peak travel season, which isn't surprising given the mild weather and full events calendar. The temperature in New Orleans typically ranges anywhere from 45 degrees Fahrenheit to upwards of 90 degrees, but rarely below. Temperatures during these months are typically between 68 – 77℉ (20-25℃), which most people find to be the most comfortable for outdoor activities. Explore New Orleans holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. New Orleans, Louisiana promises and delivers good times year round. Overall, if you want to save some cash, go to some fun festivals, and avoid peak tourist season, summer could be the best time to visit New Orleans. 4. Weekend-long festivities include performances, parties, showcases and workshops – all leading up to the main event, the competition to crown “The Queen of Burlesque.” A unique opportunity to see a show like you’ve never seen before! Didn't find what you were looking for? Winter. We find it to be a great time to be there. Passionate about her ukelele (obviously) and her family, Emma eventually wants to retire in Thailand and write a book about all of her travel experiences. Visit … Hate Crowds? Local musicians, as well as world-renowned artists, come to perform. An annual celebration of New Orleans born-and-raised jazz legend, Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong. July and August are hot, yes, but hotel deals are abundant and August brings COOLinary New Orleans, a month of special restaurant deals designed to lure tourists on a budget. Not a member yet? Because Nola has all sorts of parades and celebrations year-round, with Bourbon Street open 24/7 to cover all your party needs. 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