United States · month by month
New Orleans food calendar
What is in season in New Orleans, what to eat right now, the food festivals worth planning around and the months to be careful with. Tap a month.
January in New Orleans
Shoulder seasonThe best of January: King cake, Red beans and rice on Mondays.
In season
- Crawfish
Boiled crawfish season peaks from March to May.
Jan–May - Oysters
Gulf oysters, raw or chargrilled.
Sep–Apr
Eat it now
- King cakeCarnival (12th Night to Mardi Gras)
Cinnamon brioche with purple, green and gold sugar; only in Carnival season.
Jan–Mar - Red beans and rice on Mondays
The old washday dish, still the Monday special across the city.
Nothing of this kind in January. Try Everything.
February in New Orleans
Peak seasonThe best of February: King cake, Red beans and rice on Mondays, Mardi Gras.
In season
- Crawfish
Boiled crawfish season peaks from March to May.
Jan–May - Oysters
Gulf oysters, raw or chargrilled.
Sep–Apr
Eat it now
- King cakeCarnival (12th Night to Mardi Gras)
Cinnamon brioche with purple, green and gold sugar; only in Carnival season.
Jan–Mar - Red beans and rice on Mondays
The old washday dish, still the Monday special across the city.
On the calendar
- Mardi Grasthe two weeks before Ash Wednesday
Parades every night; book months ahead.
Feb–Mar
Nothing of this kind in February. Try Everything.
March in New Orleans
Peak seasonThe best of March: St Joseph's altars, King cake and Louisiana Crawfish Festival.
In season
- Louisiana oysters
- Crawfish
Boiled crawfish season peaks from March to May.
Jan–May - Oysters
Gulf oysters, raw or chargrilled.
Sep–Apr
Eat it now
- St Joseph's altars19 March
Sicilian-American altars of breads, fig cookies and fava beans, open to visitors in churches and homes.
- King cakeCarnival (12th Night to Mardi Gras)
Cinnamon brioche with purple, green and gold sugar; only in Carnival season.
Jan–Mar - Red beans and rice on Mondays
The old washday dish, still the Monday special across the city.
On the calendar
- Louisiana Crawfish Festival
- Mardi Grasthe two weeks before Ash Wednesday
Parades every night; book months ahead.
Feb–Mar
Nothing of this kind in March. Try Everything.
April in New Orleans
Peak seasonThe best of April: Red beans and rice on Mondays, Ponchatoula strawberries, French Quarter Festival.
In season
- Ponchatoula strawberries
- Crawfish
Boiled crawfish season peaks from March to May.
Jan–May - Oysters
Gulf oysters, raw or chargrilled.
Sep–Apr
Eat it now
- Red beans and rice on Mondays
The old washday dish, still the Monday special across the city.
On the calendar
- French Quarter FestivalApril
Free music, with food booths from the city's restaurants.
- Jazz Festlate April to early May
Crawfish Monica and po-boys at the Fair Grounds.
Apr–May - One of the world’s 100 best food eventsNew Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival22 April to 2 May 2027 (two weekends: 22-25 April and 29 April to 2 May) · from New Orleans & Company, checked Oct 24, 2026
As famous for its food booths as its music: crawfish Monica, cochon de lait po-boys, mango freeze.
How to go: Buy tickets ahead; book a room as soon as the dates are out.
Apr–May
Nothing of this kind in April. Try Everything.
May in New Orleans
Peak seasonThe best of May: Red beans and rice on Mondays, Blue crabs, Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival.
In season
- Blue crabsMay–Aug
- Crawfish
Boiled crawfish season peaks from March to May.
Jan–May
Eat it now
- Red beans and rice on Mondays
The old washday dish, still the Monday special across the city.
On the calendar
- One of the world’s 100 best food eventsBreaux Bridge Crawfish FestivalUsually the first weekend of May · next dates not announced yet (checked Oct 24, 2026)
The crawfish capital's festival of boiled crawfish, étouffée and Cajun music.
How to go: Two hours west of New Orleans.
- Jazz Festlate April to early May
Crawfish Monica and po-boys at the Fair Grounds.
Apr–May - One of the world’s 100 best food eventsNew Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival22 April to 2 May 2027 (two weekends: 22-25 April and 29 April to 2 May) · from New Orleans & Company, checked Oct 24, 2026
As famous for its food booths as its music: crawfish Monica, cochon de lait po-boys, mango freeze.
How to go: Buy tickets ahead; book a room as soon as the dates are out.
Apr–May
Nothing of this kind in May. Try Everything.
June in New Orleans
The best of June: Red beans and rice on Mondays, Creole tomatoes and soft-shell crab, New Orleans Oyster Festival.
In season
- Creole tomatoes and soft-shell crab
Summer produce.
Jun–Aug - Blue crabsMay–Aug
Eat it now
- Red beans and rice on Mondays
The old washday dish, still the Monday special across the city.
On the calendar
- New Orleans Oyster Festival
- NOWFE (Wine and Food Experience)
Nothing of this kind in June. Try Everything.
July in New Orleans
A hard monthThe best of July: Red beans and rice on Mondays, Creole tomatoes and soft-shell crab.
In season
- Creole tomatoes and soft-shell crab
Summer produce.
Jun–Aug - Blue crabsMay–Aug
Eat it now
- Red beans and rice on Mondays
The old washday dish, still the Monday special across the city.
Nothing of this kind in July. Try Everything.
August in New Orleans
A hard monthThe best of August: Red beans and rice on Mondays, Creole tomatoes and soft-shell crab, COOLinary Restaurant Month.
In season
- Creole tomatoes and soft-shell crab
Summer produce.
Jun–Aug - Blue crabsMay–Aug
Eat it now
- Red beans and rice on Mondays
The old washday dish, still the Monday special across the city.
On the calendar
- COOLinary Restaurant Month
2026 ran 1-31 Aug; prix fixe examples $25 two-course lunch to $58 three-course dinner (neworleans.com). WWNO also mentions a mid-June restaurant week. 2027 dates not...
- Satchmo SummerFest
Early August, free (1-2 Aug 2026); LP says Aug 4
Plan around
- Hurricane season and heat
Peak storm months, and the hottest.
Aug–Oct
Nothing of this kind in August. Try Everything.
September in New Orleans
The best of September: Red beans and rice on Mondays, White shrimp.
In season
- White shrimpSep–Nov
- Oysters
Gulf oysters, raw or chargrilled.
Sep–Apr
Eat it now
- Red beans and rice on Mondays
The old washday dish, still the Monday special across the city.
Plan around
- Hurricane season and heat
Peak storm months, and the hottest.
Aug–Oct
Nothing of this kind in September. Try Everything.
October in New Orleans
Shoulder seasonThe best of October: Red beans and rice on Mondays, White shrimp, Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival.
In season
- White shrimpSep–Nov
- Oysters
Gulf oysters, raw or chargrilled.
Sep–Apr
Eat it now
- Red beans and rice on Mondays
The old washday dish, still the Monday special across the city.
On the calendar
- Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival
EXPECTED 8-10 Oct 2027
Plan around
- Hurricane season and heat
Peak storm months, and the hottest.
Aug–Oct
Nothing of this kind in October. Try Everything.
November in New Orleans
Shoulder seasonThe best of November: Red beans and rice on Mondays, White shrimp, Oak Street Po-Boy Festival.
In season
- White shrimpSep–Nov
- Oysters
Gulf oysters, raw or chargrilled.
Sep–Apr
Eat it now
- Red beans and rice on Mondays
The old washday dish, still the Monday special across the city.
On the calendar
- Oak Street Po-Boy Festival
Sunday 8 Nov 2026, 10am-6pm, 100+ po-boys, free
Nothing of this kind in November. Try Everything.
December in New Orleans
The best of December: Red beans and rice on Mondays, Plaquemines satsumas.
In season
- Plaquemines satsumas
Orange Festival 5-6 Dec 2026; season months not stated
- Oysters
Gulf oysters, raw or chargrilled.
Sep–Apr
Eat it now
- Red beans and rice on Mondays
The old washday dish, still the Monday special across the city.
Nothing of this kind in December. Try Everything.
Festival dates move from year to year, so check this year's dates before you book. Seasons are how growers, markets and local guides describe them; edges vary with the weather. Know something we missed? Tell us.