How to Celebrate Fourth of July Weekend in New Orleans

The long Fourth of July weekend is upon us, which means it’s time to start thinking about celebrating with live music, festive food and drink, and the like. The summer holiday weekend also marks the return of some beloved local festivals, including New Orleans’s celebration of the Creole tomato and zydeco music, complete with classic Louisiana cuisine.

Here is Eater’s guide to the best parties, food festivals, and events happening in New Orleans this week and for Fourth of July weekend, arranged chronologically.

Did we miss a way to celebrate Fourth of July weekend in New Orleans? Let us know.

Creole Tomato Festival

This weekend marks the return of the annual French Market Creole Tomato Festival, the 35th event. It kicks off with a virtual concert series on Wednesday, June 30, followed by the main event on Saturday, July 3, featuring a vast lineup of tomato dishes from local restaurants, live music, and a bloody Mary trail with 15 stops. See the French Market website for a full schedule of events.

Uncle Sam Jam

Jefferson Parish’s Fourth of July festival takes place on Saturday, July 3 at Lafreniere Park (for the 25th year), featuring a lineup of live music, fireworks, and a vast list of local food, drink, and sno-ball vendors (no outside food/drink allowed). The free-admission festival opens at 1 p.m. with live music beginning at 3. See full info here.

Fourth of July Party at The Anchor

Madisonville’s waterfront oasis the Anchor is hosting an all-day party on Saturday, July 3, featuring a live music lineup from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Head upstairs for dinner at at Tchefuncte’s to catch the fireworks show at dusk or stay put downstairs on the huge covered patio.

NOLA Zydeco Festival

The beloved annual Zydeco Festival returns to the New Orleans Jazz Museum on Saturday, July 3, right in the heart of the Quarter. The all-day festival offers a great lineup of Zydeco bands, free access to the museum, dance lessons, and food vendors. It kicks off at noon at 400 Esplanade Avenue, and runs until 7 p.m. See here for complete information.

Red, White, and Blues Fest at Faubourg Brewing

Faubourg Brewing is celebrating the holiday on Saturday and Sunday, July 3 and 4, with live music and a backyard BBQ with yard games (bocce, cornhole, giant beer pong, spike ball, ladder toss, and more), a kids’ zone, food vendors, and of course, beer. Doors open at noon with an all-blues lineup of music kicking off at 12:30 p.m. each day.

Light up the Lake

Mandeville’s Fourth of July celebration is especially kid-friendly — there’s a kids’ tent in addition to live music, food trucks, and of course fireworks. The all-day event on Sunday, July 4 at the Mandeville lakefront kicks off for picnics and the like at 10 a.m., with food trucks and and drinks available starting at 5 p.m. and live music kicking off at 6 p.m.

Big Freedia Fourth of July at Broadside

New Orleans superstar Big Freedia helps host Broadside’s Fourth of July party at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 4, along with SaxKixAve (Alfred Banks and Tank and the Bangas saxophonist Albert Allenback). $30 tickets are available on the and can be purchased at the Broadside website. Expect food pop-ups and/or trucks.

Palm & Pine 2nd Anniversary Party

French Quarter gem Palm & Pine is two years old, and the neighborhood favorite is throwing a party on Monday, July 5 to celebrate. The party will start at 5:30 p.m. and feature a happy hour-style menu with some all-time favorites from the kitchen and bar, as well live music by Corey Henry & the Treme Funktet. See here for more details.