March is here. Super Bowl is long gone. Mardi Gras parades have stopped rolling. You’d think that March would be a quiet month because we need time to recover and catch up on lost sleep.
Well if you thought that you obviously don’t know New Orleans too well! March promises to continue the excitement with a running race/party, a handful of festivals and so many parades that I lost count. Speaking of parades, stay up to date with all of the Irish, Irish-Italian and Irish-Italian-Islenos parades via St. Patrick's Day New Orleans.
March 2-3 – Soul Fest
Celebrate African American history with the 10th annual Soul Fest at Audubon Zoo. For the price of a regular admission to the zoo, you’ll enjoy the exotic animals, plus devour delicious soul food while listening to lots of live music.
Saturday, March 9 – Italian-American St. Joseph’s Parade in the French Quarter
The Catholic Celebration of St. Joseph’s Day in New Orleans is celebrated with altars set up throughout the city and a parade through the French Quarter with marchers dressed in tuxedos. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of Canal and Chartres Street and includes 16 floats and nine marching bands.
March 15 – Molly’s at the Market Irish Parade
St. Patrick’s Day weekend starts in the French Quarter at Molly’s at the Market. The parade travels through the French Quarter, starting and ending at this local's favorite bar and features horse drawn carriages and marching bands.
March 16 – St. Patrick’s Day Parade In The Irish Channel
The tradition continues. It’s the 66th anniversary of the St. Patrick’s Day parade through the Irish Channel. Mass is at noon and the parade kicks off in the Irish Channel at one. The best place to see the parade is either on Magazine Street or St. Charles Avenue, between Jackson and Louisiana Avenues.
Bonus: Also in the Irish Channel, Tracy’s has their annual celebration, complete with green beer.
Sunday, March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day
Everyone is Irish today!
Stop by Parasol’s Block Party at 3rd and Constance Street. There will be live music, food and green beer.
The Metairie Road St. Patrick’s Day parade rolls at noon, starting in front of Rummel High School on Severn Avenue.
The Downtown Irish Club Parade is at 6pm and travels through the French Quarter.
Sunday, March 17 – Super Sunday
No, we’re not talking about football, we’re talking about the day when the Mardi Gras Indians come out to show off their beautiful and elaborate costumes as they parade through the streets of New Orleans. The festivities begin at A.L. Davis Park, at the intersections of Washington and LaSalle Streets at noon.
March 20-24 – Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival
The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival draws book lovers, both readers and writers from all over the country to New Orleans every year. The festival includes speakers, seminars, readings, a Stanley and Stella Shouting Contest and much more.
Sunday, March 24 – Louisiana Irish-Italian Parade
The 31st Annual Louisiana Irish Italian Parade kicks off at noon in the suburb of Metairie.
Saturday, March 20 – Crescent City Classic
This 10K is as much of a run, as it is a party. An estimated 20,000 runners, walkers and partiers will participate this year in the run through the city, followed by a Racefest afterwards with food, music, beer and live music.
If that’s a little too much for you, don’t worry, April promises to be a much quieter month with more parades and several festivals including the Jazz and Heritage Festival.
