Enjoy July in New Orleans with these spectacular, annual events!
July 4-7: Essence Music Festival
The Mercedes Benz Superdome will once again play host to the latest and greatest in soul, hip hop, R&B, jazz and more as both local and international musicians and singers perform during this epic, three-day musical journey. This year’s headlining artists include Beyoncé, Maxwell, New Edition, Charlie Wilson, Janelle Monae and Shamarr Allen & the Underdawgs. essence.com/festival
July 4: Go Fourth on the River!
Celebrate Independence Day on the river! Bring your radios to the river for this passionate salute to America’s independence, which will feature the one-of-a-kind dueling barges fireworks display along the New Orleans Riverfront. This nationally renowned fireworks show is simulcast on Magic 101.9 and WWL AM, FM and .com and heard in 38 states! go4thontheriver.com
July 11-14: San Fermin in Nueva Orleans 5th Annual Running of the Bulls
Revel in three days of food, music and entertainment centered on a July 14 homage to the bull running in Pamplona, Spain. In the New Orleans version, our local roller derby team, The Big Easy Rollergirls, pursue runners with plastic bats and horned helmets. nolabulls.com
July 12-14: Bastille Day Celebrations
Celebrated in France as “La Fete Nationale,” Bastille Day will once again be a great event in New Orleans, “the most French of American cities.” Festivities commemorating this special day are scheduled in and around the French Quarter and the French-founded Faubourg St. John neighborhood. The Alliance Française of New Orleans has planned a full slate of events, starting with a fireworks display on Friday, July 12 and ending with a bartenders and waiters race on Sunday, July 14. af-neworleans.org
July 17-21: Tales of the Cocktail
The internationally acclaimed festival of cocktails, cuisine and culture! Founded by Ann Tuennerman in 2006, the nonprofit organization seeks to preserve New Orleans’ dining and drinking history and raise funds for the hospitality industry. It’s only fitting that New Orleans, the birthplace of the cocktail, should serve as the permanent home of Tales of the Cocktail. Join cocktail aficionados from all over the world for lectures, discussions, book signings, dinner pairings, cooking demonstrations and cocktail-mixing seminars. talesofthecocktail.com