New Orleans Culinary Festivals

There’s really no such thing as a party in New Orleans without food — and delicious food, at that. But these festivals are solely dedicated to the culinary and cocktailing arts in New Orleans.

New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (May)

Toast to the finer things in life - pinots, merlots and gumbos - as more than 75 of New Orleans' best restaurants pair up with 175 of the world's finest wineries. Spirits are always high at this annual celebration of New Orleans' culinary creativity. nowfe.com

Oyster Festival (June)

The Oyster Festival educates about the benefits of the Louisiana Gulf oyster, honors and celebrates the restaurateurs and oyster farmers who have solidified the New Orleans French Quarter and celebrates with live music and, of course, oysters! neworleansoysterfestival.org

French Market Creole Tomato Festival (June)

A celebration of the Creole tomato, which is locally grown, this festival features cooking demonstrations by the city's premier chefs, food booths selling dishes made with Creole tomatoes, and samplings, music and vendors selling the famous tomatoes. frenchmarket.org

Louisiana Seafood Festival (June)

The Louisiana Seafood Festival celebrates our extraordinary local cuisine. Starting with everything fresh from the water, our famous chefs cook up shrimp, oysters, crawfish, crab and alligator. louisianaseafood.com/festival

Tales of the Cocktail (July)

Have a highball, y'all. Sip and sup at this four-day-long mixer in the city that invented the cocktail. Enjoy lectures, book signings, dinner pairings, cooking and mixing demonstrations, and more at this annual event. talesofthecocktail.com

COOLinary New Orleans (August)

This is the ultimate celebration of dining in America's most delicious city. Eat at participating restaurants and savor special prix fixe, three-course lunches and dinners at special sizzling summer prices. COOLinaryneworleans.com

New Orleans Seafood Festival (September)

Seafood lovers, rejoice! This three-day event is held in Lafayette Square in downtown New Orleans is a free celebration of seafood, given New Orleans' propitious proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. The event features live entertainment, celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, local arts and crafts and world-famous cuisine from top New Orleans restaurants and caterers. neworleansseafoodfestival.com

Po-Boy Preservation Festival (November)

Just don't call it a "hoagie." This festival is dedicated to celebrating the authentic spirit of one of New Orleans' most delicious and famous sandwiches. Taste po-boys from restaurants such as G.W. Fins, Bourbon House, Emeril's Delmonico and many more. The festival also includes panel discussions on topics like po-boy history and French bread-baking traditions, three stages with live music, arts and crafts, and a children's section with games and prizes. poboyfest.com