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Best time to visit New Orleans
Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.
Best time to visit New Orleans, United States
Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.
| Month | Score | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10-16°C, cool and often cloudy with occasional rain | low | low |
⚠ Can be quite chilly, especially at night. | |
| February | 12-18°C, mild with a mix of sun and clouds | peak | peak |
⚠ Mardi Gras week is extremely crowded and expensive; book far in advance. | |
| March | 15-21°C, pleasant and sunny with scattered showers | high | high |
⚠ Post-Mardi Gras crowds can still be significant. | |
| April | 18-24°C, warm and mostly sunny with brief, refreshing showers | high | high |
⚠ Jazz Fest brings large crowds and high prices. | |
| May | 21-27°C, warm and humid, generally sunny with afternoon thunderstorms | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Humidity starts to increase. | |
| June | 24-30°C, hot and humid with frequent thunderstorms | moderate | moderate |
⚠ High humidity and heat can be intense. | |
| July | 25-31°C, very hot and humid with daily thunderstorms | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Extreme heat and humidity make outdoor activities challenging. | |
| August | 25-32°C, oppressively hot and humid with frequent heavy rain | low | low |
⚠ Peak hurricane season begins; intense heat and humidity. | |
| September | 23-29°C, still very hot and humid with tropical storm risk | low | low |
⚠ Highest risk for hurricanes; many attractions may have reduced hours or closures. | |
| October | 19-25°C, pleasant and mild, less humid with sunny days | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Weather is typically excellent, but crowds pick up for Halloween. | |
| November | 14-20°C, cool and crisp, often sunny | low | low |
⚠ A great time to visit before the winter holidays. | |
| December | 10-16°C, cool and can be damp, occasional clear days | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Christmas and New Year's can see a spike in crowds and prices. |
Annual events worth timing your trip around
The culmination of carnival season with parades, costumes, and revelry leading up to Fat Tuesday.
A free festival celebrating New Orleans' music, food, and culture with numerous local bands and chefs.
A massive celebration of music (especially jazz) and Louisiana cuisine held over two weekends.
A major festival focused on African American culture, music, and empowerment.
A Halloween weekend music festival featuring a diverse lineup of national and local artists.
A weekend of events celebrating the historic rivalry between Grambling State University and Southern University, including a football game and parade.
Insider timing tips
- •The period between February and April is exceptionally busy due to Mardi Gras and major festivals, driving up costs significantly.
- •Summer (June-August) is intensely hot and humid, making sightseeing challenging, though prices can be lower outside of major festivals.
- •September and October are peak hurricane season; while weather can be beautiful in October, there's always a risk of tropical storms.
- •The shoulder months of April-May and October-November offer the best balance of pleasant weather, manageable crowds, and reasonable prices.
- •Local holidays like Thanksgiving can see a surge in visitors, especially for events like the Bayou Classic.
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