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Festivals
The New Orleans area is home to numerous celebrations, the most popular of which is New Orleans Mardi Gras|Mardi Gras. Carnival officially begins on the Feast of the Epiphany, which locals sometimes refer to as "Twelfth Night (holiday)|Twelfth Night." The Carnival season is often known (especially by visitors) by the name of its last day, Mardi Gras (French language|French for "Fat Tuesday"), which is held the Tuesday before the beginning of the Catholic liturgical season of Lent, which commences on Ash Wednesday.
The largest of the city's many music festivals is the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Commonly referred to simply as "Jazz Fest", it is one of the largest music festivals in the nation, featuring crowds of people from all over the world coming to experience music, food, arts, and crafts. Despite the name, it features not only jazz but a large variety of music, including both native Louisiana music and internationally known music artists. Along with Jazz Fest, New Orleans' Voodoo Music Experience (known as Voodoo Fest) and Essence Music Festival are both large music festivals featuring local and internationally known music artists.
Other major festivals held in the city include Southern Decadence, the French Quarter Festival, and the Tennessee Williams/ New Orleans Literary Festival|Tennessee Williams Literary Festival.
In addition to year-round attractions, a series of celebrations and festivals provide additional interest:
- New Orleans Mardi Gras|Mardi Gras
- New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, [1]. Also known just as Jazz Fest. Held the last weekend in April and the first weekend in May every year at the New Orleans Fairgrounds, F-Su 11AM-7PM. It is second only to Mardi Gras for importance and size for New Orleans. The festival has been held every year since 1970. The true heart and soul of the Jazz Fest, as with New Orleans, is Music. That includes jazz, both traditional and contemporary, Cajun music, blues, R&B, gospel music, folk music, Latin, rock, rap, country music and bluegrass. But it's not just music. This is a cultural feast with food and crafts. There are thousands of musicians, cooks and craftspeople at the festival and 500,000 visitors each year. Visit the two large food areas where you can sample Louisiana cuisine and see demonstrations from top New Orleans chefs. Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen.
- French Quarter Festival [2]
- Essence Festival [3]
- 'Southern Decadence' [4]
- Halloween. While not as large a celebration as Mardi Gras, Halloween is still a big deal in New Orleans. Locals begin costuming two or three days in advance, with most of the action Halloween night being, of course, in the French Quarter, which becomes a veritable parade of costumes ranging from the traditional to the satirical. Families can enjoy Halloween festivities in their own neighborhoods or at various events around the city specifically geared for children.
- Voodoo Music Festival [5] - The pop/alternative/contemporary counterpart to the New Orleans Jazzfest, this is fast becoming a major attraction, hosting multiple stages in City Park over 3 days.
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