May day, may day! Yes, the merry month of May has descended upon the Crescent City and all the thrills and fun in the sun are happening. Don’t panic, just party. And don’t forget about Tom Jones …
A Jazz Fest flag flies over the crowd at the main Festival Stage.
Big Freedia was joined by Jelly Joseph for a duet at New Orleans Jazz Fest on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
The Fair Grounds in Gentilly stays rocking with the final weekend of the NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL, the Crescent City’s eight-day celebration of music, culture, food, art and more which attracts visitors from around the globe. Taking over the stages for the last few days are such acts as Luke Combs, Joan Jett, BeauSoleil, Lenny Kravitz, the Radiators, Pearl Jam, Ledisi, Patti LaBelle, Trombone Shorty, Big Chief Bo Dollis Jr. Terrence Blanchard, HaSizzle, Kamasi Washington and Kermit Ruffins. Ticket prices at the gate start at $135. The fest runs through Sunday at 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Get more information on the fest here.
Readers shop for bargains during the Friends of the Jefferson Public Library’s fall Big Book Sale at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner. The three-day event featured a silent auction and more than 65,000 used books and collectables, puzzles, DVDs, CDs and LPs offered for sale. (Photo by Scott Threlkeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)
The three-day BIG BOOK SALE at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner benefits the Jefferson Parish Library System. More than 65,000 new and used books, puzzles, DVDs, records (yes, records) and more will be on sale plus special items will be up for auction. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Read all about it here.
St. Charles Borromeo Church and School in the River Parishes will have live performances, games, festival foods, pageants, amusement park rides for the LITTLE RED CHURCH FOOD & FUN FESTIVAL at 6 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. 13396 River Road, Destrehan. Get ready for some River Road fun here.
People cool off at Cool Zoo, a water park inside the Audubon Zoo, in New Orleans, Sunday, July 16, 2023. (Photo by Scott Threlkeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
It’s the first slippery weekend at Audubon Zoo starting Saturday for the opening of COOL ZOO SPLASH PARK AND LAZY RIVER. And every weekend in May, things get wet and wild during regular hours at the waterpark that includes the Gator Run lazy river, alligator waterslide, sandy beaches, soakers, sprayers and even some giant cobras, just for fun. Tickets start at $38. Get soaked with information here.
From tuxes to trunks, Audubon Zoo has a full weekend of delights. Friday at 8 p.m. is ZOO-TO-DO, the annual black tie-cocktail affair that raises funds for the zoo, this year welcoming back the zebras. The evening includes live entertainment, food from such spots at Antoine’s Restaurant, Fogo de Chao, Tito’s Ceviche, Dickie Brennan’s and beverages from Sazerac Company, Crescent City Brewhouse and more, plus silent auctions and plenty of posh partying. Tickets start at $195. Get in on the tickets for the good times here.
Visitors can check out ‘Star Wars’ characters at the aquarium.
Darth Wader? Fluke Skywalker? The Audubon Aquarium celebrates the iconic sci-fi series “Star Wars” with MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU and two days of fun and adventures. Expect lightsaber battles in the Great Maya Reef and get a photo with one of the characters. Soar into the fun — in costume — from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the foot of Canal Street. Tickets start at $35. Take a splash and seek out the rebel alliance here.
The seafood potato is twice baked, stuffed with crawfish tails and cream sauce and topped with fried fish and a crabcake at PeeWee’s Crabcakes food truck.
Culinary creativity rolls into the Harbor Center in Slidell from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday for the LOUISIANA FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL with more than 25 food trucks offering everything from tacos to barbecue and crab cakes to giant pretzels. There are also crafts and art vendors, live music and a kids zone. Admission is free. 100 Harbor Center Blvd. Get a taste for what’s in store here.
The “Run for the Roses” is Saturday in Kentucky but New Orleanians can enjoy the fun in the French Quarter at Galatoire’s Bar “33” for a KENTUCKY DERBY WATCH PARTY AND HAT CONTEST at 3 p.m. at 215 Bourbon St. Classic Derby bites, fanfare and passed hors d’oeuvres will be included in the $20 ticket. Drink specials, including those featuring Pinhook bourbon, will be available. At 5 p.m., a special guest judge will peruse the chapeaux and awarded prizes. And the race will be broadcast on several televisions. Check out the derby details here.
It’s a musical mashup of pipes and brass Sunday at 3 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral on St. Charles Avenue for MUSIC FOR BRASS INSTRUMENTS AND PIPE ORGAN in the Garden District. Organist Jarrett Follette will be joined by the Cajun Brass for an indoor concert at 2919 St. Charles Ave in the Episcopal church. The keyboardist and quintet will perform a slate of classic favorites and gospel selections. Lend an ear for more information here.
Tom Jones performs on the Gentilly Stage during the seventh day of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans on Sunday, May 7, 2023. (Photo by Scott Threlkeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
It’s not unusual to go out and see the Welsh wonder when he plays at the Saenger Theatre Sunday. SIR TOM JONES will bring his iconic style and timeless talent to the 1111 Canal St. auditorium at 8 p.m. The “Defy Explanation” tour will showcase the vocal stylings of the entertainer known for “It’s Not Unusual,” “What’s New Pussycat, “She’s a Lady” and Prince’s “Kiss.” Tickets start at $87.50. Find out more about Sir Tom’s time in New Orleans here.
