One of the most common questions we hear from our friends coming into New Orleans for a festival or event is, "When should I book a hotel room?" Our answer is always now! The sooner the better, it's not uncommon for hotels across the city to be completely reserved for the bigger events.
We've put together this little list of upcoming events in New Orleans so you can get a head start on when to book your hotel room.
French Quarter Festival - April
Fifteen stages, 60 plus food and drink vendors, all spread throughout the French Quarter, you know that it's going to be a great weekend! Expect the Vieux Carre to be hopping; we'd plan on reserving your hotel room at least a month in advance.
Jazz and Heritage Festival - April & May
Music, food, culture and more music! One, if not the largest music festivals in New Orleans and attracts music acts from all over the world, which of course means people from all over the world will be staying in hotels around New Orleans. This is one of those events that you want book your hotel room far in advance. Book it now! Don't wait to the last minute. Please!
Essence Music Festival - July
The Essence Music Festival brings five stages and more than 50 acts to town for the largest annual African-American event. This year's headliner is Beyoncé on a return visit to New Orleans. She was just here to perform the Super Bowl halftime show. Hotel rooms will fill up, two months or more in advance is a good time to book your rooms.
Halloween - October
Halloween in New Orleans mixes costumes and parades to make a party atmosphere that can't be topped. You might be able to show up at the last minute to get lucky, but I'd recommend booking at least 30 days in advance.
Voodoo Music Experience - November
Voodoo Fest just keeps getting better with top names like Metallica, Foo Fighters and Tool as recent headliners. Two months out is a safe bet to make sure you have a hotel room for this music experience.
Bayou Classic Football Game - November
Every year Grambling State and Southern battle at the Superdome in a classic football match-up. If you're thinking about going, reserving your rooms at least thirty days in advance is a good idea.
Christmas - December
All month long, New Orleans is filled with caroling, bonfires and Christmas celebrations. The only thing missing is the snow and we're completely okay with that. Make sure to reserve your rooms in October or earlier, if you're thinking of spending part of the holiday season with us.
New Year's Eve
New York might have the Times Square ball drop, but we have our own Big Easy style countdown, fireworks and a party atmosphere that fills the French Quarter. There's a good chance that all of the rooms will be booked at 100% occupancy again this year. You don't want to wait until the last minute. You need to book at least two months in advance.
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is almost always a highlight bowl game. As far as hotel reservations, if you think your team might be going, it's not a bad idea to book a room. You don't want to wait too long after the official announcements are made. The rooms will go quick.
Mardi Gras
Start on the Friday before, is the most popular time to visit New Orleans. It's a long weekend filled with parades and carnival celebration. Yesterday is when you should book if you're planning to come to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Seriously, we know some people that reserve their rooms a year in advance—the sooner the better. You might get lucky and be able to reserve a room a month or two in advance, but if you wait until the last minute, you may end up sleeping in your car.
The simple rule to remember is the earlier you try to make your reservations the better.
These are just a few of the events coming up. Check the calendar and take a look at all of the exciting New Orleans events throughout the year.