February 2025 Newsletter Hello! We’re at the start of the parade season here in New Orleans. Mardi Gras day itself falls on Tuesday March 4th, but there are parties, parades and events aplenty before then. For a full schedule, along with parade routes, this list is a great resource: https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/parades/ Make us part of your Mardi Gras plans - you won’t be disappointed! Below are some of the highlights across the city for the next couple of months. Hope to see you in the Crescent City very soon! Happy Carnival! FEBRUARY 15th Parade: Krewe du Vieux Founded in 1987 and taking its name from the Vieux Carré (old square), the official name for the French Quarter, the Krewe du Vieux is one of the earliest parades of the New Orleans Carnival calendar. In the old tradition, it is noted for wild satirical and adult themes, as well as for showcasing some of the best brass and traditional jazz bands in New Orleans. The parade goes through the Marigny and French Quarter, ending at their official ball. 23rd Parade: Krewe of Barkus A beloved, dog-focused parade with our canine friends dressed up in costumes! 27th Parade: Krewe of Muses This club was founded in 2000 and is made up of women who conduct community outreach programs that involve school children and local artists in the design of Muses’ throws, costumes and floats.Try and get one of their coveted, famous decorated shoes! 28th Parade: Krewe D’Etat Founded in 1996 to help resurrect the traditional satirical style of Mardi Gras parades. In keeping with its name’s meaning, the “Dictator” reigns over the streets in place of a traditional monarch. Secrecy is of great importance to the krewe, and the identity of its ruler is never made public. D’Etat’s Latin motto translates, “Live to Ride, Ride to Live.” MARCH 1st Parade: Endymion One of the biggest parades, passing through Mid City. 2nd Parade: Bacchus 3rd Parade: Orpheus 4th Mardi Gras Day! Including the Krewe of Zulu and Krewe of Rex parades. 15th Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Parade St. Patrick’s Day is a major celebration in New Orleans, blending Irish traditions with the city’s signature flair for festivities. From the lively Irish Channel Parade to pub crawls, block parties, and even other Irish-inspired parades, the city comes alive with green-clad revelers. 26th Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival The annual Tennessee Williams Festival takes place each spring in New Orleans, and is named after the world-famous playwright who made New Orleans his home during one of the most creative periods in his life. Each year, the festival assembles top playwrights, authors, actors, and speakers for literary panels and to provide master classes with other published authors. There are theatrical performances of original works, readings, cocktail parties, culinary events, book signings, movie screenings, literary walking tours and more. 29th Freret Street Festival In recent years, Freret Street has become one of the most vibrant streets in the city, with tons of restaurants and businesses that have popped up on the strip. Now, with over 200 local vendors, live music stages, and food and drink options, the Freret Street Festival is one of the premier neighborhood festivals in the city, and it’s free!
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A very happy 2025 to you, and all of our best wishes for the New Year. As January arrives in New Orleans, our city’s thoughts turn to Mardi Gras. This year, the city also hosts the Super Bowl, so it’s a busy season. January 6th marks the official start of festivities, and there will be increasing numbers of parades, parties and events right up to Mardi Gras Day on Tuesday, March 4th. It’s the perfect time to plan your New Orleans trip - our properties put you close to the parade routes and are the perfect bases for enjoying the celebrations. Pack a costume and a sense of adventure, and you’ll have a wonderful time here as the whole of New Orleans transforms itself into colorful, lively Mardi Gras mode. Almost every weekend has at least one ‘krewe’ (a local name for the societies that organize each parade). We hope to see you soon at Chez Palmiers. See below for a list of some of the major events for January and February. Happy New Year once again. JANUARY 6th Twelfth Night The official start of 2025’s Carnival season! The traditional first parades, including Jean d’Arc and the Phunny Phorty Phellows ring in the celebrations that will last up to Mardi Gras day itself. 6th King Cake Season! The city’s favorite seasonal confection is once again available! There are dozens of variations to try, so hit up your local bakery and find out what flavors they’re serving up this year! 10th-12th Fan Expo This convention turns the city of New Orleans into a playground filled with cosplay, anime, horror, and gaming. There will also be huge celebrities in attendance, including Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. 11th/12th Winter Music Festival Zony Mash Beer Project hosts its annual winter music fest presented by The School of Rock! 16th Teaser Fest A four-day celebration of burlesque and New Orleans' unbelievable food, creative craft cocktails, and live entertainment. 31st (through February 2nd) Tet Fest An annual winter festival celebrating the Vietnamese New Year with our city’s wonderful Vietnamese community. Guests can enjoy traditional Vietnamese cuisine, dance and music, children’s activities, and stunning firework displays nightly. FEBRUARY 1st Parade: The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus One of the most popular parades, this is a 900-member Krewe with over 150 sub-krewes all paying homage to Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror. 15th Parade: Krewe du Vieux Founded in 1987 and taking its name from the Vieux Carré (old square), the official name for the French Quarter, the Krewe du Vieux is one of the earliest parades of the New Orleans Carnival calendar. In the old tradition, it is noted for wild satirical and adult themes, as well as for showcasing some of the best brass and traditional jazz bands in New Orleans. The parade goes through the Marigny and French Quarter, ending at their official ball. 27th Parade: Krewe of Muses This club was founded in 2000 and is made up of women who conduct community outreach programs that involve school children and local artists in the design of Muses’ throws, costumes and floats.Try and get one of their coveted, famous decorated shoes! 28th Parade: Krewe D’Etat Founded in 1996 to help resurrect the traditional satirical style of Mardi Gras parades. In keeping with its name’s meaning, the “Dictator” reigns over the streets in place of a traditional monarch. Secrecy is of great importance to the krewe, and the identity of its ruler is never made public. D’Etat’s Latin motto translates, “Live to Ride, Ride to Live.” Hello!
The holiday spirit is firmly upon us in New Orleans, and the city’s social calendar starts to look a lot more festive! The winter months are really a prime time to visit New Orleans, with a hive of activity, festivals and events across the city, catering for all tastes. Whether you want to shop for gifts at any of our great art markets, indulge in some very special ‘Réveillon’ dinner menus or see a seasonal show, there’s a New Orleans-shaped gift under the tree just for you! Our bed and breakfast inn hosts all love decorating their beautiful properties, so you can expect a memorable welcome, and the lovely, mild temperatures mean that it’s perfect weather for exploring. Join us for caroling in Jackson Square, New Year fireworks along the river or just soak up the atmosphere as the city truly lights up! I’ve listed a few highlights below to whet your appetites! DECEMBER Various dates Seasonal shows! See “Elf” at the Saenger Theatre from December 3-8. Crescent City Stage puts on “A Christmas Carol” the first three weekend of December. New Orleans Ballet Theatre presents a traditional "Nutcracker" at the Orpheum Theater, while Marigny Opera Ballet brings back their "Jazz Nutcracker" at the Opera House. All month Réveillon Dinners Réveillon is a holiday dining tradition. Dating back to the 1800s, Creole New Orleanians would feast on lavish meals following midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Restaurants across the city have adopted this tradition, offering decadent multi-course Réveillon feasts throughout the entire month of December. 7th Children’s Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade Expect large, pageant-style floats with animatronics, local musicians atop the floats singing carols, helium balloons, and Santa Claus, of course! 14th and 15th Holiday Home Tours Every year during the holidays, New Orleanians decorate their homes in festive seasonal décor, and some open their doors for public viewing. The Preservation Resource Center’s Garden District Holiday Home Tour features a selection of private homes, live musical performances, a festive boutique, and more! 20th NOLA ChristmasFest An ice slide, ice skating rink, yuletide market, gingerbread village, and photos with Santa are just a few of the highlights. Various dates Christmas Concerts Get into the spirit of the season with holiday concerts at St. Louis Cathedral. If you love classic holiday tunes, you won’t want to miss the Louisiana Philharmonic’s Classical Christmas or Holiday Spectacular. Lastly, you can also enjoy caroling in Jackson Square on December 22. JANUARY 6th Twelfth Night The official start of 2025’s Carnival season! The traditional first parades, including Jean d’Arc and the Phunny Phorty Phellows ring in the celebrations that will last up to Mardi Gras day itself. 6th King Cake Season! The city’s favorite seasonal confection is once again available! There are dozens of variations to try, so hit up your local bakery and find out what flavors they’re serving up this year! 10th-12th Fan Expo This convention turns the city of New Orleans into a playground filled with cosplay, anime, horror, and gaming. There will also be huge celebrities in attendance, including Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. 11th/12th Winter Music Festival Zony Mash Beer Project hosts its annual winter music fest presented by The School of Rock! 16th Teaser Fest A four-day celebration of burlesque and New Orleans' unbelievable food, creative craft cocktails, and live entertainment. Hello!
After the excitement and city-wide decorations of Halloween month, we’re progressing fully into festival season here in New Orleans. We’ve already ticked off the PoBoy Festival, but there are more foods to celebrate as gumbo and beignets step up for their turn in the spotlight! Lights go up all across the city as the nights draw in - LUNA Fête sees huge, luminous art installations go up downtown, and the thousands of lights that herald Celebration In The Oaks means that the holiday and Christmas seasons are on the horizon. It’s an idyllic time to be in the city, especially if you come to stay at a bed and breakfast inn with a courtyard. Those fall evening breezes and a cold drink are hard to beat - some of our properties will even throw in an outdoor hot tub if you want a little extra decadence. Below are some of the highlights that we think it’s worth coming in to town for - we hope to see you in these streets and at any one of the Crescent City’s amazing festivals! NOVEMBER 1st Bayou Bacchanal The original Caribbean Carnival of New Orleans! It’s back for a colorful, vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture and heritage. 9th Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival If you love brass bands and gumbo – or, better yet, enjoying some delicious gumbo while listening to brass bands playing live in beautiful Louis Armstrong Park – this is the event for you! 14th LUNA Fête Illuminated costumes, couture, and creativity take center stage, combining dynamic contemporary art and technology in a huge public art festival. Free and exciting fun for all ages. 16th Beignet Fest Hailed as one of the best food festivals in the south, come and join us in New Orleans’ to celebrate the city’s most iconic treat. 29th Celebration in the Oaks An annual holiday festivity - from Thanksgiving through the New Year, you can enjoy one of the most spectacular holiday light shows in the country! DECEMBER Various dates Seasonal shows! See “Elf” at the Saenger Theatre from December 3-8. Crescent City Stage puts on “A Christmas Carol” the first three weekend of December. New Orleans Ballet Theatre presents a traditional "Nutcracker" at the Orpheum Theater, while Marigny Opera Ballet brings back their "Jazz Nutcracker" at the Opera House. All month Réveillon Dinners Réveillon is a holiday dining tradition. Dating back to the 1800s, Creole New Orleanians would feast on lavish meals following midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Restaurants across the city have adopted this tradition, offering decadent multi-course Réveillon feasts throughout the entire month of December. 7th Children’s Hospital New Orleans Holiday Parade Expect large, pageant-style floats with animatronics, local musicians atop the floats singing carols, helium balloons, and Santa Claus, of course! 14th and 15th Holiday Home Tours Every year during the holidays, New Orleanians decorate their homes in festive seasonal décor, and some open their doors for public viewing. The Preservation Resource Center’s Garden District Holiday Home Tour features a selection of private homes, live musical performances, a festive boutique, and more! 20th NOLA ChristmasFest An ice slide, ice skating rink, yuletide market, gingerbread village, and photos with Santa are just a few of the highlights. Various dates Christmas Concerts Get into the spirit of the season with holiday concerts at St. Louis Cathedral. If you love classic holiday tunes, you won’t want to miss the Louisiana Philharmonic’s Classical Christmas or Holiday Spectacular. Lastly, you can also enjoy caroling in Jackson Square on December 22. Hello!
We hope you’ve had a wonderful summer, perhaps taken some trips and hopefully made some amazing memories! If you came through New Orleans and stayed at one of our wonderful bed and breakfast inns, we’re always so happy to see and host you, and if not - well, there are plenty of reasons to start looking for your next NOLA adventure! The city’s collective excitement grows with the beginning of the football season, of course, and you’re always welcome in the Superdome to cheer on our Saints - all of our properties are within easy reach of the stadium and they’re a perfect base for exploring before or after the game. We’ll also soon be into October, and you know what that means…the Po-Boy Festival. Oh, and the small matter of Halloween! New Orleans has a reputation for being one of the spookiest cities in America, so there’s no better place to celebrate. Best of all, the Halloween celebrations last all month long, so there’s no bad time to be here! As always, here are a few events coming up that we think are worth a trip - go to the website www.bbnola.com to book your rooms now, and be sure to treat yourself by visiting very soon! SEPTEMBER 8th Football season returns Head to the Superdome to watch The Saints as they take on the Carolina Panthers. 27th NOLA Coffee Festival A two-day trade show and consumer festival dedicated to all things coffee! 28th The International Arts Festival A spotlight on incredible New Orleans musicians among a carefully curated list of global stars. OCTOBER 5th-6th National Fried Chicken Fest A two-day, outdoor festival with thousands of people who share a love of great music, culture, and of course, fried chicken. 11th-13th Gentilly Fest This free family festival features live music on three stages, showcasing the amazing talent of our local musicians. 11th-13th Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival Yet another free family festival that‘s a grand celebration of music and art, with a huge serving of the city’s best barbecue. 19th Krewe of BOO! Parade Krewe of BOO! became the official Halloween Parade in New Orleans in 2007, and it’s grown every year since. The incredible floats frighten and excite, with paper mâché and fiberglass figures evoking all of Halloween’s spooky stars, and the krewe handing out collectible throws to onlookers. 27th Oak Street Po-Boy Festival Each year, Oak Street transforms into a po-boy paradise with upwards of 35 vendors participating to take their shot at being crowned the best po-boy in the city! Enjoy live music and delicious sandwiches! We hope you’re having a wonderful summer so far! New Orleans slows down a little this time of year, but there are still some wonderful events going on.
If you’re a foodie, then you know that New Orleans is one of the greatest food towns in the United States. We used to be known as a city with 500 restaurants and one menu, but that’s far from the case now. Come and see the range of cuisines available - we have high end and award-winning Senegalese food, Haitian dishes and the Jamaican Jerk House is enjoying great publicity right now. As summer is relatively slow, it’s actually a great time to come and sample some menus. All of August, and some of September, sees the COOLinary promotion. A huge list of restaurants across the city offer hugely discounted fixed price lunches and dinners, a perfect way to try places that might otherwise be just out of your budget, or just enjoy a new experience without much risk. Broaden your gastronomic horizons with a spontaneous trip! As always, here are a few events coming up that we think are worth a trip. AUGUST COOLinary Enjoy over a month of deals at participating restaurants and feast your way through New Orleans. Specially priced three-course lunches, dinners, and brunches can be found all throughout the city. Through Sept 15. More info SEPTEMBER 8th Football season returns Head to the Superdome to watch The Saints as they take on the Carolina Panthers. 27th NOLA Coffee Festival A two-day trade show and consumer festival dedicated to all things coffee! 28th The International Arts Festival A spotlight on incredible New Orleans musicians among a carefully curated list of global stars. Hello!
With increasing numbers of horror stories showing up on social media about Air BnB, we just wanted to remind you that our city’s lovely, legal and licensed bed and breakfast inns are ALWAYS a better choice. We’ve seen crazy stories about folk being locked out in the middle of the night by absent owners, mystery amounts of money being charged for various vague “services” and of course, the classic, long lists of chores that Air BnB guests are supposed to carry out! Every guest is charged a cleaning fee AND THEN they’re expected to clean the places themselves! We think that’s outrageous! Thankfully, the city is now taking action to close down illegal short term rentals in New Orleans, and so there’s never been a better time to look at the beautiful options on our website, bbnola.com. You can rest assured that you’ll only pay the agreed price, that your owners will be on hand to deal with any issues immediately AND we’ll take care of all the chores, so that you can just relax and enjoy your time in our wonderful city. Speaking of our city, here are a few events coming up that we think are worth a trip - go to the website to book your rooms now, and come and see us very soon! 11th Anything Goes Part of the Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre 2024 season. Embark on a journey filled with music, dance, and romance in the toe-tapping extravaganza. This 2022 Revision of the classic tale brings an abundance of dance music and timeless hits including "I Get a Kick Out of You," "You're the Top," and "Let's Misbehave". More info 12th Running of the Bulls The city’s own version of Spain’s Encierro de Pamplona. Runners gather in the traditional colors of Spain’s bull run and run from the Big Easy Roller Derby, who chase runners with plastic bats on their roller skates. More info Bastille Day Fête The annual festival celebrating the French national holiday, Bastille Day Fête is back at the Alliance Française. There will be live music, a silent disco, French food & drinks, games, and more! More info 18th A Streetcar Named Desire The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans returns to the Marigny Opera House with A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. Williams’ Iconic Pulitzer Prize-winning drama that follows Blanche’s odyssey from the columns of her ancestral Mississippi Delta mansion into the depths of the French Quarter is fraught with steamy sensuality. More info 21st Tales of the Cocktail A week-long celebration of cocktails and mixology, with seminars, demonstrations, tasting sessions, parties and much more. Through July 26th. More info AUGUST 1st Museum Month An annual collaboration between museums of all sizes across the greater New Orleans area during the month of August. Through August 31st. More info COOLinary Enjoy over a month of deals at participating restaurants and feast your way through New Orleans. Specially priced three-course lunches, dinners, and brunches can be found all throughout the city. More info 3rd White Linen Night Guests don their finest white linen attire and take to the streets to explore the city’s art scene. Julia Street transforms, hosting a multitude of galleries, live music, food and drink, and art installations. More info Satchmo Summer Fest An annual summer music festival that honors the music and legacy of one of the city’s favorite sons, Louis ‘Satchmo’ Armstrong. Stages are set up around the U.S. Mint in the French Quarter. Through August 4th. More info 10th Red Dress Run A charity run, hosted by the New Orleans Hash House Harriers. All participants wear red attire - specifically, dresses. The event involves a two-mile run, beginning at Crescent Park in the Bywater. More info Dirty Linen Night A response to White Linen Night, this time it’s the galleries of the French Quarter who open their doors with music, drinks and special exhibitions. More info We hope to see you soon! Have a safe and fun summer. It’s time to show some love to New Orleans. After a windy visitor named Ida, the doors are open. We want you back. As the weather cools down, it’s the perfect time to check out the fall offerings of this great city.
New Orleans and COVID According to nola.gov, “The City of New Orleans continues to meet all public health milestones and has fully vaccinated over 74% of all adults with the COVID-19 vaccine. However, only slightly more than 52% of all New Orleanians have been fully vaccinated.” A mask mandate continues for all indoor public spaces, including restaurants, bar and clubs. These establishments also require guests to provide proof of at least one vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within the last 72 hours. For ongoing COVID updates from the City of New Orleans, text COVIDNOLA to 77295. What’s the weather like? Here is the weather ahead. Oct: 81 deg. – 62 deg., with 5 days of rain Nov: 72 deg. – 53 deg., with 5 days of rain Dec: 65 deg. – 46 deg., with 6 days of rain Jan: 64 deg. – 45 deg., with 7 days of rain What’s going on? Listen up! There’s more places to catch live music. Chickie Wah Wah and The Palm Court are opening their doors again this month. The Frenchmen Street clubs removed their hurricane shutters and plugged in their microphones again. Take a walk and find the abundant porch concerts happening in the neighborhoods. Wishing you were at JazzFest? Until it returns next spring, enjoy Festing in Place with our beloved WWOZ. Check out WWOZ.org to see the line-up of prior Festival live performances during the weekends of October 7-10 and October 14-17. Not forgetting Halloween, the Krewe of Boo Parade will be rolling through Marigny and French Quarter on October 23rd. The first parade since Covid bans. Throw me something, Mister! The Big Easy is BACK! So where are you? It’s time to celebrate. Now that you’re vaccinated, take off your mask and let’s see that smile!
New Orleans and COVID “The City of New Orleans continues to meet all public health milestones and has fully vaccinated over 58% of all adults..” according to nola.gov. That progress has led the city to relax its restrictions, easing the way for businesses, residents and visitors: There are no time restrictions for alcohol sales, masks are no longer mandated (except in government, hospital, school and federal public transportation settings.) Bars and restaurants are no longer required to follow a six-foot spacing rule. What’s the weather like? It’s summer, baby! … NOLA-style. Don’t fight the humidity—embrace it! Time for sandals, shorts, swimsuits, sno-balls. Here are the average temps and rainfalls for the coming months. June: 90 deg. – 74 deg., with 10 days of rain July: 92 deg. – 76 deg., with 11 days of rain August: 92 deg. – 76 deg., with 12 days of rain Sept: 88 deg. – 72 deg., with 8 days of rain What’s happening? With restrictions eased, live music and entertainment is more plentiful. Walk outside your neighborhood inn and listen up for a passing Second Line parade. Join in! Go to your favorite music club. Dance in the street! Make a date to catch our first major festival since the pandemic: Satchmo Summerfest is happening July 31-August 1 at the Jazz Museum. Don’t forget to tip the musicians! What to eat NOW Sno-balls. So many varieties, and so many places to try around the city. We love them all. From the venerated uptown shacks Plum Street Sno-balls and Hansen’s Sno-Bliz (whose motto “air-condition your tummy” is pretty great advice for any visitor!) to the popular porch operation of Chance In Hell SnoBalls in the Bywater, you will be dazzled by flavors and combinations. Why not make a sno-ball crawl part of your next visit? Spotlight on Lakeview When the heat is on, it’s always refreshing to be near the water. Take a ride on up to Lakeview. Enjoy some seafood and a crisp cold beer at many of the restaurants like Blue Crab, Felix’s, and Landry’s overlooking the marinas of Lake Pontchartrain. Stop by Lakefront Airport and admire its Art Deco history. Get some culture and tranquility at City Park’s Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Spring is at full tilt here in New Orleans. The city is bursting with color and the scent of jasmine is in the air. Time to treat yourself to an escape from your home office and your pajamas.
New Orleans and COVID The city has relaxed its restrictions to Modified Stage Three. Bars, restaurants, breweries and stores may operate at 100% capacity, while maintaining social distancing and mask requirements. Bars may open from 6 am to 1 am. The COVID threat level is yellow: “COVID in Orleans Parish is spreading in a slow and controlled fashion.” In addition, 43% of the city’s population has already been vaccinated and the vaccine is available to all individuals 16 and older. Let’s all keep each other safe! What’s the weather like? Getting steamy! Enjoy a stroll by the river, then duck into a café or bar to cool off. Here are the monthly average high and low temperatures. May: 85 deg. – 68 deg., with 4 days of rain June: 90 deg. – 74 deg., with 10 days of rain July: 92 deg. – 76 deg., with 11 days of rain What’s happening? Day by day, the city is blossoming back to life. You’ll hear the familiar sounds of jazz bands on Royal Street and the clip-clop of the mule carriages making their lazy way through the French Quarter. Folks are gathered on Frenchmen Street to catch their favorite bands, and Magazine Street is buzzing with shoppers and restaurant lovers. Art galleries are welcoming guests and walking tours are alternately entertaining, educating, or frightening visitors again, depending on the stories they’d like to hear. What to eat NOW It’s peak crawfish season! If you already love them, get down here. If you haven’t tried them, get down here. Many restaurants offer a tasty, spicy crawfish boil. We could give you instructions on how to eat them, but your server will be happy to demonstrate. Pro tip: don’t wear a white shirt. |
I'm Betsy*the Innkeeper. Here are some observations of life in my New Orleans B&B, mostly factual. Archives
February 2025
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