NEW ORLEANS (NOLA NOW) - It’s a busy Easter weekend in New Orleans, which means you can hop to festivals, parades and other events around town. Here’s a list of events happening from March 29 to March 31.
Crescent City Classic
Runners and walkers will fill the streets of New Orleans for the annual Crescent City Classic starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. The 10k race starts near the Caesars Superdome, and the run wraps up with a post-race party at City Park’s festival grounds. The racefest has free food, drinks, live music and more. Even if you decide not to run the race, you can still purchase tickets for the racefest for $20. Not only is the CCC an Easter weekend tradition, but this event does a lot of good in the community by partnering with local charities and helping to give back. The CCC also hosts its annual health and fitness expo with lots of great vendors at the Hyatt Regency downtown on Thursday and Friday, and it’s a great time to register if you haven’t already.
For more information, visit the website.
Freret Street Festival
The Freret Street Festival returns with its lineup of music, food and art this Saturday. The event features three music stages with more than 20 great local acts and 200 vendors with locally produced items. The fest spans six blocks between Napoleon Avenue and Valmont Street. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and it’s free and open to the public.
For more information, visit the website.
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Bunny Hops
City Park Conservancy brings back Bunny Hops, the boozy, adult Easter egg hunt at New Orleans City Park on Saturday night. The opens the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and Storyland for adults to have fun with unlimited rides. Guests can also enjoy open beer bars, jambalaya, a DJ and novelty bunny ears to help you get into the Easter spirit. The event runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Guests must be 21 years or older to attend this event.
Tickets are $35, and they can be purchased online.
Historic French Quarter Easter Parade
The Historic French Quarter Easter Parade, rolls Sunday morning at 9:45, and it’s the city’s oldest Easter parade.
Ladies in horse-drawn carriages and classic convertibles will sport their finest Easter bonnets and pass out stuffed bunnies and other throws. The parade starts on St. Peter and Chartres Streets, near Tableau Restaurant, and pauses for mass at St. Louis Cathedral before resuming the rest of its route, including a promenade around Jackson Square.
French Quarter Easter Parade
The French Quarter Easter parade rolls at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
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The parade was formerly known as the Chris Owens Easter parade, named after the late beloved Bourbon Street entertainer. Colorful floats, marching bands and dance groups are part of the lineup -- with plenty of Easter trinkets up for grabs. The parade starts at the corner of St. Louis and Royal Streets in front of the Omni Royal Hotel.
Gay Easter Parade
Later in the day, the French Quarter becomes a runway for the official Gay Easter parade at 4:30 p.m.
The cultural event puts on a show with fashion, showcasing the creativity of the LGTBQ community. The parade features creative costumes, carriages and marching groups, and it also raises money for a local charity. The route starts on Rampart Street near Armstrong Park.
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