New Orleans Memorial Day 2017 Roundup

The end of May marks Memorial Day Weekend and the unofficial start of summer. An extended weekend is also the perfect time to delve into the festival season of New Orleans, or to simply enjoy some of the beautiful experiences the city has to offer.

Whether you’re looking for fun, to commemorate the Memorial Day holiday, or looking for a pool party to crash, this roundup has it all.

If you want to see the festival and events mapped out, check out Curbed NOLA’s Memorial Day Weekend 2017 festival and event map

Festivals

April led the start of festival season, and May has not disappointed yet. This week, there are three festivals spanning from Friday to Sunday throughout the city. On Saturday, the Treme 7th Ward Cultural District will host its 2nd annual music festival on Claiborne Avenue between Basin Street and St. Bernard Avenue.

The 44th annual Greek Festival takes place in New Orleans by the Bayou St. John starting this Friday. The festival will host a variety of art and food vendors, along with several hellenic dance performances. If you wear a toga on Sunday, admission to the event is free and you have a chance of winning the festival’s best dressed award.

This weekend also marks the first year of the Bayou Country Superfest happening in New Orleans. Taking place at the Superdome, the festival will showcase a variety of country music stars starting May 26 and ending May 28. A free kick-off event will take place at Champion Square at 6 p.m. on this Friday.

Commemoratory Events

This Memorial Day Weekend, The National WWII Museum at New Orleans will host musical tributes on Saturday and Sunday honoring those in military service. On Memorial Day, there will be a one-hour commemoratory ceremony taking place at 11 a.m. and a national moment of silence at 3 p.m. All events will take place at the US Freedom Pavilion at the museum and all events are free and open to the public. However, viewing the museum’s exhibits require regular admission.

Crash a pool party

Starting this Memorial Day Weekend, the W New Orleans – French Quarter and the Le Meridien Hotel in the CBD will sell pool passes to locals. The day passes are good for Sundays at the W, and both Saturday and Sunday at the Le Meridien.

Of course, there are several other hotels offering passes, including the Ace Hotel, which is open to the public seven days a week with a $20 purchase. Check out our map of the best places to go for a swim. And, if you’re coming from out of town, take a look at the best hotel pools in the city.

Explore the city

If you’re looking for something free to do, the city serves as the ultimate playground. This extended weekend is the ideal time to consider visiting some of the most iconic landmarks and places in New Orleans featured in the Curbed NOLA Spring 2017 Pocket Guide.

If you’d rather go on an adventurous stroll in the city, we have a map for that, too. Check out the best places to take a walk in several different New Orleans neighborhoods. If you want to increase the pace and use the weekend for exercising, consider these parks and trails across the city.

Get out of the city

In the case that you may want to leave New Orleans for the weekend, take a look at Curbed NOLA’s map of small cities nearby to visit. In fact, Gonzalez, Louisiana, will host its annual Jumbalaya Festival this Memorial Day Weekend.

Have something that we missed? Feel free to drop us a tip.

• Memorial Day Weekend 2017 events in New Orleans [Curbed NOLA]
• Treme, 7th Ward Festival takes place this Memorial Day Weekend [Curbed NOLA]
• Two hotels with local pool admission this summer [Curbed NOLA]
• Where to swim in New Orleans this summer [Curbed NOLA]
• New Orleans's 17 best hotel pools [Curbed NOLA]
• 26 places to see in New Orleans right now [Curbed NOLA]
• 15 places to take a stroll in New Orleans [Curbed NOLA]
• 11 places to bike, jog, or walk in New Orleans [Curbed NOLA]
• 12 nearby small towns you need to visit right now [Curbed NOLA]