Home › New Orleans › Best time to visit
Best time to visit New Orleans: month by month
Short answer
February to May is the best time, with mild weather of 19–29°C and the biggest festivals: Mardi Gras, French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest. Summer is very hot and humid (31–32°C), and hurricane season runs from June to November. October and November are mild and pleasant, with fewer crowds.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17°C | 9°C | 10 | medium |
| Feb | 19°C | 11°C | 12 | very high |
| Mar | 23°C | 15°C | 14 | high |
| Apr | 25°C | 17°C | 15 | very high |
| May | 29°C | 21°C | 16 | high |
| Jun | 31°C | 25°C | 20 | low |
| Jul | 31°C | 25°C | 25 | low |
| Aug | 32°C | 26°C | 19 | low |
| Sep | 30°C | 24°C | 15 | low |
| Oct | 26°C | 19°C | 8 | medium |
| Nov | 20°C | 14°C | 9 | medium |
| Dec | 19°C | 13°C | 10 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs of 23–29°C and festival season, with French Quarter Fest in April and Jazz Fest in late April–early May.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Hot and humid at 31–32°C with afternoon storms on 19–25 days a month; the peak of hurricane season begins.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is still hot (30°C), but October (26°C) is the driest month with about 8 rainy days.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Mild at 17–19°C by day; Mardi Gras season builds from January, peaking in February or early March.
Events worth planning around
- Mardi Gras (February or early March, before Lent)
- French Quarter Festival (April)
- New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (late April–early May)
- Essence Festival (around 4 July)
When to avoid
July to September is very hot and humid, with the highest hurricane risk in August and September. Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest are fantastic but bring the highest prices.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
When is the best time to visit New Orleans?
February to May for mild weather and festivals, or October–November for fewer crowds.
When is Mardi Gras?
The date changes each year (February or early March), before Lent; parades run for two weeks before Fat Tuesday.
Is summer a bad time to visit?
It is very hot and humid, with storms, but hotels are cheapest. Plan indoor activities for the afternoons.