New Orleans Free and Frugal Events this Weekend

It's getting closer to Mardi Gras, and you know what that means: PARADES! Although things will get into full swing later in the week, we still have a few parades rolling Saturday and Sunday, including the family-friendly Krewe of Little Rascals parade in Metairie on Sunday at noon. Check out the full parade schedule and parade maps here.

Also this weekend, on Saturday, is another chance for your child to play his or her instrument with the Royal Player Brass Band over at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. Head over there from 11 am-12 pm on Saturday with your instruments and make some music!

Still ongoing are the Vieux Carre Matinees at Le Petit Theatre: free movies on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. This Saturday's schedule includes We Live to Eat. Yep, that sounds about right!

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy it with your family!

This weekend's free & frugal events

There's not too much happening in town this weekend, unless its centered around the NFC Championship game (GEAUX SAINTS!).

Here are a couple of events to keep you busy for cheap this weekend:

Head to Lowe's and build a Tic-Tac-Toe board with your kids at the Lowe's Build & Grow Clinic on Saturday from 10-11am.

If you're downtown, stop by the New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park with your kids and their musical instruments to play a few songs with the Royal Players Brass Band from 11am - 12pm.

Out in Luling Saturday? If so, head over to the library and check out the planetarium. At 10am there's a free showing of the Planets of the Solar System, and at 2pm check out "Twinkle Theater".

The first local carnival parade will be rolling next weekend, so dust off your ladder and get your bead-catching skills in top shape!

Have a great weekend - we'll be cheering on the Saints!

A few free area events this weekend

In addition to the free admission to the Louisiana Children's Museum on Sunday, there are a few more events happening to keep your kids busy for cheap!



On Saturday, take your music-loving kids to the New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park (on N. Peters in the French Quarter) and let them play with the Royal Players Brass Band. Have them bring their own instruments and take part in the park's free "Music for All Ages" program.



If you happen to be out near Luling on Saturday morning, take your kids to the Planetarium for their children's matinee series to see "Planets of the Solar System" at 10am. Or wait until 2pm for their "Twinkle Theater" program. Both programs are free and open to the public.



Of course wherever you go this weekend, remember to cheer on our beloved New Orleans Saints!

Free Museum Admission Sunday

The Louisiana Children's Museum is offering free admission on Sunday 1/17 courtesy of Target. Thanks to Target Free Admission days, you can enjoy the LCM's exhibits on a tight budget, or use it to see if a family annual membership is right for your family.

And because Monday is a holiday, both the museum and all Audubon facilities will be open (though they are typically closed on Mondays).

Enjoy!

It's Carnival Time!

Today is the first day of carnival season! For those of you who don't know, the carnival season is the time period between Twelfth Night (tonight) and Mardi Gras. The first of the carnival parades rolls today: the Phunny Phorty Phellows will gather at the Willow Street streetcar barn at 6:30pm with the Storyville Stompers and will ride their streetcar up and down St. Charles Avenue to ring in the carnival season. Head out to the parade route and get in the carnival spirit!