New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

There are a few local fairs and festivals this weekend that look to be fun. First is the Plaquemines Parish Seafood Festival in Belle Chasse. This one is free for 12 and under - just $5 for adults, and the proceeds benefit local charities and fishermen affected by the BP oil spill.

Also this weekend is the Greek Festival at the Hellenic Cultural Center. This is also a $5 admission, with kids 12 and under getting in free. Enjoy all things Greek: food, music, dancing, and art!

Hungry for some crawfish before the season ends? Head over to Washington Square Park for the New Orleans String Project crawfish boil on Saturday from noon until 6pm. Enjoy crafts, music, kids' games and activities, and of course some delicious crawfish! All proceeds from the crawfish sales will benefit the New Orleans String Project.

From 10am to 2pm, check out the free Square and Compass Child Safety and Health Fair at the Kenner Pavilion. Teach your kids about safety, and check out the Fire House courtesy of the Kenner Fire Department!

Monday's Events

Monday marks the end of an error, I mean era, and beginning of a new one with the swearing in of the next New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu. To celebrate his swearing in, from 11:30am to 3pm in Lafayette Square the Celebrate New Orleans Festival will have complimentary food and drinks and plenty of great music (weather permitting). Please bring some non-perishable foods to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank if you attend!

Also Monday, from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at the University of New Orleans, children's poet laureate Mary Ann Hoberman will be reading from and discussing her works (which include The Llama Who Had No Pajama) and will sign books afterwards. This event is free but reservations are recommended by emailing paustin@uno.edu

Have a great Monday!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events this Weekend

It looks to be another beautiful weekend in the Big Easy, and as usual, there's plenty to do to keep you busy and your pockets full!

On Saturday and Sunday, head to the westbank and celebrate at the Old Algiers River Fest. Experience the tradition of the Mardi Gras Indians, be entertained by talented local musicians, and enjoy incredible food. There will also be a children's area and local arts and crafts for sale. Admission is free.

On Sunday, head over to the Louisiana Children's Museum and Target will spring for your admission! Learn about living with disabilities in the museum's Access/ABILITY exhibit, or learn about our city's architectural traditions in the New Orleans: "Proud to Call It Home" exhibit.

Looking ahead, if you and your family enjoy canoeing, the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is offering a free moonlight canoe trip on Sunday, April 25th. The trip will run from 7-9pm, and reservations are required. Call the visitors' center at 504-689-3690 x10 to book your spot. There is also a morning canoe trek scheduled for Saturday, April 18th beginning at 9:30am.

Enjoy the weekend! Make sure to check back on Monday for a tasty product review and giveaway to get your summer fun started!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events this Weekend

It's Easter weekend and there is plenty going on to keep you busy!

On Saturday, the East Bank Regional Library in Metairie will have a Saturday craft at 10am. This Saturday's craft is a garden painting. Stick around once you're done to celebrate National Tartan Day with bagpipe and harp performances, and Scottish dancers!

Also on Saturday over in Luling, they're having the 2nd Annual St. Charles Parish Easter Egg Hunt. Registration begins at 9:30am and the hunting starts at 10:30am. There is a suggested $2 donation per child which includes the hunt, games, and an Easter hat contest.

At 2pm on Saturday, the Alvar branch of the New Orleans Public Library will be holding yet another Easter egg hunt.

In town on Easter Sunday, you have your pick of Easter parades, some more family-friendly than others. Also on Sunday at 11am, City Park will be hosting 2 Easter egg hunts for kids: for those under 6 at Storyland, and for the older kids in the Amusement Park. For $3 admission, the kids can hunt for 9000 filled eggs!

Happy hunting and Happy Easter to all!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events this Weekend

It's shaping up to be another beautiful weekend in the Big Easy! This weekend will be jam-packed with parades and other fun things to do with your families.

On Saturday, head to the Irish Channel for the 63rd annual Irish Channel St. Patrick's Day Club Mass and parade. The Mass begins at noon at St. Mary's Assumption church and the parade will follow after Mass.

Also Saturday from 10-11am, make a tabletop basketball game at your nearest Lowes Build and Grow Clinic.

In Metairie, head over to the Lakeside Shopping Center at 9:45am for the Easter egg hunt and check out the Education Expo afterwards for some summer camp ideas.

On Sunday at 11am, the St. Patrick's Day parade will roll down Metairie Road for your chance to catch even MORE produce (and some beads and trinkets, of course).

This is also the final weekend for the "Dreams Come True" exhibit at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Once the museum opens on Saturday morning at 10am, it will be open for 30 hours straight (until 5pm Sunday). This is the only North American presentation of this Disney artwork exhibit, so make sure to attend this weekend before its gone.

Finally on Sunday afternoon from 4-7pm, take the kids over to La Maison (508 Frenchmen) to experience a free jazz performance as part of the Nickel-A-Dance series. This Sunday, Detroit Brooks' Syncopated Percolators will perform. Children are welcome for these free performances.

There you have it - plenty of free and frugal things to do to get your family out to enjoy this beautiful weekend!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events this Weekend

On Saturday, the Treme Brass Band will be at the New Orleans Jazz Historical Park from 11am until noon to participate in the kids' workshop. Have your kids bring their own instruments and play a few numbers with a real brass band!

While you're at the Jazz Historical Park, stick around for two programs to celebrate February as Black History Month. At 1pm, learn about the Underground Railroad in Louisiana. At 2pm, listen to a performance of freedom songs during the "Songs of the Underground Railroad" program.

If you (or your children) are more the handyman-type, head on over to Lowe's for their Build and Grow project. Saturday from 10 am to 11 am, make your very own "LoweBot" (car/robot). Head to their website here and register. Even my 2 year old has fun "working" with the tools!

The Krewe of Arfus celebration will be held at Zephyr Stadium on Sunday from 11am to 4pm. The parade starts at 1pm and will feature King Buud and Queen Gretchen leading the carnival-style parade. Head over and check out the information on spaying/neutering and microchipping your pet. You may even find your next best friend there! There is a registration fee for the pets in the parade, but spectators are free.

Also on Sunday will be the Arts Market of New Orleans in Palmer Park. The market runs from 10am until 4pm and will feature an African drumming performance in the kids' tent.

Let's hope for a beautiful weekend - get out and enjoy it!

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!

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!

Santa at Lakeside Mall

Santa has been on a 25-city tour since appearing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, and will make his last stop at Macy's in Lakeside Mall on Tuesday at 2pm. He'll only be there for an hour before heading back up to the North Pole to get ready for his trip on Christmas Eve, so get there while you can! Enjoy Christmas music and a reading of The Night Before Christmas, and take a picture with Santa before its too late!

More New Orleans-area events for this weekend!

If you're still looking for things to do this weekend, check out the Treme Creole Gumbo Festival Saturday and Sunday at the Jazz and Heritage Center on N. Rampart. They've moved the events inside the center, so the rain will not put a damper on the great musical performances (Kermit Ruffins, Trombone Shorty), but will make for perfect gumbo-eating weather!

If rolling on the river is more your style, head over to the Steamboat Natchez at Toulouse Street and the river for a cruise with Santa on Saturday morning. Bring 2 non-perishable food items to donate to the Second Harvest Food Bank and receive a free ticket! The boat sets sail at 11:30am and the ticket office will begin accepting donations at 10:30am.

Have a great weekend!

New Orleans Area Free and Frugal Events this Weekend

There are only 2 more weekends before Christmas, and no shortage of ways to celebrate! On Saturday, take the family down to Canal Street for their Kids on Canal Street events. Radio Disney, the Calliope Puppets, and Santa will all be on hand at various Canal Street locations to entertain.

If music is your thing, head to St. Louis Cathedral and check out one (or more) of the Cathedral Concerts. See Philip Manuel on Thursday, Ellis Marsalis, on Sunday, or any of the other 6 concerts scheduled in the next week. All are free and open to the public.

Celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah with the lighting of a 12-foot menorah on Sunday at Chanukah at Riverwalk. Enjoy dancing, music, and food from 4-6pm.

If you haven't yet made it out to Miracle on Fulton Street, this weekend you can watch the Christmas movie Elf on the big screen, or enjoy music from the Topcats (Friday), Cullen Landry and Midnight Streetcar (Saturday), and the Yat Pack (Sunday).

Keep your fingers crossed for good weather, and get out and enjoy the holiday season in New Orleans!

New Orleans Area Free and Frugal Events this Weekend

Christmas lights EVERYWHERE! At 5:30pm Friday, the famous Al Copeland Christmas lights will be turned on at Lafreniere Park. Running from 5:30pm to 10pm nightly until January 6th, the lighting ceremony will include performances and carolers.

What would a holiday season be without a parade? Saturday morning at 11am head to Canal Street downtown to see the Krewe of Kringle in the Canal Street Christmas Parade. Stick around afterwards for a free concert at Elk Place and enjoy the sounds of Jeremy Davenport, Kermit Ruffins, and others.

While downtown, why not make a day of it and head over to Miracle on Fulton? My 4 year old is annoyed at the fact that we likely won't see snow this season, so maybe I'll placate him with the fake snowfall on Fulton....

Also on Saturday is the next installment of the Kids Culinary Camp sponsored by the Junior League of New Orleans at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum.

If your kids are more of the crafty type, head to your nearest Lowe's Build and Grow clinic to make a gingerbread house, or to your nearest Michael's to make Christmas present crafts for the family!

Have a great weekend enjoying the spirit of Christmas!

Christmas in New Orleans

Tonight is opening night for Celebration in the Oaks at City Park. Enjoy lights, rides, a laser show, and a narration of the Cajun Night Before Christmas - one of my favorite holiday tales. In fact, I still have the copy of the book that my Mamere gave to me MANY years ago, and read it to my own children! The celebration is open this weekend, closed Monday through Thursday, then begins its nightly run on December 4th until December 30th. Admission is $7 per person, and children 3 and under are free (rides extra).

Also opening tonight and running through January 3rd is Harrah's Casino's Miracle on Fulton Street. This is a free event and family-friendly. Enjoy Christmas lights, live music, visit Santa Claus, and if you're there at the right time, it just may snow!

Wordless Wednesday: Saints Fans

New Orleans Area Free and Frugal Events this Weekend

Our first real taste of fall weather will make it a great time to get outside and enjoy the area this weekend - and it looks to be a busy one!

Head out to Lafayette Square this evening from 5pm to 7pm to catch the Rebirth Brass Band at the Harvest the Music fall concert series. Admission is free, and all proceeds from the food and drink ticket sales go to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank.

Friday through Sunday, head to Metairie to enjoy the St. Edward the Confessor Cochon de Lait. The theme this year is "Pigs Ahoy!" There will be rides, food (including the locally-famous cochon on Sunday), and musical entertainment all weekend long.

The Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival is being held all day Saturday and Sunday at Lafayette Square Park. This free festival boasts an incredible lineup of jazz musicians, and arts and crafts vendor area, and of course some kickin' barbeque to enjoy!

If you're near the LaPlace area this weekend, stop by the Andouille Festival. Adult admission is $3 and children 12 and under are $1. Kids can enjoy free face painting, pony rides, a petting zoo, and demonstrations by the LaPlace fire department. A gumbo cook-off, apron contest, and andouille toss are also scheduled.

For the train enthusiasts out there, the 4th annual Louisiana Steam Train Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday behind the zoo at Audubon Park. Admission is $10 per person, or buy a family membership for $35 that will grant you admission to all of LASTA's events for a year. The kids can take a rubber-tired train ride, check out the model train display, bounce on inflatables, and play conductor in a real caboose! Listen to some great bluegrass music while learning about the history of the steam locomotive.

There's something for everyone this weekend - get out and enjoy it!

Jumpstart's Read for the Record

On Thursday, October 8th, please join me and thousands of others to help set a world record for reading. Go to the Jumpstart website and pledge to read Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar to be counted in the record attempt. If you create and register an event through the site by October 7th (even if its just reading in your home to your own children), you will be entered into a drawing to win a set of Eric Carle animal flashcards for your little ones!

You're already reading to your kids (aren't you???) and you may already have the Eric Carle classic in your home library, so what are you waiting for? Sign up today and show the children in your life how important reading is.

Intro to the arts

There are a couple of interesting events happening this weekend in New Orleans that are a good introduction to the arts for your little ones.

On Saturday at 10am at the Newcomb Art Gallery at Tulane University, there will be a free, all-ages print making workshop that corresponds with the Hatch Show Print exhibit. The workshop is free, but you do need to RSVP by emailing sboles@tulane.edu or by calling 504-865-5361.

On Sunday, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra is performing a children's concert at Benjamin Franklin High School (2001 Leon C. Simon Blvd., New Orleans). The concert begins at 3pm, but there will be a "petting zoo" in the lobby starting at 2:15pm where the children can see many of the instruments up close and personal. Afterwards, the children will be treated to cookies and juice, also in the lobby. Admission is free for children younger than 12, and $10 for all others.

For your budding foodie...

Unfortunately my "sous chef" is too young, but if you happen to have a budding foodie in grades 2 through 4, then check out the free class at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum on Saturday from 9:30am to 11:30am. Sponsored by the Junior League of New Orleans, this installation of the Kids in the Kitchen culinary camp will teach your children to make healthy food choices and will give them the opportunity to make pasta from scratch. The camp is free, but does require pre-registration by calling 504-569-0405.

Wordless Wednesday: Time passes quickly...