New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

There's plenty to do around town this weekend, so if you're looking for some free fun, look no further!

On Saturday, Lowe's has it's latest installment of their Build and Grow program.  This Saturday from 10 am to noon, bring the kids to make a wooden snowman!

From 6:30 am Saturday through 6:30 am Sunday, experience the fifth annual Draw-A-Thon at the Green Project.  Check out performances by various artists, children's art activities, music and games, and draw all over the walls of "The Drawing Room".

From 11 am to 4 pm on both Saturday and Sunday, head to Plessy Park for Family Fringe as part of the New Orleans Fringe Theater Festival.  See performances for children, arts and crafts activities, and watch the parade pass on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking of parades, if you've never experienced a New Orleans second line parade, Saturday morning is your chance.  A parade to honor the memory of musician and music teacher Walter Payton Jr. will follow a brief memorial service at Preservation Hall on Saturday morning at 10:30 am and wind from Preservation Hall down St. Claude, pass McDonough No. 15 where he taught, and back through the French Quarter back to the start.

Santa Claus himself, along with Mrs, Claus, Rudolph, and Frosty, will lead another second line parade through Lakeside Mall in Metairie as he arrives on Saturday at 9:30 am. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mid-week Fun in New Orleans

Wednesday is free admission to the New Orleans Museum of Art for all visitors.  Stop by between 12 noon and 8 pm to take advantage of free admission and extended hours.  While you're there, you might as well stop by the Besthoff Sculpture Garden to take in the scenery!

Ready to jump start the Christmas season?  On Thursday at 6pm head down to Washington Artillery Park across from Jackson Square for the lighting of the French Market Christmas Tree!  After the lighting, join a second line parade to Dutch Alley for some food, drink, music, and dancing!

Have a great week!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

On the westbank, check out the Westwego Cypress Swamp Fest that runs from Friday through Sunday.  Admission is $2 for those over 10 years old, and 10 and under are free.  Enjoy food, rides, games, and a showcase of crafts at this weekend festival.

Take a drive to the northshore on Saturday or Sunday for the Three Rivers Art Festival in downtown Covington.  In addition to the myriad works of art available for sale, enjoy live music and a children's activities and entertainment at this free weekend festival.

Celebrate National Neighborhood Toy Store Day with a visit to Magic Box Toys on Magazine Street.  On Saturday from 11am until 5 pm they will be celebrating the day and their 15th anniversary with book signings, face painting, music, and more.  What a fun way to entertain your kids, support local business, and get a jump on your Christmas shopping at the same time!  10% of all proceeds will go to Children's Hospital.

At 11am at Borders, bring the kids to Build-A-Bear Storytime.  Geared toward kids ages 3 to 8, the Build-A-Bear Storytime will feature the new Build-A-Bear book: Holly & Hal Moose: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure.  Check the Borders website to see if a store near you is participating.

On Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm, why not stop by the Po-Boy Festival on Oak Street?  36 po-boy vendors will be on hand with such offerings as Maine lobster with Crystal hot sauce or grilled shrimp with blackened avocado, in addition to the "staples" we know so well.  A children's area and live music on multiple stages throughout the day make this free festival a winner!

Also on Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm is the Congo Square Rhythms Festival at the Old US Mint on Esplanade.  Enjoy world music, crafts, a children's area, and food at this free festival.

Take advantage of the Saints' bye week and the beautiful weather - enjoy the weekend with your family!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

It's going to be a beautiful, though chilly, weekend in the Big Easy.  Take advantage of the sunshine and bundle up to enjoy these fun events around the area:

Saturday from 11am to 5pm, the Audubon Charter School will host its "Fall Fete".  Enjoy games and activities, and live music by Freddy Omar con su Banda.  Admission is free.

Markey Park on Piety is the site of the annual Mirliton Festival on Saturday from 11am to 7pm.  Enjoy live music, children's activities, and mirliton dishes, of course!  Admission is $5 per person, and free for children under 12 years old.  If you attend, please bring a nonperishable food item to be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank.

Like pizza?  Kids ages 7-9 can head over to the Jefferson Parish Library (East Bank Regional) at noon on Saturday and learn to make and cook their own pizzas!  Younger kids can come by the library at 10am to make a paper plate Pilgrim craft.  

If this chilly weather has you longing for the tastes and sounds of the Caribbean, check out Bayou Bacchanal 2010 at Lafayette Square on Saturday from 11am to 7pm.  Enjoy a parade (starting at Harrah's Casino and ending at Lafayette Square), and authentic Caribbean food and music.  Proceeds from refreshment sales will benefit Haiti's earthquake victims.

Have a wonderful weekend - get out and enjoy it!

Wednesday's Events in New Orleans

Wednesday marks another installment in this season's Harvest the Music Festival in Lafayette Square.  Head downtown at 5pm to enjoy a free concert by Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk and Good Enough for Good Times.  Admission is free, and food and drinks are available for purchase.  Proceeds benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank.

And don't forget, since it's Wednesday, that means free admission for all to the New Orleans Museum of Art!

Have a great Wednesday!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

Everywhere you look in the fall there's another fall festival!  I'm not complaining, though.  Here are a few free and frugal events to keep you and your family entertained while staying on budget:

The Bucktown Seafood Festival begins Friday night.  Enjoy delicious seafood, live music, and carnival rides.  This free festival runs through Sunday evening. 

Going downtown this weekend?  Take the kids, in costume, of course, to the French Market for the Boo Carre Halloween and Harvest Festival on Saturday from 11:30 am to 7:30 pm.  Live music will be performed, and kids in costume get a free trick or treat bag that they can use to trick or treat in the shops!

Stay in the Halloween mood by bringing the family to St. Patrick's Park on Saturday night for a free movie!  This Saturday, enjoy Little Shop of Horrors  on the outdoor screen.  Bring a blanket or chairs and your picnic dinner, or enjoy some of the refreshments that will be available for purchase.  The movie begins 30 minutes after dark.

Enjoy your weekend!

New Orleans Free and Frugal Events This Weekend

The St. Edward the Confessor 45th Annual Cochon de Lait will be held Friday through Sunday at the school in Metairie.  Enjoy live music, carnival rides and games, and on Sunday get a plate (or a few) of their famous smoked pork!

The grand opening of the Laketown Pier in Kenner will be celebrated on Friday from 6 until 9:30pm with a ribbon cutting ceremony and live music from the band Distraction.

On Saturday, Veterans Ford is sponsoring a free child safety program.  From 9:30am until 2pm bring your children to Veterans Ford where they can be fingerprinted, photographed, and given a DNA test kit to use at home.  None of the information will be databased - all will be given to the parents to take home.  Please consider bringing your children as this information, if kept current, can be incredibly helpful in finding your child in the even he or she is reported missing.

Lafayette Square Park will be the site of the 2010 Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival on Saturday and Sunday.   As the name suggests, you'll find plenty of music and eats at this free event.  Park at the Poydras Center (650 Poydras) for a flat $10/day fee.

Have a wonderful weekend!