August in New Orleans calls for a special wardrobe beyond the shorts and sun hats that summertime requires. With Red Dress Run and White Linen Night on the horizon, locals and visitors will be donning their red and white and making their way through the Bywater, French Quarter, and downtown New Orleans. Dining deals and attractions specials are also highlights of the month, along with Satchmo SummerFest and plenty of options for fun. Here are our top 10 things to do this August in New Orleans. 

Delight in COOLinary dining deals 

Take advantage of dining deals in New Orleans with COOLinary. Indulge in two-course lunch, or three-course dinner and brunch deals from August 1-31. Participants include GW Fins, Café Degas, and over 70 other restaurants. Don’t miss your chance to try some of the best food in New Orleans for a steal. 

Participate in Museum Month 

Purchase one membership and get access to all participating museums for the month of August. Museum Month 2022 includes The Historic New Orleans Collection, the New Orleans Museum of Art, and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, plus more. Find the details for museum month here and enjoy staying cool this summer in NOLA. 

Stay cool with Art & A/C

Art & A/C from The Helis Foundation is back. Every Saturday during the month of August, Louisiana residents receive free admission to the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, New Orleans Museum of Art, and the Contemporary Arts Center. Beat the heat while checking out some new exhibits this month.

See Rent at Tulane Summer Lyric Theater 

The Tulane Summer Lyric Theater season closes with Rent, a musical following a group of struggling artists during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Catch the show at Tulane University’s Dixon Hall this August 4-7. Tickets start at $30. 

Tap your toes at Satchmo Summerfest 

Celebrating the life and legacy of Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, Satchmo Summerfest is a food and music fest that takes over the French Quarter. Expect performances from Big 6 Brass Band, Nigel Hall, Kermit Ruffins in tribute to Louis Armstrong, and more. Food vendors include 14 Parishes’ jerk chicken, a vegan fish po-boy from Beaucoup Eats, sno-balls from Plum Street Snowballs, and more. Satchmo Summerfest is August 6-7, and tickets are $7 per day. 

Stroll the art galleries at White Linen Night 

Fidelity Bank White Linen Night returns on Saturday, August 6. Art galleries on the 300-600 blocks of Julia Street will open their doors to patrons in the largest free art stroll in the city. With more than 20 participating galleries, live music and art installations, special giveaways, delicious bites, cocktails, and much more, White Linen Night is an opportune time to experience the best of the Arts/Warehouse District. The Julia Street block party kicks off at 5 p.m. 

See “Louisiana Contemporary” presented by The Helis Foundation 

“Louisiana Contemporary,” presented by The Helis Foundation, is the Ogden Museum’s annual juried exhibition featuring work by contemporary artists from across the state. This year’s juror, Valerie Cassel Oliver, Sydney and Frances Lewis Family Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, has selected 51 works by 49 artists from a total of 1,036 submissions. Louisiana Contemporary will be on view at Ogden Museum August 6, 2022 through January 8, 2023. 

Race for charity at Red Dress Run 

On the morning of Saturday, August 13, runners dressed in red will take to the streets of the Marigny and French Quarter in what is a sight to see. The event presented by the Hash House Harriers is a fundraiser for local non-profits. It may be a race, but lots of people go just for fun since the event ends with food and live music. Find more information and register here. 

Jam out at Tipitina’s Free Fridays 

Presented by Crystal Hot Sauce, Tipitina’s Free Fridays summer concert series is back and better than ever. On Fridays from May 27 to September 3, enjoy free concerts from a rotating list of local performers, including Soul Brass Band, Honey Island Swamp Band, The Funky Uncle All-Stars, and more. 

Stay cool with a sno-ball 

There’s nothing quite like a cold sno-ball on a hot day. Enjoy this classic New Orleans treat of shaved ice with sweet syrup at Imperial Woodpecker, Hansen’s Sno-Bliz, and these sno-ball shops around town. Having trouble deciding what flavor to get? Check out our “What Sno-Ball Are You?” quiz here.    

Check out an indoor attraction 

Whether it’s a rainy day or just too hot outside, take refuge indoors with a visit to an attraction with this itinerary. Shop at The Riverwalk, visit the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, get a great view of the city at Vue Orleans, and grab a bite to eat at one of our many delicious restaurants all while staying cool and dry. 

LAGNIAPPE

Take a dip in a hotel pool 

New Orleans has hotel pools for every traveler, whether you’re looking for a family-friendly option or a swanky luxury retreat. Check out our blog on hotel pools here, and plan to spend a day cooling off.