When talking about the best destinations for partying and events, very few cities can rival what New Orleans has to offer. Home of the world-renowned Mardi Gras Festival and other unforgettable celebrations throughout the year, the city possesses the festive vibe and warm weather needed for hosting outdoor events.
Whether you're planning a rooftop soiree, an outdoor wedding, or a business mixer, you're sure to find the perfect setting in New Orleans. The city boasts outdoor spaces for all special occasions, from traditional banquet halls exuding timeless elegance to scenic garden venues bursting with natural beauty.
At Giggster, we've curated the best outdoor venues in New Orleans, allowing you to easily browse and book a space for your next event. We've got venues all over the city, from downtown New Orleans to the historic French Quarter, ensuring that you'll find an ideal location based on your needs and preferences.
The city's best outdoor venues embody the New Orleans experience and can turn any gathering into an unforgettable event. Below are examples of outdoor spaces that you can find in the Crescent City.
If you're hosting a summer event, make the most out of the lovely weather by renting out one of the many poolside homes around New Orleans. Celebrate a birthday with burgers by the pool.
Hosting a summertime family reunion? New Orleans is home to numerous public parks and gardens that are perfect for daytime events and family-friendly activities.
Make memories in standout locations. For private events, such as rehearsal dinners or baby showers, you may opt to book a historic home found within the city.
Who says that brainstorming sessions have to be confined to traditional meeting rooms and breakout rooms? You can host business meetings in outdoor venues as a way to inspire your colleagues and spark creativity.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: From contemporary event spaces in downtown New Orleans to courtyard settings in the Lower Garden District, Giggster's collection of 68 outdoor venues is extremely diverse, ensuring that you can find the perfect backdrop for your event.
Hassle-Free Booking: Whether you're looking for details regarding the venue, price, or any other vital information, our user-friendly platform has everything that you need to know. Discover exceptional, curated spaces for as low as $38/hour.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel, postpone, or reschedule your outdoor event, we can help. You can cancel your booking up to 24 hours after confirmation at no extra cost, provided that the booking was made at least 48 hours before the special event.
Platform Protections: Giggster offers an array of protection packages that you can add on to your booking. This means you can book amazing outdoor venues like Flex Space and know that you're covered for items such as damage and liability.
Are you thinking about hosting an outdoor event in New Orleans? If so, you're in for a treat; the city has plenty of qualities that make it stand out. However, there are some drawbacks that you may want to consider before making any final decisions.
Advantages
New Orleans is a city that's renowned for its rich cultural backdrop, from the iconic events to the culinary scene. All these elements can elevate an outdoor event that you're hosting in the city.
Hosting outdoor events in New Orleans is possible for most of the year, given the city's generally mild weather. After all, this beautiful city is known for outdoor fun.
New Orleans is home to some iconic locations, such as the French Quarter and Jackson Square. This variety of high-quality venues ensures that you can create unforgettable experiences for your guests.
Disadvantages
As one of the most popular cities in the United States, New Orleans is slightly more expensive compared to other cities in the South.
Since NOLA is a major tourist destination, expect large crowds and availability issues for venues and accommodations, particularly during peak seasons (for example, during the famous Mardi Gras festival).
Despite the weather in New Orleans being mild for the most part, the city is still at risk for unexpected conditions, such as extreme humidity or sudden rainstorms.
In a city as vibrant and diverse as New Orleans, you can find just about any type of venue imaginable. Here are some inspiring spaces that you can find in the city and might want to consider for your next event.
Patio Bars – Social Events. A bar with an outdoor patio or garden gives the perfect blend of natural beauty and modern amenities; you get to enjoy the bar's features while taking in the fresh air and lovely surroundings. This kind of venue is a marvelous locale for various social gatherings, including cocktail parties, networking mixers, and corporate events.
Festival Grounds – Large-Scale Events. New Orleans is a treasure trove of festival grounds that can host large-scale affairs, including community pop-ups, sporting events, live music concerts, and other cultural gatherings.
Private Homes – Exclusive Gatherings. New Orleans has plenty of historic homes that have been preserved for decades and transformed into event venues. These properties can be rented exclusively, making them an excellent choice for hosting private events and other exclusive get-togethers.
Historic Courtyards – Weddings & Receptions. A historic courtyard in New Orleans can make for the perfect wedding venue. The lush greenery and natural elements can make the atmosphere of the ceremony even more romantic and ethereal.
Public Parks & Gardens – Family-Friendly Activities. You can find an array of parks and gardens around New Orleans that can host a range of family-friendly activities and community gatherings, such as picnics, flea markets, and open-air movie nights.
Organizing an outdoor event in a bustling city like New Orleans can be fun, but overwhelming at the same time. From day-of logistics to a Plan B backup scenario, there is much to consider. To make the planning process a little less stressful, here are some tips to remember.
Set Your Budget – The success of your event depends largely on how you manage your budget; you should be able to allocate your funds effectively and ensure that you don't go beyond your limit.
Secure Your Preferred Venue – When you set aside a certain budget for the venue rental, you can now start to browse all available locations and find the one that is most suitable for what you need.
Pick Your Vendors – As a major event destination, you'll find all sorts of vendors and suppliers in New Orleans that can help bring your event to life. Determine which vendors you absolutely need and secure their services on your preferred date.
Take Care of Necessary Paperwork – More often than not, outdoor events require some form of paperwork, including permits and licenses. Do your research in advance and find out what documents you need to prepare to ensure that things run smoothly.
Any event, whether indoors or outside, requires a well-thought-out budget and an overall idea of spending restraints. Additional tips are listed below.
Avoid the peak season in New Orleans.
This goes without saying, but if you want to avoid paying double or even triple the price of venue rental and other services, it's best to avoid the busy season in New Orleans, particularly during Mardi Gras and other major events.
Try to leverage partnerships and sponsorships.
If you're hosting a charity gala, cultural exhibition, or market, for example, there's no harm in reaching out to NOLA-based businesses, community groups, and other associations in order to build partnerships or secure sponsorships. You may be surprised to find out that many local businesses are willing to offer some sort of support or monetary donation in exchange for advertising and visibility.
Consider hiring up-and-coming local talent.
New Orleans is a breeding ground for talent, including musicians, entertainers, and even culinary professionals. Try to connect with "rookies" in their field who may be willing to offer their services for free or for a minimum fee to build their portfolio.
You'll find the best venue with the help of Giggster. You can easily browse our curated list of incredible outdoor venues within New Orleans. From poolside homes in the historic district to bars with outdoor terraces, our listings can be found in multiple neighborhoods across the city, not only inspiring but also within your budget.
