Easter arrives in New Orleans in 2022 with a far more festive atmosphere than the past two years of pandemic worries. Here’s a rundown of events that will get underway on Saturday and Easter Sunday.
On Saturday, April 16, from 6 p.m. to midnight, the annual Nola Bunarchy bar hop will begin at 6 p.m. at Luna Libre, 3600 St. Claude Avenue. Participants dress in bunny costumes. Additional stops throughout the night will include the Saturn Bar, St. Roch Tavern and the Allways Lounge. Bunarchy passes cost $10 and may be purchased here. Proceeds benefit the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Bunny Hops, an adults-only egg hunt in City Park’s Storyland on Saturday, April 16, is back for the first time since its inception in 2019. Guests ages 21-plus will enjoy jambalaya, unlimited amusement-park rides and a variety of beers from distributors throughout the city, including Urban South Paradise Park IPA, Michelob Ultra, Shiner Bock, Bud Light and Modelo Especial. Holiday dress is encouraged. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. and the event will close at 10:30 p.m. The first 800 guests in attendance receive bunny ears. Admission is $35 and tickets may be purchased here.
Beginning at 9:45 a.m. on Easter Sunday morning, the Historic French Quarter Easter Parade of mule-drawn carriages and convertibles will convene in front of the Omni Royal Hotel, 621 St. Louis Street, before taking a roundabout route through the French Quarter that includes stretches of Dauphine, Bourbon, Royal and Chartres Streets. Ladies in Easter bonnets and finery hand out stuffed bunnies and candy. For the route map and other information, visit the parade’s Facebook page.
New Orleans is still in mourning over the recent death of Bourbon Street legend Chris Owens, but her annual Easter parade will go forth in honor of the woman who was affectionately known as the “Queen of the Vieux Carré.” The parade will begin at the Omni Royal Hotel, 621 St. Louis Street, at 1 p.m. From there it will proceed up Royal Street, right on Bienville, right on Bourbon Street to St. Philip Street where it will turn right toward the river before turning right on Decatur, rolling past Jackson Square before turning right on St. Louis and ending at the Omni Royal Hotel. For more information about the parade, visit here.
The Gay Easter Parade will roll later that afternoon at 5:30 p.m., starting at the intersection of Rampart and St. Ann streets under the arch at Armstrong Park and taking a loop route through the French Quarter along Bourbon and Royal streets. The Gay Easter Parade started in 2000 as a fun way to showcase the fashion and creativity of the entire LGBT community. It’s meant to be a fun cultural event the whole family can attend regardless of whether or not you identify as LGBT.
For live music options, visit OffBeat‘s calendar of events.
