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I'd count St. Patties festivities as well, or any cultural festivals in addition to international/large local festivals definitely count.
In that case I would definitely put New Orleans right up there with Chicago. New Orleans economy is based on having a good time. Laissez Les Bon Temps Roullez.
New Orleans celebrates cultures that are not even prevalent in the area. I can understand why Chicago has a Dia de los Muertos festival but why does New Orleans? There hasn't been a large Spanish presence there in like 1000 years. ANY EXCUSE TO CELEBRATE!!!!
With Mardi Gras, New Orleans has the bigger signature event between the two. That’s basically the only matchup it gets over Chicago.
There’s no need to list Chicago music festivals because that would be too long and it speaks for itself. New Orleans has Voodoo and Jazz Fest which are great but are much more regional in comparison to the Chicago festivals.
How about food? As great of a food city that New Orleans is, when it comes to festivals, Taste of Chicago is the biggest in the country. Chicago wins again.
International festivals? Pride? Chicago again and again.
Mardi Gras is a huge outlier but it’s only one outlier.
Case in point, New Orleans is no slouch if we increase the genres to beyond music. And it’s top 5 in USA. Mardi Gras is HUGE. However outside of Mardi Gras, the festivals in New Orleans don’t attract people with near the amount of reach that the many Chicago festivals do.
This poll isn’t a down to the wire poll. Chicago takes it on this one.
Really? Pride, Puerto Rican Day, West Indian Day, St Patricks Day etc all draw in the millions in New York.
Veteran's Day, Columbus Day, NYC Marathon weekend, Fashion Week, Feast of San Gennaro, Restaurant Week, on and on and on. Good to spread the love to other cities too.
With Mardi Gras, New Orleans has the bigger signature event between the two. That’s basically the only matchup it gets over Chicago.
There’s no need to list Chicago music festivals because that would be too long and it speaks for itself. New Orleans has Voodoo and Jazz Fest which are great but are much more regional in comparison to the Chicago festivals.
How about food? As great of a food city that New Orleans is, when it comes to festivals, Taste of Chicago is the biggest in the country. Chicago wins again.
International festivals? Pride? Chicago again and again.
Mardi Gras is a huge outlier but it’s only one outlier.
Case in point, New Orleans is no slouch if we increase the genres to beyond music. And it’s top 5 in USA. Mardi Gras is HUGE. However outside of Mardi Gras, the festivals in New Orleans don’t attract people with near the amount of reach that the many Chicago festivals do.
This poll isn’t a down to the wire poll. Chicago takes it on this one.
I think Montreal also gives Chicago a run for its money festival wise. Obviously that's up to others to decide (and hopefully they actually visited both cities), but that's my opinion.
Location: Miami (prev. NY, Atlanta, SF, OC and San Diego)
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As posted by someone else Miami/SoFla is no slouch
Art Basel
Coconut Grove Art Festival
SoBe Wine & Food Festival
Carnaval
Calle Ocho Music Festival
International Boat Show
Ultra Music Festival
Rolling Loud
Art Deco Weekend
Swim Week
Afro Cuban Dance Festival
Brazilian Festival of Pompano Beach
Las Olas Wine & Food Festival
Wynwood Art Fair
Wynwood Mural Fest
Miami Concours
Overtown Music & Arts Festival
Leaving out sports related events and marathons.
Last edited by elchevere; 09-02-2022 at 07:02 AM..
Simple thread, which city between the U.S and Canada is the best for festivals/large scale events? This will not include private parties/events or after parties, just festivals and major events that occur year round.
I do prefer if people stick it to city or metropolitan areas, but those in close proximity can also qualify (if it's a 30-45 min drive at most).
I don't really think this is that simple of a question, but a good topic.
I think New Orleans, in terms of pure cultural events, deserves a nod for Mardi Gras. The Jazz fest there is also one of the longest running music festivals in America.
NYC is known for holiday's like New Year's Eve and Thanksgiving which have large well-known events.
Austin has had a few more well-known 'niche' festivals.
I think the Detroit Auto Show is usually known as the biggest and best auto show.
Vegas is built for festivals and conventions so you could look at it as the 'best'.
Chicago's Lollapalooza is one of the older, more well known, big general music festivals, but I imagine almost every major metro has one or two events like that that draw a variety of top artists. It's not as much of a novelty it once was.
I don't think it's possible for me to truly say 'what is the best city?' when every single has dozens and dozens of festivals and annual events.
"Festivals" that cost hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars to attend in my mind are all well and good, but what makes a place attractive as a "festival city" is the variety, quantity, and most important the accessibility to average people. Cities that hold many "free" events (no admission charges) make a place more attractive to me than "events" requiring cover charges, tickets purchased in advance, or limited admission. Its a joy discovering new festivals that I wasn't even aware of until passing through an area.
Mardi Gras and Heritage Festival in New Orleans,local can make money renting out their homes and apartments for good money.
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