June in New Orleans: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

June in New Orleans means that it's officially summer, and yes, it's hot. And it's not a dry heat—sticky, muggy, and even sweltering are adjectives that best describe the weather in June, July, and August. 

That said, it's actually a pretty fabulous month to visit. Hotel rates are getting cheaper and are starting to offer summer deals, local festivals are still going on, and as long as you play it right (lay low during the hottest part of the day, wear cool clothes, and remember to hydrate), you'll have a great time. 

If you love live music, you'll find free concert series several nights of the week (pick up an OffBeat or a Gambit when you get into town for listings), and clubs around town are still very much hopping at night.

New Orleans Weather in June

With an average high of 85 degrees F (29 degrees C) and an average low of 66 degrees F (19 degrees C), and plenty of humidity, prepare to adjust your activity accordingly. And where there is humidity, there's rain; during June in New Orleans, it can be cloudy, about half the time.

You'll encounter some rain on an average of 12 days, with rainfall of 1/2 inch or more an average of five days during the month. Hurricane season runs June through November.

What to Pack

Pack clothes with lightweight, comfortable, breathable fabrics for daytime. Think sundresses, shorts and T-shirts, linen slacks, and if you really want to dress up for an occasion (such as lunch at the formal Antoine's), perhaps an iconic light suit. 

If you plan on doing anything outside during the day, a hat with a brim is pretty important, and comfortable shoes for walking are always necessary. Sunscreen and bug spray are essential. 

Because of the heat, restaurants, shops, and hotels tend to prefer their air conditioners set to "arctic," if not a bit colder. Bring a layer (a light shawl, cardigan, or jacket does the trick), because the contrast can be shocking to your system. 

June Events in New Orleans

New Orleans is a foodie town, in addition to being a hotbed of jazz, and so many of the festivals revolve around local foods and music. Here's a list of a few popular events and festivals that typically occur each June.

New Orleans Oyster Festival

This free festival celebrates the humble but glorious bivalve that has a home in so many of New Orleans' iconic dishes. (It also combats the common lore that oysters can only be consumed in months which contain an "R" or, September through April.) Food vendors and music stages pack the Woldenberg Park, located next to the Entergy Giant Screen Theater and Aquarium.

Vieux-To-Do

Creole Tomato Festival, NOLA Seafood Festival, and the Louisiana Cajun/Zydeco Festival are three free festivals that have joined forces for an extravaganza in mid-June, celebrating a handful of Louisiana's favorite homegrown treasures: the iconic Creole tomato (a variety developed ages ago to flourish in sultry Louisiana summers), seafood, and Cajun and zydeco music.

The events place at the French Quarter's French Market and on the grounds of the nearby Old U.S. Mint and make for a great weekend of eating, strolling, and dancing.

Father's Day Race in Audubon Park

Believe it or not, one of the most popular running races in New Orleans takes place in sticky June, but why not? If you're gonna be a runner in NOLA, you accept that a good portion of the year, you'll be running in the heat. And the New Orleans Track Club makes this one, which has both 2-mile and half-mile entries, into a big ol' party in beautiful Audubon Park, with food and music and plenty of fun to be had. 

Essence Festival

This enormous celebration of contemporary Black music and culture, hosted by the magazine of the same name, takes place over the weekend before (or including) the 4th of July every year (thus, sometimes the opening dates are in June).

Major musicians, motivational speakers, workshops, an enormous expo, and more bring attendees to the Morial Convention Center, the Smoothie King Center, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and other Warehouse District and Central Business District venues. It's a huge event with something for everyone. The best part: It's almost all indoors, so the inevitable heat is barely even a factor.

New Orleans Pride

New Orleans has been voted the second most welcoming city in the U.S, and the number one festival destination for LGBT travelers, so it makes sense that NOLA has a huge Pride festival. Held annually in June, Pride festivities fill New Orleans’ French Quarter with parades, parties, brunches, and more.