Residents say the city's famed festivals, particularly the 11-day Summerfest, are what make the city great for singles.

FORBES: Biggest Movers

Criolo also is an example of how the second annual Brasil Summerfest, which takes place in venues across the city through July 28, is skewing towards the emerging and the young.

WSJ: Brazilian Rapper Criolo: From Favela to Summerfest

On August 4, Louis Armstrong's birthday is celebrated with jazz and food (natch) at Satchmo SummerFest, while the Southern Decadence party on Labor Day weekend (preceding the first Monday in September), also known as "Gay Mardi Gras", keeps the entire city partying into the wee hours.

BBC: Celebrate New Orleans, from Mardi Gras to Jazz Fest