Plus , with the some of the nation 's most-beloved festivals getting underway in the first part of the year ( Mardi Gras in February and Jazz Fest in late April--early May ) it 's easy to make the Big Easy a must this year to listen to the best live music around , sample superb Creole cuisine , embrance the fun-loving local attitude , and herald the rebirth of one of the country 's most storied and fascinating cities .