These New Orleans weekend plans are best bets.

From “bulls” on roller skates to celebrating the storming of a French prison, it’s a weekend packed with fun of an international flavor. After all, New Orleans shares a bloodline with both France and Spain. Vive le weekend, mis amigos.

Three days of fun kick off Friday for the RUNNING OF THE BULLS or San Fermin in Nueva Orleans, an homage to the Pamplona, Spain, bovine ballyhoo. With the 2024 events centered around Gallier Hall, the festivities start with “a night of live music and absolute shenanigans” at 6 p.m. for El Txupinazo. The running of the bulls (actually, local roller aficionadas) chase white- and red-attired runners starting at 6:30 a.m. with a post-run fiesta featuring music and mayhem. Then, recoup and revive at El Pobre de Mí: Poor Me Sunday brunch and burlesque at 11:30 a.m. Tickets for the events vary. Check it out here.

Global attention on the keyboard comes to the Crescent City as the Musical Arts Society kicks off the NEW ORLEANS INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION. Performances, master classes and recitals fill the calendar from Saturday through July 20 at the Loyola Music and Communications building at 6301 St. Charles Ave. in Roussel Hall. Events vary by date and time. Pick up the tune here for the performances and playing.

It’s only here for a few days, but Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre’s “ANYTHING GOES” is a “sail-a-bration” of classic Broadway, with show-stopping tap numbers, onboard romance, gangsters, comedy, Cole Porter tunes and a glittering cast of talented performers. The action transpires on the SS American and ends up with a trio of matrimonial mashups. The play runs through Saturday, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. The performances are at Dixon Hall on Newcomb Circle on Tulane’s Uptown campus. Tickets start at $31.50. Sail over here for more on the Summer Lyric season.

No need to storm the gates to get in on the excitement of BASTILLE DAY FÊTE, a celebration a few days before the French national holiday (which is July 14). Where better (except France) to celebrate than in la Nouvelle Orleans? Alliance Française has a slate of fun events that include games for kids, live music by Pardon My French, a costume contest (beret all day) and a silent disco. And don’t forget French food and beverages. It kicks off Friday at 6 p.m. at 1519 Jackson Ave. Tickets start at $10. Allons, enfants!

The iconic works of James Michalopoulos will be the backdrop for a Friday BASTILLE DAY CELEBRATION at 6 p.m. at the artist’s gallery, 617 Bienville St. in the Marigny. Several of the painter’s French landscapes will be featured, as well as music by the Dapper Dandies and French food (think crepes and cocktails). Trés bon! Check out more here.

Get ready for the coming school year (yikes!) with a Children’s Hospital event Saturday at 10 a.m. BACK TO SCHOOL BOOGALOO will be held at Joe Brown Park, 5601 Read Blvd. in eastern New Orleans. A raft of resources on health and wellness will be available, as well as access to free vaccinations, sports physicals and primary care and dental resources. Kids can also get free haircuts and school supplies, plus participate in activities like games. Local school bands will also perform. Get in on the health, wellness and resource fair here.

The beauty of flowers can be stunning, but part of the magic is their limited time to be around. Fear not, there is a way to capture some of the luster of fresh blossoms, and the folks at Longue Vue House and Gardens are there to help. Saturday at 2 p.m. in the historic home’s Playhouse, horticulture experts will conduct a PRESSED FLOWER ART WORKSHOP with supplies provided for the afternoon’s artistic endeavor. Cost for the workshop, at 7 Bamboo Road in New Orleans, starts at $74. Press the keys here for more details.

Need a bit more of the Franco-fun? Head over to the Bayou St. John neighborhood, the 3100 block of Ponce de Leon Street, for BASTILLE DAY IN FAUBOURG ST. JOHN just off Esplanade Avenue near the Fair Grounds Race Track. The Saturday event, starting at 5 p.m. is sponsored by the French American Chamber of Commerce — Gulf Coast and will feature music, food, drinks, arts and crafts and much more.

Krewe de Pink asks folks to put their money (well, actually chocolate) where their mouths are in the fight against cancer for DEATH BY CHOCOLATE … NOT BREAST CANCER. It takes place Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the Schoen Mansion, 3827 Canal St. The fundraiser is a live competition of chocolate-inspired dishes by local culinarians, judged by guests and a panel of judges. It also honors a sextet of Sweet Survivors. Tasting of sweet and savoy selections, plus a bit of the bubbly, will be part of the fun that also includes live music, raffles, a photo booth and more. Tickets start at $60. Take a bite of the tasty treat here.

The lads from Liverpool were quite busy 60 years ago when they released the film “A Hard Day’s Night.” Celebrate the anniversary and the magic and melodies of the mop tops at the NEW ORLEANS BEATLES FEST with a performance by Newspaper Taxi, a Beatles tribute band, on Saturday at 8 p.m. An all-star lineup of talented folks, including Irma Thomas, Deacon John and the Molly Ringwalds, join the local ensemble for some retro revelry. Tickets start at $30. Get in on the festing here.