Things to Do This November in the French Quarter and Nearby
November in New Orleans is jam-packed with festivals and celebrations. It’s also a magical time to be here, with a stretch of perfect weather leading up to the winter holidays and Mardi Gras. Here are some of our favorite suggestions on what to see, eat, and do if you’re in New Orleans in November.
Bayou Bacchanal
Friday-Saturday, November 1-2, 2024
Bayou Bacchanal is a celebration of Caribbean culture and heritage. Presented by Friends of Culture, Bayou Bacchanal will include Caribbean cuisine, dance, music, and celebration, all held on Louis Armstrong Park’s Congo Square.
Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival
Saturday-Sunday, November 9-10, 2024
The annual Tremé Creole Gumbo festival serves up the perfect trifecta of gumbo, brass bands and cooler temps, returning to celebrate over a decade of existence at Louis Armstrong Park. A few years ago this festival was merged with another popular local event, the Congo Square Rhythms Festival, adding more music, and featuring two art markets and two food courts.
LUNA Fête
Thursday-Sunday, November 14-17, 2024
LUNA Fête light show will illuminate Lafayette Square and will spread to Piazza d’Italia, located downtown. The annual large-scale light and sound installations are breathtaking, and the fest is free and family-friendly.
Beignet Festival
Saturday, November 16, 2024
This annual extravaganza returned in 2022 and is held at the New Orleans City Park Festival Grounds. The free, daylong party gives you an opportunity to sample dozens of renditions of the beloved beignet, from traditional sweet treats swimming in powdered sugar to savory options bursting with seafood and cheese.
There are usually vegan and gluten-free beignets to accommodate every diet, and awards are given in four “Best of” categories. Don’t forget to vote for your pick!
Thanksgiving at the Fair Grounds Race Course
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Per a long-standing New Orleans tradition, it’s customary to turn out at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Thanksgiving Day to watch the opening-day races while sporting cocktails and some seriously fabulous hats. The first race starts at 11 a.m., and the racetrack also serves a sumptuous holiday buffet, plus a fancy dinner with all the holiday trimmings at the Clubhouse.
Bayou Classic
Thursday-Saturday, November 28-30, 2024
Each November the Bayou Classic draws the fans and alumni of Southern University and Grambling State University to New Orleans to partake in one of the country’s greatest college sports rivalries. Over the years, the event has become much more than a football game, drawing more than 200,000 visitors to New Orleans.
The event stretches for two days and includes a fan fest, a parade, a Battle of the Bands, and, of course, the big game at the Superdome starting at 1 p.m. (you can get tickets online or at the gate).
The Battle of the Bands between the Grambling “Marching Tigers” and the Southern “Human Jukebox” on Friday, November 29, 2024, is an unforgettable extravaganza. The same two marching bands will lead the Annual Bayou Classic Parade on Saturday, starting at 9:30 a.m., from the Marigny to the CBD. The parade will have the elements of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, floats, military units, and more. In other words, expect a great show.
Celebration in the Oaks
Thursday – Wednesday, November 28, 2024 – January 1, 2025
This beloved New Orleans tradition is celebrating over three decades of existence, selling out quickly for the past few years. Celebration in the Oaks is a dazzling holiday lights festival scattered throughout the 25 acres of New Orleans City Park, including the Botanical Garden, Storyland, and Carousel Gardens Amusement Park.
Stroll through the magical grounds swathed in hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, take a train ride or a holiday picture by the iconic Mr. Bingle, listen to the caroling, do some holiday shopping, or ride the historic carousel.
Coming to New Orleans in the fall? Be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels!
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How to Do Thanksgiving in New Orleans
Let’s be honest: Summer carried on and on in New Orleans almost all the way through October. But with Thanksgiving upon us, the weather has truly cooled off (for us locals anyway), which means you can enjoy some great New Orleans attractions and annual events — no sweat.
Photo courtesy of Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots on Facebook
Get to the Races
In New Orleans, opening day at the Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots is as big as turkey when it comes to anticipating the Thanksgiving holiday period. Sometimes it seems like everyone and their mother turns out to the track on Thanksgiving weekend, sporting cocktails, big grins, and some frankly awesome hats.
The racetrack opens mid-November, but the big day is on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 28, 2024), and not just for the races alone. That’s when the racetrack’s Clubhouse offers a fancy traditional holiday dinner with all the trimmings, while everyone else can enjoy a still pretty sumptuous holiday buffet (make reservations in advance as both tend to fill up).
For those who might attend actual Thanksgiving Day horse racing: The first of the day’s 10 races begins at 11 a.m., and top sprinters will later compete in a $75,000 Thanksgiving Handicap race. But again, the real point is: hats.
Bayou Classic
Every Thanksgiving weekend, the Tigers of Grambling State meet the Jaguars of Southern University for the annual Bayou Classic. The city celebrates a two-day feast of events, including a fan fest and a massive parade on Saturday, featuring some of the country’s absolute best marching bands.
Friday offers the Bayou Classic Greek Show and the legendary Battle of the Bands, which can get as competitively heated as the football game proper. After all that, one of America’s hottest college football rivalries detonates at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 30, 2024.
Photo courtesy of Tujague’s Restaurant on Facebook
Thanksgiving Dining in the French Quarter
Don’t forget that world-class restaurants in the French Quarter host elaborate, multi-course Thanksgiving feasts that draw on the region’s rich culinary heritage. In addition to their regular menu, a number of restaurants will offer a full-course prix fixe menu that will feature the usual deliciousness of New Orleans decadence.
Shop Small Businesses
Don’t forget the Saturday after Thanksgiving is Small Business Saturday, and in the French Quarter, you’ve got a wide range of boutiques and galleries to indulge in.
Book Now
To enjoy the best of Thanksgiving in the Crescent City, make sure to find the right hotel in New Orleans. Book a room at the French Market Inn, Prince Conti Hotel, Hotel St. Marie, Place d’Armes Hotel, or Alder Hotel to have the best of this historical city at your fingertips.
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Tremé Fall Fest
Image courtesy of the Historic Faubourg Tremé Association via Facebook
Dancing to brass bands in the Tremé, mere feet from the stone steps of the nearly two-centuries-old African American church, sounds like a scene from a cinematic idealization of New Orleans. But for several years in a row, it’s been a reality, as the Tremé Fall Festival throws a serious party on the blocks connecting Henriette Delille, Tremé, and Gov. Nicholls streets on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
One of the nation’s first African American neighborhoods, Tremé has faced some historically important changes in the years following Hurricane Katrina. This cherished neighborhood has numerous cultural destinations including the New Orleans African-American Museum (NOAMM), Backstreet Cultural Museum, Congo Square, and the oldest African-American Catholic church in the United States, the historic St. Augustine Church (1210 Governor Nicholls St.).
The festival honors the unique history and heritage of the neighborhood. It was developed by the Historic Faubourg Tremé Association to benefit those cultural destinations found within the historical community of Tremé. The organization has been instrumental in the fight to preserve the culture, music, food, and architecture of this unique historic neighborhood. In the past, proceeds from Tremé Fall Fest benefited St. Augustine Church and the Tomb of the Unknown Slave — for example, by painting the church exterior and performing building repairs.
The free, donation-based festival features arts and craft vendors, face painting, free health screenings, tours of St. Augustine Church, and, of course, entertainment from New Orleans musical royalty that will feature a second line. Tremé is famous for its music, with the annual festival lineup to match. Tremé All Stars, Olympia Brass Band, John Boutte, Hot 8 Brass Band, and Dwayne Dopsie & Zydeco Hellraisers had all performed at this festival in the past. One of this year’s headliners is James Andrews & The Crescent City All Stars with a special guest John Boutté.
No New Orleans fest is complete without delicious food, and food trucks and vendors from some of New Orleans’ best eateries will be on hand all weekend long, so bring your appetite.
All day, you’ll find most of the action in front of St. Augustine Church on the 1100 block of Henriette Delille Street. Festival-goers are welcome to bring chairs and blankets and set up picnics.
Free parking is available at Armstrong Park via the St. Phillip St. entrance, as well as along N. Rampart St. and many other sites throughout the neighborhood, including the lot behind Aloysius apartments located at the intersection of Esplanade Avenue and Henriette Delille Street. Of course, you can also bike to the event or ride the Rampart-St. Claude Ave. streetcar line.
Get more info and updates on the music and food vendor lineup for 2024 at the event’s website and Facebook page.
Need somewhere to stay during your visit to New Orleans this fall? We have a packed schedule of festivals and other fun events! You can check out our top recommendations for what to do in New Orleans this fall here.
Find your perfect historic French Quarter hotel at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels, within walking distance of many festivals and celebrations, including the Tremé Fall Fest!
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How to Do Top Taco NOLA
Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash
The annual culinary extravaganza will be held at Lafreniere Park (3000 Downs Blvd., Metairie) on Thursday, October 24, 2024, starting at 7 p.m. (the VIP and First Tasting tickets will allow a 6 p.m. entry). Top Taco NOLA features dozens of restaurants and spirit and beverage companies serving and competing in a variety of categories, including Top Creative Taco, Top Traditional Taco, Top Vegetarian Taco, and Top Creative Cocktail.
Past winners included some of New Orleans’ best restaurants — Cochon Butcher, Sobou, Atchafalaya, Juan’s Flying Burrito, and Rum House. (You can check out the list of 2023 winners here.) The event also features live music, burlesque, a costume contest, lucha libre (wrestling), and a VIP area.
Attendees will get to sample unlimited gourmet tacos and signature cocktails from some of the top chefs and mixologists in New Orleans. Tickets are all-inclusive and include unlimited food, cocktails, beer, spirit tastings, and live entertainment. General admission starts at $85. The First Tasting tickets will allow an earlier entry ($105), and the VIP tickets ($135) grant access to premium spirit tastings, private bars and bathrooms, gourmet desserts, and more.
Here’s what you need to know about getting there, plus our tips on how to get the most out of attending:
- The event is 21 and older, so no kids and please bring your ID.
- No pets, please.
- Have a designated driver because tequila will be involved, and lots of it. We highly suggest taking a Lyft or an Uber.
- Top Taco is rain or shine, so bring a rain jacket or an umbrella.
- Eat a light breakfast and lunch — you’ll want to try as many tacos as possible.
- Bring people you like, as the lines get long, and you’ll want to make sure you have someone to chat with and someone who can stand in other lines — so that you all can try ALL OF THE TACOS.
- Be comfy: Wear loose-fitting clothes — it may be hot and you’ll be stuffed. You’ll want to have some stretch in your pants/waistband. Also, reconsider heels as the park is grassy and the terrain is uneven.
- Go VIP — you’ll get to enter an hour earlier than everyone else, have access to better restrooms, and enjoy other special perks.
- Fully charge your phone to share your experience on social media. Do a before and after photo of yourself.
- No large bags or backpacks are allowed (15″ or smaller are OK). You don’t want to be carrying a lot of extra stuff anyway. You want to have your hand free to try all of the tacos and cocktails!
- Chairs aren’t allowed, so you might want to bring a beach towel or pashmina to lay on the ground or steps if you need to sit.
- No outside food or drink including water (it’s free at the event’s water stations).
For event updates and details on the after-party, check out Top Taco on Facebook and X.
Book your stay at a nearby French Quarter hotel!
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Halloween for Kids in New Orleans
Celebrating Halloween in New Orleans could be a decidedly grownup affair, with spectacular balls, parties and parades. We are thankful for the variety, but that’s not to say that kids don’t get a parade and at least two weekends of themed activities leading up to the holiday. Here are our picks for how to celebrate in a family-friendly way, starting a few weeks before Halloween, which falls on Thursday, October 31, 2024.
Ghosts in the Oaks
Thursday, October 17 – Sunday, October 20, 2024, 6-9 p.m. (early admission at 5 p.m.)
This four-day family-friendly extravaganza in the magical New Orleans City Park has become a tradition for many locals. During the event, both the amusement park and Storyland open their doors to kids of all ages for trick-or-treating, rides, a pumpkin patch, arts and crafts, and a DJ dance party. Entertainment also includes face painting and balloon animals. Proceeds from this fundraiser support the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and Storyland. You might want to get your tickets well in advance online as this event usually sells out quickly.
Krewe of Boo
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 6:30 p.m.
This lively affair has become the “official Halloween Parade” in New Orleans in 2007, and has been going strong since, only growing in popularity. The parade is brought to you by Kern Studios, so expect the usual 3-D fiberglass and papier-mâché extravaganza, plus all of your favorite spooky characters.
You’ll see werewolves, ghosts, vampires, and other Halloween-themed monsters, but all the monsters on the floats are PG-13 and not too scary even for the youngest kids. The parade-goers had been known to don their favorite, family-friendly Halloween gear as well, and you’re encouraged to do the same.
There’ll be plenty of plush toy throws and candy for the little ones too. The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Decatur St. and Elysian Fields Ave. in the Marigny, rolling through the French Quarter and passing by Jackson Square.
Boo Carré Halloween Haunt
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
This is an opportunity for the kids to trick-or-treat starting in Dutch Alley between St. Philip and Dumaine Streets, and throughout the French Market District — from the Shops at the Upper Pontalba to the open-air French Market. Many vendors and shops along Decatur Street and at the farmers’ market will be participating. The annual celebration features live music, kid’s activities, and more.
Boo at the Zoo
Friday, October 18 – Sunday, October 20, 2024, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
This annual Halloween event at the Audubon Zoo is family-friendly (only kids up to 12 are allowed to trick-or-treat). It features haunted-house games, entertainment, Ghost Train, and more. The kids will hear stories, trick-or-treat, and meet some of the zoo’s animals. The proceeds will benefit the Children’s Hospital. Member tickets are $12, non-member tickets are $38 (includes a trick-or-treat bag and a wristband for kids).
French Quartour Kids Ghost Hunt
By appointment
Tricks, treats, stories, and a ghost hunt await during this walking tour specifically designed for kids ages 4-8. The tour touches upon the history of the French Quarter and its well-known residents, but leaves the gore out, focusing instead on the legends and the hauntings. The whole family is encouraged to participate and ask questions (tickets are $25 per person; you can book your tour online).
“Haunted House” Decorations
There’s no shortage of “haunted houses” this time of year around New Orleans, but not all are child-friendly. So, while parental discretion is always advised, these fabulous haunted houses are set up in and around private homes every year, and they’re as thrilling as they’re safe for at least the older kids. You can check the listings in the newspaper for more Halloween displays set up in private homes as the dates get closer.
St. Charles Avenue and State Street
Local resident Louellen Berger has been arranging her 50-plus krewe of skeletons on the front lawn of her mansion every Halloween, drawing appreciative crowds and an occasional local celebrity. While some of the puns are too satirical for the little ones to get — as Berger’s installations spoof local politics and play on the only-in-New-Orleans themes — the whole setup is a spectacular treat for all ages.
Magazine and Second Streets
A spooky-fabulous display featuring music, holograms, lights, and projections that would awe anyone passing by. Expect a story with a plot, dancing ghosts, creepy apparitions, and dazzling lights.
State and Claiborne Streets
One of the most elaborate skeleton-pirate ship displays in town, skillfully lit and exquisitely arranged. There’s no music and no projections, but it’s well worth a peek.
Are you planning to spend some time in New Orleans this October? This is a great time to visit as the temps get milder and the city’s schedule is full of fun Halloween events and the annual fall festivals. To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
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“Throw Me Something, Monsta!”: Krewe of Boo
Photo courtesy of Krewe of Boo on Facebook
Krewe of Boo kicks off the holiday and parade season on Saturday, October 19, 2024, with its annual Halloween parade. This lively affair became the “official Halloween Parade” in New Orleans in 2007 and has been going strong since, only growing in popularity.
Krewe of Boo is brought to you by Kern Studios. In 2017, it honored Blaine Kern’s 90th birthday, and the late “Mr. Mardi Gras” himself rode as the King.
With Krewe of Boo, expect the usual 3-D fiberglass and papier-mache extravaganza with all of your favorite spooky characters. This popular parade draws both locals and visitors but is not so crowded that you won’t be able to get close at any point on its route. The parade-goers had been known to don their favorite, family-friendly Halloween gear as well, and you’re encouraged to do the same.
Krewe of Boo is very child-friendly, we can’t stress that enough. Everyone is welcome to join the spooky festivities, which makes this parade one of the best and most family-friendly ways to celebrate Halloween in one of the most haunted cities in America. You’ll see werewolves, ghosts, vampires, and other Halloween-themed monsters, but all the monsters on the floats are PG-13 and not too scary even for the youngest parade-goers.
There’ll be plenty of plush toy throws for the little ones too. In an ongoing effort to minimize waste, Krewe of Boo has been instead handing out eco-friendly cups and food items made by local companies that are sponsoring the event.
Look out for Aunt Sally’s pralinettes, Chee Wees from Elmer’s Fine Foods, and little coffee packs from PJ’s Coffee. You can catch other collectibles and consumables like candy, light-up medallion beads, and doubloons. Past years’ throws also included Krewe of Boo! limited-edition t-shirts.
Once again, the pre-parade fun starts early in the morning and lasts all day. First up is the New Orleans Zombie Run. This two-mile race starts at 9 a.m. and ends at noon, both at Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant (701 Tchoupitoulas St.) in the Warehouse District.
Participants are encouraged to come dressed as zombies and monsters. Registration for the race begins at 7:30 a.m. You can pre-register online, and tickets are $25 ($35 cash, $40 credit on the day of the race).
The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Decatur St. and Elysian Fields Ave. in the Marigny, rolling through the French Quarter. It will first go down Elysian Fields to N. Peters St., then to Decatur, passing by Jackson Square. Then the parade will go down Canal, up to Burgundy St., making a U-turn and eventually reaching Tchoupitoulas St.
You can watch the parade at one of the official viewing parties on the balcony of Crescent City Brewhouse (527 Decatur St.) in the French Quarter, or at The Sheraton (500 Canal St.), but you might want to get your tickets soon as they will most likely sell out (includes open bar and balcony access).
The parade ends at Generations Hall (311 Andrew Higgins Dr.) in the Warehouse District for the Monster Mash party. This ticketed costume party starts at 8 p.m. (until); ages 18 and up to enter.
Monster Mash features live music, a costume contest, drink specials, and a big dance party. You can buy tickets online or at the door.
On Friday, October 18, 2024, there’s also an annual Royal Luncheon at Galatoire’s (209 Bourbon St.) from 11:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m., immediately followed by a second line to Pat O’Brien’s (718 St. Peter St.) Tickets are $150.
For more information and updates please visit the Krewe of Boo website, Facebook page, or @KreweofBoo.
Need somewhere to stay while you enjoy all the fall fun New Orleans has to offer, including the always-fabulous Halloween celebrations? Book a stay at a historic French Quarter boutique hotel at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels.
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The New Orleans Film Festival
Photo courtesy of The New Orleans Film Festival/Craig Mulcahy
The New Orleans Film Festival (NOFF) has been constantly evolving since its inception in 1989. As the movies and the technology behind them have become more advanced, so too has this local event, which promotes and fosters the cinematic arts for audiences and filmmakers in the Crescent City.
To date, the New Orleans Film Festival is one of the largest film festivals in the South and is the longest-running festival of its kind in the state. The festival has grown to the point of attracting thousands of attendees and industry insiders, plus more than 400 filmmakers and over 200 films annually.
This year, the in-person festival kicks off on Wednesday, October 16, and runs through Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at multiple venues across the city. The virtual version starts at the same time, but runs till Sunday, October 27, 2024.
The event is facilitated by the New Orleans Film Society, which is a nonprofit, year-round organization made up of full-time staff, volunteers, local cinephiles, and donors. The Film Society screens movies in the greater New Orleans area throughout the year, but there is no cinematic event in the city’s busy calendar quite like the NOFF.
Now in its 35th year, the Film Festival has grown into a massive undertaking. It’s one of the few film festivals in the nation that showcases Oscar-qualifying films drawn from all three Academy-accredited categories: Narrative Short, Documentary Short, and Animated Short. The festival is a subject of considerable media attention too.
As befits a city that has a long history of involvement in social justice and civil rights movements, the festival has a stated commitment to diversity. As such, over 50% of the featured films are created by women and gender non-conforming filmmakers, and the same goes for productions created by filmmakers of color. The festival also works hard at creating networking events for the filmmakers to connect with the industry presence, and meet the distributors and the media. You can see the film lineup here.
In addition to film screenings, there will be panels, workshops, and artist talks. Back this year is the South Pitch, which is a program that selects up to 12 film teams to pitch their works-in-progress to a distinguished panel of funders, broadcasters, distributors, and producers. Each pitch lasts 5 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of feedback.
South Pitch features two tracks: South Pitch Narrative and South Pitch Documentary. The winning pitch in each track will receive a $10,000 award, and all pitchers will receive a minimum of a $1,000 award, in addition to a travel stipend and pass to attend the New Orleans Film Festival. Winners are announced during the Festival Awards Brunch.
Last but not least, let’s not forget to mention all the parties, receptions, and a VIP lounge experience. For more information on the panels, parties, special guests, and a schedule of events, visit the New Orleans Film Society website or the festival’s Facebook page.
Want to attend the NOFF? There are several different ticket packages available for attendees, including individual screenings and all-access passes. You can buy all-access passes online ($350). New Orleans Film Society members get a discount on the passes.
Fall in New Orleans is packed with festivals and other celebrations of art, music, food, and culture. Looking for a place to stay when you’re visiting? There’s no place better than a historic French Quarter hotel! Visit FrenchQuarter.com/hotels to see our top picks.
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How to Do Halloween in New Orleans
Halloween Decorations, French Quarter, by Jake Cunningham
In New Orleans, Halloween is much more than just a night for kids to go treat-or-treating, chaperoned by their parents. Just like with many other holidays, New Orleans ramps it up in its unique, signature style — complete with costume parties, balls, street celebrations, and, of course, a parade. If you find yourself in New Orleans for Halloween, you’re in for some ghoulish, outlandish treats. Here are our picks.
VoodooFest
For two decades, Voodoo Authentica has hosted this celebration — which is not to be confused with the similarly titled and now defunct music festival in City Park. VoodooFest, held from 1 to 7 p.m. on October 31, at 612 Dumaine St. in the French Quarter, packs an incredible amount of information, entertainment, and voodoo-inspired gift shopping into one very full event.
Priests will be on hand to speak and teach on Voodoo, Louisiana’s version of the faith, and the music and spirituality associated with the Lwa — the spirits of the Voodoo pantheon. A small market set up outside the shop will sell practitioner-made potion oils, gris-gris bags, voodoo dolls, plus African and Haitian art (perfect presents for the upcoming holidays, maybe?). VoodooFest ends with a closing ancestral healing ritual.
Death and Mourning in New Orleans
Throughout October, the historic Hermann-Grima House, located in the French Quarter (820 St. Louis St.), changes up its historical tours to explore the mourning spaces of the 19th century. The house is swathed in somber colors to reflect the period of mourning for Marie Anne Filiosa Grima, mother of Felix Grima, who died on the property on October 15, 1850.
During a guided tour you’ll explore the property while learning about the religious and cultural significance of death for the Creole families living here in the 19th century. You can book a tour online.
Krewe of Boo
One of the city’s most impressive parades outside of carnival season is this child-friendly Halloween procession, which is happening this year on Saturday, October 19, 2024. The parade itself kicks off at 6:30 p.m., starting at Elysian Fields Ave. in the Marigny, and rolling through the Quarter to the Warehouse District. Expect plenty of floats, dance troupes and throws, all themed after monsters, spooks, and general ghostly goodness.
Additionally, that morning Krewe hosts its annual New Orleans Zombie Run, so don’t be surprised if a Saturday morning in New Orleans all of a sudden feels like a scene from 28 Days Later. This two-mile race starts at 9 a.m. and ends at noon, both at Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant (701 Tchoupitoulas St.). Participants are encouraged to come dressed as zombies and monsters. Registration for the race begins at 7:30 a.m. You can pre-register online ($25; $35 cash -$40 credit the day of the race).
The fun ends at Generations Hall (310 Andrew Higgins Blvd.) in the Warehouse District with the Monster Mash party. This ticketed costume party starts at 8 p.m. (until); ages 18 and up to enter. The Monster Mash typically features live music, a costume contest, drink specials, and a big dance party. You can buy tickets online or at the door.
Frenchmen Street Party
If you want to be in the heart of the action and don’t mind the crowds, head to Frenchmen Street in the Marigny on the day of Halloween. The celebration has become one massive street party in the past few years, popular with locals and visitors alike. It’s a great way to see some spectacular and clever costumes in one spot — and to show off your own, of course. Things really get going after 10 p.m., and there are plenty of bars to duck in and out of to recharge and replenish.
Haunted History Tours
There are many themed and historic tours to choose from, especially this time of year, and you can take your pick anywhere from the vampire and voodoo tours in the French Quarter to touring the world-famous cemeteries on Canal St. From the Garden District to Tremé, and around pretty much every corner in the French Quarter, the city has a story to tell.
“Haunted House” Decorations
There’s no shortage of over-the-top decorated houses in New Orleans around Halloween, but some really stand out. The best way to find them is to check the local listings for the ones set up in and around private homes as the dates get closer, but even a short walk around the French Quarter will unveil some awe-inspiring facades, all decked out in their Halloween best.
If you find yourself Uptown, the home of the local resident Louellen Berger’s at St. Charles Ave. and State St. is a sight to behold every year, with a 50-plus krewe of skeletons arranged on the front lawn to amuse with biting political satire and a play on the only-in-New-Orleans themes, with all the puns intended.
A spooky-fabulous display featuring holograms and projections outside the house on the corner of Magazine and Second Streets also goes above and beyond — with a narrated plot, dancing ghosts, creepy apparitions, and dazzling lights.
More Halloween in the French Quarter
Are you visiting with your kids this Halloween? There are plenty of family-friendly annual activities to enjoy in New Orleans this time of year. Be sure to read our feature on Halloween for Kids in New Orleans, to get an idea of what’s happening during the few weeks leading up to Halloween.
As you can see, New Orleans does Halloween with abandon, not to mention all the fall festivals going on between September and November. If you’re planning a trip to New Orleans this fall, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels, to stay close to all the action!
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Blues, With a Side of Barbeque at Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival
Photo courtesy of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation on Facebook
Presented by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival always sports an eclectic lineup, consistently booking a mix of young talent alongside seasoned blues veterans. And that’s before you even consider the wide variety of BBQ vendors that surround Lafayette Square Park (602 St. Charles Avenue) throughout the weekend.
The central location of the event makes it an easy walk from the Central Business District (CBD) or French Quarter, and while we’re certain you’ll fill up on barbeque at the festival, you’ll also be within easy strolling distance of some of New Orleans’s best restaurants and bars.
This year, the over-decade-old free festival takes place on Friday-Sunday, October 11-13, 2024. This popular event began after Hurricane Katrina and was designed to create jobs and draw tourism back into the city. Over the past decade, the three-day blowout has garnered a reputation as one of the best free festivals not just in New Orleans, but in the country.
Just like in the past years, there will be two stages of music and a huge arts market. Headliners this year include Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials, Eric Lindell, and New Orleans blues favorite Little Freddie King. You’ll also be able to discover a slew of lesser-known artists that add to the intimacy of the event.
As always, the event will include copious amounts of barbecue, with some of the best barbecue vendors in the region. Past vendors have included McClure’s, Blue Oak BBQ, The Joint, and many, many others. The spread will honor several regional styles, with an emphasis on Louisiana — made easier than ever with the recent proliferation of BBQ restaurants on the New Orleans dining scene. Beyond BBQ, there will be, of course, options for vegetarians, plus vegan and gluten-free fare.
WWOZ will broadcast most of the festival live both on the airwaves and through a stream on their website. But that’s no excuse for missing this event!
Please note that due to the past years’ crowding around the stages, the festival organizers instituted a “no chairs” perimeter of 75 feet from both stages. You’re still welcome to bring chairs and set up camp away from the stages, of course. Also please note that no pets or coolers are allowed.
To get to the fest, you can hop on the St. Charles Ave. streetcar line, or take the #11 Magazine St. bus. Another option is to bike over (there’s even free valet bicycle parking). Finding street parking in the area might be tough but there are many paid parking lots in the area, the closest one being the lot in the Poydras Center (650 Poydras St.).
Looking for a place to stay while you’re visiting New Orleans this fall? There’s no place better than a historic French Quarter hotel! Visit FrenchQuarter.com/hotels to see our top recommendations!
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Nola Funk Fest 2024: Celebrating Louisiana’s Rich Musical Heritage
Are you ready for a three-day musical extravaganza that celebrates the rich heritage of Louisiana’s music scene? Look no further than the second annual Nola Funk Fest, taking place from Friday-Sunday, October 18 to October 20, 2024, at the iconic New Orleans Jazz Museum, located at 400 Esplanade Avenue right between the French Quarter and the Marigny. This festival promises to be a grand celebration of funk music and a glimpse into the future with The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience. Let’s take a closer look at what Nola Funk Fest has to offer.
The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience
The inaugural Nola Funk Fest in 2023 served as the grand unveiling for The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience, an ambitious project that aims to create a 120,000-square-foot museum, set to be built across from the New Orleans Convention Center, dedicated to the preservation of Louisiana’s rich musical history. This museum, with a projected opening in 2027, will tell the captivating story of music in Louisiana, from its roots in Congo Square to the contemporary sounds of today. What sets this museum apart is its commitment to interactivity and live music performances. It’s not just about looking at artifacts; it’s about experiencing the music in a new way.
Live Music Lineup
The heart of Nola Funk Fest is its outstanding lineup of musical performances. With more than 30 of the city’s best local funk acts gracing two stages, this festival promises to be a non-stop party for music lovers. The star-studded lineup includes the Russel Batiste Memorial second line featuring The Original Pinettes and the Baby Dolls, New Orleans Nightcrawlers, The Soul Rebels, Bucktown Allstars, Marcia Ball, Tank and the Bangas, and many more.
Tickets and Other Information
- Tickets range from $20 for students to $900 for Super VIP. General admission is $40 for one day (if you buy online in advance). Children under $10 can attend for free. Children 11-15, accompanied by a parent or guardian, may purchase a $5.00 cash ticket at the door.
- There will be bag checks at the entrance.
- No outside chairs, coolers and ice chests, and no food and drink.
- Also, no pets.
- Getting to the festival is easy, but parking is challenging. Arrive early to park in these lots located in the heart of the festival: French Market, 500 Decatur Street, 300 North Peters Street, 211 Conti Street, Canal Place, and various locations within walking distance.
- You can also bike, bike parking is available. Another option is to use public transportation.
Don’t miss the chance to be a part of this incredible celebration of Louisiana’s musical heritage and to support the development of The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience museum. Early bird tickets are available on the Nola Funk Fest website. Make sure to mark your calendar for October 18-20, 2024, and get ready to groove to the rhythm of Louisiana’s soulful music at Nola Funk Fest!
For more information and ticket details, visit the official Nola Funk Fest website: https://www.nolafunkfest.com/. Follow the updates on Instagram and Facebook.
Need a hotel? To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
