November in New Orleans is the best of both worlds: the weather is cool, but the sun is out, and holiday festivities are just getting started. This month, attend the New Orleans Film Festival, dance to Caribbean beats at Bayou Bacchanal, celebrate Thanksgiving, head to the Dome for a football game, and mark your calendars for the beginning of Holidays New Orleans Style. Here are our top 15 things to do this November in New Orleans.

Check out a brand-new attraction: Expressions of America 

The newest attraction at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans brings history to life like never before. Opening November 2022, Expressions of America is an immersive outdoor sound and light show that combines cutting-edge technology and special effects with the real words and stories of everyday people who made a tremendous impact during a time of monumental conflict. Held as a nighttime experience, attendees will enjoy an unforgettable evening of music, stunning imagery, vintage cocktails, festive food options, and entertainment as projections 90 feet tall transport you back in time. Purchase tickets here. 

Enjoy world premieres at New Orleans Film Festival 

The 33rd annual, Oscar®-qualifying New Orleans Film Festival returns this November. It will showcase 145+ films in-person at several venues across town, including The Prytania Theatre, The Jazz Market New Orleans, The Broad Theater, and The Broadside from November 3-8 and virtually November 3-13, showcasing 130+ films through NOFF Virtual Cinema available globally. Overall, films directed by women and non-binary directors account for 57% of the lineup, and films helmed by directors of color make up 56%. Films made in the American South represent 50% and Louisiana-made films represent 22% of the lineup, and the directors of selected films represent 35 different nationalities. Browse the lineup and purchase tickets here. 

Experience dance with Ronald K. Brown/EDIVENCE 

Deeply moving and endlessly personal, Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE comes to New Orleans with a showcase of contemporary dance, promoting the understanding of the human experience in the African Diaspora through storytelling. Catch the show November 4 and 5 at NOCCA’s Freda Lupin Memorial Hall. 

Catch a show or two with Broadway in New Orleans  

Fall theater is in full swing this November, and this month we have not one but two touring musicals stopping in New Orleans from Broadway. The Lion King makes its grand return to New Orleans October 27-November 13 and is a must-see for theater lovers of all ages. And the highly anticipated SIX tells a modernized tale of the six wives of Henry VIII, with performances running from November 29 until December 4. 

Dine Out for a Good Cause

Special menu items at some of our favorite restaurants for a good cause? We’re not going to pass that up. Pass the Peas Week is back and better than ever this year. Presented by the Made in New Orleans Foundation (MiNO) and sponsored by New Orleans & Company, the event, now in its third year, will raise funds to support MiNO’s Culinary Scholarship and Equity Partnership Programs. Participating restaurants include The Will & The Way, The Chloe, Mister Mao, Marjie's Grill, and more. Menu items are available from November 5-11, and the week culminates with a “Pass the Peas Dinner” featuring cuisine from Chef Serigne Mbaye with support from MiNO alumni chefs. The celebration is on Friday, Nov. 11 at Hotel Saint Vincent, and tickets are limited.

Stuff your face at Oak Street Po-Boy Fest 

For the first time in over three years, Oak Street Po-Boy Fest returns! On Sunday, November 6, several blocks of Uptown New Orleans will transform into a foodie’s paradise. Enjoy fresh seafood, roast beef, and vegetarian versions of the classic sandwich, plus live music and more. Get your tickets in advance here. 

Stretch it out at Goat Yoga 

Head to Paradigm Gardens on Sunday, November 13 for a morning outdoor yoga session featuring their adorable Cameroonian pygmy goats. Also included is a light breakfast, Paradigm hats, and a Paradigm windowsill garden. 

Kick back at Paradigm Gardens Fall Concert Series 

Enjoy music, food, and drink at Paradigm Gardens on Wednesday, November 16. Restaurants Ancora, Cane & Table, Coquette, Mr. Mao, Fritai, and Karibu Kitchen will be serving up award-winning food from the oven and grill while Mikayla Braun serenades on stage and vinyl DJ Doug Funnie keeps it funky. Miel Brewery will be providing the beer while Cathead Vodka and Roulaison Rum will be serving garden-fresh cocktails. 

Cheer on the Saints and Pelicans in person 

Fall sports are in full swing with two Saints games and nine Pelicans games this November. Watch the Saints take on the Baltimore Ravens on November 7 and the LA Rams on November 20 at Caesars Superdome. Meanwhile, cheer on the Pels as they play multiple teams throughout the month. 

See Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel 

From the New Orleans Opera comes Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, an operatic fairy tale that even the adults will love, with new sets and costumes and a lush, complex score. Catch the show November 18 and 20 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts. 

Spend Thanksgiving in New Orleans 

Thanksgiving Day in New Orleans means food, food, and more food. Skip the cooking at home and dine in at a local restaurant. Feast on gumbo, seafood, and the traditional turkey and stuffing, plus bread pudding and more New Orleans classics. Check back here shortly for a list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day, then get to booking those reservations. 

If you're interested in getting active or just having a good time, check out the 5-mile Turkey Day Race in City Park. Later in the afternoon, head out to Easton Park in Mid-City for the Human Horse Races, a family-friendly fundraiser where people dress as horses and race each other, all while raising money for a horse sanctuary. Only in New Orleans! 

See the rivalry in action at Bayou Classic 

Bayou Classic is more than a football game – it’s a celebration of HBCU culture complete with a Battle of the Bands, a race, a parade, and more. The annual football matchup between rivals Grambling State and Southern University returns to New Orleans this Thanksgiving weekend. Get your tickets here and experience one or all of the many events that Bayou Classic has to offer. 

Shop local on Black Friday 

New Orleans is a shopper’s paradise, and local stores open their doors for extended shopping hours come Black Friday and the holiday season. From quaint bookshops to handmade goods, bring the gift of New Orleans home for the season. Not quite sure where to start? Browse our local gift guide here.

Enjoy gumbo, pumpkin spice, and pecan pie  

Fall brings out some of the best foods in New Orleans, with gumbo taking the top spot. Whether or not there’s a chill in the air, find your cup of gumbo at these spots. Keep an eye out at restaurants for seasonal menu changes, some of which may or may not include pumpkin. Indulge in a slice of pie for a sweet treat.  

Kick off Holidays New Orleans Style 

The day after Thanksgiving kicks off Holidays New Orleans style, an over-monthlong celebration that brings the holiday season to life. This holiday season, enjoy Celebration in the Oaks, NOLA Christmas Fest, shopping, dining, and more. Learn more here and experience the magic of New Orleans.