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, dance to Caribbean beats at Bayou Bacchanal, sample classic New Orleans cuisine at Tremé Creole Gumbo Fest, celebrate Thanksgiving, 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. 

Celebrate Caribbean culture at Bayou Bacchanal  

Bayou Bacchanal, the original Caribbean Carnival of New Orleans, returns on November 2. On festival day in Congo Square, witness an incredible celebration of Caribbean culture with live music, dance, a parade, and food & drinks. 

Tap your toes at NOLA Zydeco Fest 

Returning to Crescent Park on November 2, NOLA Zydeco Fest is an annual celebration of Creole and Cajun culture. Attendees are in store for live zydeco music from Southwest Louisiana, plus delicious cuisine, a gumbo cookoff, an arts market, and dancing. This family-friendly event welcomes guests of all ages. Tickets are $20 general admission and $65 for VIP. 

Experience art with Prospect.6 

Prospect is a citywide contemporary art triennial and the first exhibition of its kind in the US with a decade-long history. Every three years, they bring new art to an old city by inviting artists from all over the world to create projects in a wide variety of venues spread throughout New Orleans. ‘Prospect.6 the future is present, the harbinger is home’ is brought to life through exhibit openings, mural unveilings, family and community programming, performance art, galas, parties, and more. The fun kicks off on November 2. 

Go for a sugar rush at Beignet Fest 

Beignet Fest returns to New Orleans City Park on November 16. This sugary sweet festival is dedicated to the classic New Orleans doughnut: the beignet! Enjoy traditional beignets as well as creative ones, like Oreo-stuffed beignets, and savory options like crawfish beignets. Funds raised go to support the Beignet Fest Foundation, which empowers children with developmental delays. General admission tickets are $20 and VIP tickets are $50. 

Chow down at Tremé Creole Gumbo Fest 

Returning to Armstrong Park from November 9-10, Tremé Creole Gumbo Fest has all the gumbo you could imagine. Come hungry for seafood gumbo, okra gumbo, chicken andouille gumbo, vegan gumbo…plus additional food from po-boys to shrimp ’n’ grits. Beverages, an arts market, and a nonstop lineup of performances make this one of the best fall festivals in town. Did we mention it’s free to attend? 

Attend Sober Fest  

Music has always been at the heart of New Orleans, but for people in recovery, music-oriented events can often be places where they feel challenged or excluded. Just in time for the holiday season, Sober Fest by Bridge House / Grace House is an alcohol-free music festival where everyone can come together to enjoy amazing artists and have a really great time in a sober-supportive environment. Head down to the Sugar Mill on Saturday, Nov. 23 for live music, food trucks, kids’ activities, and more. Tickets are $10 in advance or $20 at the gate. 

See the lights at LUNA Fête 

The festival of lights celebrates its 11th year this November 14-17. LUNA Fête is features dynamic contemporary art, film, and technology in a multi-day large-scale public art festival. Free to attend and held in Lafayette Square, the festival features projection mapping technology in a show that can only be experienced in person.  

Participate in Pass the Peas Month 

The Made in New Orleans Foundation (MiNO) presents Pass the Peas, a month-long dining series with the goal of creating an equitable future and investing in BIPOC Hospitality for New Orleans. From November 1-30, restaurants throughout New Orleans will unite, channeling proceeds from special “MiNO on the Menu” items towards the MiNO Foundation. This support fuels the MiNO Hospitality Network, providing valuable resources and assistance for hospitality workers striving for growth in their businesses. Stay tuned for more information. 

Spend Thanksgiving in New Orleans

Thanksgiving Day in New Orleans means food, food, and more food. Skip the cooking at home and dine at a local restaurant. Feast on gumbo, seafood, and the traditional turkey and stuffing, plus bread pudding and more New Orleans classics. 

If you're interested in getting active or just having a good time, check out the 5-mile Turkey Day Race in City Park. Don a fancy hat and head to the Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots for their annual Thanksgiving Day race. Or you can 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! 

Cheer on the Saints and Pelicans at a home game 

Fall sports are in full swing with Saints and Pelicans home games this November. Watch the Saints play the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 10 and the Cleveland Browns on Nov. 17 in Caesars Superdome. Meanwhile, cheer on the Pels as they play home games throughout the month. 

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. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Bayou Classic here. Get your tickets here and experience all the many events that Bayou Classic has to offer.

Enjoy the fall weather  

November in New Orleans is full of mild temperatures, cool breezes, and sunny days. Get outdoors and visit a park, take a bike ride, or enjoy al fresco dining. Check out our top reasons to visit New Orleans in fall 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.

Take a trip to the theater 

Fall theater is in full swing this November, and there’s everything from musicals to dance to opera on tap. “Beetlejuice” the musical stops at the Saenger Theatre from November 12-17. “Samson and Delilah (in concert) ” is brought to you by the New Orleans Opera. And Giordano Dance Chicago provides an exciting evening of jazz dance and live music. Follow our fall theater guide here for more.

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, Réveillon dinners, NOLA Christmas Fest, Hanukkah celebrations, plus shopping, dining, and more. Learn more here and experience the magic of New Orleans.