October is Music Month in New Orleans, and it all kicks off with NOLAxNOLA, our citywide celebration of local musicians, music venues, and New Orleans culture. Catch your favorite artists and discover new ones at hundreds of live performances from September 26-October 6. After NOLAxNOLA ends, keep enjoying live music at one of our many fall festivals. Read below for our music picks of the month.

NOLAxNOLA Shows

Fete du Cajun Psychedelia ft. Lost Bayou Ramblers, Honey Island Swamp Band & More! 

Catch this celebration of Cajun music at the Joy Theater on October 3. Tickets start at $25, plus fees. 

The Inaugural Broadside Picnic: Tuba Skinny + Charlie & The Tropicales 

This family-friendly event at the Broadside features an all-star lineup of musicians as well as delicious food and drink on October 5. Advance tickets are $12, plus fees.  

All-Star Tribute to Allen Toussaint ft. Irma Thomas, Cyril Neville, Deacon John, John Boutté, Reginald Toussaint & The Allen Toussaint Band + More Special Guests! 

Head to Toulouse Theater on October 5 for this extra-special event. Tickets start at $30, plus fees. 

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH SHOWS 

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration "Fermin Ceballos" 

The New Orleans Jazz Museum in partnership with the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park & NOLAxNOLA celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month this September 15-October 15. On October 4, enjoy a performance from Fermín Ceballos inside the Jazz Museum’s Education Center at 2 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public. 

West Bank Hispanic Heritage Festival 

Held at the University of Holy Cross (UHC) campus in Algiers on October 12, this free festival is open to the public. Come out and enjoy music from Dile Que NOLA, Mariachi Jalisco, and more. Attendees can also look forward to food vendors, community resources, and shopping. 

Taylor Swift The Eras Tour New Orleans
Taylor Swift The Eras Tour

SPECIAL EVENTS

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour 

It’s nearly impossible to discuss concerts in October without talking about one of the biggest ones of them all–Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour. Tickets may be nearly impossible to find for the sold-out show, but for three nights over the last weekend in October, it’s going to be Taylor’s town.  

FALL MUSIC FESTIVALS IN OCTOBER 

National Fried Chicken Fest   

National Fried Chicken Festival is back this October 5-6 at the New Orleans Lakefront. All kinds of fried chicken will be available for purchase. Performers for National Fried Chicken Fest include Bun B, Better Than Ezra, Teedra Moses, Cupid, Lost Bayou Ramblers, and more. Tickets for the fest are $20 daily.  

Gretna Fest    

Just across the Mississippi River from downtown New Orleans lies Gretna, and this October 4-6, a lot of folks will be headed that way. Gretna Fest returns with a lineup including Dierks Bentley, Natasha Bedingfield, The Revivalists, and several others. Tickets are $40 for a single day or $90 for a weekend pass. 

Gentilly Fest   

Music, food, and community are all the focus of Gentilly Fest, a neighborhood festival held in Pontchartrain Park. Enjoy various vendors, plus live music, and activities for the kids on the weekend of October 11-13. Performers include Tory Sawyer & the Elementz, Hot Boy Ronald, and more. This fest is free to attend.  

Crescent City Blues & BBQ Fest  

This October 11-13, Crescent City Blues & BBQ Fest returns with three days of music, food, and art. Performers include Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials, Irma Thomas & the Professionals, Sierra Green & The Giants, and dozens of others. Let’s not forget the food—it’s equal parts music and barbecue festival! Enjoy free admission to the festival all weekend long, which takes place at Lafayette Square Park.  

NOLA Funk Fest   

Get ready to groove to the beats of the funkiest musicians in New Orleans this October 18-20. NOLA Funk Fest is a celebration of Louisiana’s rich music history. Held at the Jazz Museum, performers include Tank and the Bangas, Big Freedia, Geo Leo, The Soul Rebels, and several others. Tickets start at $40.  

Praise Fest   

Every year, Bayou St. John comes alive with Gospel music. From October 18-20, enjoy three days of handclapping, foot-stomping, and soul-touching Gospel music and praise. The festival is free to attend. Find the full lineup here. 

NOLA Reggae Fest 

Enjoy three days of music, food, and vibes in Congo Square this October 25-27 at Nola Reggae Fest. Performers include Dem Roots, Afro Soca Love, Denisia, and more. Tickets start at $25, plus fees. 

Tremé Fall Fest 

Returning on October 26, Tremé Fall Fest is a celebration of community with food, live music, art, and performances. Tremé is the oldest African American neighborhood in the country. This free-to-attend festival serves as a fundraiser for St. Augustine Church and various community non-profits. Performers include The James Rivers Movement, James Andrews & The Crescent City All Stars, Doreen Ketchens Jazz New Orleans, and more. 

For even more live music in New Orleans, visit the WWOZ LiveWire Music Calendar.