10 Reasons to Visit NOLA This Fall

Watch some football at Bayou Classic or check out a feature film at the New Orleans Film Festival. Experience the city's German heritage at Deutches Haus’ Oktoberfest celebration along Bayou St. John and chow down on delicious beignets and fried chicken at their respective festivals. Celebrate quintessential New Orleans neighborhoods at Gentilly Fest or Tremé Fall Festival, enjoy shopping on Magazine Street at Art for Art's Sake, and so much more! The months of September through December are packed with events and activities for everyone to enjoy. Check out our guide to fall festivals here and make plans to spend a few days in New Orleans this fall! 

New Orleans’ music scene thrives all year round, but there’s something special about hearing live local music in the fall. Cool breezes make outdoor live music a wonderful experience, and many of our legendary music venues take part in NOLAxNOLA, a citywide celebration of New Orleans’ musical culture running from late September to early October. October is also Music Month. Check out our live music calendar for the latest shows, and see here for where to find live music seven nights a week in New Orleans. 

Al fresco dining in New Orleans is especially pleasant in the fall, with lush patios, romantic courtyards, and scenic balconies offering the perfect backdrop for autumnal breezes. Pair that with seasonal menus and specialty cocktails, and you’re bound for a picturesque NOLA dining experience. Check out our roundup of outdoor dining here.

The fun doesn’t end with the outdoors—New Orleans is full of world-class attractions that every traveler will enjoy. History buffs could spend days inside the National WWII Museum, and children will adore the Louisiana Children’s Museum. Art lovers have a plethora of options to choose from between Studio BE, the New Orleans Museum of Art and others. Check out our attractions page here and book your ticket online.

Fall is the ideal time to enjoy New Orleans by foot, bus, carriage, bike or even boat. Book a tour with one of these companies to get exploring with an expert - you can find companies that tour by neighborhood, companies that focus on food and drink, or companies that will even take you out to the swamps of Louisiana. More of a do-it-yourself explorer? Use our self-guided neighborhood strolls for micro-itineraries best experienced on foot.

If you’re coming to New Orleans and hoping to experience the city’s outdoor activities, autumn is most certainly the perfect time to visit. Spend a day kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or relaxing by Bayou St. John, or have a picnic in one of New Orleans’ lush green parks. Travelers hoping to get active outdoors may be interested in grabbing a rental bike and riding around charming neighborhoods like Esplanade Ridge or the Bywater. 

The city with the most vibrant costume culture, dare we say, in the world, does Halloween better than anywhere else. Costumes and decorations range from hilarious to downright scary, so be sure that you prepare a memorable costume no matter how you choose to celebrate. A ghost or haunted history tour is the perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit, and spooky stories abound in tales of New Orleans’ past. Krewe of Boo, New Orleans’ spookiest parade, returns just in time for Halloween. Haunted houses and other spooky-themed attractions make October the perfect time to visit.

Oyster season arrives in September! Enjoy fresh Gulf Coast oysters however you like ‘em - raw, chargrilled, or fried. Check out an oyster happy hour at spots like Superior Seafood, Seaworthy, or Luke and check out our guide to the best oysters in the city. Treat yourself to our favorite places for seafood towers (and a cold martini to match).

Being in New Orleans for a Saints game is its own unique experience.  Fall is primetime for home games, with many scheduled for September through December at the Superdome. If you’d rather watch from a sports bar, check out our list here – and you’ll definitely want to check out the new Caesars Sportsbook inside Caesars New Orleans. Fall is also prime time for Pelicans basketball.

The holiday season in New Orleans is one for traditions, both old and new. Kicking off in November, enjoy LUNA Fête, our multi-day large-scale public art festival.  Once December comes, enjoy holiday traditions like Réveillon dinners, Celebration in the Oaks, NOLA ChristmasFest, and the Children’s Hospital New Orleans Parade. Whether you’d like to book a room at a particularly festive hotel or simply stop in to see the lights, there’s something for everyone this holiday season in New Orleans.