October in New Orleans

New Orleans in October is prime for beautiful weather, outdoor activities, and a frenzy of festivals

Planning your October visit to New Orleans

In most cities, Halloween is the only highlight of October - not in New Orleans! In addition to a number of annual spooky celebrations, October is the month that we start feeling those cool fall breezes. Here’s how to prepare for and navigate this October in New Orleans.

What to do in October in New Orleans?

Food, music, culture, and seasonal festivals take place throughout the month of October. With uniquely local events in addition to other citywide performances and happenings, there’s no time to waste in October. Here’s how to make the most out of the month.

NOLAxNOLA_Spotted_Cat — Performance at the Spotted Cat - NOLAxNOLA

Music Festivals

NOLAxNOLA is a celebration of New Orleans music, venues, and artists. The event is committed to supporting New Orleans music venues, musicians, the local music industry, and culture bearers of all disciplines. Enjoy a variety of live shows over two incredible weekends each fall, at performance spaces, music halls, and clubs all over town.

October 16-18, 2026 is a weekend filled with musical celebrations of all genres. NOLA Funk Fest is an opportunity for locals and tourists alike to explore Louisiana’s rich music history. Just a streetcar ride away, check out Praise Fest to enjoy soul-touching Gospel music you can’t help clapping your hands to. Plus, the Crescent City Chamber Music Festival presents free concerts throughout the month of October, so you can enjoy performances by various musical artists at no cost.

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(1) Oktoberfest, (2) National Fried Chicken Festival, (3) Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival

Food Festivals

In October, Munich meets Mid-City at the annual Oktoberfest. Presented by and hosted at Deutsches Haus of New Orleans, Oktoberfest pays homage to the German presence and culture in the Crescent City. Enjoy German classics like sauerbraten, cabbage, Bavarian pretzels, and more than 20 different brews to wash it down with.

Ranked “6th Best Specialty Food Festival” in 2024, National Fried Chicken Festival celebrates a southern classic dish. The event features a live music lineup and plenty of fried chicken made by award-winning chefs. Plus, festival goers can participate in the low-stakes Fried Chicken Festival 5K. Learn more about the race here.

The Jazz & Heritage Foundation celebrates local music and food with the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival. Catch performances from Samantha Fish, Booker T. Jones, Little Freddie King, and more while enjoying barbecued delights from some of the best BBQ vendors in New Orleans.

There are all sorts of ways to enjoy food in October, so stay on the lookout for the city’s best foodie events.

New Orleans Saints Fans — Saints Fans inside the Superdome

Saints Games

Around the country, fall means football to a lot of people. But in New Orleans, being a Who Dat is a way of life. Whether you're hanging out at a local sports bar, tailgating in Champions Square or watching the game in the Caesars Superdome, game day in New Orleans is an experience in itself. See our itinerary here.

Hispanic Heritage Month

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in New Orleans from September 15-October 15. Enjoy dining at a Hispanic-owned restaurant or shopping at a Hispanic-owned business. Keep an eye on our event calendar for specific celebrations once the month begins.

How to Celebrate Halloween in New Orleans

New Orleans has a reputation for being one of the most haunted cities in America, so there’s no better place to celebrate Halloween. Best of all, the Halloween celebrations last all month long. A favorite is the Krewe of Boo Parade and Zombie Run. The Mortuary haunted house will be open all month long, and ghost tours are available year-round. Check out the annual LGBTQ celebration Halloween New Orleans, which benefits Project Lazarus. Looking for even more spooky celebrations? See our full guide to Halloween here.

As the month gets closer, you can check out our curated list for top picks of things to do during October here.

A New Orleans First - After-Dark St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Night Tour! Become immersed in the deep cultural traditions and mysterious beauty of the New Orleans' oldest extant cemetery. Follow your expert guide through the shadows of the past as you encounter the final resting places of famed residents like Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau and civil rights legend Homer Plessy. Walk among the elegant Greek Revival architecture and marvel at the stately society tombs of New Orleans’ crème de la crème. This is not a ghost tour. It’s a reverent walk through history, culture, and tradition, where every tomb tells a story of New Orleans' past. Ideal for curious minds, history lovers, and anyone seeking a memorable New Orleans experience in a whole new light - under a canopy of stars and lanterns. Our 45-minute walking tours depart every Saturday (some Fridays) from the historic Basin St. Station Visitor Center (501 Basin Street) from 7:45pm, 8:00pm, 8:15pm, 8:45pm, 9:00pm, 9:15pm. — After-Dark Historical Night Tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

What is the weather in October in New Orleans?

The saying “day and night,” was made for October in New Orleans. Typically warm and sunny during the day and breezy with a chill at night, it’s best to carry along a light jacket if you’re planning to attend any October festivals or do any outdoor exploring.

What foods should I try in October in New Orleans?

Tricks and treats are abundant in the Crescent City! This October, enjoy sweet delicacies like pralines and beignets that can only be found in New Orleans. They’re unlike any Halloween candy you’ve ever tried. If you’re looking for something more savory, browse our listing of Hispanic-Owned restaurants to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at. Spanish, Colombian, El Salvadoran, Mexican, and more can be found at these eateries across the city.

Additional October Resources

New Orleans in October pretty much plans itself. If you happen to have any additional time left between food, music, and neighborhood festivals, get in the Halloween spirit by checking out some of our haunted tours across the city. Also, as October gets closer, be sure to check out our curated top picks for the month, which are usually updated about a month and a half in advance.

Happening in October

08/10/2026 - "American Revolution"

08/10/2026 - "Burke’s Delight The Stacey and Michael Burke Collection"

08/10/2026 - "Holocaust Survivors in a New Land: The New Americans Social Club of New Orleans"

08/10/2026 - "Origins of New Orleans Black Carnival Society: The Story of the Illinois Clubs"

08/10/2026 - "The Dream is the Truth"

08/10/2026 - "The Moss Mystique: Southern Women and Newcomb Pottery"

08/10/2026 - 13th Annual HBCU Art Showcase

08/10/2026 - Louisiana Contemporary 2026

08/10/2026 - “Each One Teach One”

08/11/2026 - "New Orleans Musicians in Art"

08/11/2026 - "Sèvres Magnifique: French Porcelain from the Collection of Thomas B. Lemann"

09/03/2026 - Girls Dinner on the Avenue

09/12/2026 - "In the Eyes and Mind of the Feral Child: The Art of Tom McNease"

09/15/2026 - Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

09/19/2026 - "THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS"

09/24/2026 - NOLAxNOLA

09/29/2026 - Two Portraits by Julien Hudson

10/01/2026 - Open House & Build-Your-Own-Burger Party

10/02/2026 - National Fried Chicken Festival

10/02/2026 - Terry Fator - New Orleans

10/03/2026 - Art for Art's Sake

10/05/2026 - New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons

10/08/2026 - Carla Pesono's Taste of Italy

10/09/2026 - Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival

10/09/2026 - Gentilly Fest

10/09/2026 - Oktoberfest

10/10/2026 - Que Pasa Fest

10/10/2026 - WWE Money in the Bank

10/11/2026 - New Orleans Saints vs. Minnesota Vikings

10/11/2026 - NOLA Dogs “Race to the Rescue” 5K Run/Walk and Blessing of the Pets

10/13/2026 - Modest Mouse

10/14/2026 - $uicideboy$ with Destroy Lonely, $lim Gucci, Black Kray & More!

10/15/2026 - Crescent City Chamber Music Festival

10/15/2026 - Ghosts in the Oaks

10/15/2026 - Open House and Make-Your-Own-Pizza Party

10/16/2026 - Dinah DeVille

10/16/2026 - NOLA Funk Fest

10/16/2026 - Praise Fest

10/17/2026 - Pilobolus

10/18/2026 - Wave Makers 5K & "The Swell" Kids' Half-Mile Run benefiting Tulane Cancer Center

10/22/2026 - New Orleans Film Festival

10/23/2026 - FAT CATS' BALL 2026

10/24/2026 - Cece Winans

10/24/2026 - Krewe of BOO!

10/24/2026 - Treme Fall Festival

10/27/2026 - Beyond the Veil-New Orlean' ONLY Haunted Variety Show

10/28/2026 - Disney's "The Lion King"

10/29/2026 - Dark Gift ALLIANCE - The Thirst

10/29/2026 - Dracula - New Orleans Ballet Theatre

10/30/2026 - LGBT Halloween New Orleans (HNO)

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