When the summer lull is over and the temps are milder, the city gets ready to ramp it up with Halloween and a calendar full of foodie-haven and music festivals. There’s a festival, sometimes two, going on every weekend! Here are the fall highlights of what’s happening in New Orleans.
The Labor Day weekend kicks into high gear with Southern Decadence, which celebrates LGBTQ+ culture and attracts participants from all over the world.
September continues with NOLAxNOLA. Pronounced “NOLA by NOLA,” it’s a celebration of New Orleans music, venues and artists. Supposed to be even bigger this year, NOLAxNOLA is not to be missed. For this year’s artist roster and participating venues list, check out the event’s website. NOLAxNOLA will be held on Thursday, September 24, through Sunday, October 4, 2026.
Do you like fried chicken? How about beer? The National Fried Chicken Festival (Friday-Sunday, October 2-4, 2026) at the Lakefront keeps getting bigger, drawing well-known fried chicken vendors coming from all over the region to represent different cooking styles of this classic Southern dish. This year, expect over 40 vendors and four outdoor stages.
Next is the always well-attended Art for Art’s Sake on Saturday, October 3, 2026. It’s an opportunity to browse the shops and galleries along the commercial stretch of Magazine Street. Expect extended hours, special deals, live music, and beverage sampling.
October fun continues with the Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival. This free fest happens every year in the CBD, in Lafayette Square. Join the fun for two stages of music, a dozen of the best barbecue vendors in the region, and a large art market (Friday-Sunday, October 9-11, 2026).
Don’t forget, New Orleans throws its own lavish version of Oktoberfest on Fridays and Saturdays over the three weekends in October (October 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 2026) at Deutsches Haus in Mid-City.
Next up is NOLA Funk Fest (Friday-Sunday, October 16-18, 2026). Held at the Woldenberg Riverfront Park (near the Audubon Aquarium) along the Mississippi River, this three-day fest will feature the city and nation’s best funk acts, plus food vendors, cultural exhibits, and craft booths. Get your tickets here.
The New Orleans Film Festival (Thursday-Tuesday, October 22-27, 2026) is one of the largest film festivals in the South and is the longest-running festival of its kind in the state (37 years in 2026). The festival has grown to the point of attracting thousands of attendees and industry insiders, plus more than 400 filmmakers and over 200 films annually.
Halloween kicks into high gear with the kid-friendly Krewe of Boo, courtesy of Kern Studios (Saturday, October 24, 2026). Expect the usual 3-D fiberglass and papier-mâché extravaganza, plus all of your favorite spooky characters.
All the monsters on the floats are PG-13 and not too scary, even for the youngest kids. Parade-goers are encouraged to come in costume. Expect plush toys, candy, and unique, eco-conscious throws. The parade starts in the Marigny and goes to the French Quarter (here’s our guide to all annual events associated with Krewe of Boo).
October continues with Tremé Fall Festival, which brings entertainment from New Orleans musical royalty and food trucks and vendors from some of New Orleans’ best eateries in one of the nation’s first African American neighborhoods on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
October closes out with Halloween (Saturday, October 31, 2026). New Orleans puts its own spin on the Halloween fun with a slew of balls, costume parties, a parade, haunted tours, and a huge block party on Frenchmen Street.
Another festival held on the same weekend is Freret Street Fall Fest (Saturday, October 31, 2026). From Napoleon to Valmont, Freret Street’s six blocks will once again host a one-day free festival from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The fest will have several stages, live music, and tons of food and art. Check out this year’s music lineup on the event’s website.
November kicks off with Bayou Bacchanal. This free fest is held in Armstrong Park’s Congo Square and celebrates the city’s Caribbean heritage, Carnival-style (Saturday, November 7, 2026).
Adding to the year-round roster of music and food-centric festivals, Beignet Festival celebrates both sweet and savory renditions of the beloved pastry (Saturday, November 7, 2026). This annual extravaganza returned in 2022 and has been held at the New Orleans City Park Festival Grounds. The free, daylong party gives you an opportunity to sample dozens of renditions of the beignet.
There are usually vegan and gluten-free beignets to accommodate every diet, and awards are given in four “Best of” categories. Don’t forget to vote for your pick!
In its 18th year, Oak Street Po-Boy Festival (Sunday, November 8, 2026) celebrates all things po-boy during this one-day fest, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and you can be sure that you will be able to sample the best po-boys the city has to offer.
The Oak Street Fest is held between the 8100 and 8700 blocks of Oak Street in the Carrollton neighborhood. About 40 vendors present more food than you could shake your fork at, with over 60 varieties of delicious sandwiches alone — plus beer, specialty cocktails, and desserts. They will also compete in six “Best of” categories.
And, of course, this being New Orleans, there is live music, with stages set up on side streets to avoid the Oak Street foot traffic congestion of past years. A second line usually opens the fest at 10 a.m., forming at Oak and Carrollton streets.
LUNA Fête (Friday-Sunday, November 13-15, 2026) started as just one installation in 2014 on Lafayette Square (602 Camp St.) in downtown New Orleans. (It was a light and video projection illuminating Gallier Hall.) Since then, the celebration has spread from Gallier Hall to Piazza d’Italia. It’s interactive, kid-friendly, and full of light-based art.
Don’t miss Thanksgiving at the Fair Grounds Race Course! Per a long-standing New Orleans tradition, it’s customary to turn out at the track on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26, 2026) to watch the opening-day races while sporting fabulous hats. The racetrack also serves a sumptuous holiday buffet, plus a fancy dinner with all the holiday trimmings at the Clubhouse.
Every Thanksgiving weekend, the Bayou Classic draws the fans and alumni of Southern University and Grambling State University to New Orleans to partake in one of the country’s greatest college sports rivalries. This involves a fan fest, a parade, and the always-amazing Battle of the Bands before the big game at the Superdome.
Finally, November kicks off the beloved New Orleans tradition of Celebration in the Oaks (Friday, November 27, 2026 – Friday, January 1, 2027), a dazzling holiday lights festival scattered throughout the 25 acres of City Park, including the Botanical Garden, Storyland, and Carousel Gardens Amusement Park. This is how you know the winter holidays are upon us!
New Orleans offers tons of fun festivals and events for people of all ages and interests, appealing to both locals and tourists alike. If you are visiting the Big Easy in the fall, be sure to book your stay at The French Market Inn, a charming historic hotel in the New Orleans French Quarter located close to all of the festivals and excitement.