November is one of our favorite times to be in New Orleans. The weather is gorgeous, the humidity finally gives us a break, and it's the perfect time to stroll through the French Quarter, enjoy a meal in a courtyard or explore the city without breaking a sweat. Add some fantastic festivals, Saints football and the first signs of the holiday season, and you've got every reason to book a November getaway. Here are some of our favorite things happening this month.
Tip: If you’re coming for Bayou Classic, book your hotel room early!
NOLA Zydeco
Fest,
October 31–November
1
Get ready to dance! NOLA Zydeco Fest heads to Heritage Park
in Slidell this
year for two days of foot-stomping music, Creole food, dancing and Louisiana culture. Enjoy live
performances, a
gumbo cook-off and plenty of family-friendly fun. It's worth the short road trip!
Bayou
Bacchanal,
November
7
Here's your chance to experience a little Caribbean Carnival
in the heart of
New Orleans. Head to Congo Square in Armstrong Park for a colorful celebration of Caribbean
music, dancing,
costumes and cuisine. Come hungry and ready to move!
Beignet
Fest, November
7
If you think beignets only come covered in powdered sugar,
think again!
Beignet Fest at City Park serves up all kinds of sweet and savory creations, along with live
music, an Artists
Market and a Kids Village. Wear something you don't mind getting a little messy.
Oak
Street Po-Boy
Festival, November 8
Come celebrate New Orleans' favorite sandwich (sorry,
muffuletta). This
popular Uptown festival serves up more than 100 creative takes on the classic po-boy, along with
live music, an
arts market and plenty of local flavor. Bring your appetite and your stretchy pants!
New Orleans
Saints, November
8 &
15
There's nothing like game day in the Dome sweet Dome! The
Saints take on the
Cleveland Browns November 8 and the Carolina Panthers November 15 at the Caesars Superdome. Come
cheer with the
Who Dat Nation and experience one of New Orleans' favorite Sunday traditions.
LUNA
Fête, November
13–15
See New Orleans in a whole new light! LUNA Fête transforms
downtown into an
outdoor art gallery with dazzling projections, glowing sculptures and larger-than-life
illuminated puppets. This
year's theme is The Puppetry Parade, and most of the fun is free. Don't forget your
camera!
Destrehan
Plantation Fall
Festival, November 14 & 15
Looking for a little Louisiana history with your holiday
shopping? Head to
Destrehan Plantation for its 54th annual Fall Festival featuring more than 150 arts and crafts
booths, antiques,
live music and plenty of good Southern cooking. There are pony rides, face painting and other
activities for the
kids, too.
Sober
Fest, November
21
You don't need alcohol to have a great time in New Orleans!
Sober Fest
returns to The Broadside from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with live performances by Ivan Neville &
Friends, Robin
Barnes & The FiyaBirds, Flow Tribe and more. Enjoy great music, food, alcohol-free drinks
and
family-friendly fun, all while supporting Bridge House/Grace House.
Celebration in the
Oaks,
November 27–January 1
Ready for some holiday magic? Celebration in the Oaks transforms City
Park into a wonderland of more than a million
twinkling lights.
Take a driving tour or explore the walking tour with amusement park rides and the holiday train.
Even Scrooge
would have a hard time resisting this New Orleans tradition.
Bayou
Classic,
November 28
Love football? Love a parade? Love a good old-fashioned
rivalry? The Bayou
Classic has it all! Grambling State and Southern University face off in the Caesars Superdome,
but the fun
starts long before kickoff with a parade, fan festivities and the unforgettable Battle of the
Bands. It's a
Thanksgiving weekend tradition you won't want to miss.