In a city as exciting, extraordinary, and festive as New Orleans, there is always a festival to explore. And as Halloween approaches, a city that has a knack for the eerie (think: Voodoo) is sure to be brimming with celebrations. Whether they celebrate food, arts, or a mix of the two, here are the festivals you won’t want to miss as October comes around.
October 4: Art for Arts’ Sake
Over the years, this festival has become a staple for New Orleans’ art lovers. It rings in the fall arts season, drawing in art aficionados from all across the city. Stop by Julia and Magazine Streets in the Warehouse District to appreciate the free displays!
October 8: Beignet Fest
Finally, the most famous New Orleans staple gets its own festival: this celebration will be the inaugural Beignet Fest. Hosted in Lafayette Square in Downtown NOLA, the proceeds will benefit the Tres Doux Foundation, which is devoted to assisting children with developmental delays. Venues like Café Du Monde and The Ruby Slipper will feature beignets ranging from the classic dessert style to ones stuffed with cheese and local seafood. This is a festival that cannot be missed.
October 14-16: Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival
This festival wraps together two of New Orleans’ greatest traditions: Blues music and barbeque food. The entertainment consists of Mississippi’s legendary singer-songwriter James Cotton, and the food will be an arrangement of BBQ style options, vegetarian dishes and, of course, dessert. This festival is easily accessible, too; it takes place in Lafayette Square Park, right along the St. Charles streetcar line.
October 22: Krewe of Boo
Since 2007, this official Halloween parade is the only major parade to roll through the French Quarter will full-size floats! While the specific details of the event are undisclosed, there’s sure to be the best marching bands from all over the city and illustrious floats. While many festivals provide generic beads, you should look out for locally-crafted necklaces made of food and mementos. Plus, you won’t want to miss the after party, AKA the Monster Mash; tickets are open to the public, and costumes are a must.
October 23: Oak Street Po-Boy Festival
This festival celebrates New Orleans’ most famous sandwich: the po-boy. Oak Street will become a shrine to the king of all sandwiches, with dozens of vendors from all over the city lining the street. Two stages will be set up on side streets, because what would a festival in New Orleans be without live music? Last year, it drew in around 50,000 po-boy lovers, so this is one you seriously can’t miss.
October 28-30: Voodoo Music + Arts Experience
As usual, October goes out with a bang with Halloween weekend, but this is New Orleans, so it goes out even more extravagantly—Voodoo festival attracts almost a million concertgoers to see lineups of both internationally famous and up and coming artists. City Park hosts this incredible concert each year, and it’s no ordinary music festival. It’s New Orleans flare comes out in the form of locally made art for sale and interactive pieces that are inspired by Voodoo and the park landscape, and are situated throughout the park. The best part is, you don’t even have to leave when the music ends each night: bring a tent and camp out, or pay to stay in luxury camping tents on site.
If you thought the festive month of October couldn’t get any better, try doing it New Orleans style.Look out for November’s guide next month!
