Sep 25, 2024 - Things to Do
13 best New Orleans fall festivals
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Po-Boy Fest will over Oak Street again at the end of October. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images
New Orleans' biggest festivals might be in the spring, but the fall festival season easily holds its own.
Zoom in: We're making our picks for the 13 best fall festivals in New Orleans.
From the nap-inducing eats you'll score at the National Fried Chicken Festival to the awe-inspiring sights at LUNA Fête, there's something on the fall festival calendar for everyone.
- These are our favorites.
Key:
- 🍴 Foodie-focused
- 🤸 Kid-friendly activities
- 🆓 Free event
- 🕺 Great music
🆓🕺 NOLAxNOLA
- When: Sept. 26 - Oct. 6
- What to expect: A mix of hundreds of paid and free music, burlesque and comedy shows across dozens of New Orleans venues.
🕺🤸 Gretna Fest
- When: Oct. 4-6
- What to expect: A mix of top New Orleans bands, national acts and cultural experience tents throughout downtown Gretna.
🍴 🤸 National Fried Chicken Festival
- When: Oct. 5-6
- What to expect: Dozens of restaurants competing for awards, fun New Orleans music and themed stages and experiences.
🆓 🕺🍴Crescent City Blues and Barbecue Festival
- When: Oct. 11-13
- What to expect: Louisiana and Mississippi musicians, a local art market and barbecue.
🆓 🤸 Gentilly Fest
- When: Oct. 11-3
- What to expect: Music, including a gospel tent, a kids village and local resources.
🍴 OktoberFest
- When: Oct. 11-2, 18-19 and 25-26
- What to expect: German beer and wine, chicken dancing, brats, sauerkraut, beer stein-holding contests and a dog parade.
🎬 New Orleans Film Fest
- When: Oct. 16-27
- What to expect: Film screenings and talks, film-maker conference and parties.
🍴 Top Taco
- When: Oct. 24
- What to expect: Restaurants competing for the title of Top Taco, plus music, burlesque, lucha libre wrestling and a costume contest.
🆓 🕺🤸 Tremé Fall Fest
- When: Oct. 26
- What to expect: Tremé musicians, a second-line, art and kids activities to fundraise for repairs at the historic St. Augustine Catholic Church.
🍴 🤸 Oak Street Po-Boy Fest
- When: Oct. 27
- What to expect: 40 vendors with their takes on the famous New Orleans-born sandwich, an arts market, a Saints game viewing area and an opening parade.
🕺 NOLA Zydeco Fest
- When: Nov. 2
- What to expect: Washboards, accordions and lots of line dancing.
🕺🍴 🆓 Tremé Creole Gumbo Fest
- When: Nov. 9-10
- What to expect: Brass bands and many different versions of gumbo.
🆓 🤸 LUNA Fête
- When: Nov. 14-17
- What to expect: A nightly arts, light and tech experience.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that Gretna Fest will begin Oct. 4 (not Oct. 3).