It’s All Art for Art’s Sake
Photo by @gabby.bien on Instagram, courtesy of Magazine Street on Facebook
Early October in New Orleans brings about one of Uptown’s most well-attended art events — Art for Art’s Sake (AfAS), which takes place this year on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m.
The landmark event is more than three decades old. Since 1980, Art for Art’s Sake has grown into a citywide phenomenon — a night when many of the city’s galleries open their doors and put on major shows.
On the night of AfAS, hundreds of guests will sip wine and cocktails as they saunter between big openings at Julia St. galleries like Arthur Roger, George Schmidt, and Ferrara Showman Gallery. A few blocks away, businesses on Magazine Street will stay open to provide shopping and dining for the masses.
Presented by the Magazine Street Merchants Association, Art for Art’s Sake is an annual showcase of art, food, and music on Magazine Street. Over 100 shops, stores, restaurants, and galleries along Magazine Street will be participating again.
In fact, it’s the street’s biggest event of the year, drawing out throngs of shoppers and fun seekers. Expect extended hours, special deals, live music, and other treats along the stretch of Magazine Street. As in previous years, you can also enjoy complimentary wine samples provided by one of the sponsors, Breaux Mart.
Art for Art’s Sake is free and open to the public. So, grab a group of friends and come down to Magazine Street for a night of gallery hopping and shopping at one of New Orleans’ largest shopping and entertainment districts.
Not sure where to shop and dine along Magazine Street? Check out the full list of restaurants and shops on the Magazine Street Merchants Association website.
A few more tips we can think of…
Dozens of restaurants along the Warehouse Arts District and Magazine Street will be open for the evening and ready to welcome you, but reservations are recommended, especially for the popular spots on the bustling Magazine Street. There’s no dress code for the event, so casual will work, but you will definitely see chic outfits on at least some of the attendees. And wear comfortable shoes: Magazine Street alone stretches for six miles, and you might be doing some serious walking to check out the gallery art openings on Julia Street, too.
Are you looking for a place to stay when you’re in New Orleans? There’s no place better than a French Quarter hotel. Visit FrenchQuarter.com/hotels to see our top picks.
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The National Fried Chicken Festival Is Back
Image courtesy of The National Friend Chicken Festival on Facebook
It appears New Orleans does indeed have room for more festivals, especially if it honors the beloved fried chicken. Between Popeyes and the takeover by Brothers Food Mart and the popping up of the excellent gas-station chicken counters, New Orleans has its fried chicken game on lock, and the three-day, 2026 National Fried Chicken Festival (FCF), held on Friday, October 2 – Sunday, October 4, 2026, at the New Orleans Lakefront, (Lakeshore Dr. & Franklin Ave.) aims to also showcase as many variations as possible.
In honor of its 10th anniversary this year, FCF 2026 will feature its largest and most diverse food lineup to date, with over 40 participating restaurants showcasing their unique spins on the iconic Southern dish for an opportunity to take home the festival’s “Best Fried Chicken” and “Best Use of Fried Chicken in a Dish Awards.”
As in previous years, the highly coveted Culinary Icon Award will also be presented to a prominent chef who has made remarkable contributions to the culinary industry. Not to mention, the festival was named the “6th Best Specialty Food Festival” by the USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
The festival’s roster of “experiences” has a beer garden, two VIP lounges, a family-friendly block party, and more. The beer garden gives you unlimited access to beer, complimentary snacks and water, as well as VIP restroom trailers.
The VIP option includes access to two exclusive lounge areas located at each main music stage, three alcoholic beverages of your choice from either lounge, a fried chicken meal from an award-winning restaurant, front-stage viewing, and better restrooms.
Besides the diversity of musical acts (Nelly, Ying Yang Twins, Big Freedia, and more), there’s also going to be a diversity of cooked chicken. While everyone is coming to the festival to partake of the South’s favorite fried treat — a meal that is, indeed, beloved around the world — don’t forget that there are some competitions on the line.
As in previous years, the fest will have more than chicken. It promises vegan options, vegetarian options, gluten-free options, and more. In the past, vendors have included winners like Bao Mi and Bonafried, plus Crawlins Seafood, Fatty’s Cracklings, Lufu NOLA, Picnic Provisions & Whiskey, and more.
Here’s what else you need to know if you are attending:
- This festival is cashless. No cash of any kind will be accepted.
- Parking is free but limited to the designated areas.
- Folding, festival-style chairs are permitted.
- No outside food or drink except sealed water bottles or empty reusable water bottles.
- No wagons, ice chests, or coolers of any kind are permitted on-site.
- The festival is rain or shine, so please plan accordingly.
- Pets are not allowed inside the festival grounds, except for service animals.
- Only VIP ticket holders will be permitted re-entry to the festival.
So, come with an appetite. This is New Orleans, and folks love their chicken. We expect to see many tourists and local friends with a wing in their hands, and a smile on their faces!
The National Fried Chicken Festival, presented by Raising Cane’s, is held on October 2-4, 2026, at the Lakefront. General Admission tickets start at $21, with upgraded options for the unlimited beer garden and the VIP lounges going up to $454. Free for kids under 12. Get your tickets online.
Need somewhere to stay during your fall visit to New Orleans? Be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels!
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How to Do Thanksgiving in New Orleans
Let’s be honest: Summer carried on and on in New Orleans almost all the way through October. But with Thanksgiving upon us, the weather has truly cooled off (for us locals anyway), which means you can enjoy some great New Orleans attractions and annual events — no sweat.
Photo courtesy of Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots on Facebook
Get to the Races
In New Orleans, opening day at the Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots is as big as turkey when it comes to anticipating the Thanksgiving holiday period. Sometimes it seems like everyone and their mother turns out to the track on Thanksgiving weekend, sporting cocktails, big grins, and some frankly awesome hats.
The racetrack opens mid-November, but the big day is on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26, 2026), and not just for the races alone. That’s when the racetrack’s Clubhouse offers a fancy traditional holiday dinner with all the trimmings, while everyone else can enjoy a still pretty sumptuous holiday buffet (make reservations in advance, as both tend to fill up).
For those who might attend actual Thanksgiving Day horse racing: The first of the day’s 10 races begins at 11 a.m., and top sprinters will later compete in a $75,000 Thanksgiving Handicap race. But again, the real point is: hats.
Enjoy Bayou Classic
Every Thanksgiving weekend, the Tigers of Grambling State meet the Jaguars of Southern University for the annual Bayou Classic. The city celebrates a two-day feast of events, including a fan fest and a massive parade on Saturday, featuring some of the country’s absolute best marching bands.
Friday offers the Bayou Classic Greek Show and the legendary Battle of the Bands, which can get as competitively heated as the football game proper. After all that, one of America’s hottest college football rivalries detonates at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 28, 2026.
No Cooking Required
For Thanksgiving, many New Orleans restaurants will stay open and offer special holiday menus for both dining in and takeout. Some offer buffet-style feasts. Do a quick inquiry online, or check out sites like OpenTable to see what restaurants will be open on Thanksgiving Day and to make a reservation.
If you’re planning a stay in New Orleans for Thanksgiving, be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Photo courtesy of Tujague’s Restaurant on Facebook
Thanksgiving Dining in the French Quarter
Don’t forget that world-class restaurants in the French Quarter host elaborate, multi-course Thanksgiving feasts that draw on the region’s rich culinary heritage. In addition to their regular menu, a number of restaurants will offer a full-course prix fixe menu that will feature the usual deliciousness of New Orleans decadence.
Shop Small Businesses
Don’t forget the Saturday after Thanksgiving is Small Business Saturday, and in the French Quarter, you’ve got a wide range of boutiques and galleries to indulge in.
Book Now
To enjoy the best of Thanksgiving in the Crescent City, make sure to find the right hotel in New Orleans. Book a room at the French Market Inn, Prince Conti Hotel, Hotel St. Marie, Place d’Armes Hotel, or Alder Hotel to have the best of this historical city at your fingertips.
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Halloween for Kids in New Orleans
Celebrating Halloween in New Orleans could be a decidedly grown-up affair, with spectacular balls, parties, and parades. We are thankful for the variety, but that’s not to say that kids don’t get a parade and at least two weekends of themed activities leading up to the holiday. Here are our picks for how to celebrate in a family-friendly way, starting a few weeks before Halloween, which falls on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Ghosts in the Oaks
Thursday, October 15 – Sunday, October 18, 2026, 5-9 p.m.
This four-day family-friendly extravaganza in the magical New Orleans City Park has become a tradition for many locals. During the event, both the amusement park and Storyland open their doors to kids of all ages for trick-or-treating, rides, a pumpkin patch, arts and crafts, and a DJ dance party.
Entertainment also includes face painting and balloon animals. Proceeds from this fundraiser support the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and Storyland. You might want to get your tickets well in advance online as this event usually sells out quickly (general admission is $30).
Krewe of Boo
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
This lively affair has become the “official Halloween Parade” in New Orleans in 2007, and has been going strong since, only growing in popularity. The parade is brought to you by Kern Studios, so expect the usual 3-D fiberglass and papier-mâché extravaganza, plus all of your favorite spooky characters.
You’ll see werewolves, ghosts, vampires, and other Halloween-themed monsters, but all the monsters on the floats are PG-13 and not too scary even for the youngest kids. The parade-goers have been known to don their favorite, family-friendly Halloween gear as well, and you’re encouraged to do the same.
There’ll be plenty of plush toy throws and candy for the little ones too. The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Decatur St. and Elysian Fields Ave. in the Marigny, rolling through the French Quarter and passing by Jackson Square.
Boo Carré Halloween Haunt
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
This is an opportunity for the kids to trick-or-treat starting in Dutch Alley between St. Philip and Dumaine Streets, and throughout the French Market District — from the Shops at the Upper Pontalba to the open-air French Market. Many vendors and shops along Decatur Street and at the farmers’ market will be participating. The annual celebration features live music, kids’ activities, and more.
Boo at the Zoo
Friday, October 16 – Sunday, October 18, 2026, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
This annual Halloween event at the Audubon Zoo is family-friendly (only kids up to 12 are allowed to trick-or-treat). It features haunted-house games, entertainment, Ghost Train, and more. The kids will hear stories, trick-or-treat, and meet some of the zoo’s animals. The proceeds will benefit the Children’s Hospital. Advance tickets are $30-$36.
French Quartour Kids Ghost Hunt
By appointment
Tricks, treats, stories, and a ghost hunt await during this walking tour designed for kids of all ages. The tour touches upon the history of the French Quarter and its well-known residents, but leaves the gore out, focusing instead on the legends and the hauntings. The whole family is encouraged to participate and ask questions (tickets are $25 per person; you can book your tour online).
“Haunted House” Decorations
There’s no shortage of “haunted houses” this time of year around New Orleans, but not all are child-friendly. So, while parental discretion is always advised, these fabulous haunted houses are set up in and around private homes every year, and they’re as thrilling as they’re safe for at least the older kids. You can check the listings in the newspaper for more Halloween displays set up in private homes as the dates get closer.
St. Charles Avenue and State Street
Local resident Louellen Berger has been arranging her 50-plus krewe of skeletons on the front lawn of her mansion every Halloween, drawing appreciative crowds and an occasional local celebrity. While some of the puns are too satirical for the little ones to get — as Berger’s installations spoof local politics and play on the only-in-New-Orleans themes — the whole setup is a spectacular treat for all ages.
Magazine and Second Streets
A spooky-fabulous display featuring music, holograms, lights, and projections that would awe anyone passing by. Expect a story with a plot, dancing ghosts, creepy apparitions, and dazzling lights.
State and Claiborne Streets
One of the most elaborate skeleton-pirate ship displays in town, skillfully lit and exquisitely arranged. There’s no music and no projections, but it’s well worth a peek.
Are you planning to spend some time in New Orleans this October? This is a great time to visit as the temps get milder and the city’s schedule is full of fun Halloween events and the annual fall festivals. To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
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Things to Do This November in the French Quarter and Nearby
November in New Orleans is jam-packed with festivals and celebrations. It’s also a magical time to be here, with a stretch of perfect weather leading up to the winter holidays and Mardi Gras. Here are some of our favorite suggestions on what to see, eat, and do if you’re in New Orleans in November.
Bayou Bacchanal
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Bayou Bacchanal is a celebration of Caribbean culture and heritage. Presented by Friends of Culture, Bayou Bacchanal will include Caribbean cuisine, dance, music, and celebration, all held on Louis Armstrong Park’s Congo Square.
Beignet Festival
Saturday, November 7, 2026
This annual extravaganza returned in 2022 and is held at the New Orleans City Park Festival Grounds. The free, daylong party gives you an opportunity to sample dozens of renditions of the beloved beignet, from traditional sweet treats swimming in powdered sugar to savory options bursting with seafood and cheese.
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!
Oak Street Po-Boy Festival
Sunday, November 8, 2026
The Oak Street Po-Boy Festival is a lively New Orleans tradition celebrating the city’s iconic sandwich with dozens of classic and creative variations from local food vendors. Held along historic Oak Street, the festival also features multiple stages of live music, an arts market, a kids’ zone, history panels, and a juried po-boy competition. The 18th annual festival is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; admission is free, although visitors need a wristband to purchase food.
LUNA Fête
Friday-Sunday, November 13-15, 2026
LUNA Fête 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.
Thanksgiving at the Fair Grounds Race Course
Thursday, November 26, 2026
Per a long-standing New Orleans tradition, it’s customary to turn out at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Thanksgiving Day to watch the opening-day races while sporting cocktails and some seriously fabulous hats. The first race starts at 11 a.m. The racetrack also serves a sumptuous holiday buffet, plus a fancy dinner with all the holiday trimmings at the Clubhouse (reservations required).
Bayou Classic
Friday-Saturday, November 27-28, 2026
Each November, 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. Over the years, the event has become much more than a football game, drawing more than 200,000 visitors to New Orleans.
The event stretches for two days and includes a fan fest, a parade, the Battle of the Bands, and, of course, the big game at the Superdome starting at 1 p.m. (you can get tickets online or at the gate).
The Battle of the Bands between the Grambling “Marching Tigers” and the Southern “Human Jukebox” on Friday, November 27, 2026, is an unforgettable extravaganza. The same two marching bands will lead the Annual Bayou Classic Parade on Saturday, starting at 9:30 a.m., from the Marigny to the CBD. The parade will have the elements of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, floats, military units, and more. In other words, expect a great show.
Celebration in the Oaks
Friday, November 27, 2026 – Friday, January 1, 2027
This beloved New Orleans tradition has been celebrated for over three decades, selling out quickly for the past few years. Celebration in the Oaks is a dazzling holiday lights festival scattered throughout the 25 acres of New Orleans City Park, including the Botanical Garden, Storyland, and Carousel Gardens Amusement Park.
Stroll through the magical grounds swathed in hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, take a train ride or a holiday picture by the iconic Mr. Bingle, listen to the caroling, do some holiday shopping, or ride the historic carousel.
Coming to New Orleans in the fall? Be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels!
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Fall in the French Quarter and Beyond
New Orleans is always enchanting, but when the first cool front finally arrives, banishing the subtropical heat and ushering in six months of moderate weather, the Crescent City really feels too good to be true. Fall also heralds the start of high tourist season, which runs from October through May and coincides with a bevy of fun activities.
In short, fall is a time when New Orleans awakens from its heat-induced hibernation — and emerges ready to play. Here are a few reasons why fall is the best time to visit New Orleans.
The weather is perfect: sunny and cool
In October, the average high drops to a pleasant 80 degrees, meaning the temperatures linger in the 70s most days. With lows hovering in the 60s, it’s just cool enough to slip on a hoodie at night — which is great, because nothing says fall like cozy layers.
Fall months are also the driest months in New Orleans, averaging about 3.5 inches of rain. So you won’t need to cover up your costume in a plastic poncho when you hit the Quarter for Halloween. And speaking of…
Halloween in New Orleans is a not-to-be-missed spectacle
Trick-or-treating is a nationwide tradition, but in the home of Mardi Gras, costuming isn’t just for kids (although of course there are annual kid-friendly Halloween activities) — it’s a citywide pastime. New Orleanians seize on any opportunity to dress up, and they go all-out for Halloween. You’ll see costumes on the days leading up to All Hallows’ Eve, and on October 31, creatively costumed revelers hit Frenchmen Street en masse for a brass-band and go-cup-fueled block party that rages all night.
There’s a fest for every foodie and music lover
Do you love fried chicken? Po-boys? Beignets? Whatever your nosh of choice, there’s a fest for that in October. Because nothing’s better than catching some local music and chowing down on delicious food in a park on a sunny afternoon.
You can catch a Carnival-caliber parade
Going to Mardi Gras in New Orleans is definitely a bucket-list item, but what most people don’t know is that you can catch a Carnival-caliber parade in October, when the crowds aren’t quite as intense. The renowned Kern family, who build floats for some of the city’s most prominent Mardi Gras krewes, is also behind the spooky Krewe of BOO!
Starting in the Marigny and winding its way through the French Quarter before ending in the Arts District, this Halloween parade features 3D fiberglass and papier-mache floats. Best of all, many of the throws are edible: candy corn, pralinettes, coffee packs, and Chee-Wees make the Krewe of Boo a real treat. It rolls at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, October 24, 2026, from Elysian Fields and Chartres St.
Fall event highlights
While we didn’t include every single one in this list, here’s a fall roster that we recommend you consider attending (between September and November):
NOLAxNOLA – September 24-October 4, 2026
National Fried Chicken Festival – October 2-4, 2026
Art for Art’s Sake – October 3, 2026
Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival – October 9-11, 2026
Oktoberfest – October 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 2026
NOLA Funk Fest – October 16-18, 2026
37th New Orleans Film Festival – October 22-27, 2026
Krewe of BOO! – October 24, 2026
Treme Fall Fest – October 24, 2026
Halloween – October 31, 2026
Freret Street Festival – October 31, 2026
Bayou Bacchanal – November 7, 2026
Beignet Fest – November 7, 2026
Oak Street Po-Boy Festival – November 8, 2026
LUNA Fete – November 13-15, 2026
Thanksgiving – November 26, 2026
Bayou Classic – November 27-28, 2026
Celebration in the Oaks – November 27, 2026 – January 1, 2027
If you’re planning to visit New Orleans in the fall, be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels.
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How to Do Halloween in New Orleans
Halloween Decorations, French Quarter, by Jake Cunningham
In New Orleans, Halloween is much more than just a night for kids to go trick-or-treating, chaperoned by their parents. Just like with many other holidays, New Orleans ramps it up in its unique, signature style — complete with costume parties, balls, street celebrations, and, of course, a parade. If you find yourself in New Orleans for Halloween, you’re in for some ghoulish, outlandish treats. Here are our picks.
VoodooFest
For two decades, Voodoo Authentica has hosted this celebration, which is not to be confused with the similarly titled and now defunct music festival in City Park. VoodooFest, held from 1 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, at 612 Dumaine St. in the French Quarter, packs an incredible amount of information, entertainment, and voodoo-inspired gift shopping into one very full event.
Priests will be on hand to speak and teach on Voodoo, Louisiana’s version of the faith, and the music and spirituality associated with the Lwa — the spirits of the Voodoo pantheon. A small market set up outside the shop will sell practitioner-made potion oils, gris-gris bags, voodoo dolls, plus African and Haitian art (perfect presents for the upcoming holidays, maybe?). VoodooFest ends with a closing ancestral healing ritual.
Death and Mourning in New Orleans
Throughout October, the historic Hermann-Grima House, located in the French Quarter (820 St. Louis St.), changes up its historical tours to explore the mourning spaces of the 19th century. The house is swathed in somber colors to reflect the period of mourning for Marie Anne Filiosa Grima, mother of Felix Grima, who died on the property on October 15, 1850.
During a guided tour, you’ll explore the property while learning about the religious and cultural significance of death for the Creole families living here in the 19th century. You can book a tour online.
Krewe of Boo
One of the city’s most impressive parades outside of carnival season is this child-friendly Halloween procession, which is happening this year on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The parade itself kicks off at 6:30 p.m., starting at Elysian Fields Ave. in the Marigny, and rolling through the Quarter to the Warehouse District. Expect plenty of floats, dance troupes, and throws, all themed after monsters, spooks, and general ghostly goodness.
Additionally, that morning, Krewe hosts its annual New Orleans Zombie Run, so don’t be surprised if a Saturday morning in New Orleans all of a sudden feels like a scene from 28 Years Later. This two-mile race starts at 9 a.m. and ends at noon, both at Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant (701 Tchoupitoulas St.). Participants are encouraged to come dressed as zombies and monsters. Registration for the race begins at 7:30 a.m. You can pre-register online ($25; $35 cash or $40 credit the day of the race).
The fun ends at Generations Hall (310 Andrew Higgins Blvd.) in the Warehouse District with the Monster Mash party. This ticketed costume party starts at 8 p.m. (until); ages 18 and up to enter. The Monster Mash typically features live music, a costume contest, drink specials, and a big dance party. You can buy tickets online or at the door.
Frenchmen Street Party
If you want to be in the heart of the action and don’t mind the crowds, head to Frenchmen Street in the Marigny on the day of Halloween. The celebration has become one massive street party in the past few years, popular with locals and visitors alike. It’s a great way to see some spectacular and clever costumes in one spot — and to show off your own, of course. Things really get going after 10 p.m., and there are plenty of bars to duck in and out of to recharge and replenish.
Haunted History Tours
There are many themed and historic tours to choose from, especially this time of year, and you can take your pick, anywhere from the vampire and voodoo tours in the French Quarter to touring the world-famous cemeteries on Canal Street. From the Garden District to Tremé, and around pretty much every corner in the French Quarter, the city has a story to tell.
“Haunted House” Decorations
There’s no shortage of over-the-top decorated houses in New Orleans around Halloween, but some really stand out. The best way to find them is to check the local listings for the ones set up in and around private homes as the dates get closer, but even a short walk around the French Quarter will unveil some awe-inspiring facades, all decked out in their Halloween best.
If you find yourself Uptown, the home of the local resident Louellen Berger’s at St. Charles Ave. and State St. is a sight to behold every year, with a 50-plus krewe of skeletons arranged on the front lawn to amuse with biting political satire and a play on the only-in-New-Orleans themes, with all the puns intended.
A spooky-fabulous display featuring holograms and projections outside the house on the corner of Magazine and Second Streets also goes above and beyond — with a narrated plot, dancing ghosts, creepy apparitions, and dazzling lights.
More Halloween in the French Quarter
Are you visiting with your kids this Halloween? There are plenty of family-friendly annual activities to enjoy in New Orleans this time of year. Be sure to read our feature on Halloween for Kids in New Orleans, to get an idea of what’s happening during the few weeks leading up to Halloween.
As you can see, New Orleans does Halloween with abandon, not to mention all the fall festivals going on between September and November. If you’re planning a trip to New Orleans this fall, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels, to stay close to all the action!
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The Inside Scoop on Southern Decadence in the French Quarter
Photo by David Fary
Born in the early 70s as a going-away party, Southern Decadence has evolved into a massive and immensely popular four-day festival that celebrates LGBTQ+ culture and attracts participants from all over the world. It’s traditionally celebrated over the Labor Day weekend and is considered the fifth-largest event in New Orleans after Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Essence Festival, and the French Quarter Festival.
Southern Decadence will be held from Thursday, September 3, through Monday, September 7, 2026. This year’s theme is “Phoenix Rising: Together We Rise.” The colors to consider are turquoise, red, black, royal blue, and gold.
Just like every year, most activities will be centered in and around the French Quarter, with lots of block parties and dance parties at bars and clubs on Bourbon Street. The hub of the festival is again Bourbon Pub/Parade, with two rocking floors and an expansive balcony. The Pub will be open late nightly, especially on Friday and Saturday (till 5 a.m.)
Photo by David Fary
The Pub will be hosting numerous events throughout the festival, including a kick-off and closing parties. It will again serve as an epicenter of the annual Bourbon Street Extravaganza, a free show/block party happening at the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann Streets.
The annual Southern Decadence Grand Marshal Parade on Sunday will start at the Golden Lantern Bar (1239 Royal St.) at 2 p.m.
Photo by David Fary
A lot of events are free, and you can buy passes from several venues to access the events that do charge an entrance fee and may sell out. (Here’s more info on the ticketed events, the kinds of passes are available, and where to get them.)
The Oz dance club and the 24/7 Cafe Lafitte in Exile, both on Bourbon Street, will also host DJ’d shows and dance parties that weekend. Although not part of the Bourbon Street stretch, the 24/7 Good Friends bar at 740 Dauphine Street in the French Quarter also receives a fair share of the festival partygoers each year.
Although a lot of events are confined to the French Quarter, the festival generally spills into quite a few bars and clubs in the Marigny and the Bywater. The Friendly Bar at 2301 Chartres St. is a quiet neighborhood bar with a pool table, solid jukebox, and well-priced drinks. Big Daddy’s Bar (2513 Royal St.) also has a pool table, a jukebox, and a neighborhood vibe. These two bars, plus Pepp’s Pub right next door to Big Daddy’s Bar (it replaced Cutter’s), are great for a quiet after-party conversation.
Another popular destination is the 24/7 Phoenix Bar (941 Elysian Fields Ave.), located in the Marigny within a short walking distance from the French Quarter. It will traditionally host block parties throughout the event.
Photo by David Fary
Are you planning to spend some time in New Orleans during Southern Decadence? To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
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Satchmo SummerFest Celebrates the Legacy of Louis Armstrong
Photo courtesy of Satchmo SummerFest on Facebook
Satchmo SummerFest started in 2001 as a tribute to Louis Armstrong, one of New Orleans’ most prominent native residents, on his 100th birthday (“Satchmo” was one of Armstrong’s several nicknames). Ever since, the fest remains the August highlight and just the respite we need from the long weeks of summer.
The annual festival, traditionally held over the first weekend of August in the French Quarter (falling on Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, 2026), is easy to navigate and get to. The fest will be spread on two stages at the New Orleans Jazz Museum (at the Old U.S. Mint).
The 2026 music lineup includes Preservation Brass Band, Charmaine Neville, and Tribute to Ma Rainey featuring Lars Edegran and Thais Clark on Saturday. Sunday brings you Treme Brass Band, John Boutté, the Original Pinettes Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins’ tribute to Louis Armstrong, and more.
MassAmong the festival’s traditional special events, the annual Jazz Mass will again be held at St. Augustine church (1210 Governor Nicholls St.) on Sunday, August 2, at 10 a.m. It’s a popular event, so arrive early if you plan to attend. There are also a series of lectures scheduled on both days.
Immediately following mass, join the “Satchmo Salute” second line parade, which will make its way from the church to Armstrong Park before secondlining down to Esplanade Avenue and the festival’s grounds at the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
For schedule, lineup and updates, please check the event’s website, Instagram, or its Facebook page.
Photo courtesy of Satchmo SummerFest on Facebook
You may also want to know:
Admission is free.
There will be shaded picnic tables on the grounds for dining.
Parking: For street parking, you may want to look along the stretch of the French Market and at the foot of Esplanade Avenue. There is also a 24/7 parking lot by the French Market along the river. Enter from St. Peter Street.
Pops’ Playhouse for Kids at the Jazz Museum will have children’s activities.
No coolers or ice chests, and no outside food or drink, please.
Festival details:
What: The annual Satchmo SummerFest
When: Saturday-Sunday, August 1-2, 2026
Where: New Orleans Jazz Museum (at the U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Ave., French Quarter)
Admission: Free
Schedule and food vendors: https://satchmosummerfest.org/
Coming to New Orleans in August?
Check out our guide to where to stay in the French Quarter, and be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels. Also, consider booking a guided tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 to experience the hauntingly beautiful past of New Orleans.
For easy, informative sightseeing, we recommend the City Sightseeing New Orleans city tour on the open-top, double-decker bus. It runs every 30 minutes through the Garden District, French Quarter, and CBD. You can hop on and off anytime!
Happy August!
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COOLinary: What’s on the Menu in August
Photo courtesy of COOLinary New Orleans
There’s no better time to dine at an award-winning restaurant during your visit to New Orleans (or while you play tourist in your own city) than in August. Not only do you get to experience cuisine that is an integral part of the New Orleans heritage, but you’ll be doing so at a discount. This is your chance to try out that new restaurant or revisit the old favorite!
COOLinary was conceived by New Orleans & Company (formerly the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau) as a promotion to lure diners to local restaurants in the slower summer months — the month of August especially — during which restaurants all over the city offer discounted dining deals. It’s the only dining program of this caliber that offers deals this time of year, though you can enjoy similar perks during the citywide holiday Reveillon promotion in December and the Restaurant Week New Orleans (June 8-14, 2026).
Ever since COOLinary came into existence over 20 years ago, it has kept growing in size and popularity. In the past few years, the number of participating restaurants has grown to reach 100, and kept going, some with multiple locations across the city. has The restaurants that are taking part in this annual summer promotion are spread all over the city, including the Marigny, CBD, Uptown, and the French Quarter, and run the gamut from the iconic to the smaller, casual ones.
This year, the list of 77 restaurants includes the famous Arnaud’s, Cafe Degas, Commander’s Palace, Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse and Tableau, Mr. B’s Bistro, Muriel’s Jackson Square, and many more. The Uptown’s Brigtsen’s and Ralph’s on the Park in Mid-City have both joined this enviable roster in the past and are this year’s participants as well.
The menus and the list of the participating restaurants are typically announced in June, but, basically, expect $28 or less for two-course lunches and $58 or less for three-course dinners and brunches.
Once posted, the restaurant list is searchable by location, with each listing accompanied by a sample menu that includes the price, and you can also make a reservation right then and there.
Many of the restaurants that participate in these promos are located in the French Quarter or downtown, within walking distance from many historic hotels. So, book a hotel, make a reservation, and get out there and enjoy the culinary gems New Orleans has to offer!
