Things to Do in Louisiana This Month
From top-notch fall festivals and Thanksgiving celebrations to holiday light displays and cook-offs, here's how to spend November in Louisiana.
Cheers from college football fans, pots of steamy gumbo and a calendar filled with fall festivals signal autumn’s arrival in Louisiana. Enjoy the cooler weather at one of our state parks, or stay indoors and discover one of Louisiana’s state museums.
Big Boy’s Main Street Cook-Off
November 7
Thibodaux
In the heart of Cajun country is Thibodaux, where multicultural kilns fire dishes like Creole-inspired boudin and West African-inspired gumbo. Taste them all at Big Boy’s Main Street Cook-Off, where more than 30 teams will try their hand at classic Cajun digs. Grab a local beer and listen to live music while you eat to your heart’s content.
Expand your weekend menu and drive the Cajun Bayou Food Trail. Start in Raceland at Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Visitor Center before choosing from 24 different restaurants that offer meals like gumbo, catfish and wild game.
Explore Louisiana's Cajun Bayou.
Atchafalaya Basin Festival
November 8
Henderson
The Atchafalaya Basin Festival celebrates the unmistakable community and culture of South Louisiana through local music, art and cuisine. Adventurous travelers will appreciate the festival’s dedicated campground, where RV and tent campers gather for more community building, storytelling and fun.
In Louisiana, it’s not unusual to drive past vibrant front porches decked with folk art. Swing by Louisiana Marketshops at the 115, which showcases more than 450 local artists and their works, like hand-painted gumbo bowls and wood carvings. Pat’s Fisherman’s Wharf, a popular area joint, offers delicious seafood dinners.
Learn more about St. Martin Parish.
Thibodeauxville Fall Festival
November 8
Thibodaux
Celebrate crisp autumn weather at Thibodeauxville Fall Festival, a family-friendly event centered in historic downtown Thibodaux. Peruse dozens of arts and crafts booths, see live performances across three stages and snack on local Cajun digs. Don't miss the festival's signature event: a rubber duck race on Bayou Lafourche.
While the festival may tease our state's delicious cuisine, expand your weekend menu and drive the Cajun Bayou Food Trail. Start in Raceland at Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Visitor Center before choosing from 24 different restaurants that offer meals like gumbo, catfish and wild game.
Explore Louisiana's Cajun Bayou.
Fall Festival Fundraiser at Destrehan Plantation
November 8–9
Destrehan
Set on the grounds of the historic Destrehan Plantation, this outdoor market brings together more than 150 artists offering fine art, home décor, jewelry and gourmet fare — all framed by stately oaks. After browsing handmade goods, grab a craft cocktail and enjoy live music performances from bands like Ryan Foret and Foret Tradition.
Don't forget to swing by the German Coast Farmers Market, a short 10-minute walk from Destrehan. The farmers market is home to some of Louisiana’s most delicious produce, as well as local honey and baked goods.
Learn more about Louisiana's River Parishes.
St. Francisville Food & Wine Festival
November 8-9
St. Francisville
Love Southern cuisine? The St. Francisville Food & Wine Festival celebrates the art and craft of Mississippi and Louisiana’s native fare, featuring acclaimed chefs, wine pairings, craft beer and live music. Whether you love backyard barbecue or white linen dinners, you’ll leave glad you came.
In between tastings, explore St. Francisville’s quaint downtown. Find incredible paintings at Art House, or stop by District Mercantile, a renovated 19th-century general store.
Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival
November 8-9
New Orleans
If you love bowls of spicy gumbo and live brass bands set in a beautiful city park, Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival is for you! This two-day event offers a glimpse into the cultural legacy of this historical neighborhood, with tasty Creole dishes, hours of live music performances and a massive arts market highlighting the region’s best makers. Admission is free.
Start your Saturday morning with some local history at Tremé’s Petit Jazz Museum, which details the city’s enduring musical legacy — and greats like Louis Armstrong. Love Black history? Swing by the New Orleans African American Museum, where you can also explore local Afrofuturist efforts.
Port Barre Cracklin' Fest
November 13-16
Port Barre
If you’re unfamiliar with cracklin’, Port Barre’s festival will give you a taste. These fried pieces of pork fat, some studded with bits of meat, are crispy, salty and not unlike a good piece of bacon. They’re more like a potato chip than anything, though, which is why you’ll see bags on local market shelves. Sample dozens of variations at the festival while listening to zydeco performances, waiting for your turn on carnival rides or watching a parade.
While you’re in the area, listen to swamp pop at Blue Moon Saloon or Prejean’s. These Louisiana-famous joints play live Cajun bands nightly while serving up other regional fare like gumbo and crawfish.
Plan your trip to St. Landry Parish.
Beignet Fest
November 15
New Orleans
Hooray, beignets! New Orleans wouldn’t be complete without Beignet Fest, a tasty extravaganza that honors the legacy of these warm, pillowy treats. Bring your appetite to the evergreen City Park, where you’ll find everything from traditional beignets to those that are savory and seafood-stuffed. Explore an art market, kids’ village and beer garden, or head to the main stage for funky tunes.
If a day of beignets isn’t enough, make your way to the French Market, where the original Café Du Monde still stands. Alongside a serving of the delightful dessert, order the chicory-spiced café au lait that brought the establishment to fame.
Three Rivers Art Festival
November 15-16
Covington
Engage with mediums like ceramics, painting, fiber art and photography at Three Rivers Art Festival. Two hundred carefully selected artists display their work along Columbia Street, where you can stroll with a specialty cocktail in hand. Bringing little ones? Children are encouraged to explore demonstrations on the arts, like ballet or tribal storytelling.
Don’t leave the area without visiting St. Tammany Art Association, which supports emerging and established artists. The center often hosts open pottery studios, panel talks, knitting classes and more, so be sure to check their schedule of events.
Winter Lantern Festival
Select dates beginning November 20
Westwego
Chinese legend comes to life in Louisiana during the Winter Lantern Festival at Bayou Segnette State Park. Wander among thousands of glowing handcrafted lanterns, watch gravity-defying acrobatic shows and sample tasty food and drink from local vendors. All ages are welcome, and children under 3 receive free admission.
Learn more about Westwego's fascinating history — including how a train conductor gave the town its name — at the Westwego Historical Museum. The museum is housed in the town's original general store, which is filled with antiques and artifacts from the late 1800s.
Natchitoches Christmas Festival
November 22-January 6
Natchitoches
Did you know Natchitoches is home to one of the nation’s longest-running holiday festivals? Considering the town looks like the inside of a Hallmark snow globe, it’s no wonder. Tickets ($15, or free for children 6 and under) provide a stroll along the river, where thousands of lights refract a prismatic show soundtracked by seasonal classics.
Before you enter the festival, grab a cup of hot cocoa at StoryBrew Coffee Café. The historic shop is known for flaky, mile-high cinnamon rolls and tender, buttery scones.
Learn more about Natchitoches.
Bayou Classic
November 24-29
New Orleans
What started as a simple football game between Southern University and Grambling State University — two of Louisiana’s Historically Black institutions — has now transformed into a citywide celebration called Bayou Classic. The week promises several celebrations, including a Thanksgiving Day parade, a free fan festival and the energetic battle of the marching bands, all leading up to the big game on Saturday, Nov. 29.
If you don’t have much time between festivities, book a tour to eat, sip or stroll your way through the Crescent City. You’ll be amazed at how many cool experiences you’ll have in just one tour.
Louisiana Renaissance Festival
Throughout November
Hammond
Set your curiosity and creativity alight at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival, a gala of artists and oddities. Shop from wool weavers and welders; watch performances from fiddlers and fire handlers; and sip merlots and meads. Whatever you do, you’ll leave inspired.
Before your medieval adventure, explore the city’s rich culture. Stroll through art galleries, boutiques and antique stores, or explore Hammond Regional Art Center’s latest exhibition.
Ring in the Holidays
Visit seven spirited areas across the Holiday Trail of Lights, which feature dazzling displays, lively parades, seasonal music, live theater, magical visits from Santa and more. Enjoy the festivities from November to January!
Make Plans for Louisiana This Month
Whether it's one of our many exciting festivals or an adventure in the great outdoors, there is always something unique to experience in Louisiana. Be sure to check our calendar of events for the most up-to-date list of festivities.
