10 Things to Do in New Orleans in November

November is a month with a lot of personality in New Orleans, as there are many festivals and local activities that will allow you to get to know the culture and traditions. While some areas of the United States are more impersonal and cosmopolitan, in New Orleans you will find a fusion of cultures very present, where at the same time the identity of each of them prevails.

In addition, the most important holiday for Americans is celebrated: Thanksgiving Day. If you are planning what to see and do in New Orleans, I leave you with a list of the 10 best celebrations and activities in November that you cannot miss. Join me to discover each of them.

Bayou Bacchanal is the original Caribbean Carnival in New Orleans and the premier Caribbean organization within the state and is the one stop shop for Carnival lovers. Carnival is one of the many unique events in New Orleans. The most notable features of Bayou Bacchanal are the masked masqueraders who dance through the streets of the city to the pounding beat of steel drums, which are indigenous instruments of Trinidad and Tobago.

In addition, Bayou Bacchanal, like other Caribbean carnivals, encourages the full participation of visitors in the parade, who are usually dressed in exotic islander costumes. Bayou Bacchanal is held every first Saturday in November, where the weather is almost perfect in New Orleans for outdoor activities.

Don't miss the chance to celebrate this special day, as it is also an ideal activity with children in New Orleans.

Interesting facts:

• Where: Crescent Park New Orleans
• Price: from 40€.
• Date: November 5th

Boudi Bourbon & Beer is a festival organized by the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, an organization dedicated to creating opportunities to inspire young people through culinary, nutritional and artistic education.

Here, you can taste unique dishes prepared by some of the 70 best chefs in the United States. In addition to enjoying different open bars, where you can find different types of craft beers, wines and spirits. But the jewel of this festival is undoubtedly the exotic cigar bar, where you will have the option to taste the best cigars and Havana cigars in the world.

All these activities take place in a relaxed and festive atmosphere, with live musical performances, street markets and other activities. Although the entrance fee exceeds 100€, keep in mind that everything offered in the festival terms is gourmet and exclusive, so it is well worth it. The biggest advantage is that, not only will you be attending a great event, but all proceeds go to charity. what are you waiting for?

Interesting facts:

• Where: Champions Square, New Orleans
• Price: from $135
• Date: Second weekend in November.

The Oak Street Po-Boy Festival is a festival entirely dedicated to po-boys, a traditional American recipe that resembles a sandwich and originates from New Orleans.

While you can take a food tour of New Orleans and learn all about this curious dish, you can't miss this festival if you're traveling in the month of November in the city.

The entrance to the event is totally free, but the food system works in such a way that you must buy a wristband for around 4€ to get a plate of food. Anyway, it is quite an affordable activity and something fun to do with the family. Don't miss the musical performances and shows that take place throughout the day.

Interesting facts:

• Where: Oak Street, New Orleans
• Price: Free event
• Date: November 3rd

Continuing with the list of New Orleans festivals in the month of November, I present to you the magnificent Fête des Fromages. This three-day event is held with the purpose of celebrating French culture and all the delicious products that are part of its gastronomic culture. Yes, attending Fête des Fromages is the perfect excuse to sample a variety of cheeses, wines and more.

This celebration takes place in the former U.S. Mint building, where you will now find the New Orleans Jazz Museum. If you can't attend this festival, I still recommend touring this area of the city. You can take a tour of the French Quarter of New Orleans to discover all its beautiful corners.

So, if you want to enjoy a little bit of France in the United States, and delight your ears with the best jazz style music, book your ticket for this amazing event.

Interesting facts:

• Where: Former United States Mint.
• Price: from 25€ per person
• Date: November 13, 15 and 16

I consider this event to be one of a kind, and if you're traveling with kids they'll love it. Hot Wheels toys are some of the most famous among the little ones, and this event brings their most popular figures together every November in New Orleans.

Hot Wheels Monster Truck Live is an awesome show where you can enjoy the most legendary trucks. For example, see Bone Shaker, Tiger Shark, V8 Bomber or BIGFOOT competing in races where they will demonstrate their acrobatic skills. A completely epic encounter that defies the laws of gravity.

This show will appeal to young and old alike. In addition, there are some activities you can enjoy even before the show like the so-called Crash Zone, which is a specially reserved area where you can get an exclusive view of all your favorite trucks up close and appreciate all their speed and power.

Interesting facts:

• Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans.
• Price: from $27 per person
• Date: November 2nd and 3rd

Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival is a popular festival that takes place every year on November 16 and 17.

This festival is one of the most important for the native communities of the city, as it seeks to promote, preserve and perpetuate the music, culture and heritage of those who have been the first inhabitants of Louisiana. You can enjoy concerts, programs and other cultural activities. There are also exhibitions and educational talks about the organization of the communities and their economy.

By attending this festival, in addition to having fun, you will be contributing to the preservation and recognition of African culture in the United States. So don't miss it.

Useful information:

• Where: Louis Armstrong Park, New Orleans
• Price: Free event
• Date: November 16 and 17

The Algiers Folk Art Festival presents works that pay homage to Louisiana's musical heritage. You can find different artistic works that seek to capture the popular spirit of the southern regions of the country.

What began as a simple exhibition, ended up being a great festival that has been organized for about 20 years every year, and is of great cultural value to the society of New Orleans.

It takes place at the Algiers Folk Art and Blues Museum, and you will find different statues and a small museum that houses musical memorabilia and artwork by prominent self-taught artists. Also, during the event, local artists will have the opportunity to exhibit and sell their works, so you can take home a very special souvenir.

As always in New Orleans, you will also be able to witness musical performances and there will be food markets, a perfect combination to indulge your senses. If you are still hesitating about this event, keep in mind that all funds raised are used to generate new programs that contribute to art and jazz.

Interesting facts:

• Where: Algiers Point, New Orleans
• Price: Free event
• Date: November 2

Turkey Day Race is a marathon that takes place every Thanksgiving Day. While it is not free to participate in the race, you can attend and cheer on the runners as they compete.

However, if you feel like participating in this competition, this race is open to all runners and walkers, whether or not you are a member of a running club.

This event in New Orleans attracts more than 8,000 participants every year. It is estimated that runners originate from about 35 states, and even some from Canada and Mexico.

All of the brave runners must make it to the finish line, a 5-kilometer course of this race considered to be the premier race in the state of South Carolina. Those who wish to watch from the sidelines can sample delicious food, or do some shopping on King Street while waiting for the results.

Facts of interest:

• Where: New Orleans Track Club, New Orleans
• Price: Free event
• Date: November 23

The Weeki Wachee Mermaids are probably the most famous mermaids in the world. During the first weeks of November, these creatures are on display at the New Orleans Audubon Aquarium.

This event attracts thousands of visitors every year who want to see these professional performers swimming in the Aquarium's ponds. You can take the best pictures and keep memories in your memory of this special day. You will see how they swim and tour the pools, while waving to all the jaw-dropping audience.

Interesting facts:

• Where: Audubon Aquarium, New Orleans
• Price: Free event
• Date: November 1 to 3 and November 7 to 10

The New Orleans Film Festival is an event organized by the New Orleans Film Society, which gathers around 25,000 people every year. Popularly, this event is known as the Cannes on the Mississippi, making it a major date for the film world.

The mission of the Association is to discover and nurture filmmaking talent, which are those who tell the stories of our era. This event is planned throughout the year to build a cinematic experience that transforms audiences and excites them during the days of the festival.

Here, both national and international short and feature films are presented, and you can enjoy more than 400 filmmakers from all corners of the world. In total, around 250 films are screened every year and it seems like it will never stop growing in popularity.

Facts and figures of interest:

• Where: Film Society, New Orleans
• Price: from $280 per person
• Date: November 3 to 8

The cold starts in New Orleans and the month of November brings lower temperatures. Daytime highs can still reach 26ºC but the nights are already cool, with an average of 14ºC, although it can reach 10ºC. Therefore, although the weather is pleasant, it is normal to wrap up warm at this time of the year.

There will not be as much rain as at other times of the year, but the hurricane season is not over yet. So do not forget to check the weather forecast before traveling to New Orleans and be prepared for the cold, but also for fog and rain, because you can be surprised any day you are there.

Warm clothes will be welcome this time of year in the city of New Orleans. The humidity and heat of summer is slowly receding and the mild October temperatures are giving way to the cold. So, even if the sun is out on some days at the beginning of the month, don't forget to bring a jacket and long-sleeved sweaters to be able to withstand the coolness of these days.

Prices at this time of the year in New Orleans

It is not high season in New Orleans but if you travel in autumn to this city you will find that there are still many music festivals and events of all kinds taking place in its streets. For this reason, prices can be high.

Far from the high prices that you will find during the festivities that take place in spring in New Orleans, when the tourist influx soars, in November you can catch some discounts on both flights and accommodations. However, plan your trip in advance by getting tickets to events in advance, arranging airport transfers or even hiring the best guided tours of New Orleans and I assure you that you can save a lot of money and time.

Don't hesitate any longer and travel to the cradle of jazz to get to know the Afro roots of a unique city.