Boo at the Zoo | Oct. 16-18
Where: Audubon Zoo
Notes: Costumes and daytime trick-or-treating in the zoo for kids (grown-ups can wear costumes but no masks) with proceeds benefitting Manning Family Children’s and the Audubon Zoo.
NOLA Funk Fest | Oct. 16-18
Where: Audubon Aquarium Riverfront Park
Notes: One of the city’s fastest growing festivals raises awareness of the Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience with an exciting lineup including Galactic, George Porter Jr. and more.
Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival | Oct. 9-11
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday
Where: Lafayette Square Park
Notes: Enjoy the very best in local BBQ while listening to a variety of blues acts including Samantha Fish, Mia Borders, Little Freddie King, Johnny Sansone and more.
Treme Fall Fest | Oct. 16 & 24
Where: St. Augustine Catholic Church
Notes: Celebrate historic Treme with musical acts, parades and arts and crafts vendors.
Gentilly Fest | Oct. 9-11
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday
Where: Pontchartrain Park
Notes: Celebrate all things Gentilly with local food, snoballs, a kid’s village, crafts, pottery making and more to benefit first responders.
National Fried Chicken Festival | Oct. 2-4
Time: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday
Where: New Orleans Lakefront
Notes: More than 40 vendors serving mouth-watering fried chicken as well as vegan/vegetarian options, plus local and national musical acts and a 5K run/walk.
Beignet Fest | Nov. 7
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: City Park Festival Grounds
Notes: More than 50 different beignet-related dishes, including crawfish beignets and strawberry shortcake beignets, plus family-friendly live entertainment from bands like the Imagination Movers as well as a new interactive area called The Porch where local chefs and food personalities will have intimate conversations.
Art for Art’s Sake | Oct. 3
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Magazine Street
Notes: Wine, shopping, strolling, music, light bites, and more in Magazine Street’s art galleries.
Celebration in the Oaks | Nov. 27-Jan. 1
Where: City Park
Notes: More than one million twinkling lights, walking and driving tours, amusement park rides and hot chocolate and other food options.
Treme Creole Gumbo Festival | Nov. 14-15
Where: Louis Armstrong Park
Notes: A diverse, unique collection of gumbo offerings mixed with all-day live music performances and a cooking tent highlights this celebration of Treme’s culinary and
musical legacy.
Deutsches Haus Oktoberfest | Oct. 9-10, 16-17, 23-24
Time: 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Fridays, 1 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturdays
Where: Deutsches Haus
Notes: Three weekends of German dinners, desserts, oompah music, dancing and the beer stein holding contest.
Ghosts in the Oaks | Oct. 15-18
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Where: City Park
Notes: Four nights of spooktacular fun with a trick-or-treat path, unlimited amusement park rides and live entertainment.
Oak Street Po-Boy Festival | Nov. 8
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Oak Street
Notes: Over 100 variations of New Orleans’ signature sandwich will be available alongside live music, an arts market, a kid’s zone and a Saints-watching area.
New Orleans Film Festival | Oct. 22-27
Where: Various locations
Notes: Film buffs can enjoy a selection of features and shorts from filmmakers around the world in a festival that has given local audiences an advanced look at future Oscar winners. The festival will also feature a virtual component that will continue until November 1.
Tejas Fest | Oct. 2-3
Where: Victoria, Texas
Notes: Tejano and country music stars, shopping, the Cornhole Throwdown, and the Bikes, Trikes and Power Wheels Car Show.
Dauphin Street Beer Festival | Oct. 3
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Dauphin Street, Mobile, Alabama
Notes: 40 beer tastings in 10 venues.
Tales of the Beach Festival | Oct. 8-10
Where: Casino Beach, Pensacola Beach, Florida
Notes: A free concert, a cooking demonstration, a beer tasting, a frozen zone and signature dishes from local restaurants.
Market Shops Bloody Mary Festival | Oct. 10
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Miramar Beach, Florida (near the entrance to Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort)
Notes: Hand-crafted bloody Marys, sushi, grilled cheese sandwiches, Champagne, mocktails, live music, a cigar bar and more.
Baytowne Beer Festival | Oct. 16-17
Where: Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin, Florida
Notes: Over 100 domestic and international craft beers, bourbon tastings, live music, bonfires and football watch parties.
Wooden Boat Festival | Oct. 17-18
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Maritime Museum Louisiana in Madisonville, Louisiana
Notes: More than 100 classic boats and hundreds of spectator boats.
maritimemuseumlouisiana.org/woodenboatfestival
Pensacola Foo Foo Festival | Oct. 29-Nov. 9
Where: Downtown Pensacola, Florida
Notes: Live music, art installations (including a cascade of disco balls going down Artel Gallery) and fun interactive events.
30A BBQ Fest | Nov. 6
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Grand Blvd., Miramar Beach, Florida
Notes: Award-winning barbecue, live music, craft beer, wine, shopping, raffles and a silent auction.
Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival | Nov. 6-8
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday
Where: Seville Square in Pensacola, Florida
Notes: Live musicians, dance schools, a food court with global cuisine options, an art show and a Children’s Arts Festival.
Louisiana Renaissance Festival | Weekends from Nov. 7-Dec. 13
Time: 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: 46468 River Rd., Hammond, Louisiana
Notes: Six themed celebrating the Renaissance period featuring over 600 artists, educators and educational demonstrations.
