Things to Do in New Orleans This Fall: The Ultimate October 2026 Travel Guide
Planning a trip to New Orleans this fall? Discover the best October festivals, food, live music, Saints football, and why the National Fried Chicken Festival belongs on your itinerary.
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Fall is one of the best times to visit New Orleans. The summer heat begins to fade, football returns to the Superdome, and nearly every weekend offers another excuse to experience the city’s unmatched food, music, and culture. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or planning another getaway, October delivers some of the year’s biggest festivals and events.
Why Visit New Orleans in October?
October combines comfortable weather with one of the busiest festival calendars in the country. Spend mornings exploring historic neighborhoods, afternoons enjoying incredible restaurants, and evenings listening to live music. It’s also the perfect season to experience local traditions—from second lines and jazz clubs to food festivals and Saints football.
Top Things to Do This Fall
- Wander the French Quarter and Royal Street.
- Ride the St. Charles Avenue streetcar through the Garden District.
- Visit City Park and the Besthoff Sculpture Garden.
- Explore the French Market and Jackson Square.
- Catch live music on Frenchmen Street.
Experience New Orleans’ Fall Festival Season
Autumn is festival season in the Crescent City. Visitors can enjoy Oktoberfest, Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival, NOLAxNOLA, the New Orleans Film Festival, Krewe of BOO!, Beignet Fest, Oak Street Po-Boy Festival and many other celebrations that showcase the city’s creativity and culture.
Celebrate 10 Years at the National Fried Chicken Festival
Among the season’s signature events is the National Fried Chicken Festival presented by Raising Cane’s, celebrating its 10th anniversary October 2–4, 2026 on the scenic New Orleans Lakefront.
Named the #6 Best Specialty Food Festival in the nation by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, the FCF has evolved into one of America’s premier food and music festivals.
This year’s milestone celebration will feature:
- More than 40 restaurants
- Three stages of live entertainment
- National, regional and local performers
- Five unique VIP experiences
- The FCF 5K Run/Walk
- Family-friendly programming
- Award-winning fried chicken plus vegetarian, vegan, seafood and globally inspired dishes
Whether you’re visiting specifically for the festival or simply searching for things to do in New Orleans this fall, it’s one of the city’s can’t-miss experiences.
A Perfect Weekend for Football Fans
Sports fans have another reason to visit. The Saints host the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, October 5, making this an ideal long weekend for travelers from across the Southeast. Arrive Friday, spend the weekend exploring New Orleans and attending the National Fried Chicken Festival, then cap off your trip with one of the NFL’s best rivalries inside the Caesars Superdome.
Sample Weekend Itinerary
Friday:
- Check into your hotel
- Explore the French Quarter
- Dinner in the Warehouse District OR at the National Fried Chicken Festival
Saturday:
- Spend the day at the National Fried Chicken Festival
- Enjoy live music and local restaurants
Sunday:
- Brunch
- City Park or Magazine Street
- Return to the festival
Monday:
- Saints vs. Falcons Game
Plan Your Fall Getaway
From iconic restaurants and legendary live music to unforgettable festivals, there’s never been a better time to experience New Orleans than this October. If you’re building your fall travel itinerary, make the National Fried Chicken Festival one of your first stops and discover why hundreds of thousands of guests have made it an annual tradition.
Take advantage of discounted room rates from FCF 2026 official lodging partners, the New Orleans Marriott and Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, both located in the heart of downtown. Save 15% on best available rates for stays from Tuesday, September 29 – Tuesday, October 6 using THIS DIRECT BOOKING LINK.
