Happenin’
HappeninsNew OrleansOctober

Things to do in New Orleans in October 2026

October brings the cooler air and the food festivals, fried chicken and gumbo among them. Freret Street Festival lands in October, with 14 more on the list below.

Follow New Orleans in your calendar: Google CalendarApple or Outlook Confirmed dates only. New ones appear on their own.

Que Pasa Fest has been cancelled.

Starting in October

Freret Street Festival Arts & Culture

Freret Street Festival

Saturday, Oct 31 Freret Street (Napoleon Avenue to Valmont Street), New Orleans
Free
Gentilly Fest Community

Gentilly Fest

Friday, Oct 9 to Sunday, Oct 11, 2026 Pontchartrain Park, New Orleans
Free
The Gumbo Festival Food & Drink

The Gumbo Festival

Friday, Oct 9 to Sunday, Oct 11, 2026 Westwego Farmers & Fisheries Market, Westwego
$5
Que Pasa Fest CommunityCancelled

Que Pasa Fest

Saturday, Oct 10 to Sunday, Oct 11, 2026 Lafreniere Park, Metairie
$5
Gretna Oktoberfest Food & Drink

Gretna Oktoberfest

Saturday, Oct 17, 2026 German-American Cultural Center & Museum (parking lot beer garden), Gretna
Free
New Orleans Film Festival Arts & Culture

New Orleans Film Festival

Thursday, Oct 22 to Tuesday, Oct 27, 2026 Contemporary Arts Center (Festival Hub), New Orleans
$16
Krewe of BOO! Halloween Parade Holidays & Parades

Krewe of BOO! Halloween Parade

Saturday, Oct 24, 2026 French Quarter parade route, starting at Elysian Fields Avenue, New Orleans
Free
Tremé Fall Festival Community

Tremé Fall Festival

Saturday, Oct 24, 2026 St. Augustine Catholic Church and surrounding Tremé streets, New Orleans
Free

Expected in October, dates not announced yet

Gretna Fest Music

Gretna Fest

Expected October 2027 Downtown Gretna riverfront (festival grounds around the Gretna Marketplace), Gretna
Ticketed
Art for Arts' Sake Arts & Culture

Art for Arts' Sake

Expected October 2027 Julia Street Arts District galleries, New Orleans
Free

Most of these ran in October 2026 and come back in October 2027.

5 more run every week in New Orleans year round, including Gretna Farmers Market and Art Walk and Crescent City Farmers Market. See the full calendar.

Planning the trip around it

What overnight parking costs at New Orleans hotels, compared before you book.

New Orleans hotel parking, cheapest first

French Quarter valet ran $49 to $62 a night in September 2026. One Marigny hotel has its own lot for $15.

Other months in New Orleans

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

← SeptemberNovember →