News Summary
New Orleans is preparing for an exciting fall festival season with a variety of events showcasing food, music, art, and culture. Kicking off with the Westbank Heritage Food & Music Festival, followed by the NOLA Coffee Festival and Gretna Heritage Festival among others, these gatherings celebrate local talent and the vibrant community spirit of the city. Events such as the Fried Chicken Festival, the New Orleans Film Festival, and Halloween festivities wrap up the season, offering something for everyone.
New Orleans is gearing up for a vibrant season filled with a diverse array of fall festivals that cater to all tastes and interests. From food and music to art and culture, the city offers numerous events for residents and visitors alike, starting as early as September and continuing through late October. These festivals are set to highlight local talent, delicious cuisine, and the unique culture that New Orleans is known for.
The Westbank Heritage Food & Music Festival, taking place on September 21-22 at the Alario Center, will mark the beginning of this season’s festivities. Running from 12 PM to 9 PM, the festival promises free admission and will showcase local arts, food, craft vendors, and a lineup of musical entertainment.
Following this event, the NOLA Coffee Festival will be hosted at the Pontchartrain Center on October 3-4, from 9 AM to 7 PM. This festival is dedicated to celebrating the coffee industry along with showcasing talented coffee professionals from near and far.
Another highlight is the Gretna Heritage Festival, located at 740 2nd St in Gretna, LA, on October 3-5. This festival boasts live music featuring local, national, and international acts, as well as delicious food, arts and crafts, and games for attendees of all ages.
The Bluesberry Festival, scheduled for October 4 at Bogue Falaya Park from 10 AM to 6:30 PM, is a family-friendly celebration centered around music, art, food, and a unique blueberry theme. Meanwhile, the popular Fried Chicken Festival will take place at New Orleans Lakefront on October 4-5, featuring over 40 chefs and restaurants, live entertainment on three stages, a car show, and culinary content creators showcasing their work.
On the weekends of October 10-11, the Abita Fall Fest is set to draw crowds to Abita Springs Trailhead Park, featuring a wine garden, food vendors, a kids’ area with inflatables, and an art market. Simultaneously, the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival at Lafayette Square Park will celebrate blues music alongside a selection of barbecue vendors and a local arts market.
Also on October 10-12, the Gentilly Fest at Pontchartrain Park will include live music on three stages, food from local restaurants, fine arts, crafts for sale, a Kids’ Village, and numerous children’s activities.
On the weekends of October 10-11, 17-18, and 24-25, the Oktoberfest celebration at Deutsches Haus, located at 1700 Moss St., will honor German culture with traditional foods, beer, oompah music, and lively chicken dancing.
As Halloween approaches, the Ghosts in the Oaks event at City Park will operate from October 16-19 from 5 PM to 9 PM. This family-friendly Halloween event will include trick-or-treating and amusement park rides. Additionally, the NOLA Funk Fest will occur at Spanish Plaza from October 17-19, featuring local musical performances and cultural activities.
Families can enjoy the Boo at the Zoo happening at Audubon Zoo on the same dates, which will offer Halloween festivities including trick-or-treating and a haunted house.
The New Orleans Film Festival, running from October 23-27 at various locations, will spotlight independent filmmaking with a focus on diverse voices in the industry. Festivalgoers can also experience the Brews and Boos festival at City Park on October 24-25 from 8 PM to 11 PM, an adults-only event featuring various beers and unlimited rides, and guests are encouraged to come in costume.
The Krewe of Boo Halloween parade, set for October 24-25 beginning at Elysian Fields Ave. at 6:30 PM, will offer a festive atmosphere with floats, marching groups, bands, a second line, and a costume party to engage participants. Rounding out the month is the Treme Fall Festival at St. Augustine Catholic Church on October 25, which includes a second line honoring Big Chief Victor Harris, live music, and an art market.
With a multitude of events to choose from, residents and visitors will find ample opportunities to enjoy the rich culture and community spirit inherent in New Orleans during this exciting fall festival season. Be sure to check back for updates on any new events or changes in festival timings.
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Additional Resources
- NOLA Now: 2025 New Orleans Fall Festivals Events
- New Orleans: Fall Festivals in New Orleans
- Travel Pulse: New Orleans Turns Up the Heat on Fall Flavors
- NOLA.com: Gambit’s Fall 2025 New Orleans Festival and Events Preview
- Film Festivals: New Orleans Film Society Announces 27th Annual New Orleans Film Festival
- Wikipedia: New Orleans
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New Orleans
- Google Search: New Orleans fall festivals
- Google News: Fall festivals New Orleans
- Google Scholar: New Orleans festivals
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
