10 Things to Do in New Orleans in November

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

Also, the most important holiday for Americans is celebrated: Thanksgiving. 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 can't miss. Join me to discover each of them.

Bayou Bacchanal is the original Caribbean Carnival in New Orleans and the premier Caribbean organisation within the state and is the one stop shop for Carnival lovers. The 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 full participation in the parade by visitors, who are usually dressed in exotic island costumes. Bayou Bacchanal takes place 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: 5 November

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

Here, you can sample unique dishes prepared by some of the top 70 chefs in the United States. You can also enjoy a variety of 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 price of admission is over €100, bear in mind that everything on offer in festival terms is gourmet and exclusive, making it well worth the money. 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 sandwich-like recipe that originated in 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 travelling through the city in November.

Entry to the event is completely free, but the food system works so you have to buy a wristband for around €4 to get a plate of food. Still, it's a pretty affordable activity and a fun thing 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: 3 November

Continuing with the list of New Orleans festivals in November, I present to you the magnificent Fête des Fromages. This three-day event is held to celebrate 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'll now find the New Orleans Jazz Museum. If you can't make it to 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 music, book your ticket for this amazing event.

Interesting facts:

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

I consider this event to be one of a kind, and if you're travelling with children they'll love it. Hot Wheels toys are some of the most popular toys 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, watch Bone Shaker, Tiger Shark, V8 Bomber or BIGFOOT compete 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 that you can enjoy even before the show such as the so-called Crash Zone, which is a specially reserved area where you can get an exclusive view of all your favourite trucks up close and appreciate all their speed and power.

Interesting facts:

• Where: Smoothie King Centre, New Orleans
• Price: from £27 per person
• Date: 2 and 3 November

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 city's native communities, as it seeks to promote, preserve and perpetuate the music, culture and heritage of Louisiana's first inhabitants. You can enjoy concerts, programmes and other cultural activities. There are also exhibitions and educational talks on the organisation 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: 16 and 17 November

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 folk spirit of the southern regions of the country.

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

Held at the Algiers Blues and Folk Art Museum, you'll find various statues and a small museum housing musical memorabilia and artwork by prominent self-taught artists. Also, during the event, local artists will have the opportunity to exhibit and sell their work, so you can take home a very special souvenir.

As is always the case in New Orleans, there will also be musical performances and food markets, a perfect combination to indulge your senses. If you're still on the fence about this event, keep in mind that all funds raised are used to generate new programmes that contribute to art and jazz.

Interesting facts:

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

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, regardless of whether or not you are a member of a running club.

This New Orleans event attracts more than 8,000 participants each year. It is estimated that runners come from around 35 states, and even some from Canada and Mexico.

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

Interesting facts:

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

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 the memories of this special day in your memory. You will see how they swim and swim around the pools, while they wave to all the gawking public.

Interesting facts:

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

The New Orleans Film Festival is an event organised by the New Orleans Film Society, which brings together around 25,000 people each year. Popularly known as the Cannes on the Mississippi, it is a big date for the film world.

The mission of the Association is to discover and nurture filmmaking talent, which tells 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 festival days.

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.

Interesting facts:

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

It's getting cold in New Orleans and November brings cooler temperatures. Daytime highs can still reach 26°C but nights are cooler, averaging 14°C, although it can get down to 10°C. So, although the weather is pleasant, you'll want to bundle up at this time of year.

There won't be as much rain as at other times of the year, but the hurricane season is not over yet. So don't forget to check the weather forecast before you travel to New Orleans and be prepared for the cold, but also for fog and rain, as you may be in for a surprise any day you're there.

Warm clothes are welcome this time of year in 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 jumpers to keep you warm.

Prices in New Orleans at this time of year

It's not high season in New Orleans but if you're travelling in autumn, you'll find that there are still plenty of music festivals and events of all kinds taking place in the streets. For this reason, prices can be high.

Far from the high prices you'll find during New Orleans' spring holiday season, when the tourist crowds are at their peak, in November you can get some discounts on both flights and accommodation. But plan your trip well in advance by getting tickets to events, arranging airport transfers or even booking the best guided tours of New Orleans and you can save a lot of money and time.

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