NOLAVEMBER with Hotel Provincial
Cool Weather, Hot Gumbo and Plenty to Celebrate
There’s something about November in New Orleans that makes us fall in love with our city all over again. The weather is practically perfect, the gumbo pots are bubbling, and the festival calendar is as full as your plate at Thanksgiving dinner. Best of all, it’s the kind of weather that makes you want to get out and explore every corner of the French Quarter. Whether you’re coming for the food, the football, the festivals or just a little French Quarter fun, here’s what’s happening in New Orleans this November.
Bayou Bacchanal – November 7
You don’t need a passport to experience the Caribbean this November. Just head to Congo Square in Louis Armstrong Park for Bayou Bacchanal, a colorful celebration of Caribbean culture, music, dance and food. Come hungry, wear your dancing shoes and prepare to have a great time.
Beignet Fest – November 7
Think you’ve tried every possible way to enjoy a beignet? Think again. Beignet Fest takes our favorite powdered-sugar-covered treat to delicious new places with creative sweet and savory variations. Held at the Festival Grounds in City Park, this family-friendly celebration also features live music and plenty of fun for the little ones. Napkins recommended.
Oak Street Po-Boy Festival – November 8
Some cities celebrate fancy cuisine. We throw an entire festival for a sandwich. The Oak Street Po-Boy Festival returns with dozens of vendors serving up everything from traditional roast beef and fried shrimp po-boys to creations you never saw coming. Add live music, an arts market and a little friendly competition, and you’ve got one delicious reason to head Uptown.
LUNA Fête – November 13–15
New Orleans knows how to light up a night, but LUNA Fête takes things to a whole new level. This free public art festival transforms downtown buildings and streets into spectacular works of illuminated art. This year’s theme, The Puppetry Parade, features enormous glowing puppets, light sculptures, projections and performances. It’s a little magical, a little unexpected and very New Orleans.
Celebrate Thanksgiving, New Orleans Style – November 26
Forget spending the whole day in the kitchen. New Orleans is a wonderful place to spend Thanksgiving, especially when so many of our restaurants do the cooking for you. Some serve traditional turkey and dressing, while others offer the deliciously local version of Thanksgiving with oyster dressing, seafood gumbo and bread pudding.
Want to work up an appetite first? Take a stroll through the French Quarter or head to the Fair Grounds for the traditional Thanksgiving Day horse races. Fancy hats are practically a sport of their own.
Celebration in the Oaks – Beginning November 27
The holidays officially start sparkling when Celebration in the Oaks returns to City Park. Beginning November 27, the park’s magnificent live oaks become a wonderland of twinkling lights and festive displays. Explore on foot or enjoy the driving tour. It’s one of those New Orleans traditions that makes everyone feel like a kid again.
Bayou Classic – November 28
Thanksgiving weekend brings one of the biggest rivalries in college football to New Orleans. The Bayou Classic pits Southern University against Grambling State University in the Caesars Superdome, but the fun goes well beyond the football field. Between the Battle of the Bands, parade and other festivities, the entire city gets caught up in the excitement.
And Don’t Forget the French Quarter!
Of course, one of the best things about visiting New Orleans in November doesn’t require a ticket or a festival schedule. It’s simply being here. The cooler weather is ideal for exploring the French Quarter on foot. Start your morning with coffee and beignets, browse the art galleries on Royal Street, watch the artists at Jackson Square or wander through the French Market. Take a walk along the river, hop on a streetcar or settle into a courtyard restaurant for a leisurely lunch. And when the sun goes down? Follow the music. You’ll find it pouring out of clubs on Frenchmen Street, drifting through the Quarter and making it very hard to call it an early night.
Make Hotel Provincial Your November Home Away From Home
One of the best things about staying at Hotel Provincial is that so much of New Orleans is right outside our door. Located on beautiful Chartres Street in the quieter residential section of the French Quarter, we’re just a short stroll from Jackson Square, the French Market, the Mississippi River and some of the city’s best restaurants and music. After a full day of exploring, come home to our charming courtyards, relax with a Hurricane at the Ice House Bar or enjoy a little downtime in your comfortable guest room. November is one of our favorite months in New Orleans. Come find out why.
Book your November getaway at Hotel Provincial.