Thanksgiving in New Orleans 2024

Bayou Classic – Thanksgiving Parade and College Football Game - New Orleans, LA - Nov 25, 2023
Catch the classic parade as it moves from the French Market to the Superdome then watch the Tigers of Grambling State and the Jaguars of Southern University compete in the Bayou Clash. Other events include a battle between the schools’ two marching bands, and more throughout the week.

Celebration in the Park - New Orleans, LA - Nov 23 to Dec 30, 2023
City Park’s largest fundraiser, Celebration in the Oaks, is the New Orleans holiday family tradition. This incredible light festival has enchanted Park visitors since the 1980s and is vital to the Park’s maintenance, care, and beautification year round. City Park’s famous oaks will be swathed in over a million twinkling lights and breathtaking light displays will be scattered throughout the 2.25-mile driving tour of the Park. The driving tour experience is approximately 30 to 47 minutes.

Turkey Day Race - New Orleans, LA - Nov 23, 2023
Established in 1907, the New Orleans Athletic Club’s Turkey Day Race is one of the oldest, continuously held non-marathon races in the United States. Starting and finishing at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans City Park, the morning includes 5 Mile and kids’ half-mile run / walk races. Families from around the country have made this event one of their favorite holiday traditions, with multiple generations participating year after year. Proceeds benefit Spina Bifida of Louisiana.

Baton Rouge Turkey Trot - Baton Rouge, LA - Nov 23, 2023
Celebrating its 35th year, the Turkey Trot returns to Downtown Baton Rouge on the morning of Thanksgiving 2021. This race is a local thanksgiving tradition – one that serves the community by keeping them active and fit through racing and by partnering with the March of Dimes as a fund-raiser to help their organization financially and by spreading the word about the work they do. 5K or 1 mile fun run

Canal Street Lighting Ceremony - New Orleans, LA - Nov 23, 2021
Join the Downtown Development District and Canal Place to “flip the switch” and light Canal Street.

French Market Tree Lighting Ceremony - New Orleans, LA - Nov 22, 2019
Ring in the holidays with the French Market’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Washington Artillery Park! Enjoy live musical performances and the Tree Lighting Ceremony immediately followed by a fireworks display. Free and open to the public.