Roaming with Red Spending Thanksgiving in New Orleans (Local Guide)

Thanksgiving is a holiday that really kicks off the cozy holiday season all over the United States. Because it’s a traditional holiday only in the USA, I’m writing this for those who celebrate and acknowledge it. If you aren’t familiar with it and want to be, this is a great way to know how we celebrate it in New Orleans. New Orleans is a very family-oriented city in general, so most people are going to be celebrating with their families and close friends, particularly if they are from the city. Thanksgiving celebrators travel far and wide to be with those they love, and New Orleans is one of those places. If you’re unsure of how you would like to celebrate in New Orleans, whether local or visiting, I’m here to help you make some decisions.

Celebrating Thanksgiving with Friends

Thanksgiving In New Orleans

Most of my life I’ve celebrated Thanksgiving in New Orleans. It’s where I’m from, I have family here, and we do the typical things many families in New Orleans do. As I’ve gotten older and wanted to try some new traditions, I’ve branched out. Creating one’s own traditions for any holiday can be really awesome and even cathartic in some cases, and I am positive some ideas in here could potentially help with this quest of what to do on Thanksgiving in New Orleans. The options are not endless, but they are solid ideas, fun, and enjoyable. It tends to be really nice weather so outside things are definitely an option. I’m very excited to show you how we (and now you) celebrate Thanksgiving in our city.

How Is Thanksgiving Celebrated In New Orleans

Everyone has a slightly different tradition. Whether you’re going to New Orleans restaurants or staying in your accommodation (or house) for the day, it’s good to have a general plan. Maybe your tradition is hopping from one new destination to another each year, which is also amazing. If you’re choosing New Orleans this year, I’m going to tell you several options that will help boost your Thanksgiving Day. Whether you want to opt for a classic Thanksgiving dinner or hear live music or stroll the French Quarter or all above, I’ve got you covered. We’ll explore all kinds of things so you make a great day for yourself.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

What to do in New Orleans on Thanksgiving

As I’ve stated, your Thanksgiving Day can be anything you want it to be, and I’m positive it will be a complete delight. I’m going to list out several idea for you to pull from, and I’m positive some things on this list will help make your day a success. To many, the way holidays are spent is important and significant, and if you’re visiting or trying to create your own traditions or just want to shake it up, this can help with all of that. I’m excited for you to discover the ways in which you can enjoy this Thanksgiving holiday, and maybe many more to come in New Orleans.

Turkey Day Race

If you like to move your body, the Turkey Day Race is a perfect way to kick off your day in the beautiful City Park. It’s a 5 mile race that weaves through the park, and it gives you a chance to do something healthy, family friendly, and an excuse to eat more dessert. If the weather is nice, I would definitely recommend this fun race. It’s a Thanksgiving classic.

Human Horse Races

Want to get a little weird on Thanksgiving? Head over to Easton Park in Mid City for the Human Horse Races. People dress up as horses, donning blindfolds and reins, and have their friends jockeying them through a makeshift racecourse. So New Orleans, so odd, so eccentric. I’m positive there is drinking happening at this event, so if this sounds up your alley, please do join in the fun of it. I’d add this to a list of unique things to do in New Orleans.

Head to the Fairgrounds

Human horse racing might be a little unconventional for you, but actual horse racing might be the right fit. For Thanksgiving Day, if you want something entertaining to do, I’d recommend the day of racing. You can get dolled up and place your bets with your family and/or friends, and feel included in the excitement of betting on your favorite horse or jockey.

Bayou Classic Parade

Parading happens a lot around Mardi Gras, but all through the year we find excuses to have parades. The Bayou Classic is not an exception. This is an event that happens year after year. It’s a parade celebrating two historically black colleges, Southern and Grambling, where they play a football game annually Thanksgiving weekend. To kick it off, there’s the parade, and you can catch that. You’ll see some marching bands and join in the spirit of the rivalry.

Enjoy a Thanksgiving Meal

Many of us from the United States love our traditional Thanksgiving meal, consisting of turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, and more. It’s the perfect holiday meal for some, while others want to break that cycle and eat something else, maybe even a po boy. Whatever your jam is, you can get it in New Orleans. In fact, I have an entire list of Thanksgiving dinner restaurants that I wrote about, and you can choose from a variety of cuisines from that list. You’ll be well taken care of, that I can guarantee. These are some of my must eats in New Orleans.

Stroll through Audubon Park

Gobble Gobble!

Your Thanksgiving in New Orleans is certain to be enjoyable and likely unforgettable, especially if you’re visiting the city during this time. Absolutely have a general plan in mind so you don’t end up with nothing to do, even if the plan is simply walk the neighborhoods of New Orleans or stroll through City Park or Audubon Park and have a picnic. New Orleans is a fantastic city in which to celebrate Thanksgiving, and I hope you have the very best time using this list of things to do.

If you liked this blog and found it helpful, you may also like the one I wrote about which restaurants to eat at on Thanksgiving Day for dinner.

When you're ready to spend your Thanksgiving in New Orleans, be sure to check out the hotels I recommend so you can walk everywhere.

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