A Guide to Thanksgiving in the Big Easy

Every November, as the air becomes brisk and classes begin to wind down before final exams, students buzz with excitement at the thought of returning home for Thanksgiving to enjoy a home-cooked meal, partake in familiar traditions, and catch up with close friends and family. This however, is not every student’s reality. Never did I imagine that I would be trading this lovely trip home to stay in a near-deserted campus dorm for the holiday, but as the break nears I have surprisingly found myself looking forward to this non-traditional Thanksgiving in New Orleans. Whether you’re a student staying for the break, or just stopping by to enjoy a vacation, hopefully this guide will allow you to have the best possible Thanksgiving holiday in the Big Easy.

Have your loved ones come to you

One of the best perks of living in such an exciting city is that it takes little to no convincing to get family or friends to come visit. No holiday is fun spent alone, so if a plane ticket home is too expensive, or if, for whatever reason, staying for the break is just more convenient for you, see if the fam (or a close friend) can come to you! This way everyone wins—you get to spend the holiday with loved ones, and they get to be tourists for a week in one of the best cities!

Feast like a king 

While truly nothing compares to a home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner surrounded by family, a close runner-up would be enjoying your Thanksgiving meal at a top restaurant in a city known for its incredible food. Many restaurants offer exclusive three-course Thanksgiving menus, guaranteeing a full stomach while also providing the opportunity to put a twist on your typical Turkey Day grub. At Commander’s Palace, for example, you have the option of going the traditional route, with the Butter Roasted American Turkey, or, switching it up with the Wild Redfish “Haute Creole.” If you haven’t already, though, make sure to reserve a table well in advance, given that most of these restaurants fill up very quickly. Here’s a complete list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving. 

Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade

No holiday in New Orleans is complete without an extravagant parade…so make sure to check out the Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade. The “Bayou Classic” tradition started out as a football rivalry between the Grambling State Tigers and the Southern University Jaguars and now features a whole line-up of events including a festival, parade, golf tournament, and more. The parade runs from 3-6pm, starting at the Superdome and ending at the French Market.

Get your jam on

What better way to finish off the night than with some classic New Orleans music?! Catch the amazing Rebirth Brass Band at the Howlin’ Wolf or for some dancing and family fun or head over to the Rock ‘n’ Bowl for Thanksgiving Zydeco with Geno Delafose. Your options don’t end here, though; check out this list of all live music you can hear on Thanksgiving day. 

Celebration in the Oaks

On November 28th, the day following Thanksgiving, join the New Orleans community in kicking off the holiday season with the Celebration in the Oaks. The annual month-long tradition includes multiple events, beginning with the lighting of the grand oak trees throughout City Park. This holiday light show will make you feel like you’re walking in a true ~*winter wonderland*~.

Whether you’re a native New Orleanian, or like pretending to be one, you’ll have no trouble finding reasons to be thankful for our beloved Crescent City this Thanksgiving. 

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