Thanksgiving in New Orleans
This Thanksgiving, New Orleans offers more than just a seat at the table.
Start your morning burning calories at the annual Turkey Day Race, a beloved tradition that draws thousands of runners through City Park before the feasting begins. Whether you're lacing up your sneakers or cheering from the sidelines, the city's Thanksgiving spirit extends well beyond the dining room. And when you're ready to eat? New Orleans' top chefs are serving up everything from Caribbean-inspired feasts to elevated fine dining and global fusion—no oven required.
1. Turkey Day Race
5400 Marconi Dr.
runsignup.com/Race/LA/NewOrleans/TurkeyDayRace
Before you even think about reaching for that first slice of pecan pie, lace up your running shoes for the New Orleans Athletic Club's 118th Turkey Day Race—a Thanksgiving morning tradition that's been getting the city moving since 1907. As the fifth-oldest continuous race in the United States, this beloved five-mile run/walk through City Park has become a family tradition for many at Tad Gormley Stadium.
The festivities begin early on November 27, with late registration opening at 6 a.m. for those last-minute runners. The kids' half-mile race starts at 8 a.m., giving the little ones their moment to shine before the main event begins at 8:30 a.m. This event welcomes everyone from competitive runners to casual walkers who just want to earn their turkey dinner, and there will be an awards ceremony at 10 a.m. caping off the morning. Proceeds from the event are donated to Spina Bifida of Louisiana. This annual tradition beloved by many is a great way to start your Thanksgiving holidays and an even better way to give back to the community.
2. Thanksgiving Day at the Fair Grounds
1751 Gentilley Blvd., (504) 944-5515
fairgroundsracecourse.com/thanksgiving-at-the-track
The Fair Grounds Race Course is presenting its 101 Thanksgiving Classic on Thursday, November 27, and this year's celebration promises to be bigger and better than ever. Doors open at 11 a.m. with post time at noon, giving you plenty of time to explore the latest property updates and settle in before the races begin.
The first race will begin at noon. The Fair Grounds offers multiple dining options, including the Clubhouse and Black Gold Dining areas, with various seating packages available. The all-inclusive Clubhouse package includes admission, food, drinks, and alcohol in a single price. The venue has recently completed property updates, and the 101st Thanksgiving Classic offers racing enthusiasts and families alike an opportunity to experience thoroughbred racing in a festive holiday setting.
3. Human Horse Races
3141 Toulouse St.
What started as a 2014 lightbulb moment for founder Ingrid Anderson has transformed into one of New Orleans' most beloved alternative holiday events. After launching in 2019, the event has doubled its audience every year, proving the city loves this quirky, compassionate twist on racing tradition, where humans become the horses and all proceeds benefit real horses in need.
This year's event, taking place on November 27, features live music by The Dapper Dandies, food vendors, and arts and crafts booths. Early-bird tickets are $10 online and $15 at the door, with children 12 and under admitted free of charge. Day-of race registration is first-come, first-served—$10 per team for Adult Races, $5 for Family Races. Purchase betting tokens to wager on your favorite "horse" and enter the raffle for prize baskets, while race winners receive handmade trophies by local artists. All proceeds benefit Greeno Equine Sanctuary in Leblanc, LA.
4. Bayou Classic Parade
Multiple Locations
The Bayou Classic brings the historic football rivalry between Southern University and Grambling State University to New Orleans for Thanksgiving weekend, November 27-29, 2025. What started as a game has evolved into a citywide celebration featuring multiple events that showcase HBCU culture, music, and community. The weekend doubles the city's energy as alumni, students, and fans from across the country descend on the Crescent City for this beloved tradition.
The main events center around the Caesars Superdome, with the Battle of the Bands & Greek Show on Friday, November 28, and the Bayou Classic Football Game on Saturday, November 29. The Bayou Classic Parade marches through downtown New Orleans on Thanksgiving Day, while the Fan Festival takes place Saturday near the Superdome, offering food, vendors, and entertainment. This weekend isn't just about football—it's a full-scale cultural experience that celebrates the legacy of HBCUs and brings generations together.
5. Celebration in the Oaks
4 Friederichs Ave., (504) 846-2486
City Park's famous oaks will be swathed in over one million twinkling lights, and breathtaking light displays will be scattered throughout the two-mile route through the park. Celebration in the Oaks is New Orleans City Park's largest annual fundraiser. This holiday lights festival is essential to the park's year-round maintenance, care, and beautification. This year, the annual holiday light show begins just one day after Thanksgiving. Perfect timing to ring in the festive season after Thanksgiving.
The driving tour is approximately 30-45 minutes. Be sure to tune in to 96.1 FM upon arrival to enjoy holiday classics. The ticket range depends on car size, but must be purchased ahead of time online. Additionally, on the first four days of December, a biking option will be available through City Park to witness the light show. After your turkey feast, make sure to drive on to City Park to continue the festivities of the week.
6. Arnaud's Table d'hôte
813 Bienville Ave., (504) 523-5433
arnaudsrestaurant.com/menus/thanksgiving-table-dhote
If you are looking to take a break from the kitchen this Thanksgiving, stop by Arnaud's for their table d'hôte Thanksgiving meal. This unique take on Thanksgiving ensures a generous meal full of New Orleans flavors and traditional Thanksgiving comfort. The chef's shopping list includes 42 turkeys, 90 pounds of snap beans, 80 pounds of yams, and 50 pounds of marshmallows—you know this is going to be good.
Arnaud's will be preparing a three-course dining menu featuring dishes such as shrimp remoulade, roasted butternut squash soup, traditional roasted turkey, braised beef short ribs, apple barley cake, and several more. The three-course meal will cost $65 per guest, exclusive of tax and gratuity. To celebrate Thanksgiving in traditional New Orleans style, make sure to join Arnuad's for all your holiday needs.
7. Ralph's on the Park
900 City Park Ave., (504) 488-1000
ralphsonthepark.com/thanksgiving-menu
After a stroll in City Park, find yourself in Ralph's on the Park—a modern Louisiana cuisine establishment. This year, on November 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., they will be hosting a three-course Thanksgiving Day meal. The cost is $75 per adult and $25 for children.
Their extensive menu features highlights such as pumpkin bisque, oysters Rockefeller, filet mignon, trout amandine, dueling doberge cake, and more. The star of the show is the Southern fried turkey, a quintessential Southern staple ideally suited for this Thanksgiving holiday. No perfect Louisiana Thanksgiving Day is complete without Southern fried turkey or a walk in City Park. Make sure to make your reservation and attend this Thanksgiving celebration.
8. Compère Lapin
535 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 599-2119
Skip the traditional turkey dinner this year and head to the Warehouse District, where Chef Nina Compton is putting a Caribbean spin on Thanksgiving at Compère Lapin. From noon to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving, the celebrated chef will serve a family-style feast that trades predictable holiday fare for bold, island-inspired flavors.
The $95-per-person meal kicks off with a fall vegetable soup before moving to the main event: mojo roasted turkey leg accompanied by butternut squash puree, jerk sweet potatoes, and sage and cherry stuffing. Sweet potato pie with dulce de leche ice cream rounds out the meal. It's a fresh take on Thanksgiving that feels right at home in New Orleans, where we've never been afraid to reimagine tradition.
9. Restaurant August
301 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 299-9777
restaurantaugust.com/thanksgiving
For those seeking a more refined Thanksgiving experience, Restaurant August in the CBD offers an elegant escape from the traditional holiday hustle. The four-course menu, served from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., reads like a love letter to luxury ingredients: squash and foie gras with baby greens, gnocchi adorned with Burgundy truffles, and a refined take on turducken that bears little resemblance to its game day cousin.
At $125 per person, diners can also choose from short ribs or snapper before finishing with a playful nod to tradition—sweet potato "casserole" reimagined with toasted marshmallow ice cream. It's the kind of meal that requires your best outfit and rewards you with the sort of culinary craftsmanship that makes New Orleans a dining destination worth celebrating, any day of the year.
10. Mister Mao
4501 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 345-2056
If your idea of Thanksgiving involves ditching the traditional spread entirely, Mister Mao has you covered. The Magazine Street favorite is offering three seatings of a three-course meal that reimagines turkey day through an Asian-fusion lens. At $70 per person ($25 for kids), the star of the show is turkey prepared tikka masala-style, served with coconut greens and cranberry chutney—a mashup that somehow makes perfect sense in a city that's never met a culinary tradition it couldn't improve upon.
Not in the mood for poultry? The menu also features wood-fired beef brisket with salsa and masa, as well as calamansi scallops with coconut milk risotto. It's the kind of bold, boundary-pushing meal that reminds us why New Orleans remains one of the most exciting food cities in America—we take our holidays seriously, but never too seriously that you can't have a little fun with them.
Getting Grateful This Thanksgiving
However you choose to celebrate this Thanksgiving—whether it's running with a horse mask, fine dining, or starting the day early with a run—New Orleans proves once again that we do holidays our own way. And honestly? We wouldn't have it any other way.
