Thanksgiving 2026New Orleans · The Big Easy

Thanksgiving weekend in New Orleans, with little ones.

We haven’t found a 2026 Thanksgiving parade in New Orleans with posted details yet. In all we found two Thanksgiving-weekend outings in and around New Orleans: one turkey trot with a kids’ race and one Black Friday weekend pick. We also list two places and whether they’re open on Thanksgiving Day.

The quick answersChecked
Is there a parade?No 2026 parade posted yet. We check weekly.Not yetTurkey trot with a kids’ race?Turkey Day Race · Race-day registration opens 6:30 a.m.1 raceWhat’s open on Thursday?The 2 places we checked are all closed. Plan a park morning.0 of 2 openAnything free this weekend?Nothing free posted for the weekend yet.Not yet

Last checked · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

Thursday to Sunday

The weekend at a glance.

Everything below, laid out by day. Tap any outing to jump to its details.

Thursday
Nov 26 · Thanksgiving
Turkey Day RaceRace-day registration opens 6:30 a.m.
Friday
Nov 27
Celebration in the OaksEvenings
Saturday
Nov 28
Celebration in the OaksEvenings
Sunday
Nov 29
Celebration in the OaksEvenings

Thursday morning

Thanksgiving parade in New Orleans

Start time, route and what to know with a stroller, from the organizer’s page.

No 2026 parade posted yet.

We check the organizers every week. The 2 outings below are confirmed on their official pages.

Email me when it’s posted

Run it off

Turkey trots with kids’ races

Kids’ races, family walks and stroller rules, from each race’s own page.

Nov26Thu

Turkey Day Race

Tad Gormley Stadium, City Park · 5400 Stadium Dr., New Orleans, LA 70124

Time
Race-day registration opens 6:30 a.m.
Price
Not listed

With littles: Strollers start at the back of the field when allowed.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Know a trot with a kids’ dash we missed?Send us the race page and we’ll check it.Suggest a race

Thanksgiving Day

Open or closed on Thursday

Holiday hours from each place’s own page. Worth a quick check that morning.

PlaceThursdayNoteChecked
Audubon ZooClosed—Hours page ↗ · Oct 18
Audubon AquariumClosed—Hours page ↗ · Oct 18

Friday to Sunday

Black Friday weekend with little kids

Tree lightings, light-display openings, farm days and other easy outings Friday through Sunday.

Nov27to Jan 1

Celebration in the Oaks

New Orleans City Park · Driving entry 4 Friederichs Ave.; walking entry 7 Victory Ave., New Orleans, LA

Time
Evenings; timed tickets
Price
Driving tour from $25 per car; walking tour $20 per person on value nights; 2 and under free on the walk

With littles: Light display opening this weekend. Tickets go on sale Nov 1 and must be bought online. The walk takes about 90 minutes and includes Carousel Gardens rides and the Botanical Garden.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
More to come.Tree lightings and holiday openings often post closer to the holiday. We add them every Thursday.Get the Friday email

Keep planning

More for little kids in NOLA

Free things to do in NOLAFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in NOLAIndoor playgrounds, toddler times and museums, with pricesNoon Year’s Eve in NOLAKid-friendly countdowns, home by napThis week in NOLADated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Thanksgiving in New Orleans: the FAQ

We haven’t found 2026 details for a Thanksgiving parade in New Orleans yet. We check again every Thursday and add it as soon as the organizer posts it.

Turkey Day Race: Thu, Nov 26, 2026.

Closed on Thanksgiving: Audubon Zoo and Audubon Aquarium. Check the venue page the morning of, since holiday hours can change.

Celebration in the Oaks. Dates and times are on each card.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 18, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday through Thanksgiving week. How we choose and check.

Littles Weekly

Thanksgiving in another city

or nearby:
Baton RougeBirminghamLittle RockMemphis
All 51 cities

Holiday weekends, planned by Friday.

One short email every Friday morning: the best things to do with little kids in NOLA that weekend, Thanksgiving week included.

New Orleans skyline