Bayou Classic: Events for Classic's 50th anniversary in New Orleans

This weekend is the 50th year for New Orleans' biggest annual Thanksgiving weekend event — the Bayou Classic.

After record attendance in 2022, this year could again bring more Southern and Grambling fans than ever to downtown New Orleans.

Much more than a football game between historically Black colleges Southern University and Grambling State University, the weekend of events include a parade, battle of the bands, a business showcase and pitch competition, and more.

Here's a look at all of the events for the historic 2023 event:

Thursday, Nov. 23

ANNUAL BAYOU CLASSIC THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE: 3 p.m. downtown. Parade starts at the Caesars Superdome, down Poydras Street, left on S. Peters Street, left on Canal Street, left on St. Charles Avenue back to Poydras Street ending at Poydras and Loyola streets.

Friday, Nov. 24

BUSINESS AT BAYOU CLASSIC: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hyatt Regency New Orleans. Free. A Black business expo in partnership with the Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Foundation includes networking and shopping at small Black businesses. 

2023 NEW VOICES PITCH COMPETITION: 1 p.m. at Hyatt Regency New Orleans. Free. New Voices Foundation, sponsored by AARP, will choose five winners to award grants of $25,000, $20,000, $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000 along with coaching and mentoring for 3-6 months.

50TH ANNUAL BAYOU CLASSIC ROTC FOOTBALL RUN:  Southern and Grambling ROTC programs run from Southern's F.G. Clark Activity Center in Baton Rouge, starting at 5:30 a.m., to the Caesars Superdome around noon or 1 p.m.

GREEK SHOW & BATTLE OF THE BANDS: Doors 5 p.m., show at 6 p.m. at the Superdome. Tickets $25-50 on Ticketmaster. Only small, clear bags allowed inside, per the Superdome's rules. Southern's Human Jukebox marching band will be on the South endzone and Grambling's Tiger Marching Band will be on the north end. Both bands will perform along with high school bands from George Washington Carver, Abramson Sci, L.B. Landry and McDonogh.

BAYOU CLASSIC OFFICIAL BATTLE OF THE BANDS AFTER PARTY: 11 p.m. at Metropolitan Nightclub. Tickets $20-40 or more for VIP.

Saturday, Nov. 25

DOC GRIGGS "TWO TIMES AROUND THE DOME" FAMILY FITNESS FUN WALK: 7:30 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. kickoff at Gate C (Plaza Level) of the Superdome. Clear bag policy for entrance. Free with registration.

UNITED FLAG FOOTBALL GAME: 9 a.m. at St. Augustine practice field, 2525 Bruxells St. Presented by Special Olympics Louisiana.

ANNUAL BAYOU CLASSIC FAN FESTIVAL: 9 a.m. to noon at Champions Square. Clear bag policy required for entrance. Hosted by Wild Wayne with scheduled performances by Boosie, Treety, Subtweet Shawn, DJ Poppa, DJ Keith Scott, King Bronze, Daniel Heartless and a Skip /AARP Dance Party.

50TH ANNUAL BAYOU CLASSIC FOOTBALL GAME: 1 p.m. kickoff with doors open at 11 a.m. Clear bag policy for entrance. Grambling will be the home team on the west side, and Southern will be the visiting team on the east side.

THE OFFICIAL BAYOU CLASSIC CELEBRITY AFTER PARTY: 10 p.m. at Metropolitan Nightclub, featuring Boosie live in concert.

Visit mybayouclassic.com for more information.