May 30, 2024
Featuring an open-air flea market with casual, café style eateries, top-notch boutiques and shops, a craft bazaar and farmers’ market, no visit to the Big Easy is complete without a trip to the historic French Market District. Wander through the flea market where you’re sure to discover a colorful array of unique souvenirs, original works of art, locally made crafts and culinary delights. And if you need even more of a reason to visit the world-renowned market, summertime is packed with sizzling events and hip happenings that are sure to shine!
Bring the entire family to the French Market’s Dutch Alley on the first Thursday of each month (June 6, July 11, Aug. 8) to enjoy Johnette Downing’s Family Music Series. This culturally immersive, free event is intended to teach children about the rich musical heritage of the region, from jazz to zydeco, through toe-tapping, hip-shaking tunes.
Tomato fans won’t want to miss one of the French Market’s most anticipated events of the year: The Creole Tomato Festival, held on June 8 and 9. Revered for their juicy, sweet flavor, Creole tomatoes are one of the Crescent City’s most beloved and sought after delicacies. Join a local brass band, the Amelia Earhawts dance troupe, and marching groups to help kick off the festival during The Ripe & Ready Second Line parade on June 8, which starts at 10:30 a.m. from Oscar Dunn Park, then saunters to the French Market. Don’t miss your chance to indulge in a bounty of delectable Creole tomato dishes served up by some of the city’s most talented chefs, including Creole tomato stuffed with cold crawfish salad; Creole tomato, chicken and sausage jambalaya; and a fried chicken sandwich topped with marinated Creole tomatoes, slaw and roasted Creole tomato aioli. Get your funk on with three action-packed stages of celebrated, locally-grown musicians performing everything from the blues and jazz to zydeco. Sip a spicy Creole tomato Bloody Mary while learning how to whip up a dish or two at the cooking demonstration stage, which showcases acclaimed chefs and food experts. Sponsored by Rouses Markets, the Southern Food & Beverage Museum, and the National Park Service, the family- and pet-friendly fête features free children’s activity booths and, for the first time, pop by one of multiple interactive Instagram photo spots located throughout the festival. Superfans of the seasonal, homegrown treat can also grab a to-go box of the vine-ripened, heirloom beauties, which are available for sale from local farmers.
Mark your calendar now for Saturday, Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the French Market’s newest happening, which promises to be a real ball! The Barbegazi Snoball Fight, presented by Krewe of Krampus, pits several Mardi Gras krewes against each other in an epic battle of who can create the yummiest snoball. In addition to chilling out with a refreshing snoball or two, you’ll also be treated to live music, carnival-style games and vendors selling arts and crafts. Stay until the end when the grand snoball champion will be crowned. Proceeds from the event will go directly to the Accessibility Row fund, whose goal is to create accessibility areas at parades so that everyone can enjoy Mardi Gras.
For more information on events and festivals taking place at The French Market and a complete guide to visiting historic areas, check out frenchmarket.org.
Bring the entire family to the French Market’s Dutch Alley on the first Thursday of each month (June 6, July 11, Aug. 8) to enjoy Johnette Downing’s Family Music Series. This culturally immersive, free event is intended to teach children about the rich musical heritage of the region, from jazz to zydeco, through toe-tapping, hip-shaking tunes.
Tomato fans won’t want to miss one of the French Market’s most anticipated events of the year: The Creole Tomato Festival, held on June 8 and 9. Revered for their juicy, sweet flavor, Creole tomatoes are one of the Crescent City’s most beloved and sought after delicacies. Join a local brass band, the Amelia Earhawts dance troupe, and marching groups to help kick off the festival during The Ripe & Ready Second Line parade on June 8, which starts at 10:30 a.m. from Oscar Dunn Park, then saunters to the French Market. Don’t miss your chance to indulge in a bounty of delectable Creole tomato dishes served up by some of the city’s most talented chefs, including Creole tomato stuffed with cold crawfish salad; Creole tomato, chicken and sausage jambalaya; and a fried chicken sandwich topped with marinated Creole tomatoes, slaw and roasted Creole tomato aioli. Get your funk on with three action-packed stages of celebrated, locally-grown musicians performing everything from the blues and jazz to zydeco. Sip a spicy Creole tomato Bloody Mary while learning how to whip up a dish or two at the cooking demonstration stage, which showcases acclaimed chefs and food experts. Sponsored by Rouses Markets, the Southern Food & Beverage Museum, and the National Park Service, the family- and pet-friendly fête features free children’s activity booths and, for the first time, pop by one of multiple interactive Instagram photo spots located throughout the festival. Superfans of the seasonal, homegrown treat can also grab a to-go box of the vine-ripened, heirloom beauties, which are available for sale from local farmers.
Mark your calendar now for Saturday, Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the French Market’s newest happening, which promises to be a real ball! The Barbegazi Snoball Fight, presented by Krewe of Krampus, pits several Mardi Gras krewes against each other in an epic battle of who can create the yummiest snoball. In addition to chilling out with a refreshing snoball or two, you’ll also be treated to live music, carnival-style games and vendors selling arts and crafts. Stay until the end when the grand snoball champion will be crowned. Proceeds from the event will go directly to the Accessibility Row fund, whose goal is to create accessibility areas at parades so that everyone can enjoy Mardi Gras.
For more information on events and festivals taking place at The French Market and a complete guide to visiting historic areas, check out frenchmarket.org.
