The 12th annual Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival (November 16-17), is a weekend of good fun and great music at Armstrong Park in New Orleans. This year, the festival is joining forces with the Congo Square Rhythms Festival for one jam-packed weekend with double the food, double the art, and double the entertainment. Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival pairs some of the city’s top brass bands with a wide variety of gumbos from kitchens around New Orleans. Gumbo in all its forms, including vegan and Gumbo Z’Herbes, take the leading role on the festival’s menu lineup. Beyond gumbo, you’ll find red beans and rice, crabmeat beignets, deep fried bell peppers, jambalaya, po-boys, fresh produce, seafood, and more. Vendors will also offer other food options for hungry festival-goers looking to branch out beyond the roux.
Free admission and parking at the Mahalia Jackson Theater parking lot make it easy to head out to experience unique New Orleans culture. If you just can’t wait for your steaming-hot bowl of gumbo, check out our top places to get gumbo in the days leading up to the fest here.
New Orleans Brass Band Roots
Even in the festival’s 12th year, the lineup stays true to its roots with its emphasis on New Orleans brass bands. Take a look at the schedule below:
Saturday, Nov. 16
11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Red Hot Brass Band
12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Cole Williams Band
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. James Andrew’s
3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. BIG Six Brass Band
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Charmaine Neville Band
5:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tonya Boyd Cannon
Sunday, Nov. 17
11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. LPO Brass Band
12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Free Agents Brass Band
2:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Treme Brass Band
3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. HOT 8 BRASS Band
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pinettes Brass Band
6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Rebirth Brass Band
Arts Market
Browsing the work of local artists is always a draw at other Jazz and Heritage events, be it Jazz Fest or the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival. The Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival is no exception. Browse local art, crafts, jewelry, and unique handmade items. While at the arts market, make sure to check out the interactive area for kids that the festival offers.
