If you’ve ever been to New Orleans in the spring, you know the chaos. The Jazz Fest crowds are massive, the humidity is already starting to bite, and you’re basically fighting for every square inch of grass. But November? November is different. Specifically, November 9 at Louis Armstrong Park.
The air finally turns crisp. Locals call it "gumbo weather." Honestly, it’s the best time to be in the city. The Treme Creole Gumbo Festival isn't just another food event; it’s a neighborhood reunion that happens to have the best brass bands in the world and enough roux to sink a ship.
I’ve seen people travel across oceans for a bowl of authentic Creole gumbo, but here, it’s just Saturday. You’ve got the historic Tremé neighborhood—the birthplace of jazz—right at your back, and the Congo Square Rhythms Festival often merging into the same weekend to create this massive, soul-stirring celebration of Black culture.
What’s Actually Happening on November 9?
The 2025 schedule is already looking like a heavy-hitter. The gates at Louis Armstrong Park (701 N. Rampart St.) usually swing open around 11:00 AM, and the music doesn't stop until the sun goes down at 8:00 PM.
Forget the ticket booths. This thing is free.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation puts this on, and they don’t do things halfway. On Saturday, November 9, you’re looking at a lineup that’ll make your ears ring in the best way possible. We’re talking about the Young Fellaz Brass Band kicking things off with that raw, high-energy street sound.
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Later in the afternoon, the legendary Tremé Brass Band takes the stage. If you haven't seen them, you haven't really seen New Orleans. They are the heartbeat of this neighborhood. By the time the Rebirth Brass Band closes it out in the evening, the entire park is usually one giant second line. It’s loud. It’s sweaty. It’s perfect.
The Saturday, Nov 9 Music Breakdown:
- 11:00 am - 12:15 pm: Young Fellaz Brass Band
- 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm: Tremé Brass Band (The locals' favorites)
- 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm: Quiana Lynell (Serious soulful vocals)
- 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm: The Original Pinettes Brass Band (The world’s only all-female brass band)
- 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm: Rebirth Brass Band
It’s All About the Roux
Let's be real. You’re here for the food.
The Gumbo Festival features a "Gumbo Court" that is basically a masterclass in Louisiana cooking. You’ll find every variation imaginable. There’s the classic Seafood Gumbo—loaded with blue crab, shrimp, and sometimes oysters if the season is right. Then you have the Chicken and Andouille, which is the smoky, comforting backbone of the event.
But what people get wrong is thinking gumbo is just one thing.
At the park, you’ll find Gumbo z’Herbes, a green, leafy masterpiece traditionally served during Lent but celebrated here for its complexity. There are even vegan and gluten-free options because, hey, it’s 2026 and everyone deserves a bowl. One of the highlights this year is the cooking demonstration by Chef Ethel Williams from Cocoa & Cream Catering. She’s slated to prep a Chicken and Smoked Alligator Gumbo around 1:00 PM. Yes, alligator. It’s delicious. Don't overthink it.
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The festival also hosts a Vegan Gumbo Contest. It sounds like heresy to some old-schoolers, but some of these plant-based rouxs are so deep and nutty you won't even miss the sausage.
Navigating Louis Armstrong Park Like a Pro
The park itself is beautiful, but it can be a maze. The festival is tucked inside the arches on North Rampart Street.
Parking is a nightmare. Don't even try to park right next to the park. You're better off taking the Rampart streetcar or just walking from the French Quarter. If you’re biking, there’s usually a Bicycle Valet run by Bike Easy near the main entrance, which is a total lifesaver.
Bring a folding chair. Or a blanket. The area in front of the main stage fills up fast, and while there’s plenty of shade under the oak trees, having your own "home base" makes the eight-hour marathon much more manageable.
A Few Rules to Remember:
- No outside food or drinks. The festival is free because the vendors sell food. Support the local chefs.
- No pets. It gets crowded and loud; your dog will hate it.
- Donations. While admission is free, there are donation boxes at the entrances. Give a few bucks. It keeps the music playing for everyone.
The Cultural Weight of Tremé
It's easy to get lost in the sauce, but this festival matters because of where it is. Faubourg Tremé is the oldest Black neighborhood in America.
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When you stand in Congo Square—which is inside the park—you’re standing on the ground where enslaved people were allowed to gather on Sundays to play music and trade goods. That’s where the seeds of jazz were planted.
The festival coincides with the Congo Square Rhythms Festival, so you often get this incredible mix of African drumming, Mardi Gras Indians in their intricate beadwork, and modern brass bands. It’s a literal timeline of American music playing out in real-time.
If you want to take a break from the noise, wander over to the Arts Market. It’s not your typical "live, laugh, love" craft fair. You’ll find hand-carved woodwork, local paintings that actually capture the grit of the city, and jewelry made by people who live three blocks away.
Is It Worth the Trip?
In a word: Absolutely.
New Orleans has a million festivals, but the Treme Creole Gumbo Festival feels the most "authentic." It’s not sanitized for tourists. It’s loud, it’s spicy, and it’s deeply rooted in the community.
If you’re planning to be there on November 9, show up hungry and leave your schedule open. You might think you're just going for a bowl of soup, but you’ll likely end up in a second line behind the Pinettes, waving a napkin and wondering why you ever lived anywhere else.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
- Check the official Jazz & Heritage Foundation website a week before to confirm if any set times have shifted due to weather.
- Bring cash. While most vendors take cards now, the signal in the park can be spotty when thousands of people are trying to upload Instagram stories at once.
- Book a hotel in the Marigny or the Quarter now; November is becoming a "second peak" season and rooms disappear fast once the lineup drops.