Festin’ in Gretna

The City of Gretna is no stranger to a good festival. Situated just across the Mississippi River from the City of New Orleans, Gretna boasts beautiful historic districts, diverse culinary experiences and a vibrant art scene that attract locals and visitors alike. From October through May, you'll find a number of festivals and events for the whole family to enjoy, so put on your dancing shoes and get ready to let the good times roll in Gretna!

Gretna Fest 

The festin’ season kicks off with Gretna’s largest event, Gretna Fest. Held annually on the first full weekend of October, it’s a celebration of Gretna’s love for music, food and culture. Visitors from across the country are welcome to Old Gretna for a good drink and a good time. For festival apparel, head to  Blossom Boutique  in Old Gretna and pick up a "Gretna Festin'" sweater! 

Following Gretna Fest is a jam-packed October, filled with wonderful and free events, including Oktoberfest for the adults, a pumpkin patch, concerts and children’s movies each Friday and Saturday evening respectively. 

Hallmark Picture-Perfect

After a jam-packed fall, the holiday season is not to be missed in Gretna! The season kicks off on the Friday after Thanksgiving with the lighting of Huey P. Long Avenue’s live oak trees dressed in a hundred-thousand tiny white lights. Each night through the Mardi Gras season, you can drive or stroll down Huey P. Long Avenue fully engulfed by these picturesque lights, which truly feels like a scene from a Hallmark movie. Quickly becoming a local favorite, the recently-added Picnic Under the Lights event offers rental of clear bubble tents to host private holiday parties on the Huey any weekend night in December. The most popular nights coincide with the Gretna Christmas tree lighting, Christmas parade and St. Joseph Church’s Living Nativity. 

Holiday festivities also include the annual fine arts festival, Ringing in the Arts, which takes place at the Farmers’ Market Pavilion and is sponsored by Gretna Art Walk. Take part in a family favorite, Caroling on the Huey, led by professional Victorian carolers, or get your art on at Luna Fete West: River Connections – a Westbank extension of the light-based art festival that has been popular in New Orleans for several years.

It's Mardi Gras Time

Festin’ season picks up again with Gretna’s Kickoff to Mardi Gras. Beginning roughly three weeks before Mardi Gras Day, the City of Gretna hosts the opener, A Toast to Mardi Gras. During this fun stroll up and down Huey P. Long Avenue, you visit each participating business to enjoy a signature cocktail or food item and fill your crown card for a chance to be chosen Gretna’s Mardi Gras King or Queen. Next, taste more than ten different local king cakes and vote on your favorite at the annual King Cake Social. Following the social is Parade the Huey, a stationary parade on Huey P. Long Avenue at which residents throw Mardi Gras memorabilia as you stroll or drive around the route. On Saturday afternoon, another family favorite, Krewe of Cuties, wraps up the week’s activities. Strutting down the Avenue in their homemade “floats,” the children’s marching group hands out candies and other items. Gretna concludes Mardi Gras with a free Lundi Gras concert under the Farmers’ Market Pavilion.

Spring Fling

Spring weather ignites a continued passion for festin’ in Gretna with the Italian-Irish Parade. The parade had its inaugural march in 2022 and became the first parade to roll through Gretna since 2013. With thousands in attendance, the parade also hosts  a free concert and after party in downtown Gretna. And spring in Gretna just wouldn’t be the same without the Seersucker Soiree. Participants are encouraged to dress in their seersucker finery to stroll downtown Gretna at this five-block art and music event. Featuring local artists and craft vendors along with musicians busking on the street corners, the Seersucker Soiree has a very French Quarter feel and some delicious food and drink specials to boot.

All About the Food

We're in south Louisiana, so of course, Gretna is serving up some delicious easts. During your visit, check out the GRID Crawfish Cook-off, which is a fan-favorite for obvious reasons. Enjoy all-you-can-eat crawfish with ticket entry, and taste your way through the competition while listening to some great local music. The annual Food Truck Festival has grown every year and now covers three square blocks with about 25 different food trucks and a live band for entertainment. Best part about it (aside from the mouth-watering food)?  Admission is free! The final event of the Gretna Festin’ season is Maifest, a celebration of the city’s German roots sponsored by the German-American Cultural Center. This free event pairs German beer, wine, brats and pretzels with the unique musical stylings of the Bayou Bavarians. Stay in the know by downloading the free app, Gretna Live.