River Fest at the Mint

The 12th annual NOLA River Festival on Saturday, SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2025 celebrates the cultural, economic, environmental, and inspirational impacts of the Mississippi River and its inhabitants on the Crescent City and the entire Gulf South region. The all-day festival at the New Orleans Jazz Museum will include live music, presentations and panels, delicious local food vendors and a full bar, and more.

This year’s theme is LOUISIANA’S NATIVE FOODWAYS, focusing on the natural bounty of the Mississippi River and Gulf, and the cultures that cultivated, preserved, and evolved Louisiana’s iconic flavors.

We aim to celebrate the deep-rooted culinary traditions born from the state’s rivers, wetlands, and fertile lands. From Indigenous harvests to Creole and Cajun creations, these foods tell the story of a people and a place. Protecting Louisiana’s environment—its waters, soils, and biodiversity—is essential to preserving the flavors, heritage, and cultural identity that define our tables.

"Music Lineup"

11:00 AM – Second line starting in Jackson Square featuring the N’awlins D’awlins Baby Dolls & Big Queen Mary Kay of the Original Wild Tchoupitoulas Indians

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Treme Lafitte Brass Band

12:15 PM – 1:00 PM – Grayhawk Perkins & Friends

1:00 PM – 1:40 PM – Kr3wcial

3:00 PM – 3:40 PM – Komaki Soul

4:00 PM – 4:40 PM – Gregg Stafford

5:00 PM – 5:40 PM – Robin Barnes

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM – James Andrews & The Sons of Satchmo