Glenda Bell Data News Weekly Contributor
Few neighborhoods embody the cultural heartbeat of New Orleans quite like Tremé. Known as the oldest African American neighborhood in the United States, Tremé has long stood as a cradle of Black culture, music, and resilience. It is the birthplace of jazz, a sanctuary for social aid and pleasure clubs, and a community that has preserved the city’s rhythm through centuries of triumph and challenge. This October, that legacy takes center stage as Tremé Fest 2025 returns to celebrate the neighborhood’s enduring spirit of unity, creativity, and perseverance.
“The Tremé Fall Festival is a celebration of the Tremé neighborhood, our culture bearers, our history and our landmarks like St. Augustine Catholic Church, the Backstreet Museum, the African American Museum, and many others who make up the fabric of Tremé, said Naydja Bynum, President of the Friends of Tremé Culture.”
Bynum adds, “We are celebrating our 10th Anniversary, and the Friends of Tremé Culture are honored to sustain this event. Funds raised at the Tremé Fall Festival are reinvested via grants to our cultural organizations like the churches, social aid and pleasure clubs, organizations, culture bearers, and the people of the Tremé. We invite everyone, locals, and visitors to join us for this year’s 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Tremé Fall Festival.”
A Festival Rooted in History and Community
On Saturday, October 25, 2025, the streets surrounding St. Augustine Catholic Church, located at 1210 Governor Nicholls Street, will once again fill with the sound of brass bands, the aroma of Creole cuisine, and the joy of neighbors coming together. Now in its 10th year, the Tremé Fall Festival, affectionately known as Tremé Fest, has become one of New Orleans’ most anticipated community events, honoring both the neighborhood’s storied history and its living culture.
The day begins at 11:00 a.m. with a vibrant second-line parade, featuring the Baby Dolls, Zulu Tramps, and this year’s cultural honoree, Big Chief Victor Harris, a renowned Mardi Gras Indian and Cultural Ambassador. The procession will wind through Tremé’s Historic Streets, inviting residents and visitors alike to join in the dance and celebration that define the city’s spirit.
A Star-Studded Musical Lineup
As always, Tremé Fest 2025 will showcase a powerhouse lineup of musicians who embody the sound and Soul of New Orleans. Performers include Leroy Jones & the Tremé All-Stars, the all-female Original Pinettes Brass Band, Legendary Drummer Herlin Riley alongside Kermit Ruffins, and the high-energy sounds of Shamarr Allen’s “Ratchet Jazz.” Between sets, DJ RQ Away will keep the crowd moving with classic New Orleans grooves and modern hits.
Culture, Cuisine, and Community Spirit
Beyond the music, Tremé Fest offers a full day of activities that highlight the neighborhood’s vibrancy and pride. Festivalgoers can enjoy local cuisine from beloved New Orleans chefs, shop art and crafts from neighborhood vendors, and participate in family-friendly experiences including children’s activities and health screenings. Guided tours of St. Augustine Church, founded in 1841 and one of the oldest Black Catholic Churches in the nation, will also be available, offering visitors a deeper connection to the community’s heritage.
Preserving a Cultural Legacy
While Tremé Fest is a joyful celebration, it also serves a vital purpose. Proceeds from the event support restoration efforts for St. Augustine Church and provide assistance to local artists and musicians. Organizers emphasize that the festival helps sustain the cultural and historical institutions that make Tremé a Cornerstone of New Orleans’ identity.
An Open Invitation to the City
The festival is free and open to the public, welcoming locals and visitors to experience the best of New Orleans’ culture in one of its most historic neighborhoods. Whether you come to dance in the second line, taste Creole flavors, or simply soak in the music echoing through the streets, Tremé Fest 2025 is a reminder that the true Soul of New Orleans lives here, where culture, community, and celebration are one.
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