Fall In Love With New Orleans: The Ultimate October Festival Guide

Photo Courtesy of Gentilly Festival  With so much captivating history, culture, and vibrant energy, falling in love with New Orleans is an easy thing to do. The autumn season renews the beauty of this fantastic city. With the sweltering temperatures simmering down, it’s the perfect time to thoroughly enjoy all this city has to offer—one of those activities being festivals. New Orleans is world-renowned for its unique festivals that feature delectable foods, fantastic music, and lots of fun. Here is the ultimate guide to festivals happening around New Orleans this October. Gentilly Festival October 11th-13th Music, food, and community are the heart of the Gentilly Fest. Gentilly Fest celebrates all things Gentilly. Held in the Historic Pontchartrain Park neighborhood, attendees will enjoy live music, several vendors, and family-friendly activities. In addition to the fabulous festivities, this festival has complimentary admission. Gretna Heritage Festival October 4th-6th Just across the Mississippi River from Downtown New Orleans is the great city of  Gretna. The Gretna Heritage Festival promotes and supports businesses and organizations in the City Of Gretna. This year’s festival will return with an all-star lineup that includes Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and Kool & The Gang. Tickets are $40 for a single day or $90 for a weekend pass. Ashé Rooftop Festival October 11th-12th The Ashé Rooftop Festival is a weekend-long celebration centering on the African Diaspora. The festival is culturally-curated across beautiful rooftop spaces in Downtown New Orleans. Attendees will experience rooftops that feature art, wellness, social justice, Black literature, and performances from your musical favorites. Tickets start at $50. Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival October 11th-13th  Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival is a three-day extravaganza featuring music, food, and art. Enjoy free admission to the festival all weekend long, which takes place at Lafayette Square Park. Praise Festival October 18th-20th  Every year, Bayou St. John comes alive with Gospel music. Enjoy three full days of soul-touching Gospel music and praise. Festival goers can expect uplifting sounds from local and national Gospel artists, entertainers, and world-renowned speakers. Admission to this festival is complimentary. Photo Courtesy of NOLA Reggae Festival  Oktoberfest October 11th-12th, 18th-19th, and 25th-26th Oktoberfest at Deutsches Haus returns for three exciting weekends of Germany’s beloved celebration. This European-inspired festival features three weekends of German culture, cuisine, and fun. Festival goers can expect a time of authentic German foods, live music, dances, and activities. Tickets are $10. NOLA Funk Festival October 28th-20th Get ready for a time of grooving at the NOLA Funk Festival. NOLA Funk Fest is a celebration of Louisiana’s rich music history showcasing the state’s magnificent musical heritage. Held at the world-renowned New Orleans Jazz Museum. Tickets start at $40. Tremé Fall Festival October 26th Tremé is the oldest African-American neighborhood in the country, and the Tremé Fall Fest is a celebration of the beloved community. The festival serves as a fundraiser for St. Augustine Church and various community non-profits. Attendees can delight in a time of food, live music, art, and performances. This festival is free for everyone to attend. NOLA Reggae Festivhttps://thenolareggaefest.com/al October 25th-27th Enjoy three incredible days of music, food, and energetic vibes at the NOLA Reggae Festival. The festival takes place at the Historic Congo Square and is a harmonious blend of reggae beats and local flavor. Festival goers will partake in a  diverse array of local vendors offering delicious food, unique crafts, and much more. Tickets start at $25.  Photo Courtesy of Tremé Fall Festival  Happy Fall Festin’ Everyone!  *This article was written by Deveney Marshall of Mara Creative Agency

View more

How Community Investments Are Shaping Home Values and Lifestyle In New Orleans

New Orleans is one of the best American cities if you’re looking for culture. Jazz, Mardi Gras, diverse architecture, and Bourbon Street are only some of the reasons you’ll find yourself here. The city prides itself on its social fabric and is one of the most unique towns thanks to its residents. How have recent community investments shaped New Orleans? Here are some of the historic city’s recent developments. What Has Helped New Orleans Real Estate? The New Orleans real estate market has set a new course in the last few years by emphasizing the cultural and social aspects. Here are a few changes you can see in the Big Easy. Local Investments New Orleans has a population of around 356,000, making it one of the largest cities in the South. The residents are integral to its culture, so investing in the community is a priority for city leaders. Last December, the New Orleans City Council allocated $5.6 million for 200 local organizations and nonprofits to improve youth and community welfare. For instance, some recipients include the 18th Ward, the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music and Girls on the Run New Orleans. These grants improve neighborhoods, engage communities, raise morale and offer uplifting experiences in the city.  New Orleans City Council members also prioritized housing investments in their most recent budget. City housing programs received about $1.57 billion for the 2024 fiscal year. Affordable housing is one of the primary goals for the Big Easy as the city council created a $17 million trust fund to support new construction. Outside Investments Seeing New Orleans succeed is a priority, and outside groups have noticed opportunities to improve the city. The city’s median age reached nearly 39 years old, a new high demonstrating the aging population. Affordable housing is essential for older adults, so organizations have taken steps to support these residents and foster healthier communities. In 2021, the Gulf Coast Housing Partnership and CVS Health announced a $25 million partnership to build 224 affordable housing units for Louisiana seniors.  Zoning Ordinances The city is over 300 years old, and some urban planning might not fit your needs today. The Office of Community Assets and Investment (OCAI) has developed strategies to modernize land use while preserving affordable housing and supporting the city’s neighborhoods. Changing zoning laws has been a significant step in helping New Orleans neighborhoods. In late 2021, the city council passed legislation to permit triplexes and fourplexes and increase the number of units available. Properties adding these extra levels must keep rent affordable for 15 years to receive permission for this development. City Redevelopment New Orleans’ age and small size give the town an intimate feeling as you walk the streets. Many buildings here have existed for centuries, providing a unique architectural feel that’s hard to find in other cities. Finding new opportunities can be challenging in New Orleans, so the OCAI has dedicated plans to redevelop the area while maintaining its social fabric and culture. Government officials have worked with business and community leaders to find underused properties. The city identifies these places and lets the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) take over the bid process to find developers. The goal is to improve these buildings for the community, creating new businesses and affordable housing. For instance, NORA data shows the city invested $1.75 million in affordable housing construction in 2022. How Do Home Values Stack up in New Orleans? New Orleans home values have been turbulent in recent years because of slowed development and supply chain disruptions. The median home price fell to about $325,000 in February 2024 — a decline from its $400,000 peak in June 2022. However, home values have seen appreciation in particular New Orleans neighborhoods. Area code 70112 — including the French Quarter — saw its price per square foot increase from $386 to $438 in 2023. While this center of New Orleans is popular because of its architecture and culture, other areas have also seen increased home values due to community investments. For instance, St. Charles Parish homes have appreciated due to post-Katrina building efforts. What Can You Expect in New Orleans Homes? New Orleans is world-famous for its architecture, blending influences from French, Spanish, Creole and many other cultures. What makes Crescent City homes unique? Here are the typical features you’d see when walking the streets. Diverse Architecture New Orleans has become synonymous with shotgun houses, dwellings where you must pass by each room to reach the back door. This housing idea became popular in the early 19th century as people from the Caribbean migrated to the Big Easy. Homeowners back then lived without air conditioning, so they had to be creative when designing their structures. A shotgun home’s design gives it better airflow, helping you stay cooler in the summertime. Screened Porches Summers in New Orleans get hot and humid, creating a ripe environment for mosquitos and other unwanted pests. Louisiana has about 60 mosquito species, and many want to enter your house to cool off. Thus, New Orleans residents often install screened porches to ward off these insects and protect their families and pets. New Orleans architecture also includes shades and awnings to block the blazing summer sun. These fixtures can block winds up to 60 mph that you might see in a thunderstorm and keep heat away from the home. Balconies and Galleries The old architecture features balconies and galleries throughout the city’s homes, especially if you’re in the French Quarter. While similar, these features have tiny differences. New Orleans residents will tell you a balcony is a viewing area outside your window. In contrast, a gallery is the same idea but with poles. Some people climb up the poles to get better views of the parades, thus prompting locals to grease the poles as a tradition. Mardi Gras brings about 1 million annual visitors because of the city’s celebrations, so the greasing is more important than you might think. Colorful Houses Purple and yellow aren’t just the colors of the Louisiana State University Tigers — they’re two of many shades you can see throughout the city’s architecture. Colorful houses are a New Orleans staple, as you’ll find unique designs and combinations in the French Quarter, the Irish Channel, the Garden District and plenty of other sections. These houses remind you of the unique communities throughout the Big Easy. The city and its residents are integral to continuing this culture and shaping the lifestyles and home values. New Orleans Architecture and Community Investments New Orleans is a popular destination for those who enjoy classic architecture, incredible food and a bustling nightlife. Residents have seen tough times in the past few decades, but the outlook is positive thanks to community investments. Local and outside groups have allocated resources toward redevelopment, zoning law changes and support for nonprofit organizations. The Big Easy’s footprint will grow while keeping its influences from cultures worldwide. *Written by Rose Morrison renovated.com

View more

5 Women-Owned New Orleans Businesses To Support This Women's History Month

Selina Catalina Hotel, Central Business District New Orleans In recent years, there has been a remarkable rise in the number of women-owned businesses across the country, and New Orleans is no exception. Women entrepreneurs in the city are breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and creating opportunities for themselves and others. From cozy cafes to innovative tech startups, women-owned businesses in New Orleans embody resilience, creativity, and empowerment. In light of Women’s History Month, we celebrate the spirit and success of these inspiring women-owned businesses that are shaping the landscape of the Big Easy. Here are 5 women-owned businesses to support this Women’s History Month! JusTini’s NOLA Located in the Bywater, JusTini’s NOLA is a cocktails and bites restaurant that offers fantastic New Orleans flavor and 90’s R&B flair. JusTini’s NOLA embodies the spirit of innovation, creativity, and hospitality that define the vibrant city of New Orleans. Freedom Apothecary  Located on Magazine Street, Freedom Apothecary is a holistic wellness boutique that offers house products, beauty and home essentials, clothing, and much more. Freedom Apothecary emphasizes the importance of self-care and its essential benefits of helping women to thrive for today and a better tomorrow. Selina Catahoula Hotel Located in a beautifully renovated Creole townhouse in the CBD, the Selina Catahoula offers guests an authentic New Orleans experience. Guests and locals can savor a morning coffee in their divine courtyard, sip cocktails at the award-winning OddBirds, and take advantage of their rooftop yoga classes or live music sessions. Cocktail by JusTini’s NOLA, Bywater New Orleans  NOLA Couture Located on Magazine Street, NOLA Couture celebrates New Orleans’ individuality through custom designs featuring iconic Crescent City motifs. The NOLA Couture brand emerged in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to lift peoples' spirits and help rebuild the local economy. The company prides themselves on being authentically New Orleans and manufactures many of its items locally. St. James Cheese Company  With locations in Uptown and the Warehouse District, St. James Cheese Company is a family-run establishment that offers a delectable assortment of hand-selected cheeses, charcuterie, and gourmet grocery items. St. James Cheese Company aims to bring artisanal and farmhouse cheeses to the Crescent City. Women-owned and operated businesses have become a vital part of the New Orleans community. We hope you will patronize one or all of these fabulous women-owned businesses this Women’s History Month. By supporting their endeavors, we can ensure that women-owned businesses remain a critical component of the New Orleans economy for generations to come. Bowties by NOLA Couture, Garden District New Orleans Here’s to uplifting women entrepreneurs within our city and beyond!*Written by Deveney Marshall of Mara Creative Agency

View more