New Orleans Oyster Festival takes place on Saturday, June 4, through Sunday, June 5, 2016 at Woldenberg Park at the Mississippi Riverfront. Since our hotel is a quick walk from the park, you can get to the festival with ease and enjoy the tastes of one of New Orleans’ favorite foods: the oyster.
Here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll find at the fest:
The New Orleans Oyster Festival features live music, an oyster shucking competition and plenty of food. (Photo: Brian Lauer, via Flickr)
Live Music and Oyster-Themed Contests
In addition to a vast array of oyster-centric foods (more on that below!), Oyster Fest has selected some of the city’s favorite musicians to play at the riverfront during the festival.
Our picks? Get there early on Saturday morning to hear the soulful sounds of Tank and the Bangas, who take the stage at 10:30 a.m. Other noteworthy acts include the Bucktown Allstars (playing at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday) and party rockers Bag of Donuts, who close out the fest starting at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
In addition to music, the festival features several oyster-related competitions. The oyster-shucking contest pits top shuckers against one another on Saturday, while the oyster-eating contest on Sunday determines just how many oysters you can eat in one sitting. There will also be a children’s tent plus local craft artists selling their oyster-inspired creations.
[bctt tweet=”Whether you like your oysters raw or fried, you can walk to #oysterfest from our hotel”]
Drago’s will serve their famous Charbroiled Oysters at New Orleans Oyster Festival. (Photo: Paul Broussard)
Plenty of Oysters and Seafood To Eat
Take your pick from oysters raw on the half-shell, charbroiled, or fried at the festival, plus other inventive (and delicious) preparations.
Desire Oyster Bar will serve up Oyster Rockefeller Pasta, while the Oyster Jambalaya from Don’s Seafood is a delicious take on a New Orleans classic. For an easier-to-carry option, order an oyster po-boy. Acme Oyster House will be serving traditional shrimp and oyster po-boys, but there will be other versions on hand as well, like the Oyster Rockefeller Po-Boy from Oceana Restaurant or the BBQ Oyster Po-Boy from Red Fish Grill.
Oyster dishes from French Quarter restaurants like Bourbon House, Antoine’s, and Royal House are all on hand plus iconic restaurants from all over the city, including Jacques-Imo’s Cafe in Uptown, Katie’s Restaurant in Mid-City and Trenasse in the nearby Central Business District.
Craving dessert? NOLA Snow has you covered with a variety of snowball options.
Even More to Do in the French Quarter
The fest ends relatively early both nights, but your evening doesn’t have to end there.
Head to our hotel’s restaurant, Latitude 29, and try other seafood dishes like our Coconut Shrimp Banh Mi Sandwich or a Seafood Pancake with Soft Shell Crab. Paired with gorgeous, tiki-style cocktails, a meal here is a relaxing way to end your day. Afterward, walk to Hotel Monteleone for a nightcap plus live jazz music at the whimsical and elegant Carousel Bar & Lounge.
New Orleans Oyster Festival is just one of many fun summer events in New Orleans. Our special summer rates make it the perfect season for a relaxing getaway. Book your room today!