Freret Market

Almost 5 years later, this is still one of my favorite local markets. It has live music and puppies (rescue groups with adoptables) and lunch (lots to choose from) and crafts. It's just a great way to spend an afternoon. Last weekend I had a watermelon lemonade, crawfish pasta for lunch, petted a few rescue pups, AND watched the band and a toddler interpretive dance to their music. I perused the crafts and the costume sale they were having in the back.So much fun and you never know who you'll run into. And what you might be able to take home with you.

A great market located on the Napoleon side of Freret that takes place on the first Saturday of each month. The market takes place in the public parking area and usually features food, jewelry, soap, art, clothing, textile and candle vendors, among others. Accompanied by local bands, it is a great place to support the concept of shop local, shop small. We have discovered more than a handful of items at this market that we have integrated into our regular routine and a few special ones too!Highly recommend a stop here. A note on parking, there is usually plenty of parking on side streets adjacent to the market - but be considerate of neighbors and local businesses and feed the meter if you're on the street because the meter maids be a watchin.

I'm disappointed in myself that two weekends ago was my first time heading out to this market. We had just eaten, and were going to grab coffees at Mojo and saw the festival going down. We grabbed our coffees and came back to the fest. Kudos for not keeping us out because we got drinks from down the street. Like Sebrina mentioned, it's not a full-on Farmers market though they may have a few raw items that you can purchase. Next time I will absolutely eat at the fest since they had my fave Crepes a la Cart, seriously perfect fest feasting! I've mentioned this about other markets, but something I love is the community-feel of these neighborhood markets. I saw at least 3 different groups and friends running booths and caught up with them. It's incredibly refreshing to get from behind your computer, phone, or TV to have real interactions with people you work with, Twitter friends, and acquaintances on a beautiful day.My new favorite company is CoughingCowNChicken who you can only find on Etsy and at festivals like this one. Festivals like this are great for up and coming businesses and ones that have just become established. Get 'em while it's hot...or not yet discovered by everyone and der mudda'. We missed the music, but got to pet a few pups. I couldn't believe how extensive it was thinking it was just the front of the parking lot. I will definitely be back this Oct. 4 hopefully buying presents for friends and not just for myself this time around.

Ever since its premiere in September 2006 I thought to myself, "This is going somewhere." Over 4 years and oodles of vendors, musical acts, and fish tacos later, my reaction is the same. Freret Market hasn't peaked; it just keeps getting better. And yet, I am AMAZED at how many locals and neighbors have never been or even heard about it.Just go! It's free, the music is free, and on fair weather days beating it with a stick is impossible.Tomorrow marks the annual additional December Saturday holiday edition known as Freret-stivus (read: Seinfeld's Festivus for the rest of us). Go - and bring your neighbor. And a couple of bucks (and your holiday shopping list) and support local vendors, artists, and area businesses. It's the best way you can support your local economy.

Got a Berliner (a sausage sandwich made famous by JFK) and a Bavarian pretzel at Bratz Y'all. Berliner is a deal for only $6. I got a pretzel to go and heated it up in the microwave at home. (A Berliner is a grilled smoked traditional pork currywurst served with a homemade apple-curry ketchup and topped with curry powder & crispy onions.) Bratz Y'all describes their food as German inspired recipes with a New Orleans touch. Along with bratwurst sausages they also make the Drunk Pig, the King Brat, and the NOLA Schnitzel.

Pretty cool! I didn't know about this until last weekend, but I'm so glad Jen L told me about it. I was able to pick up a birthday present for the father-in-law, and a couple of Christmas gifts, from local artists who were set up at the Market.In addition to artists, they had several different food vendors (the iced tea lady with the infused water.... that stuff was great!) and nonprofit organizations like the pitbull rescue.Overall, maybe a bit too crowded. In some spots I felt like I was navigating the French Quarter Fest, trying to shove my kid through the masses of people. This was the last market before Christmas, though, so I'm sure others were trying to get some awesome gifts as well.I'll definitely make a return trip next month. This place is great!

I love this market - not only for the great local (& sometimes a little not so local) artists / crafters / vendors but also for the live music, pet adoptions & good food & drink! Fish tacos, quite yummy!! Also had some red velvet cupcakes - hit the spot!! The crafters vary from kids having fund raisings to artsy crafters, jewelers, artists, vintage clothing, etc - good variety!! Check their dates online at http://freretmarket.org/ especially around the holidays as they can change or have more that month. Great to have tokens available if you don't have cash or if the artist doesn't take credit!! Good times!!!

great variety + local non profits + great art = a wonderful place to spend a Saturday and pick up gifts while you enjoy food and music.I went during the holiday season so there were tons of booths and they all had something different. I loved that each booth was unique and was selling something that I wouldn't be able to find anywhere else. I also loved that they supported local non profits by providing them with space. Want to adopt a dog? There were plenty to choose from the day I was there. The music was great and I was able to find really unique gifts for my family. The only down fall was that there wasn't any veggie food to be found. I wish some local vegetarians would cook for this market because that would just make it perfect! All in all though its a great place to pass some time and pick up unusual gifts for loved ones.

Saturday was a beautiful day, it punctuated the much colder weather and I was happy to get out and about. There was lots of what seemed to be good food but I couldn't eat, having just come from a huge meal at Atchafalaya. Besides food, there were vintage and second-hand items, puppies, music and lots of crafts. An abundance of NOLA-based stuff that is great for gifts but am I the only one getting sick of seeing fleur-de-lis everything? I did pick up some Christmas ornaments that were oyster shells with the Virgin Mary on them. Who wouldn't love Mary on the half-shell dangling from their tree?I'm really excited to see this part of Freret picking up momentum. It's always had such a cool, sort of small town Main Street feel to it but has been woefully neglected. Glad to see it on the upswing!

The Freret Market is my favorite local market and a great place to eat lunch. It is usually on the first Saturday of the month from fall through spring. If you are using credit cards you will need to visit the booth in the middle where you can get cash. They charge a small fee. You don't need a pin. My favorite things here are the cup cashless at Creole Cupcakes, Yakamien from Mrs. Linda, and fries from the Fry Bar. La Cocinita Food Truck is frequently there as well. They are delicious! The market had great local music. Sometimes the Mardi Gras Indians make am appearance. Additionally, local crafts and art with a distinctly new orleans touch can be found.