Tet Fest is rolling back into New Orleans East on Friday through Sunday, turning the grounds of Mary Queen of Vietnam Church into a packed weekend of dragon and lion dances, fireworks and Vietnamese street food that stretches as far as the eye (and appetite) can see. The three-day celebration has grown into one of the city’s biggest Lunar New Year gatherings, drawing families and visitors from across the Gulf Coast. Admission is free, and most booths are run by parishioners and church ministries, which means a mix of beloved staples and once-a-year festival dishes you will not casually find on a Tuesday.
When and where
The parish calendar lists Tet Fest for next Friday through Sunday on the grounds of Mary Queen of Vietnam in Village de L’Est, with organizers also scheduling Giao Thua and New Year Mass events earlier in the week around the parish. As per the Mary Queen of Vietnam parish website, the church will host the three-day market and performances on its Dwyer Boulevard campus.
What to expect
The festival runs as part church fair, part open-air food market, with live music, children's games and traditional performances sharing space with long lines for steaming bowls and sweets. The city's event pages and tourism guides list Tet Fest as one of February's local highlights, pointing to its family-friendly mix of food and activities. You can see how the city is billing it on NewOrleans.com.
Food and kitchens
Food is the main draw. Booths staffed by parishioners and ministry groups serve staples like pho and spring rolls alongside treats that are mostly festival-only. Vendors sell banh xeo, hu tieu, pandan waffles and chuoi chien, and the event can feature rarer items such as trung vit long (fertilized duck egg), be thui and goi ca mai. Cooks take overnight shifts to tend giant pots, since pho broth can require roughly a 12-hour simmer, and teams rotate to keep bowls coming without a pause. These menu and behind-the-scenes details are reported by NOLA.com.
Hours and entertainment
Organizers set festival hours to cover an evening kickoff and two full days, with event listings commonly showing a Friday evening start followed by full-day Saturday and Sunday that winds down in the early evening. Listings show typical hours as Friday 6–11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–11 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m.–10 p.m. Evening programming includes lion and dragon dances and a fireworks display to close the night, so it is worth checking local listings for exact performance times and any schedule changes. For those details, see event listings at NewOrleansPOI.
Community and why it matters
Mary Queen of Vietnam Parish has been a cultural anchor for New Orleans’ Vietnamese community since the 1980s, with the church and its buildings documented in local architectural records. The festival has grown from a parish fair into a regional draw that brings visitors from around the Gulf Coast, including Florida and Texas. For background on the parish’s founding and architecture, see SAH Archipedia, and for this year's menu and crowds see NOLA.com.
Tips for going
Bring cash for most food, games and trinkets, and arrive early if you want short lines at the most popular booths. There is usually communal seating, but comfortable shoes help when crowds swell during peak hours. Parking is typically available on the church lot, and it is worth checking the parish site or event listings for the best entry points and any last-minute changes. For logistics and local tips, see FrenchQuarter.com and NewOrleansPOI.
