Downtown Gretna is about to swap festival crowds for construction crews. Beginning May 1, the city will shut down its central marketplace for a major renovation, a move that disrupts the usual Gretna Fest schedule for 2026. Instead of the traditional three‑day festival, officials say the city will roll out a multi‑week Friday‑night concert series in October while the market is rebuilt, with the full event slated to return in 2027. The upgrades are described as a way to modernize aging infrastructure and make the space safer and more workable for vendors and events.
Renovation timeline and scope
The overhaul targets the 12,696‑square‑foot Gretna Marketplace on Huey P. Long Avenue between Third and Fourth streets and will include demolition along with electrical and structural work, according to the City of Gretna’s project manual (City of Gretna). Bid documents say work must begin within 30 days of the contract award and be finished within 120 calendar days of the notice to proceed, with standard bonding and licensing requirements for contractors. City leaders say the refresh is meant to preserve the market’s role as a year‑round gathering place while improving safety and access for both vendors and visitors.
Gretna Fest reimagined for 2026
Because the marketplace will be closed to the public during construction, city officials say Gretna Fest will not take place in its usual three‑day format this year. Instead, the Gretna Economic Development Association and the city plan to stage “Gretna Festin’,” a multi‑week Friday‑night concert series in October, while Jefferson Parish District 1 Councilman Tim Kerner Jr. has committed additional funding to support the festival’s future, as reported by New Orleans CityBusiness. Organizers say the full version of Gretna Fest is expected to return in 2027 once the marketplace reopens.
Leaders promise long‑term gains
In a statement to WDSU, Mayor Belinda Constant called the market “truly the heart of our downtown,” and described the project as “a short‑term inconvenience that will deliver long‑term benefits” for residents and businesses. GEDA board president Renee Ferrera told reporters the pause will help the festival come back stronger, saying, “We know how much Gretna Fest means to the community.” City officials say a grand reopening celebration is planned once renovations are complete.
Market vendors and downtown traffic
Officials say the marketplace will be closed to the public for safety reasons while crews are on site, and the city is working with nearby businesses to keep downtown active throughout construction, according to New Orleans CityBusiness. The Gretna Farmers’ Market typically runs Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. under the covered market building, according to the City of Gretna’s events calendar (City of Gretna), and organizers say they are exploring pop‑ups and other outreach to reduce disruption for vendors. Plans for October concerts are also intended to help sustain foot traffic for downtown businesses while work continues.
What to watch next
The city has already solicited construction bids and says it will announce the selected contractor and a final schedule once details are set. Officials expect the revamped marketplace to return as a year‑round hub for vendors and festivals, and they have promised updates on permits, staging and safety plans as work gets underway. Residents and business owners are being directed to follow the city’s event listings for the latest information on farmers markets and the October concert series.
