After months of uncertainty and years of negotiations, the Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo festival is back on track for 2025. On May 9, New Orleans City Councilmember Joseph I. Giarrusso announced that the city will be lifting the hold on the festival’s special event permit, clearing the way for its return to Bayou St. John.
“No decision with Bayou Boogaloo happened overnight or in a vacuum,” Giarrusso said in a statement. “We have met and talked with the festival and neighbors for years.”
According to Giarrusso, the recent breakthrough came after intensive discussions in recent weeks between festival organizers and neighborhood leaders. Those talks culminated in a joint meeting where both sides agreed on what success looks like for the event and its surrounding community. Festival organizers have reportedly made adjustments to the event’s footprint and configuration to address safety and neighborhood concerns raised by residents and city departments.
Bayou Boogaloo, known for its floating crowds, family-friendly activities, and local music, has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years due to concerns about noise, crowd control, and its impact on nearby neighborhoods. The event, organized by the nonprofit Friends of Bayou St. John, is scheduled for May 16–18, 2025.
While Giarrusso acknowledged that negotiations reached “the brink,” he praised the process for producing “constructive dialogue.” He also noted that a public meeting will be held this summer to continue conversations around the festival’s future.
“I’m encouraged by the most recent meetings and remain optimistic that reasonable people can make reasonable accommodations for the enjoyment of all on the bayou,” he said.
More details on this year’s revised layout and safety protocols are expected to be announced soon by event organizers.
