The New Orleans French Market continues its now 37-year tradition with the annual French Market Mardi Gras Mask Market which is held February 21-24, 2020. The Market will welcome 12 artisan mask makers from all over the country along with four days of live music and fun for everyone. 

There will be live music and entertainment at the Dutch Alley Performance Pavilion everyday of the festival from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Mask Market attendees will have the opportunity to hear the amazing music of One Mind Brass Band, Big Queen Mary and the Original Wild Tchoupitoulas, and local favorites Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers. Dwayne Dopsie is one of the most influential zydeco musicians, known for his high energy performances and striking accordion skills. Recently, Dwayne Dopsie was seen on the April 2019 cover of OffBeat and received awards for Best Zydeco Artist and Best Zydeco Albums at the 2019 Best of the Beat Awards.

Since 1983, skilled mask makers have come to the French Market to display their gorgeous craftsmanship. The Mask Market was started by artist Michael Stark as a means of introducing the public to the art of mask making. As Judy Trapp-Stark, Michael’s sister and Mask Market veteran, says, “My brother Michael would be thrilled to see what the Mask Market has become!  The spirit and intention of the market live on through the efforts of the mask makers that make the annual trip to New Orleans to share their art.”

The French Market Mardi Gras Mask Market is free and open to the public.