French Quarter Festival

This festival has charmed New Orleanians since it first began in 1984, designed to remind locals how fabulous and fun the French Quarter can be. Stages are set up at every corner, food from the city’s finest restaurants fill booths in Jackson Square and beyond. This grand fete has evolved into something everyone adores, visitors and locals alike. This city's finest music and cuisine are on hand to celebrate life and love in the French Quarter.

Over 20 stages take over the French Quarter throughout the three-day weekend, starting early in the day and going on through the night. Festival goers will hear jazz, Latin, R&B, zydeco, New Orleans funk, swing and rock throughout the Quarter.

Look for more than 2,000 artists – that’s 250 acts of New Orleans' favorite musical performers to entertain—with a whole raft of other New Orleans legends and all-stars. All for free as you wander and meander and sit and nosh and sip.

Bring your appetite to enjoy the festival's culinary lineup with booths in Woldenberg Riverfront Park, Jackson Square, Jax Brewery Parking Lot, and the Jazz Museum at the Mint -- a tantalizing spread of beverages and specialty items from some of the best known restaurants in the Crescent City. Sample Pat O'Brien's Hurricanes, Barbecue Oysters from Red Fish Grill, Prime Rib Po-boy from the Rib Room, Baked Alaska from Antoine’s, Shrimp Remoulade from Galatoire’s and Oysters Rockefeller from Desire Oyster Bar. You can’t try all the restaurants individually during one trip to New Orleans, but you can try a lot of them during this weekend. There’s jambalaya, blackened catfish po-boys, crawfish étouffée, Cajun meat pies, deep fried cupcakes, white chocolate bread pudding and more.