French Quarter Festival

Judging by the crowd this year, most have caught on. It's a gem. Four days of FREE music throughout the FQ. This year, there were over 270 acts. You can bring your own chair if you will likely stay in one place or wear comfy shoes if you prefer to roam like me. There are small bites for every palate. It's also the perfect way to try different renown restaurants or dishes without breaking the bank. The musical acts in Jackson Square wrap up around 6p because the park closes, but the other stages have performances until 8p. If that isn't enough for you, there is a jazz after dark series, and other venues around the city, that bring in artists for live performances during this festival. Meaning there's no shortage of live music during French quarter fast.If you're not a fan of crowds, this isn't the festival for you. While you can certainly find spots with ample space, if it's in the shade on a sunny day. you will have close company. The only other items note is that while every vendor accepts a credit card or Apple Pay, there was typically an an additional charge for processing fees. Therefore, bringing cash will save you some $$$ on purchases.

I'd been looking at the French Quarter Fest musical lineups for years but couldn't find the time until 2024. I saw the incredible performers scheduled and decided this was the year. Fortunately the weather cooperated and only had thunderstorms the day before FQF opened so I saw John Boutte, Corey Ledet & His Zydeco Band, Bonerama, Ivan Neville, George Porter, Jr. & The Runnin' Pardners, Irma Thomas, The Dixie Cups, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Bucktown All-Stars, Erica Falls, Rosie Ledet & The Zydeco Playboys, and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. While I ran out of energy on a couple of days, I saw musicians I'd been interested in seeing for years, and while large crowds the last two days made it difficult to see from where I was able to sit or stand, the sound systems were good enough to hear the music without sight lines. I also met some very nice music lovers at every performance I went to. As a bonus, WWOZ had live broadcasts each day of selected acts have been available for streaming on WWOZ's 2-week archive from the broadcast date.

Ten out of ten!!! first time NOLA traveler here and I just thing this city is so diverse, cultured and so much art!! an amazing array of food choices, beverages were indulgently enjoyed. music was amazing right along the Mississippi River. the artists here are so incredibly talented. so much to see, eat, buy, drink. the list is endless.

Had a really great time at the festival. I remember when it was still a somewhat small festival at Waldenburg park. I love the way the organizers have expanded it throughout the French quarters. The food vendors are top notch and the performers are as well!

This was a total blast. There was good music, good entertainment, good food & good booze, everything you ever want to find on Jackson Square.

If you love jazz music, creole cuisine, or New Orleans, the French Quarter Festival is a must experience. Music, food and art make this the perfect trifecta for a free four day festival spread out on over 20 stages throughout the Quarter. Celebrating the 35th year, music ranges from traditional jazz like the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to funk, gospel, zydeco, R&B and even Klezmer. Interesting to see and hear family traditions continue. Amazing to watch Lena Prima singing her dad's hits, listen to the talented Marsalis "first family of jazz" perform, hear the Neville Brothers play a set, or experience the magic of Irma Thomas, the Soul Queen of New Orleans. The music starts at 11 and continues until late into the night. You can literally meander from stage to stage listening to the different genres. Great way to sample tasty treats from across New Orleans. Favorites include chicken grillades and cheddar cheese grits from K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen, Duck Debris PoBoys from Jacque-Imo's Cafe, and Gulf Fish Beignets from Royal House. Sweet treats on our menu over the past decade include Buttermilk Drops from Wink's Original Buttermilk Drop Cafe, Praline Beignets from Loretta's and Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding from Boucherie. (Cooking Tip-Day old donuts make the best bread pudding. Add pecans and raisins and skip the added sugar.) Of course, Plum Street Snoballs are perfect on a hot and humid festival day. Try the nectar cream for added decadence. Bring cash, although more and more vendors accept credit cards or Venmo today. Local artist Ayo Scott designed the 2019 French Quarter Festival poster. Featuring Irma Thomas with the Mississippi River in the background, it was so interesting to meet him at the festival and hear about his journey to craft his artworks and also to help rebuild New Orleans Post Katrina. Such an amazing painter. Insiders tip: If you have reciprocity museum passes, you can use them to avoid the portopotties throughout the festival or just cool off during the day. You can park in the local neighborhoods, such as Marigny, for a couple of hours during the week, but the weekends are much more crowded.

My second time ever to the French Quarter Festival was 2021, and this time it was with family. And let me tell you, it was so much better. My first time was right after I moved to New Orleans, and it was with people I barely knew and ended up having the absolute worst time ever. It is a free festival with stages all over the Quarter. All sorts of people watching. Amazing food. I would suggest wearing sturdy shoes and bringing a folding chair of some sort. There will be plenty of walking, a lot of stepping over drunk people passed out on the sidewalk, some people getting sick, some urinating on themselves, but hey, that's a typical Friday in the Quarter, though usually its confined more to Bourbon Street. But, the food is good, the beer gets warm quickly, so drink it fast and the food will cool off quickly so you can eat it.

I live in New Orleans and this is my most favorite festival out of all of them. Excellent local music. The fest is free however no outside food or drinks are allowed, to it's pretty easy to blow through some cash quickly. Concessions all benefit the festival to help keep it free, but the prices are pretty high this year. We also did VIP for just one day. First part of that day (Saturday) was great at the Abita stage, great view and private bathrooms. Problem was at the Chevron stage, the crowds outside VIP were so thick it was hard to get to the tent and no way to get to any food vendors. We were starving and the only snack was 2 flavors of Zapps chips and that's not sustainable so we ended up leaving the fest to get food. Last time we did VIP there was a better selection of snacks, things like pretzels and peanut butter crackers. So yeah I was a little disappointed. We still had fun though and of course will be back. Just not so sure I'd pay for a day of VIP again.

4-day (Thursday thru Sunday) music & food festival in the heart of NOLA, that stretches from the French Quarter to Canal Street, by the convention center. It kicks off with a small parade on the morning of the first day, with sponsoring companies & local marching bands & musicians. It's chill during the day & earlier in the week, but it gets a little more rowdy on the weekends and late night... Pick your poison lol. Awesome way to sample & experience the taste & culture of New Orleans. Multiple performance stages and several food & drink tents - - You'll hear sounds of old country to jazz to zydeco to covers to popular hits. You'll get to taste & sip local beers, frozen drinks, spicy cocktails, and NOLA favorites from poboys, gator, southern plates, and seafood. It's FREE admission; you just pay individual vendors for food & drinks (*bring cash)! You'll also find special menus all around town in celebration of the event. Along the street line & public park areas, it's family-friendly and pet-friendly, too.Absolutely a must-see & do if you're in New Orleans during festival time!!!

22 stages of live music and so much great food and drink that it's hard to believe. Best of all is free admission and everything spread out throughout the French Quarter. We are from California and would love to return in the future. We really appreciated how friendly festival workers and the locals were.