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The French Quarter Festival came into existence in1984 as a way to bring people back into the French Quarter following the World’s Fair and extensive sidewalk repairs in the French Quarter. This year it will be happening from April 11 to April 14, 2024.
More than 1,500 community volunteers help to make the festival a success. Attendance is free and donations will be accepted.
Participating Artists
Over 20 stages will be placed throughout the French Quarter. They will feature local music and will represent every genre, including jazz both traditional and contemporary, R&B, New Orleans funk, gospel, folk, brass bands, Latin, Zydeco, classical, cabaret and international.
Some of the artists performing at the festival include
- Ivan Neville
- Big Freedie
- DJ Raj Smoove
- Ife
- Black Magic Dreamline Bonerama
- Cory Ledet & His Zydeco Band
- Zita
- Defeayo Marsalis & The Uptown Jazz Orchestra
- Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band
- DJ Ojay of Afrobeatrola
- Judith Owen & Her Gentlemen Callers
- Paulin Brothers Brass Band
- Marie & Bayou Juju
- Irma Thomas, Soul Queen of New Orleans
- Chapel Hart Band
- Partners-N-Crime
- Teedra Moses
- DJ Kelly Green
and many, many more.
Participating New Orleans Restaurants
New Orleans is renowned for its great restaurants. Many of these excellent restaurants will be offering local dishes and beverages on the following locations:
Spanish Plaza
- Ajun Cajun
- Addis Nola
- Etalian Happy Ice
- Friends of Codey’s
Jax Lot
- Bao Mi
- Cafe Beignet
- Heard Dat Kitchen
- Jack Dempsey’s Restaurant Southerns
- Koz’s
- Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant
- Lufu NOLA Indian Kitchen
- Miss Lina The Yakameir
- New Orleans School of Cooking
- The Bower
- Voleo’s Seafood Restaurant
Jackson Square
- Creole Country Cafe Bistro
- Pat O’Brien’s Bar
- Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard
- Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House
- Boulevard American Bistro
- Jacques Imo’s Cafe
- Quint’s Natural Ice Cream & Sorbet
Holdenberg Park Riverfront – Kohlmeyer Lawn
- Cafe Dauphine
- Loretta’s Authentic Pralines
- French Market Coffee
- Goodfellas Seafood & Poboys
- Kingfish Kitchen & Cocktails
- Love At First Bite
- Walker’s Southern Style BBQ
Waldenberg Park Riverfront – Palm Lawn
- 14 Parishes Jamaican Restaurant
- Fatty’s Crackins
- Desire Oyster Bar
- TJ Gourmet
- Couvant
- Tropical Isle
- Restaurant R’evolution
New Orleans Jazz Museum at The Old U.S. Mint
- Cochon King BBQ
- Chef Shonda
- Ditto’s Did Dat
- Smoke & Honey
- Oh Taste & See
- Louisiana Fish Fry Products with Nola Crawfish King
Aquarium Plaza
- Abita Bar
- Lizzy’s Catering
- Fat Tuesday
There will be a Culinary Stage and notable local chefs will be giving cooking demonstrations there throughout the festival.
Special Events
The French Quarter Festival has many special events for attendees including
- French Quarter Festival Kickoff Parade
- Annual Opening Day Ceremony
- Dance Lessons & Performances in 1920s Charleston, Traditional Jazz, Swing Dance, Cajun Jitterbug, and Zydeco
- The Chevron Children’s Stem Zone
- French Quarter Festival After Dark is a series of performances and pop-up events to keep the good times rolling.
- St. Louis Cathedral Choir and Orchestra Spring Concert
- Baldwin & Co. Bookstores Behind The Music Chat
- Congo Square to the World: The Early Years of New Orleans Jazz
As you can see, this is one not to be missed festival for anyone who loves music, fine cuisine and New Orleans!
Cajun & Creole Cooking
If you enjoyed the food at the French Quarter Festival and want to learn more about Cajun and Creole cooking, try these cookbooks. You can use our links to see how you can save money on each book.
- Cooking for the Culture: Recipes & Stories from the New Orleans Streets by Toya Boudy
- The Best of New Orleans Cookbooks: 50 Classic Cajun and Creole Recipes from the Big Easy by Ryan Boudreaux
- The New Orleans Cookbook by Rima Collin and Richard Collin
Hotels
If you’d like to visit New Orleans for the French Quarter Festival, you should consider these hotels. They are all offering discounted rates which can save you money on your stay.
- Econo Lodge Westbank Expressway – 25% Discount
- Comfort Inn & Suites New Orleans Airport North – 25% Discount
- Rodeway Inn & Airline Drive – 24% Discount
- Cambria Hotel New Orleans Downtown Warehouse – 15% Discount
- Comfort Suites Harvey – New Orleans West – 15% Discount
- Quality Inn New Orleans I-10 East – 6% Discount
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Metairie, New Orleans – 6% Discount
- Suburban Studios Avondale – 6% Discount
- Frenchmen’s Orleans at 519 Oscar Hotel Collection – 5% Discount
- Sleep Inn & Suites Utica Street – 5% Discount
Flights
If you’re going to be flying into New Orleans, you can use a promo code to save money on your flight here.