Your Ultimate Guide to French Quarter Fest 2024 | Map, Music & Food
As always, the festival is free and open to the public.
The 2024 French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron runs from Thursday, April 11, through Sunday, April 14, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., rain or shine.
This year's event will be even bigger, with 22 stages, over 300 performances, and a new DJ stage along the Riverfront.
WWL Louisiana has an all-new "Love Louisiana" Media stage on Spanish Plaza. The "Love Louisiana" stage will feature live artist interviews at the top of every hour with some of the festival's most iconic performers. There will also be interactive games for the whole family and opportunities to meet your favorite WWL Louisiana Personalities.
As always, the festival is free and open to the public.
The Map
Download the festival app to plan your weekend, receive updates and notifications, and navigate the event.
Here are some French Quarter Fest Special Events, programs and Festival Extras:
- French Quarter Fest Kickoff Parade: The parade will take place Thursday, April 11 at 10 a.m. and departs from the 200 block of Bourbon Street, making its way to Jackson Square for the Opening Ceremony.
- Free Dance Lessons: Free dance lessons sponsored by the French Market Corporation will occur at both the Chevron Stage and the French Market Traditional Jazz Stage throughout the festival.
- Festival Poster Artist Meet-N-Greet: On Saturday, April 12, Monica Rose Kelly, the 2024 French Quarter Fest Official Poster Artist will be signing posters from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. at the Woldenberg Riverfront Park Merchandise Booth (near the Abita Beer Stage). Both versions of the poster design are available for purchase today.
- Baldwin& Co. Bookstore's Behind The Music Chat: An intimate exploration of the artist's journey and inspirations behind their music and lyrics. Locally owned and operated Baldwin & Co. bookstore will host this special one-on-one interview on Friday, April 12, immediately following the Songwriter Stage performance at the New Orleans Jazz Museum (3rd floor, U.S. Mint). Stay tuned for details on our exciting new collaboration! Don't miss this opportunity to delve into the heart of the music-making process.
- Congo Square To The World: The Early Years of New Orleans Jazz: Opening April 11, 2024 at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the U.S. Mint, this installation will chronicle the history and evolution of New Orleans jazz, exploring its diverse roots and varied trajectory, as well as highlighting the lives and legacies of key performers such as Buddy Bolden, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, Lizzie Miles, and Jelly Roll Morton. The exhibit will include interactive technology, listening stations, multimedia installations, immersive experiences, and built environments optimized to convey the story of early jazz and its ongoing evolution.
- St. Louis Cathedral Choir and Orchestra Spring Concert: Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass held on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 3 PM. Free and open to the public
The Music
More than 300 performances will take place.
Over 70 artists will make their FQF debut, including the TBC Brass Band with HaSizzle, Ivan Neville, the Original Pinettes with Mia X, and the People Museum.
- Thursday, April 11: Ivan Neville, Big Freedia, Ife, DJ Raj Smoove
- Friday, April 12: Irma Thomas, Chapel Hart Band, Partners-N-Crime, TBC Brass Band Ft. Hasizzle
- Saturday, April 13: Teedra Moss, Terrance Simien and The Zydeco Experience, The Orginal Pinettes Brass Band with Mia X, DJ Kelly Green
- Sunday, April 14: John Boutte, Water Seed Present the Journey to Funkstar, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and the Golden Eagles, DJ RQ Away
French Quarter Festival will also feature an “After Dark” concert series that will offer music late at night at special venues around the city after festival stages close, including the Record Art Exhibit & music by Cole Williams Trio and at the ACE Hotel with Pat Casey & The New Sound featuring Robin Barnes.
Here is the "After Dark" schedule:
- Thursday, April 11, 2024
- FQF After Dark at Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery ft. Where y'Art Works: Off the Record Art Exhibit & Music by Cole Williams Trio
- Address: 535 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70130
- Time: 8:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
- Friday, April 12, 2024
- FQF After Dark at Three Keys at ACE Hotel ft. Pat Casey & The New Sound featuring Robin Barnes
- Address: 600 Carondelet St. New Orleans
- Time: 9:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
- Sunday, April 14, 2024
- FQF After Dark at Four Seasons Hotel Garden Featuring B. Lew and the Grits
- Address: 2 Canal St. New Orleans, 70130
- Time: 9 p.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Fest Tips
Stay hydrated and wear your sunscreen! Water bottles are allowed but must be empty upon entering Riverfront Stages. Security will check bags at entry points to main stages.
Coolers are not allowed beyond checkpoints at the Riverfront.
Chairs are welcome. Please note that as crowds continue to grow over the weekend, there is a limited amount of space designated for those hoping to find a good resting spot in Jackson Square to enjoy the show.
The Food
For some people, the French Quarter Fest is all about the food.
Festivalgoers can enjoy more than 60 culinary experiences, including Afrodisiac NOLA, Nori Guys, Sun Chong, Kingfish Kitchen & Cocktails, Voleo’s Seafood, and more.
A new Culinary Stage features daily cooking demonstrations and interviews by Chef Kevin Belton.
Vendors will be set up in Jackson Square, the Old US Mint, the Riverfront Plaza, and the Palm and Kohlmayer lawns on the Riverfront.
Vendors will accept cash and card payments, with some even accepting electronic app payments.
Parking
During French Quarter Festival weekend, festival-goers, hotel guests, French Quarter residents, business owners, and employees should be aware of the traffic rules and regulations of the City and consider taking alternative modes of transportation to the event. Attendees are encouraged to park in the Central Business District, use public transportation, rideshare services, or ride bikes.
Due to the French Quarter Festival’s crowd size, vehicular traffic will be restricted from Thursday, April 11th until Sunday, April 14th, beginning at approximately 12 pm until approximately 8:30 pm.
No on-street parking or vehicular traffic into the French Quarter will be allowed between Iberville, North Rampart, Dumaine, and Decatur streets, except for those vehicles issued permits. A full “Mardi Gras” closure will be in effect Friday, April 12th - Sunday, April 14th.
French Quarter residents, employees, and hotel guests will be allowed vehicle access, as long as it is safe to do so. These closures are implemented at NOPD's discretion.
All vehicular traffic will be blocked for on-street stages on Saturday and Sunday, located at 400 Royal and 500 Royal. Access passes to be allowed past the checkpoints will be available on Monday, April 1st at the Eighth District Station (334 Royal Street) for residents, business owners, employees, and hotel guests.
Bicycling
Biking is a fast and easy option. Blue Bike stations are spread throughout the festival grounds. “Do it yourself” bike parking is also available at more than 10 locations throughout the festival footprint. View the FQF 2024 Map to locate.
Public Transportation
New Orleans also has convenient public transportation, including the streetcar and RTA buses.
The Loyola Streetcar line conveniently has stops near several parking lots in the CBD and drops off steps away from the French Quarter. Premium Parking has thousands of spaces along O’Keefe Avenue in the Central Business District, just a block away from RTA streetcars and buses. The following are easy-access routes to downtown and the areas surrounding the French Quarter: #11 Magazine, #55 Elysian Fields, #57 Franklin, #91 Jackson/Esplanade, #2 Riverfront, #12 St. Charles, #47 Canal/Cemeteries, #48 Canal/City Park Streetcar, #49 Loyola/UPT.
- New Orleans has many cab companies servicing the area. View all the options here.
- The Canal Street Ferry is conveniently located at the foot of Canal Street and provides an easy option for those traveling to or from the West Bank.
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