French Quarter Festival provides visitors to New Orleans another option
Event offers a more local flavor of the Big Easy
Everyone has heard of the New Orleans Jazz and heritage festival held in late April since 1970, but for the locals of New Orleans, the French Quarter Festival is the thing. Festival season starts right after Lent and seems to go on forever. We have Mardi Gras in late winter, February, and March, then in April-May, the French Quarter Fest and the Jazz Fest. But, in June there is the Creole tomato fest, and Fried Chicken Fest, and even in the fall we have a PoBoy festival.
The French Quarter Festival is the free annual music fest held in the historic French Quarter since 1984. The festival includes many local artists that have made music in New Orleans for decades.
The festival takes place throughout the river side of the French Quarter with stages on the Riverwalk, up and down Decatur Street, and throughout the Quarter.
The Abita Stage on New Orleans’s Riverwalk, French Quarter Festival
Food vendors flock to the festival offering creole cuisine, local beers like Abita, and, of course, gumbo, red beans, rice, charbroiled oysters, and other local favorites.
Drink booth on the Riverwalk, French Quarter Festival
Of interest is the fact that the French Quarter festival was supposed to be a one-time event in 1984, meant to welcome back locals after the World’s Fair construction, but the fest has become so popular that it is now in its 20th year.
A one-time event in 1984, the French Quarter Festival is now more popular than the Jazz and Heritage Festival
Parking and transportation for the festival can be challenging for visitors and locals alike. It is best to take public transportation, the trolley, bus, or Uber.
The “Red Lady,” as it is called by the locals, takes French Quarter visitors up and down the Riverfront.
The Red Lady starts at the French Market, downriver from the main fest area, and goes all the way to Canal Street where the festival ends. The fare is $1.25, the exact fare is needed because they don’t give change. You can also buy a Jazzy Pass which allows you to ride all day for a low set fee of $3, $6, or $9.00 for a 31-day pass. Seniors pay 40 cents per ride and the all-day pass is 80 cents.
French market stop number 1
The locals take their folding chairs so they can stop and relax at any of the 20 stages, offering music from Zydeco to Hip Hop to Jazz. And OH, the sites you will see.
One of the many colorful personalities at the festival
So come out and enjoy the beautiful Spring weather, the grand entertainment, the delicious creole foods, and the many refreshments offered at the French Quarter Festival.
New Orleans French Quarter Festival 2023
While you are enjoying the many cultural offerings in New Orleans, check out City Park, the Audubon Zoo, Uptown, and Magazine Street, and the many wonderful restaurants New Orleans offers. Don’t forget the sun hat, sunscreen, and a comfortable festival chair. Hope to see you at the French Quarter Festival in 2024.
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