The award-winning French Quarter Festival is a four-day music showcase scattered throughout the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana— the largest free music event in the United States.
Enjoy the entertainment featuring more than 150 musical performances throughout the French Quarter over four days.
French Quarter Festival
… also known as the Vieux Carré, is the oldest neighborhood in the city of New Orleans.
The 2016 French Quarter Festival will feature over 1,700 musicians performing on 23 stages located throughout the historic French Quarter and at Spanish Plaza.
After New Orleans was founded in 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, the city developed around the Vieux Carré, a central square.
The district is more commonly called the French Quarter today, or simply “The Quarter,” related to changes in the city with American immigration after the Louisiana Purchase.
Most of the extant historic buildings were constructed either in the late 18th century, during the city’s period of Spanish rule, or were built during the first half of the 19th century, after U.S. annexation and statehood.
Local musicians
French Quarter Festival is dedicated to supporting the local music community.
The festival only schedules local musicians. No matter what style of music you enjoy, you’ll find it at French Quarter Festival.
It has multiple stages featuring every genre from gospel to jazz, from funk to classical, from Cajun and Zydeco to brass band.
Our family of entertainment sponsors includes local businesses, music clubs, restaurants, record companies, and private individuals who support the New Orleans music community.
The community festival also features the ‘World’s Largest Jazz Brunch,’ festival food booths operated by some of New Orleans finest restaurants, open throughout the festival weekend.
Getting there
Getting to Festival is easy, but parking is challenging.
Attendees are encouraged to park along O’Keefe in the Central Business District, use public transportation, ride their bike, or take advantage “Be My Designated Driver” (BeMyDD) car service discounts.
For the biking crowd, free bike parking and bike valet services are available at Festival. Festival-goers can also hop into free French Quarter pedicabs provided courtesy of Chevron.
