What is
French Quarter Festival?
The award-winning French Quarter Festival is Louisiana's largest free music event,
a three-day local music showcase scattered throughout the French Quarter in New
Orleans, Louisiana. There are music performances on 15 stages. The community festival
also features the "World's Largest Jazz Brunch," with food booths operated by
nearly 60 local chefs and restaurants.
When is the festival?
The festival usually falls on the second full weekend in April. Sometimes, Easter
will fall on that weekend, so please check with us before making your travel arrangements
if you are unsure of the exact dates.
What are future dates of
French Quarter Festival?
2003 April 10-13 (Our 20th anniversary!)
2004 April 16-18
2005 April 8-10
How much does it cost to
attend French Quarter Festival?
The three-day weekend festival is free and there is no cost to attend any of the
performances. The only costs are for food, beverage and merchandise purchases
on festival grounds, and certain off-site special events. While the festival is
free, we encourage you to attend the T.G.I.F. (Thank Goodness It's Festival) Fundraising
Party held on the Thursday before the festival.
Where is French Quarter
Festival held?
French Quarter Festival is held throughout the historic French Quarter (Vieux
Carré) neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana. Music stages are located at Jackson
Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, Bourbon Street, Royal Street, the French Market,
Le Petit Theatre at St. Peter and Chartres, and Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S.
Mint at Esplanade and Decatur. "World's Largest Jazz Brunch" booths can be found
in Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, and Louisiana State Museum's Old
U.S. Mint. Special events take place at various locations throughout the French
Quarter; see listings for details. Also see our map.
Where do I park?
There are several hundred paid parking areas in the French Quarter in various
locations and all are filled on a first come first serve basis. Parking lots in
the French Quarter generally fill up early during special events, such as French
Quarter Festival.
To help relieve the parking situation, we are offering a specially priced shuttle
and off-site parking service. The shuttle will transport festival-goers from the
secure lot and pickup area at the Winn Dixie lot (1501 St. Louis Street), across
from the Municipal Auditorium, and make convenient stops near festival stages.
The Hotard/Grayline shuttles will run approximately every 30 minutes from 9 a.m.
to 11 p.m during festival weekend, Friday, April 11 through Sunday, April 13.
The cost to park in the lot will be $10 per car, regardless of the number of passengers,
and shuttle use is included in the parking fee.
Additionally, Harrah’s New Orleans Casino will offer free all day parking
at the Harrah’s lot with 30 minutes of tracked play on Total Rewards cards.
Plus visit the Harrah’s booth on festival grounds at Woldenberg Riverfront
Park to receive a special FQF gift coupon.
Can I bring my cooler
or ice chest?
French Quarter Festival does not allow coolers, ice chests or large containers
in major festival areas (Woldenberg Riverfront Park, Jackson Square and the Louisiana
State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint). The free event receives no public funding, and
its success and continuation relies solely upon beverage/merchandise revenues.
Who produces French
Quarter Festival?
The festival is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc., a self-sustaining
non-profit 501(c)3 corporation. FQFI has a full-time staff of five individuals
and a volunteer corps of nearly 1,000. The organization also produces other community
events, including Satchmo SummerFest in August and Christmas New Orleans Style
in December.
How do I book a hotel
room for the festival?
Please call the FQFI hotel reservations hotline at 1-800-749-5679 or click here
to book online.
Are festival grounds
wheelchair accessible?
All music stages are wheelchair accessible via the many sidewalks found throughout
the French Quarter.
How do I volunteer for
French Quarter Festival?
Please call (504) 522-5730 to learn about our many exciting team and individual
volunteer positions. The festival is largely run by volunteers, whose tireless
dedication has helped FQF to grow. We would love to have you aboard.
How can I get a job or internship
with French Quarter Festivals, Inc.?
FQFI is currently not accepting applications for fulltime employment.
Undergraduate and graduate students interested in an unpaid internship (either
for credit or not for credit) should send a resume and cover letter to FQFI, 400
N. Peters St., Ste. 205, New Orleans, LA 70130. Interns should be dependable and
want to work in a fast-paced special events environment.
How do I perform at French
Quarter Festival?
FQF is a primarily a showcase for New Orleans musicians. You must be a local New
Orleans musician/band. The only exceptions made are for Cajun and zydeco performers
from throughout the Louisiana region and for international (overseas) groups who
perform their interpretation of traditional jazz. We are not currently accepting
performance requests for national artists from outside Louisiana, high school
marching bands or performance troupes, or dance teams.
Music performances at the free community festival are made possible by the Musicians
Union -- Local 174-496/Music Performance Trust Fund and by over 50 entertainment
sponsors, ranging from music venues and restaurants to record companies and private
individuals. Please call (504) 522-5730 to learn more about entertainment sponsorship
or the music application process.
If you feel your band qualifies as a potential performer, please send a press
kit (CD, press release, photo) to FQFI, 400 N. Peters St., Ste. 205, New Orleans,
LA, 70130. Although press kits are accepted throughout the year, we recommend
sending them August - November. The deadline for press kits (to be considered
for next year s event) is November 15 (subject to change).
How do I become a food
vendor?
The basic requirement for our food vendors is you must own and operate a sit-down
restaurant in the French Quarter, or the New Orleans area. Out of town, commercial
vendors, caterers, etc. are not considered. Restaurants that have more than 3
locations, or are considered a chain or franchise will not be considered. The
applications are usually sent in December and each restaurant must go through
an application and approval process as set forth by the Jazz Brunch Committee.
If you feel your restaurant meets these basic requirements, you may contact us
at (504) 522-5730.
Does the festival
have an official tour operator?
FQFI does not make recommendations or referrals on tours operators, hotels, or
any other tourist commercial related activities. But there are several local companies
that offer FQF packages. You may call the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention
Visitors Bureau at (504) 566-5011 for general tourism information.
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