faqs

What is French Quarter Festival?

The award-winning French Quarter Festival is a four-day local music showcase scattered throughout the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana— the largest free music event in the United States. French Quarter Festival features 1,700 musicians playing 400 hours of free, local music from a variety of musical genres on 23 stages throughout the French Quarter. The community festival also features the ‘Culinary Lineup,’ festival food booths operated by some of New Orleans finest restaurants, open throughout the festival weekend.

What are the hours?

On Thursday and Sunday, the festival is 11-7pm. On Friday and Saturday, the music runs from 11-9pm.

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. 

2022: April 21-24
2023: April 13-16

Does the Festival conduct bag checks?

To provide a safer environment for the public, festival organizers implement bag checks. Attendees should anticipate bag checks at all major sites and stages. FQFI will enforce a ban on weapons, drugs, pets, glass bottles and outside beverages. Festival organizers strongly encourage festival-goers to not bring these items in order to access all areas of the event.

WhAT ITEMS ARE PROHIBITED?
  • Glass bottles and containers
  • Fireworks
  • Professional radios or walkie-talkies
  • Bicycles inside of festival grounds (bike parking and bike valet opportunities are found outside of the entrances to Woldenberg Riverfront Park and The Old U.S. Mint)
  • Soliciting or vending unless previously authorized
  • Tents or sun shades

What about prescription medications, baby formula, or milk?

These substances are exempt from the rules above, pending inspection.

Can I bring my cooler or ice chest?

French Quarter Festival does not allow coolers, ice chests, or large containers in major festival areas. The free event receives no public funding, and its success and continuation relies solely upon beverage/merchandise revenues. Help keep the festival free by purchasing your beverages at the festival!

How much does it cost to attend French Quarter Festival?

The four-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. In order to keep this festival free and open to the public, outside food and beverages are prohibited.

Where is French Quarter Festival held?

French Quarter Festival is held throughout the historic French Quarter (Vieux Carre) neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana. Music stages are located at Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, Bourbon Street, Royal Street, Bienville Triangle, Preservation Hall, the French Market, St. Mary’s at the Ursuline Convent, and Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint. ‘Culinary Lineup’ booths can be found in Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, the Jax Brewery parking lot, 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?

Getting to Festival is easy, but parking is challenging. Arrive early to park in these lots located in the heart of the festival: French Market500 Decatur Street300 North Peters Street211 Conti StreetCanal Place and various locations within walking distance.

Attendees are also encouraged to take advantage of 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: #10 Tchoupitoulas, #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. In addition, the new Rampart Streetcar line runs from Elysian Fields Ave to Canal Street. For more details and fare information please go to www.norta.com. Fares can be purchased from the conductor or in advance at one of the RTA’s ticket vending machines -located at major transfer and boarding points throughout the city. Vending machines accept cash and coins only, and provide the option for $3 unlimited ride “Jazzy Passes”.

  • Bike Easy Valet Bike Parking is available Friday-Sunday. The service is located at the Canal Street entrance to Woldenberg Riverfront Park. “Do it yourself” bike parking is also available at several locations: along the Mississippi floodwall at the Conti Street and Bienville Street entrances, and at Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Avenue, on the neutral ground.
  • New Orleans has many cab companies servicing the areaView all the options here.
What happens if festival-goers show up at the gate with a prohibited item?

The attendee will have the option of discarding or surrendering the prohibited item or the attendee can secure the item at a location of their choosing (car, hotel room, etc.). Surrendered items cannot be returned, items will be forfeited.

 

What else is prohibited?
  • Drones
  • Pets, with the exception of service animals
What is the Festival's Coronavirus Plan?

French Quarter Festival is open air and free to the public. We are thrilled to return to our normal format in 2022,  without limitations, while still providing health and safety measures like free masks, COVID testing and vaccinations on-site.

We encourage fest attendees to take advantage of free onsite testing and vaccinations at our FQF Health Hub, located at Oscar Dunn Park, all four days of Fest – and at New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Mint, Friday through Sunday. 

Festival organizers remain in close contact with public health officials and city leadership to monitor this continuously evolving situation.  *We will produce our festival under the city guidelines set at the time of production (April 21 – 24, 2022).

  • As of March 21, 2022 the City of New Orleans has lifted requirements for proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test for entertainment venues and events. For more information please see the city’s COVID Updates.

We look forward to returning stronger and together April 21 -24, 2022 for French Quarter Festival —where we’ll all be dancin’ in the streets!

* Regulations subject to change closer to event.