About Us
French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that hosts three events annually: French Quarter Festival in April, Satchmo SummerFest in August, and Holidays New Orleans Style in December. FQFI promotes the Vieux Carré and the City of New Orleans through French Quarter Festival and other high quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of this unique city, contribute to the economic well-being of the community, and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans.
OUR PURPOSE
To uplift and sustain our local cultural economy and those who create it.
OUR MISSION
To promote the Vieux Carré and the city of New Orleans through French Quarter Festival and other high quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of this unique city, contribute to the economic well-being of the community, and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans.
OUR VALUES
Cultural Integrity
We value the unique and creative traditions of our community and strive to celebrate a collection of musical, culinary, and artistic talent that both honors the rich cultural history of our region and welcomes ongoing innovation.
Authenticity
We hold steadfast in our position as an independent, home-grown organization in order to make mission-driven decisions.
Stewardship
We work to serve as good stewards of New Orleans’s musical, culinary, and artistic traditions, as well as of our resources and our environment.
Diversity
We recognize and respect the rich diversity of our people, our history, our cultural traditions, and our lived experiences, which together make us stronger.
Inclusivity
We ensure that our events and programming are accessible to everyone because arts and culture bring us together and are paramount to our quality of life and cultural identity.
Community
We create high-quality programming that belongs to the local community we serve.
Our History
French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) embarked on its journey in 1983, with a vision to encourage people to return to the French Quarter to support local businesses. Following extensive street and sidewalk construction in preparation for the World’s Fair, Mayor Ernest “Dutch” Morial unveiled plans for the inaugural French Quarter Festival in April 1984. After the success of the six stage event held on Royal St. and Bourbon St., the non-profit organization recognized an opportunity to once again stimulate the local economy during the holiday season. Thus, “A Creole Christmas” (now Holidays New Orleans Style) was born in 1985. With a growing reputation and strong sense of community, FQFI expanded its portfolio by introducing a third event. In August 2001, Satchmo SummerFest came to life in celebration of Louis Armstrong’s 100th birthday.
40th Anniversary video series
Our Impact
Investing in the local community is integral to our mission. FQFI remains dedicated to supporting our local musicians, culinary vendors, culture bearers, and gig workers who form the essence of each FQFI festival. In 2023, FQFI attracted nearly 900,000 culture enthusiasts, offering 300+ musical performances across 23 stages and a diverse range of 70+ culinary experiences. The events also supported approximately 3,000 full and part-time jobs, contributing an estimated $89.4 million in earnings to the residents of the New Orleans area. According to the 2023 Profile and Economic Analysis Report by the UNO Hospitality Research Center, the combined impact of FQF and Satchmo SummerFest (SSF) totaled $313.4 million.
2023 Annual Report
Events
French Quarter Festival 2024
Thursday, April 11 – Sunday, April 14, 2024
11am – 8pm
Satchmo SummerFest 2024
Saturday, August 3 – Sunday, Agust 4, 2024
12pm – 8pm
Holidays New Orleans Style 2023
Friday, November 24, 2023 – Saturday, January 6, 2024
Featured Event
Holidays New Orleans Style Concert Series
6pm–7pm
11
December
See more