The largest free music festival in the South, the French Quarter Festival, showcases the finest music, food and culture that are uniquely New Orleans.
This year’s Festival from April 7 to 10 will feature over 275 hours of free music across 18 stages throughout the historic French Quarter. With over 800 local musicians, every genre is represented. From traditional and contemporary jazz, to rhythm and blues, New Orleans funk, Zydeco, to brass bands, folk, opera and gospel, there is truly something for everyone.
Special events within the festival include the opening parade, the World Championship Crawfish Eating Contest, Battle of the Bands, Dancing at Dusk, the International Music Colloquium, family-fun activities at Children’s Headquarters, the World’s Largest Jazz Brunch, and more. In addition, the kickoff party and fundraiser ‘TGIF’ (Thank Goodness it’s Festival!) takes place the evening of Thursday, April 7 from 7 to 10 p.m.
Attendees can also expect to see more great food and drinks, as there will be over 75 food and beverage booths located in Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint. Participants in ‘The World’s Largest Jazz Brunch” will showcase local cuisine from the area’s finest restaurants.
As always, there is no finer time to visit New Orleans as the spring, especially during the weekend of French Quarter Festival – the largest free music festival in the South. April marks the start of the festival season in New Orleans and is normally a month of beautiful weather.
For more information about top events in Louisiana take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Louisiana.
For more information on the French Quarter Festival visit www.fqfi.org