Ultimate Guide to French Quarter Fest

French Quarter Fest Returns on April 16-19, 2026

What is French Quarter Fest?

French Quarter Festival (FQF) is a one-weekend annual celebration of New Orleans’ and Lousiana’s local music and cuisine in one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods – the Vieux Carre, or the French Quarter. After 40 years, French Quarter Fest has become a favorite of both locals and visitors alike. French Quarter Fest returns April 16-19, 2026.

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You can learn more about most of the musicians performing at French Quarter Festival this year via our Artist database, powered by our partners at WWOZ-FM. You'll find bios, photos, playlists, and more.

For the full lineup and more details on this year's festival, download the French Quarter Festival app (iOS) (Android) or visit their site at FrenchQuarterFest.org.

2026 French Quarter Fest Music Lineup

This year’s festival promises an expansive lineup of more than 300 performances, blending beloved local icons with highly anticipated debuts. Returning favorites include Irma Thomas (The Soul Queen of New Orleans), Hasizzle with TBC Brass Band, Cyril Neville, and Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars along with a highly anticipated debut from Dawn Richard. Additional performers include Big Freedia, Cupid & the Dance Party Express, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, Charmaine Neville, Flagboy Giz and the Wild Tchoupitoulas, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Sweet Crude, Amanda Shaw, and many more!

Be sure to catch Wendell Brunious, Erica Falls & Vintage Soul, The Soul Rebels, Deezle, James Andrews, Preservation Brass, Lena Prima, Jelly Joseph, Kyle Roussel’s Church of New Orleans, DJ RQ Away, T’Monde, Buckwheat Zydeco Jr & The Legendary II’s Sont Partis Band, Bag of Donuts, Rebirth Brass Band, John Boutté, Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, ANTWIGADEE!, Shamarr Allen, George Porter Jr & Runnin Pardners, Yusa & Mohmoud Chouki, Bonerama, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and The Golden Eagles, Brass-A-Holics, Wanda Rouzan and a Taste of New Orleans, Johnny Sketch and The Dirty Notes, B.Cam & The Zydeco Young Bucks, Magnolia Sisters, Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band, Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots, Corey Ledet Zydeco & Black Magic, Waylan Thibodeaux Band Nathan and The Zydeco Cha Chas, Les Femmes Farouches, Yvette Landry & the Jukes, Dwayne Dopsie and The Zydeco Hellraisers, Banu Gibson, Cameron Dupuy & the Cajun Troubadours, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters, Chubby Carrier and The Bayou Swamp Band, Mahogany Hall All Stars Band, Tuba Skinny, The Lilli Lewis Project, Leroy Jones & New Orleans’ Finest, The Big Easy Boys, Tim Laughlin, Don Vappie and the Creole Jazz Serenaders, James Andrews, Wendell Brunious, Lisa Amos, Lawrence Cotton Legendary Experience, Robin Barnes & The Fiya Birds, Irvin Mayfield, Jeremy Davenport, Big Chief Juan Pardo’s Tribal Gold, Ryan Batiste and Raw Revolution, Bucktown All-Sars, Sir Chantz Powell & The Sound of Funk (S.O.F.), DJ Poppa, Assata Renay, Joe Lastie’s New Orleans Sound, Ashton Hines and the Big Easy Brawlers, The Iguanas, Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars, Higher Heights Reggae Band, Christian Serpas & Ghost Town, Wanda Rouzan and a Taste of New Orleans, Big Frank & Lil Frank & The Dirty Old Menn, Honey Island Swamp Band, People Museum, LSD Clownsystem, Soul Brass Band, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Gumbeaux Juice, Paul Sanchez, Young Pinstripe Brass Band, The Rumble featuring Chief Bourdreaux Jr, New Breed Paulin Brothers Brass Band, and more!

Find the full 2026 French Quarter Fest lineup here.

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Soft-Shell Crab and Yakiniku Po-Boy – Ajun Cajun at French Quarter Fest

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Muriel's Crawfish Crepe at French Quarter Festival

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(1) Muffalettas - French Quarter Fest, (2) Soft-Shell Crab and Yakiniku Po-Boys from Ajun Cajun at French Quarter Fest, (3) Muriel's Crawfish Crepe at French Quarter Fest, (4) Oysters Morrow at French Quarter Fest

2026 French Quarter Fest Food Lineup

The 2026 French Quarter Fest Culinary Vendors include WolfBurger, Creole Country Cafe, Observatory Eleven, Ajun Cajun, Etalian Happy Ice, Orleans Brothers, WWOZ Mango Freeze, Southern’s, Redfish Grill, Miss Linda The Yakamein Lady, Voleo’s Seafood, Afrodisiac Nola, Ma Momma’s House of Cornbread Chicken & Waffles, Jack Dempsey’s Restaurant, Los Jefes, Theaudric’s Real Clever Cuisine, Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant, The Bower, Papa Ninety, New Orleans School of Cooking, Lufu Nola, Tujague’s Restaurant, Nine Roses, Broussard’s, Creole Country Cafe, Mrs. Wheat’s Pies, Vaucresson Sausage Co., Nori Guys, Addis Nola, Baroness, Patton’s Caterers, Landry’s Seafood House, Jacques-Imos Cafe, Boulevard American Bistro, Pat O’Brien’s Bar, Quintin’s Natural Ice Cream, Plum Street Snowballs, Cafe Dauphine, Walker’s Southern Style BBQ, Love at First Bite, Loretta’s Authentic Pralines, Morrow’s, Original New Orleans Po-Boys, Goodfellas Seafood & Po-Boys, Monday, SunChong Nola, Rib Room at The Omni Royal Orleans, Fritai Nola, Morrow’s Steak, Phobang Nola, Desire Oyster Bar, Fatty’s Cracklin, Restaurant R’evolution, Tropical Isle, 14 Parishes, TJ Gourmet, WWOZ, Ditto Dat Food Trucks, Dingtea, Cochon King BBQ, Oh Taste & See, Louisiana Fish Fry with NOLA Crawfish King, Bao Mi, and more!

Find the full 2026 French Quarter Fest food lineup here.

Check out our Favorite Foods from French Quarter Festival here.

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When should I book my flight/hotel for French Quarter Fest?

Spring is a popular vacation time in New Orleans, and French Quarter Fest often falls alongside other events, so the earlier you can book your room, the better. But, don’t worry if you’re a bit behind on hotel reservations, because the festival has adopted the Omni Royal Orleans as its official hotel, and there are lots of great hotels around the city, including plenty inside or within walking distance of the French Quarter.

As a general rule, you’ll find better fares if you fly mid-week – all the better since the festival begins on a Thursday. Even if you arrive before or leave after the festival, there’s plenty to do in the city to pass the time (more on that below!).

When is the best time to buy tickets?

No need to worry about missing any sales window or saving up – French Quarter Fest has free general admission! If you’re looking for a VIP experience, the Fest Family Experience gives you access to three exclusive lounges as well as other special perks.

Jackson Square Art at French Quarter Festival

What’s the best way to get around during French Quarter Fest?

There’s lots of parking around the French Quarter and surrounding areas that will put you within walking distance of the festival. Depending on where you’re staying, you can also take in the sights while you go by taking a streetcar or renting a Blue Bike.

What should I wear to French Quarter Fest?

The springtime weather in New Orleans is some of the best of the year. Temperatures average between the low 50s to the upper 70s, so we recommend something light and comfortable to walk in as you traverse the Quarter. Layering is always key, so be sure to pack a sweater or light jacket – preferably a rain jacket so the occasional shower doesn’t catch you off-guard.

What should I bring?

Collapsible chairs, blankets, and ground tarps are a great way to take a break and enjoy the music – and your food. Sunscreen and bug spray are also must-haves. Outside food and beverages aren’t allowed, so be sure to bring cash to get your fill of the great food and drinks available (and to help fill the musician’s tip jars).

How many stages are there, and what can I expect at each stage?

There are 22 stages spread throughout the French Quarter, each with a variety of local musicians. The stages are located at:

...and more!

What should I do outside of the festival?

There’s always lots to do around New Orleans and the French Quarter is especially full of unique attractions to pass the time before and after the festival. Be sure to check our site calendar to get the latest on all the events taking place both inside and outside of the Quarter over the weekend!

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French Quarter Festival Second Line