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The non-profit French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) is excited to announce the official return to the stage after a two-year hiatus.
French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron, the largest free festival and showcase of Louisiana music, food, and culture, takes place April 21-24 across venues and stages in the French Quarter neighborhood. This year’s festival invites locals and visitors to reconnect with the flavors of regional cuisine from more than 50 local restaurants, dance to the beat of 265+ Louisiana acts on 20 stages, and enjoy special events that celebrate this unique city. The festival will operate from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. each day of the event.
Festival organizers welcome the return of Chevron as Presenting Sponsor of both French Quarter Festival and Satchmo SummerFest. “Even though the event itself has been on hiatus the last two years, Chevron’s support of French Quarter Festival has never wavered,” said Leah Brown Public Affairs Manager, Chevron Gulf of Mexico. “Together, we funded local musicians and the gig community during COVID’s most difficult days. Now, we’re more excited than ever to see these legendary artists return to the stage. This year’s festival will be an opportunity to again support Louisiana musicians and businesses – and celebrate the Crescent City’s special culture, cuisine, and character. Chevron thanks the French Quarter Fest staff for their longstanding partnership and invites everyone to join us!”
The FQFI staff has continued to work diligently to bring back this beloved event that has been missed by its growing community of fans, musicians, gig workers, sponsors and partners. Throughout this time the team has stayed in close communication with City, Health and Public Safety Officials and together are confident in the ability to produce a safe and joyful experience for all this year. “We have worked and waited patiently and now the countdown to our 2022 spring festival has officially begun,” said Emily Madero, President & CEO of FQFI. “We are returning strong with over 1,800 local musicians, more than 50 chefs and restaurants, new interactive fan experiences, and evening programming across the city. FQFI is proud to kick off the festival season in New Orleans with a truly authentic celebration and we welcome everyone to join us for an unforgettable four days.”
More than 265 Performances on
20 Stages
25+ debuts including Rickie Lee Jones, Chapel Heart Band and Vegas Cola Band
“In New Orleans, culture doesn’t come down from on high, it bubbles up from the streets.” – Ellis Marsalis. While the late, great Marsalis who was set to play in the 2020 festival will not be with us to perform this year, he joins us in spirit. The talent and sounds of over 1,800 musicians will bubble up from the streets filling the Quarter with an unmistakable feeling that only French Quarter Festival can provide. Voted the 2019 ‘local favorite’, the festival returns with a vibrant lineup of musical performers from a variety of genres.
In 2022, festival organizers will curate 265+ acts, including more than 25 debuts, across 20 stages throughout the historic French Quarter. Artists range from legends like Little Freddie King to emerging artists such as Trombone Shorty Academy’s youth ensemble. Artists making their debut include Rickie Lee Jones, Loose Cattle (led by Tony Award®-winner Michael Cerveris), The Lilli Lewis Project, Da Truth Brass Band, Gumbeaux Juice Feat. an All Star Lineup, Electric Yat Quartet, Notel Motel + more.
Returning favorites include Tank and the Bangas, John Boutté, Amanda Shaw, Bill Summers & Jazzalsa, Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, and hundreds more. Attendees can experience Louisiana legends in the streets of the Quarter each night of festival, thanks to the Chevron Evening Concert Series, which returns in 2022 with Irma Thomas, Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr., Waterseed, and Big Chief Bo Dollis Jr. and the Wild Magnolias at the Chevron Stage now in the Jax Brewery Lot. The GE Stage finds a new home in Jackson Square with an all-star lineup of New Orleans’ most respected artists and culture-bearers including Jeremy Davenport, Shannon Powell, Robin Barnes & the Fiyabirds, and James Andrews. The riverfront Abita Beer Stage brings four days of music including Sweet Crude, The Soul Rebels, and Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters. Artists on the Jack Daniel’s Stage in Canal Plaza include Alfred Banks w/ Sax Kix Ave, Erica Falls, and the Jamal Batiste Band. At the Tropical Isle Hand Grenade Stage, the lineup includes a Sunday morning Gospel performance from debut Zulu Gospel Choir. At the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint, brass bands will be featured Friday-Sunday on the Louisiana Fish Fry Stage, and the WWL-TV Esplanade in the Shade Stage brings three days of music from crowd favorites like Tin Men and Sarah Quintana. The festival brings more music to the French Quarter neighborhood with the French Market Traditional Jazz Stage and Dutch Alley Stage located in the French Market District, the Café Beignet Stage at Musical Legends Park and Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta New Orleans, both at 300 Bourbon, the Jones Walker Songwriter Stage which returns to the outdoor courtyard at The Historic New Orleans Collection, and multiple street stages along Bourbon and Royal Streets.
The complete schedule will be released late March. The festival app has been updated in preparation for the March release. **Find the music lineup at frenchquarterfest.org.**
French Quarter Fest After Dark
And the beat goes on!
French Quarter Fest expands fan experience offering new nightime programming. French Quarter Fest After Dark is a curated series of performances and pop-up events to enhance the fan experience and keep the good times rolling after the last festival stage closes. The official FQF After Dark Series will be held at different venues throughout the city Thursday – Saturday. Stay tuned for more details on how to secure your spot to this premier series.
Thursday, April 21 FQF After Dark at Double Dealer
Friday, April 22 FQF After Dark at Three Keys at the ACE Hotel
Saturday, April 23 FQF After Dark at Hotel St. Vincent
Culinary Lineup includes 50+ Vendors
In New Orleans, food is more than a pastime, it tells the story of the city’s rich history and is ingrained in its culture. Fans are encouraged to experience mouth-watering flavors from over 50 vendors across six food sites that tell the story of this eccentric melting pot. The 2022 French Quarter Festival Culinary Lineup, sponsored by Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard, returns with New Orleans’ most infamous dishes, as well as new takes on the classics and items that can only be found at the Fest.
This year’s lineup includes decadent options like Creole Seafood Dressing Boulettes with Crawfish Etouffee from Lasyone’s Meat Pies, Vaucresson’s Sausage Co’s Creole Barbecue Chicken Sausage, Berry Glazed Bacon & Jalapeno Duck Poppers from Court of Two Sisters, Oyster Morrow: crab stuffed oysters on the halfshell from Morrow’s and Shrimp and Beef Yakamein from Miss Linda the Yakamein Lady.
This year FQFI welcomes culinary debuts Cocoa and Cream Catering with a Fried Catfish Acadiana: Catfish filet on a bed of cajun alfredo veggie pasta topped with a creole shrimp sauce, The Bower’s Cochon de lait and Smoked Fish Dip, new to the New Orleans food scene is Ethopian restaurant Addis Nola with Collard Green Sambusas and Sweet Awaze Chicken Legs and Maggie’s Back Porch Café, introducing Grilled Chicken Livers and Barbecue Rib Tips. Other returning favorites include Ajun Cajun, Walker’s BBQ, Loretta’s Praline Connection, Mrs. Wheat Pies and Landry’s.
Abita Beer returns as a major sponsor of the festival; this year the local brewing company brings favorites including Amber, Jockamo Juicy IPA, Light, Strawberry, Purple Haze & The Boot, as well as the new LA Hard Sweet Tea. Fans have a chance to experience the debut of The El Jimador Tequila Trailer and the Jack Daniel’s Airstream near the Jack Daniel’s Stage in Canal Plaza. Fest attendees can lounge at the outdoor seated café with a specialty cocktail or pose for the camera at the JD 360 Photo Booth. Along with a varied drink menu which includes Sonoma-Cutrer Wines and Korbel, French Quarter Fest is excited to introduce Jack Daniel’s Fire and Tennessee Apple as well as Bloody Mary’s into the Culinary Lineup. The options continue at our cocktail bars throughout the site with refreshing mixed beverages from local favorite, Bayou Rum, who is a returning sponsor.
French Quarter Fest will also offer a wide range of non-alcoholic beverages for fans of all ages. This year’s menu will feature Pepsi products offering lots of thirst-quenching options from its portfolio including new festival offering, Crush. Fans in need of a pick me up to keep on festin’ can grab a French Market Cold Brew in their Traditional, Chicory or new Iced Caramel Coffee blend, or kick back with a refreshing Luzianne Iced Tea and take their pick of the Sweet, Unsweetened or all new Blueberry Mint Tea at the outdoor café areas on both the Riverfront and Jax Lot sites. The complete Culinary Lineup is available at frenchquarterfest.org.
Sponsors & YOU Help To Keep French Quarter Fest a FREE Community Event
French Quarter Festivals, Inc. is proud of its 39-year history of providing high-quality community events that welcome locals and guests. In order to keep the festival free and open to the public, the organization relies heavily on the contributions of sponsors and partners, as well as beverage and merchandise sales. We also recognize and appreciate our festival family who contribute to our success by purchasing merchandise and upgraded festival experiences, becoming a musician sponsor and donating directly to our organization throughout the year.
This year’s Official Festival Poster is a collaborative effort of digital artists from TILT studio who wanted to tell a simple but meaningful story. “By focusing on the appropriate style of instruments and music (not just generic guitars, or expected NOLA jazz instruments), embedded with symbols and details of the French Quarter — the Cathedral, wrought iron — all wrapped around a gator to give it that extra Louisiana flavor, we hoped to create a visual connection to the experience that is French Quarter Fest,” says Scott Hodgin, Owner & Creative Director of TILT. Purchase your poster today at the merch shop!
More Ways to VIP!
Fans can experience French Quarter Festival 2022 in style by becoming members of the NOLA.com Fest Family Experience! Fest Family members will enjoy elevated viewing stands near the riverfront Abita Beer Stage, and hospitality lounges at the the Chevron Stage and Jack Daniel’s Stage. Members will also enjoy private bars with 3 complimentary drinks per day (and option to redeem at all festival beverage locations), air-conditioned restrooms, exclusive programming, complimentary Satchmo SummerFest tickets, and more! This year, the program will offer four-day weekend passes for $399 or single day passes for $129. A limited number of memberships are available and help to fund the free, local event. Fans can become a member and support the fest by purchasing your passes today.
We’re Geauxing Green
FQFI aims to be leader in sustainable festival production in Gulf South
Festival organizers continue efforts to be a leader in sustainable festival production in the Gulf South. FQFI, in partnership with the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP), launched the Geauxing Green program in 2021 with hopes for a cleaner, healthier, and happier festival season in Louisiana. The initiative will focus on marine debris prevention by allowing only reusable, recyclable, and compostable food and drink products at the festival. In addition, attendees will be greeted by Green Team staff, who will be on hand throughout the festival grounds to guide the public in the use of recycling and composting stations. Accompanying materials focused on marine debris prevention will be available on site.
Special Events, Programs, and Festival Extras
French Quarter Festival Opening Day Parade will take place Thursday, April 21 at 10 a.m. The parade departs from the 200 block of Bourbon Street and makes its way to Jackson Square.
Free dance lessons sponsored by the French Market Corporation will occur at both the Chevron Stage and the French Market Traditional Jazz Stage throughout the festival.
On Saturday and Sunday the Chevron Children’s STEM Zone, will return to the Natchez Wharf to entertain and educate people of all ages. The New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Kids Stage operates just a stones throw away from the STEM Zone on both days.
Ernie’s Schoolhouse Stage located at the Homer A. Plessy Community School features an array of up and coming musicians of middle and high school age from independent programs and school associated ensembles. This initiative, started in 2018, continues FQFI’s commitment to investing in the next generation of New Orleans’ culture bearers. Youth inclined to musical performance are provided opportunities to showcase their talents at a major music festival.
FQFI is exploring new partnerships to showcase our visual arts and culture. Stay tuned for details on JAMNOLA’s 2022 festival art installation debut.
Our French Quarter Festival Village is STRONG!
French Quarter Fest Sponsors Include: Abita Brewing Company, Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc. , Aetna Better Health of Louisiana, AOS Interior Environments, Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, Bayou Rum, The Berger Company, Bond Moroch, Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard, Brown-Forman, Café Beignet, Chevron, Super Chevy Dealers