French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI), a non-profit organization, is thrilled to unveil the first round of announcements for the 2024 French Quarter Festival. Presented by Chevron, this festival is the largest free celebration of Louisiana’s music, food, and culture. FQFI invites the community to the French Quarter neighborhood April 11-14 across various venues and stages for a four-day journey with Louisiana’s living legends. Dive into culinary adventures with over 60 renowned restaurants and chefs, experience 270+ performances on 21 stages, including 40+ debuts acts, and partake in special events that celebrate the unique region. The festival runs from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. each day, and features the annual Kick-off Parade on opening day at 10 a.m.
Building on the successes of FQF’s 40th anniversary, producers are excited to raise the bar in 2024 with new elements. “We are rarely short of good news when it comes to producing this Festival,” said Emily Madero, President & CEO of FQFI. “In addition to showcasing hundreds of local artists and chefs, this year introduces two new stages, our DJ Stage, and our Culinary Stage presented by Kingfish Kitchen and Cocktails. 2023 welcomed more than 875,000 fans over four days, so this year we are providing more space for our fans to spread out and dance with the addition of programming in Spanish Plaza.”
Chevron returns as Presenting Sponsor of the Festival. “Chevron is proud to once again serve as presenting sponsor of French Quarter Festival,” said Chevron Gulf of Mexico Public Affairs Manager Leah Brown. “For more than a decade we’ve supported the event’s mission to showcase the culture and heritage of our unique city, contribute to the economic well-being of the community, and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans. We thank the French Quarter Festival team for our long-standing partnership and invite everyone to join us this year!”
Louisiana, being well-known for its rich heritage that developed from a variety of cultures and global influences, has birthed legendary musicians from Louis Armstrong to Dr. John. This year, FQFI celebrates the legends that have continued to grace its stages since 1984 like Irma Thomas Soul Queen of New Orleans, Ivan Neville, Little Freddie King, George Porter Jr., Charmaine Neville, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., Kermit Ruffins and the many others that have shared their talents with fans and made French Quarter Festival a beloved and authentic Louisiana experience.
With over 40 hours of live music from the foot of Canal St. to Esplanade Ave., festival organizers have curated 270+ acts, with more than 40 debuts, including 24 DJs at the all new DJ Stage located in Aquarium Plaza.
Artists and collaborations making their debut include Teedra Moses, The Original Pinettes with Mia X, People Museum, TBC Brass Band featuring HaSizzle, and more. Bringing even more variety to the event, the DJ Stage will showcase everything from Hip-Hop to Electronic, and Cumbia to Afrobeats. Popular personalities known for exciting fans all across the nation and joining this year’s bill include Raj Smoove, DJ Kelly Green, DJ RQAway, DJ PJ, Ngoma Numu, and more.
This year’s Festival has expanded with the addition of Spanish Plaza, in-partnership with Riverwalk Outlets. Here, fans can see performances from artists such as Joy Clark, Partners-N-Crime, and Brass-a-Holics with Flagboy Giz on the Jack Daniel’s Stage. This extended footprint also brings the WWL Louisiana Media Stage, and provides more opportunities for VIP hospitality.
The 2024 Chevron Evening Concert Series, returns with more festival favorites such as The Soul Rebels, John “Papa” Gros, and Big Freedia on the Chevron Stage in JAX Lot. The riverfront Abita Beer Stage brings four days of music including the return of America’s Got Talent winners Chapel Hart, and Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience. More debuts are featured across the grounds like Assata Renay, and Honey Island Swamp Band at the Tropical Isle Hand Grenade Stage, as well as debuts Conjunto Tierra Linda, and Mahmoud Chouki at the The Pan-American Life Insurance Group Stage.
Fans will notice a new presence inside the gates on Esplanade Ave. with the Loyola University Esplanade in the Shade Stage with performances from Astral Project, Iceman Special, and students from Loyola University. The Louisiana Fish Fry Stage, located outdoors at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint, will include music from Hot 8 Brass Band, Kings of Brass, and more. Fans can also relax and enjoy entertainment inside the museum on the third floor at the Songwriter Stage.
The festival brings additional New Orleans Jazz to the French Quarter neighborhood through various stages, including the French Market Traditional Jazz Stage and Dutch Alley Stage located in the French Market District, the Café Beignet Stage at Musical Legends Park, the Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta New Orleans and the House of Blues Stage in the House of Blues. There are also street stages on Royal Street, including the Omni Royal Orleans Stage.
VIEW THE MUSIC LINEUP The complete schedule will be released late March. The festival app has been updated in preparation for the March release.
Culinary Lineup includes 60+ Vendors & A New Stage
Sponsored by Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard, the 2024 Culinary Lineup is home to dozens of restaurants with their own great stories. Restaurants like Tujague’s return with a history in the city of New Orleans dating back more than 165 years. Loretta’s Authentic Pralines, while absent from their founder, continues on in her memory with food for the soul. Plum Street Snoballs continues to win the hearts of all of our youngest fans. And newer vendors like Bao Mi and Paco’s Tacos who help to create the region’s extraordinary culinary scene, stir the pot with their bold flavors at Fest. This year, fans are invited to join Chef Kevin Belton at the Culinary Stage presented by Kingfish Kitchen and Cocktails where they see what’s cooking at Fest and learn more about the stories behind these tried, treasured and true establishments. Culinary demos will take place in Aquarium Plaza on the Kohlymeyer Lawn.
FQFI is excited to announce two new culinary vendors this year: Miss River located at the Four Seasons New Orleans, and Fritai Nola. We suggest jumping in line early for eats from Chef Charly Pierre at Fritai Nola, who combines his Haitian roots with inventive twists that celebrate the ‘local people, ingredients and flavors of New Orleans’ like the Grilled Shrimp Pikliz.
Abita Beer returns as a major sponsor of the festival; the local brewing company brings favorites like Amber, Light, Strawberry Lager, Purple Haze, Jockamo Juicy IPA, and the debut of Blueberry Wheat. A varied menu of spirits and mixed cocktails, wine, and champagne can also be found at beverage booths around the festival ground that include Jack Daniel’s, Fords Gin, Diplomático Rum, El Jimador Tequila, Finlandia Vodka, Sonoma-Cutrer Wines, and Korbel California Champagne.
With family in mind, a wide range of non-alcoholic beverages for fans of all ages is also offered throughout the Fest including Pepsi products. Those in need of a pick me up to keep on festin’ can grab a French Market Coffee and relax in their patio cafe in JAX Brewery Lot.
VIEW THE COMPLETE CULINARY LINEUP The complete menu will be released late March. The festival app has been updated in preparation for the March release.
An Homage to the Women of Fest
The Official 2024 French Quarter Festival poster, created by Monica Rose Kelly, is an original watercolor painting with ornate hand-lettering that is influenced by the decorative styles found throughout the French Quarter. “I chose to honor women musicians, specifically the musical mothers of New Orleans, who not only work tirelessly to raise the children of our city but moonlight as culture-bearers,” says Kelly, “Women have not been often represented in New Orleans festival posters or murals, which is why I chose to depict them in many of my recent works. In addition to renderings of the ironwork found throughout the Quarter’s many balconies, I have incorporated a design from the top spire of the St. Louis Cathedral’s steeple in the background. This alternative representation of the beloved landmark is a nod to the African blacksmiths that designed many of the architectural details in the French Quarter. The tropical botanicals found in the Quarter’s hidden courtyards are painted behind the ironwork as well. The bottom of the composition shows a map of the French Quarter adorned with sprawling jasmine vines that blossom in the exact location of each FQF stage.”
The 2024 poster will be available in two limited editions: Numbered offset prints and numbered & signed screen-prints. All posters will be available for pre-order beginning Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 10 am.
New Ways to Fest in Style!
FQFI is committed to keeping the festival free and open to the public. This year organizers have expanded opportunities for super fans to support the organization’s mission while gaining access to exclusive VIP experiences. In addition to the Fest Family Experience, attendees can take advantage of the ultimate festival luxury with the brand-new Front-of-Stage Access Pass, granting prime viewing spots to savor every note and beat of the music. VIPs can also enjoy the convenience of a 4-Day Parking Pass in a coveted location, ensuring that arrival is seamless and stress-free. And there’s more – we’re proud to announce the addition of a fourth hospitality lounge to the VIP experience located at the Jazz Museum.
Fest Family VIP Members will also enjoy private bars with 3 complimentary drinks per day (and the option to redeem at all festival beverage locations), air-conditioned restrooms, exclusive programming, and more! This year, the program will offer four-day weekend passes for $449 or single-day passes for $129. A limited number of memberships are available and help to fund the free, local event. Fans can become members and support the fest by purchasing passes today.
Embarking on a Sustainable Journey
This year, with the support of Keep Louisiana Beautiful and the New Orleans Recreation and Culture Fund, producers are determined to set a new standard in eco-friendly festival production in the Gulf South with the Geauxing Green program. The ambitious milestone of achieving a 40% overall waste diversion at the 2023 Festival has ignited a wave of enthusiasm, and the momentum is set to surge even higher in 2024.
Since 2022, organizers have worked closely with culinary vendors to guarantee that all materials provided to festival-goers are high-quality, reusable, recyclable, and compostable. The initiative promotes conscious consumption, driving positive change. In addition, the Green Team Crew, consisting of over 400 volunteers from around the state, are on hand throughout the festival grounds to guide and inspire the public to use recycling and composting stations. With their energy and commitment, they aim to create an immersive experience where every attendee actively participates in the festival’s eco-friendly narrative.
Special Events, Programs, and Festival Extras
French Quarter Festival Kickoff Parade will take place Thursday, April 11 at 10 a.m. The parade departs from the 200 block of Bourbon Street and makes its way to Jackson Square.
FREE DANCE LESSONS: 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.
FESTIVAL FUN FOR EVERYONE; Our entire festival is family-friendly, but we have special zones throughout our footprint designed just for our youngest fans and musicians!
The Chevron Children’s STEM Zone will return to entertain and educate people of all ages Saturday and Sunday.
The New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Kids Stage operates Saturday and Sunday with entertainment that will have everyone moving to the beat.
Ernie’s Schoolhouse Stage (now located at Aquarium Plaza) 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 while learning about engaging in the live production aspect of the music industry.
Sponsors & YOU Help To Keep French Quarter Fest a
FREE Community Event
French Quarter Festivals, Inc. is proud of its 41-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 all of our festival fans who contribute to our success by purchasing merchandise and upgraded festival experiences, becoming a musical performance sponsor, and donating directly to our organization
