Events

New Orleans in Spring - French Quarter Festival

Springtime means festivals in New Orleans, celebrating the trinity of favorite things in New Orleans: food, music and culture.

The French Quarter Festival is a free three-day party in the French Quarter in late April. It’s the biggest free music festival in the South and there’s always great music and great food in a historic setting. There’s music in the streets, on the banks of the Mississippi River, an area for kids behind the St. Louis Cathedral and two largest jazz brunches in the world. Watch the video below for some footage of the 2007 French Quarter Festival opening parade.

Food: There are two areas for food. Jackson Square is lined with food booths from everything from crawfish pasta to alligator sausage. There’s also a line of food booths in Woldenberg Park.

Music: Ten stages are set up in Woldenberg Park, on Royal and Bourbon Street and at the old mint at the edge of the French Quarter. Music ranges from country to Zydeco to classic to jazz. Here are my top picks for music at the 2008 French Quarter Festival.

For the kids: At the Aquarium of the Americas Plaza there’s an area just for kids with face painting, hat making and a chance to play in a Jazz band. There are also several special events for the whole family.

2008 dates: In 2008, the French Quarter Festival will be held from April 11-13th Plan to come! There are great deals available from www.lastminutetravel.com.

Tags: French Quarter Festival