Accessibility
French Quarter Festival 2025 is partnering with ALL IN EVENTS to bring you our Access Program 2025.
2025 Accessibility FAQ:
Click below to download our full French Quarter Festival 2025 Accessibility FAQ which contains more detailed information, links and pro tips for enjoying the fest!
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Where does French Quarter Festival happen?
French Quarter Festival takes place in the heart of New Orleans in the French Quarter District. There are six zones within the French Quarter where all the festivities are happening:
- Spanish Plaza
- Woldenberg Riverfront Park
- Jax Brewery Lot
- Jackson Square & Oscar Dunn Park
- New Orleans Jazz Museum at The Mint
- Street Stages
Where can I park at French Quarter Festival?
French Quarter Festival is a free, public event and does not have any reserved parking for patrons. There are many public parking areas near the festival stages. All public parking areas are legally required to have accessible parking spaces.
For more information regarding public parking areas near French Quarter Festival please see the Travel Page on our website.
French Quarter Festival does offer Fest Family VIP packages that offer the option to purchase parking with a VIP ticket. Click here for more information on Fest Family VIP Packages for purchase.
PRO TIP: Sign up for NOLA Ready: New Orleans Emergency Alert System here
GETTING TO FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL
Is there public transportation available for French Quarter Fest?
New Orleans RTA offers accessible riding options for all their transportation.
Accessible features could include:
Ramps to board and exit
Accessible spaces for riders that use mobility devices
Wheelchair lifts for busses and street cars
Here are some helpful links to help you plan your trip:
RTA STREET CAR:
Accessible to individuals with disabilities, the RED streetcars running along the Canal St., Rampart, and Riverfront lines are outfitted with wheelchair lifts.
Moreover, certain GREEN streetcars operating on the St. Charles Avenue line comply with ADA standards.
St. Charles streetcars run approximately every hour.
RTA FERRY:
The Algiers Point Ferry is conveniently located at Woldenberg Riverfront Park, between Spanish Plaza and Aquarium Plaza. It can also be accessed from the foot of Canal St, closest destination for navigation, please use “1 Canal St.”
RTA BUS:
Please check the RTA website linked below for bus information and information regarding accessible features of RTA vehicles.
Where are the gates to enter French Quarter Festival?
For the safety of all our patrons each gate includes a security screening and bag check at all major sites and stages including but not limited to:
2 Canal Street (Spanish Plaza/Woldenberg Park)
300 Bienville at Front St. (Woldenberg Park)
600 Block of Decatur St Toulouse Street (JAX Brewery Lot)
800 Block of Decatur Street (Jackson Square)
400 Block of Barracks Street (New Orleans Jazz Museum)
Additionally, for our patrons that use mobility devices we suggest you enter through these gates. New Orleans is a beautiful and historic city, these gates will provide the most accessibility.
PRO TIP: Keep an eye out for signs with the wheelchair symbol and arrows at some of our gates. They will guide you to the closest curb cut and accessible point of entry.
For more detailed information on what you can expect at the gates and additional accessibility concerns, download our Accessibility FAQ.
Enjoying French Quarter Festival
Can I bring my service animal?
French Quarter Festival welcomes all patrons, including those that experience our event with the assistance of a Service Animal.
A Service Animal is on that has been trained to perform one (or more) specific task(s) for the person with a disability that it serves.
Please understand, emotional support or therapy animals are not allowed into the festival for the safety of all of our patrons. Pets of any kind will not be allowed into the festival, no exceptions.
A few notes about bringing your Service Animal to the event:
1.) When passing through the gates you will receive a short & respectful screening by French Quarter Fest Access Team or NOPD. You will not be asked for any documentation. A band will then be placed on the collar or harness of your Service Animal. This band is purely a visual alert to all our staff that you have already been screened and ensure that you are not stopped and asked multiple times in the different areas of the event. This tag is only for your ease of movement throughout the festival.
2.) Your Service Animal must always remain with you & it must be your service animal.
3.) Your Service Animal must be always under your control & have a collar, harness & lead.
4.) Handlers must clean-up after their service animal, trash receptacles are available throughout each site.
5.) If (for some reason) your Service Animal displays unsafe behavior of any kind, we reserve the right to ask you to remove the animal from the festival.
6.) If you have any other further inquiries regarding your Service Animal, please email access@fqfi.org.
WHERE CAN I GET INFORMATION WHEN I AM AT FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL?
There are 5 Info Booths located throughout the French Quarter Festival grounds at major sites, including:
- Spanish Plaza
- Woldenberg Riverfront Park
- Found between Palm Lawn and Berger Lawn
- Next to Fest Family/ VIP Viewing Area
- JAX Brewery Parking Lot
- Jackson Square
- O. Jazz Museum (Old U.S. Mint)
Each French Quarter Festival Information Booths will also be equipped with information about our Access Program. Maps, inclusive/alternative schedules, and more will be available at each location.
ARE THERE ACCESSIBLE VIEWING AREAS FOR PATRONS WITH MOBILITY DISABILITIES TO ENJOY THE PERFORMANCES?
Yes, there are accessible viewing areas located at the following stages:
- Jack Daniels Stage
- Chevron Stage
- New Orleans & Co. Stage
- Tropical Isle Hand Grenade Stage
There will be raised accessible viewing platforms located at:
- Abita Stage
- Louisiana Fish Fry Stage
- Loyola University Stage
A note about Accessible Viewing Areas: All of our accessible viewing areas are first come, first served. For the safety of all patrons, each viewing area will have a posted maximum capacity, when the area is full our security and Access Team staff will no longer allow patrons to enter the space until there is space according to the posted capacity. We request that our patrons with disabilities are mindful with their companion in the Accessible Viewing Areas so that everyone has an opportunity to enjoy the event.
ARE THERE FOOD VENDORS AT THE FEST AND ARE THEY ACCESSIBLE?
All merchandise, food and beverage vendor booths are located along accessible pathways that are made of hard surface and/or turf. Each booth is built to an accessible height, please look for the wheelchair symbol for the Accessible Point of Service, for ease.
WILL THERE BE ACCESSIBLE RESTROOMS AT THE FEST?
FQFI provides portable restrooms in all areas of our event. At each restroom area there will be accessible units. These units are for patrons with mobility disabilities and will be labeled as such.
WHAT IF I AM ON THE SPECTRUM AND NEED A PLACE TO DECOMPRESS WHILE I AM AT THE FEST?
Benny’s Sensory Activation Vehicle is an inclusive space for individuals with sensory processing disorders often associated with autism and other conditions. The fully equipped, tow-along trailer, located on the Aquarium Plaza at Woldenberg Riverfront Park provides a safe space of respite and decompression for those who may become overwhelmed by the sights, sounds and crowds. Learn more here.
WILL THERE BE ASL INTERPRETERS AT THE FEST?
Yes, we will have ASL Interpreters at some of the performances at the festival. If you would like to request a specific show, please email: access@fqfi.org. The deadline for requesting specific shows is March 18, 2025.