Special Events

Special Events on Thursday, April 12, 2018

French Quarter Festival Second-Line Kickoff Parade
100 block of Bourbon Street to Jackson Square -10AM
Want to participate in our parade? Sorry, the lineup is filled this year!

Click here for a map of the Parade route!

Special Events on Friday, April 13, 2018

Academy Sports+Outdoors presents free dance lessons
The French Market Traditional Jazz Stage and the Chevron Cajun-Zydeco Showcase will feature dancing and classes in the following: Traditional Jazz, 1920s Charleston, Swing Dance, Cajun Jitterbug, and Zydeco. Classes are taught by professional dancers. All classes are free and open to the public thanks to a sponsorship from Academy Sports+Outdoors.

French Market Tricentennial Art Market at Dutch Alley, a showcase of handcrafted art representing the culture and heritage of New Orleans and Louisiana.  Discover handmade art from a variety of local and regional artists, with wares ranging from painting to photography to sculpture.

Special Events on Saturday, April 14, 2018

Academy Sports+Outdoors presents free dance lessons
The French Market Traditional Jazz Stage and the Chevron Cajun-Zydeco Showcase will feature dancing and classes in the following: Traditional Jazz, 1920s Charleston, Swing Dance, Cajun Jitterbug, and Zydeco. Classes are taught by professional dancers. All classes are free and open to the public thanks to a sponsorship from Academy Sports+Outdoors.

French Market Tricentennial Art Market at Dutch Alley, a showcase of handcrafted art representing the culture and heritage of New Orleans and Louisiana.  Discover handmade art from a variety of local and regional artists, with wares ranging from painting to photography to sculpture.

Let Them Talk: Conversations on Louisiana Music, presented by Jones Walker
Jazz Museum at the Mint, 3rd Floor. Free and open to the public. Click here for detailed descriptions.

11:30 am – Zachary Richard: Louisiana’s Multi-Talented French Connection
12:30 pm – Gregory Davis (Dirty Dozen Brass Band): 40 Years On And Still Going Strong!
1:30 pm –  Linnzi Zaorski: Greet The Dawn, Naughty Sweety
2:30 pm – Richard Scott: Piano Man Plus!
3:30 pm – Tribute To Fats Domino with Haydee Ellis
4:30 pm – Joshua Paxton: Joshua Fit The Battle Of Booker And ‘Fess
5:30 pm – Jon Cleary: A Funky Thirty Eight

FQF Film Fest with Cinema on the Bayou, Presented by NCIS: New Orleans 
Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre. Free and open to the public.  Click here for detailed descriptions.

11:15 am – Documentary Feature: Dance for a Chicken – The Cajun Mardi Gras
1:00 pm – Documentary: Le Voisinage with Feufollet, Pine Leaf Boys, The Revelers, and T’Monde
2:00 pm – Zachary Richard, Cajun Heart    Watch the trailer!
4:00 pm – Documentary: Hotel Al (Hotel Monteleone) Watch the trailer!

Chevron Children’s Headquarters on the Riverfront at the Natchez Wharf Featuring the Chevron “STEAM” Zone (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) with interactive, fascinating fun for families. Community partners include: Rebuilding Together New Orleans, WWII Museum, The Nature Conservancy, Project Lead the Way, Audubon Nature Institute, Chevron, Fab Lab NOLA, and the New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park. Children will explore Louisiana-wildlife success stories, complete a LED circuit to light the facade of a New Orleans home, and “build” a historic home. Toulouse Street at the River— Saturday and Sunday, 11AM-5PM

Natchez “Old Man River” VIP Experience Fireworks and Music Cruise Click here to purchase tickets for the best seat in the house! 5pm-10pm

NOLA BOUND: Come Home to a Job in NOLA 504ward, GNO, Inc. and NOLABA host a NOLA BOUND pop-up to connect New Orleans area employers with homegrown talent at the NOLA BOUND tent in front of the Audubon Aquarium at the GE Digital Stage. NOLA BOUND Ambassadors will be on hand to share free resources and tips — including Work Nola, 504ward, and Destination GNO — on how to network, connect and find the RIGHT job in New Orleans. Register for the pop-up at 504ward.com/nolabound. 11AM-7PM

Port of New Orleans Water Display at Woldenberg Riverfront Park by the boat, General Kelley 5PM

Battle of the Bands – traditional jazz bands compete in a rousing playoff – 400 block of Royal – 5:30-7PM

French Quarter Fest Tricentennial Fireworks, sponsored by The Berger Company and Hand Surgical Associates – 9pm

French Quarter Fest Official After-Party with Flow Tribe, Presented by Harrah’s 9pm

Special Events on Sunday April 15, 2018

Academy Sports+Outdoors presents free dance lessons
The French Market Traditional Jazz Stage and the Chevron Cajun-Zydeco Showcase will feature dancing and classes in the following: Traditional Jazz, 1920s Charleston, Swing Dance, Cajun Jitterbug, and Zydeco. Classes are taught by professional dancers. All classes are free and open to the public thanks to a sponsorship from Academy Sports+Outdoors.

French Market Tricentennial Art Market at Dutch Alley, a showcase of handcrafted art representing the culture and heritage of New Orleans and Louisiana.  Discover handmade art from a variety of local and regional artists, with wares ranging from painting to photography to sculpture.

Let Them Talk: Conversations on Louisiana Music, presented by Jones Walker
Jazz Museum at the Mint, 3rd Floor. Free and open to the public. Click here for detailed descriptions.

11:30 am – Vanessa Niemann Talks “Gal Holiday”
12:30 pm – Dr. Jee Yeoun Ko: On A Mission For Classical Music
1:30 pm – Christien Bold: Great Name, Big Talent
2:30 pm – Evan Christopher: Along The Clarinet Road
3:30 pm – Johnny Sansone: The Lord Is Waiting And The Devil Is Too
4:30 pm – Darcy Malone: Rockin’ In 21 Century New Orleans

*Special Feature Exhibit and Panel Discussion
5:30 pm – Rooted in Resistance, Remembrance, Ritual & Resilience Exhibition, presented by the New Orleans Jazz Museum – Jazz Museum at the Mint, 3rd Floor. Free and open to the public.  

Black masking Indian, artist Darryl Montana and artist Ron Bechet engage in conversation about ancestral influences and the coming together of their work in the Rooted in Resistance, Remembrance, Ritual, and Resilience: Black Masking Indian Suiting Exhibit.

FQF Film Fest with Cinema on the Bayou, Presented by NCIS: New Orleans  
Le Petit Theater du Vieux Carre. Free and open to the public. Click here for detailed descriptions.

11:15 am –  Music-Driven Narrative Feature: Dirty Rice
1:00 pm – Music-Driven Narrative Shorts:  

2:30 pm – Nine Lives:  A Musical Adaptation Live, Act I (Q&A with director and Paul Sanchez following screening.)
3:45 pm – Nine Lives:  A Musical Adaptation Live, Act II

Chevron Children’s Headquarters on the Riverfront at the Natchez Wharf  Featuring the Chevron “STEAM” Zone (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) with interactive, fascinating fun for families. Community partners include: Rebuilding Together New Orleans, WWII Museum, The Nature Conservancy, Project Lead the Way, Audubon Nature Institute, Chevron, Fab Lab NOLA, and the New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park. Children will explore Louisiana-wildlife success stories, complete a LED circuit to light the facade of a New Orleans home, and “build” a historic home. Toulouse Street at the River— Saturday and Sunday, 11AM-5PM

NOLA BOUND: Come Home to a Job in NOLA 504ward, GNO, Inc. and NOLABA host a NOLA BOUND pop-up to connect New Orleans area employers with homegrown talent at the NOLA BOUND tent in front of the Audubon Aquarium at the GE Digital Stage. NOLA BOUND Ambassadors will be on hand to share free resources and tips — including Work Nola, 504ward, and Destination GNO — on how to network, connect and find the RIGHT job in New Orleans. Register for the pop-up at 504ward.com/nolabound. 11AM-5PM

St. Louis Cathedral Annual Spring Concert – Admission is free and open to the public. 3PM

Dancing at Dusk – You’ll be ‘In the Mood’ for a ‘Sentimental Journey’ with the sounds of Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Count Basie and other favorites from the 30s, 40s, and 50s. Come dance and swing at this festival favorite with The Tomcats. 400 block of Royal Street – 6:00-7:15PM