What to Do in the French Quarter in April

Don’t spread this around too much, but April might just be the best time to visit New Orleans. The city has recovered from its massive Mardi Gras hangover, crawfish season is in full, spicy swing, and the weather is just about as perfect as it gets, with average highs hovering in the mid-70s.

If that’s not incentive enough, April is a month packed with music, food, parades, festivals… You know, all the stuff that makes New Orleans so New Orleans. Best of all? You don’t have to venture outside the French Quarter to enjoy the best the city has to offer, and many of these events don’t cost a dime. Just bring a sense of joie de vivre and let the good times roll.

Note: We’ve included some April events we thought were important to mention, but they don’t all happen in the French Quarter.

Wednesday at the Square

Wednesdays, March 11 – May 6, 2026

Free music? Good weather? Food stalls? Good folks? All this and more at Wednesday at the Square in downtown New Orleans, which continues for 10 weeks. The concert series kicks off in Lafayette Square; music lasts from 5 to 8 p.m.

Crescent City Classic

Saturday, April 4, 2026

Yes, the Crescent City Classic is a 10k that attracts top athletes from around the world, but it’s so much more than a road race. Even if your idea of a workout is walking from Cafe du Monde to Pat O’Brien’s, you owe it to yourself to check out the race, festival, music, and people who have made the Crescent City Classic a New Orleans institution for several decades.

You can run, walk, dance, or push a stroller down all or part of its scenic route, which loops from the Superdome, through the Quarter, and up Esplanade Avenue before ending in a party in City Park. Or you can sit on the sidelines, cheer on the participants, and ask yourself how it’s possible for so many people to run while drinking and wearing full costumes. Either way, the Crescent City Classic is a spectacle not to be missed.

You do have to register to run; the cost is $70 ($50 if you run for a charity). The price increases after February 20, 2026.

Easter Parades

Sunday, April 5, 2026

Easter is a time for celebration, chocolate bunnies, and church services… but in New Orleans, it’s decidedly over the top. Wear your finest pastels, florals, seersucker, and hats (the bigger the better), and you’ll fit right in at the city’s three Easter parades.

They kick off at 11 a.m. when the French Quarter Easter Parade rolls from the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel. After that, things take a turn for the campy with the Chris Owens French Quarter parade, which celebrates Bourbon Street’s late reigning queen. Because it is now prohibited to parade on Bourbon Street (due to the terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve in 2024), the parade route changed last year, and the details for 2026 are still being ironed out. The Gay Easter Parade closes down the celebrations, starting at 4:30 p.m., with floats, throws, and dancers galore. Celebrate good times, come on!

Hogs for the Cause

Friday-Saturday, April 10-11, 2026

Hogs for the Cause features more than 90 teams competing for the coveted BBQ Pork Grand Champion title. This signature festival blends live music, great food, and time with family and friends, all while supporting an extraordinary mission. The event is held at the UNO Lakefront Arena (6801 Franklin Ave.). Expect more than 20 bands (this year’s lineup), and all things BBQ.

In its 18th year, so far Hogs has given back more than $15 million, providing over 2,200 direct grants to families battling pediatric brain cancer and contributing millions more to hospital programs and on-campus housing at children’s hospitals. You can get tickets here.

French Quarter Festival

Thursday-Sunday, April 16-19, 2026

It’s the largest free music festival in the South, when more than 1,700 musicians take over 20-plus stages scattered throughout the Vieux Carre and commence to rock out. There’s a preponderance of jazz, zydeco, New Orleans funk, brass bands… pretty much every form of music native to Louisiana and the delta gets a chance to shine in front of thousands of attendees. Wear sunscreen and comfortable shoes, because you’ll be doing a lot of walking from stage to stage (not to mention dancing).

Despite a staggering number of acts and food vendors, the fest is fairly easy to navigate. Here’s our guide on how to get the most out of the French Quarter Festival if you feel overwhelmed.

Crawfest

Saturday, April 18, 2026

One of the surest signs of spring in New Orleans is the presence of crawfish on menus and at boils across the city, and one of the surest signs that crawfish are back in season is Crawfest. This annual party, sponsored by Tulane University, features some 20,000 pounds of crawfish, thousands of pounds of vegetables, two main stages, a bunch of bands, and a heavy student presence.

With that said, all are welcome — it costs $20 to get in, and kids 12 and under enter for free. (The fest is also free to Tulane students, with a wristband.) Crawfest kicks off on Tulane’s campus in Uptown, New Orleans.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

Thursday-Sunday, April 23 – May 3, 2026

If you’re coming to New Orleans during the last weekend in April, you probably already know about the granddaddy of all music festivals, Jazz Fest. From contemporary arena-filling rock stars and rap gods to pop princesses and living legends, the festival covers every musical base as it takes over the Fair Grounds Race Course (1751 Gentilly Blvd.).

And of course, there’s a hearty assortment of Louisiana acts on the stages. Don’t leave without feasting on food as well as music: crawfish bread, po-boys, muffulettas, boiled seafood, red beans and rice, and more are all for sale. Pro tip: Rent a bike to cruise right up to the gates — it’s an easy 3.4-mile ride — and wear rubber boots and a poncho if it rains. (You’ll thank us when the dirt race tracks turn to knee-deep mud.)

For some tips on how to best navigate this massive event, check out our First-Timer’s Guide to the New Orleans Jazz Fest.

Coming to New Orleans this spring?

Hotel St. Marie invites you to take advantage of exclusive seasonal savings on our room rates! Book today and experience the true New Orleans spirit with this French Quarter Hotel.

 

Mother’s Day in the French Quarter and Nearby

New Orleans and the French Quarter in particular are fantastic options for Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 10, 2026), from the elegant perfection of jazz brunches and the relaxing stroll on the scenic Mississippi Riverfront to exploring the magnificent architecture of the centuries-old streets and shopping in the chic local boutiques. Show your appreciation for the mothers in your life with these suggestions, below. Just please remember to make your reservations in advance, as Mother’s Day is a popular time for brunching and dining.

Brunch

Brunch with Mom is one of New Orleans’ most popular Mother’s Day activities. Not only do the French Quarter and the adjacent Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods have some of the best restaurants in the country, but several have excellent Mother’s Day special brunch offers.

Broussard’s Mother’s Day jazz brunch is usually held in the courtyard and features the restaurant’s classic French Creole cuisine plus bottomless rosé or mimosas. (To make a reservation, call 504-581-3866 or book online.)

The classic Sunday jazz brunch at either Antoine’s or Arnaud’s is elegance personified and is a perfect way to give back to the women and mothers in your life.

The French Quarter has some of the best European-style patisseries in the country, so if you want a classic French croissant or quiche, head to Croissant D’Or Patisserie.

Outside the Quarter, if you’re up for a scenic walk or ride through the historic neighborhood of the Marigny, check out Ayu Bakehouse, a bright, quaint corner shop with a mellow vibe. There are savory pastries, crusty baguettes, sweet croissants, cookies, and buns, plus breakfast and lunch items like a frittata and seasonally rotated sandwiches.

Still further down, in the Bywater, you can hit The Country Club’s brunch of shrimp and grits or boudin boulettes in the restaurant, or just head to the pool that has its own poolside menu. There’s also a very popular drag brunch at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. (it sells out quickly, so a reservation is a must).

Exploring the French Quarter on foot

Few cities in the world have as much easily accessible and well-preserved architecture as New Orleans. If your mom is up for walking, explore the centuries-old streets of the French Quarter and the nearby mostly residential Marigny to take in all the magnificent architectural elements they have to offer, with all their lush tropical courtyards with gurgling fountains, French doors, stucco exteriors, lacy Victorian ironwork, and vibrant Caribbean colors.

While you’re at it, you can stroll the mile-long Riverfront with its walkway called the Moonwalk, the scenic views of the Mississippi River, and Woldenberg Park.

Don’t miss the French Market across the street, from its food stands to the daily flea market at the end of Esplanade Avenue. It’s a great stop to slurp a dozen raw oysters, or pick up pralines and a beignet mix to take home from any of the surrounding retail shops.

Just down the street is one of the most important national landmarks, the timeless Jackson Square, with Andrew Jackson’s bronze statue as the focal point of the square, surrounded by lush greenery. Come inside the St. Louis Cathedral that overlooks the square, to take in its stunning interior, or shop at the block-long rows of the Pontalba Buildings that flank the square in both directions.

Jackson Square also features an open-air artist market and performance space, with local art displayed along the fence. While there, browse the art, dance to a brass band, have your fortune told, or have a sketch done on the spot.

Taking a carriage ride

If your mom is not up for walking, unveiling the city’s colorful past is as easy as taking a mule-drawn carriage ride through the streets of the French Quarter. Just grab a first-come-first-serve French Quarter Mule Tour offered by Royal Carriages on Decatur Street right outside the Jackson Square gate, from 8 a.m. through midnight daily. Some tour packages stick to the Quarter only; others venture out to the Marigny or St. Louis Cemetery #1.

Shopping

Besides what the French Market and the shops surrounding Jackson Square have to offer, you can head down to the chic boutiques lining Chartres Street, branching off the square and leading to Canal Street.

One of the most popular destinations on the Chartres Street retail row is Hemline, which carries a well-curated shoe and women’s fashion collection from local and national brands. Also on Chartres, the well-hidden United Apparel Liquidators (UAL) is unsurpassed for hunting name brands with deep discounts (and even some haute couture). And, if you head to Canal Street, there’s a slew of upscale retailers at The Shops at Canal Place.

Dining

It’s going to be easy to impress your mom with dozens of stunning options in the French Quarter and nearby. You’ll be in good hands at the enchanting Sylvain on Chartres Street, with a candlelit bar and a lovely patio. The charming Bayona also offers a patio, along with a historic setting of a two-century-old Creole cottage on a quiet block of Dauphine Street.

If you want to go with the upscale Creole cuisine in unbeatable locations, then Tujague’s, Napoleon House, or Muriel’s Jackson Square won’t steer you wrong. For something less traditional but still sophisticated, head to Cane & Table for a top-notch cocktail and small plates, or hit the hole-in-the-wall Cuban gem, Manolito. Of course, the one and only Galatoire’s needs no introduction (where you’ll be lucky to get a table).

Finally, why not wrap up with a glass of bubbly and the world-famous Bananas Foster in a lush courtyard at Brennan’s, flambeed tableside? Giving back to your mom has never been easier.

Coming to New Orleans this spring?

We’d love for you to stay with us! Take advantage of our specials, group rates, and best-rate guarantee for greater savings to spend on New Orleans famous cuisine and enjoy everything this magnificent city has to offer. Reserve your room today!

Also, consider booking a guided tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 to experience the hauntingly beautiful past of New Orleans.

For easy, informative sightseeing, we recommend the City Sightseeing New Orleans city tour on the open-top, double-decker bus. It runs every 30 minutes through the Garden District, French Quarter, and CBD. You can hop on and off anytime, and your mom won’t have to do all this walking!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Jazz Fest 2024: What You Need to Know

Photo courtesy of New Orleans Jazz Fest 2024 on Facebook

It’s almost that time of year again — time to sip the iced tea, snack on crawfish Monica, and sway to the music of local and international musicians under the hot New Orleans sun. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, or Jazz Fest, is one of the most celebrated festivals in New Orleans and takes place every year during the last weekend of April and the first weekend in May. Jazz Fest has been around since 1970 and gets bigger and better every year.

During these two weekends, locals and out-of-towners get together to enjoy the culture of New Orleans with the various food, crafts, and performances that Jazz Fest has to offer. Contrary to the name, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is more than just jazz music.

Various musical genres like hip-hop, zydeco, blues, tribal, and electronic music can all be heard live from Jazz Fest’s multiple stages. This year the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will take place at its usual spot on the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots (1751 Gentilly Blvd.) starting on Thursday, April 25, and ending on Sunday, May 5, 2024.

Some of the top headliners for the festival include The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Queen Latifah, Heart, The Beach Boys, Jon Batiste, Neil Young Crazy Horse, The Killers, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Bonnie Raitt, Earth, Wind & Fire, and hundreds more. The music schedule is broken down by day in cubes with times for all the acts, which you can view here.

Of course, one of the best parts of Jazz Fest is the food. Some staples for food include Crawfish Monica, mango freezes, ya-ka-mein, snoballs, poboys, and much more. Here’s the list of 2024 food vendors.

The 2024 Jazz Fest

  • Jazz Fest expanded to eight days this year, adding the opening day of Thursday, April 25, to the schedule.
  • Jazz Fest went cashless last year, and remains so. Ticket, food, beverage, craft, and merchandise booths no longer accept cash payments. If you come to the event with only cash, the Festival will offer two cash exchange booths near key vending locations so you can get a prepaid card for your cash.
  • This year, Jazz Fest features over 5,000 musicians across 14 stages.
  • The festival will be the largest one in its 53-year history. Eight is the most number of days for the event, and this year there will be the most food vendors and food items ever. And there also will be 260 art and craft vendors, the highest number ever.
  • Single-day tickets are $95 through April 24 and $105 at the gate. Tickets for children ages 2-10 are $5 at the gate.
  • “Locals Thursday” will be April 25 this year, with tickets at $50 for Louisiana residents.
  • This year Jazz Fest is introducing a 4-day GA+ weekend pass with access to an exclusive GA+ lounge with private restrooms, a full-service bar, and a shaded area to relax.
  • Tickets for Thursday, May 2, the day topped by The Rolling Stones, are sold out, including multiple-day passes.
  • The Rolling Stones headline Thursday, May 2, at 5 p.m. That day of the festival will operate normally until about 3:30 p.m. Then, when the Stones go on at 5 p.m., they’ll be the only band playing on the Fair Grounds.
  • Besides The Rolling Stones, the lineup includes Foo Fighters, Queen Latifah, Heart, The Beach Boys, Jon Batiste, Neil Young Crazy Horse, The Killers, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Bonnie Raitt, Earth, Wind & Fire, and hundreds more.
  • This year, Jazz Fest will celebrate Colombia’s musical and cultural diversity at the Expedia Cultural Exchange Pavilion. During the festival, 17 bands and a wide variety of artisans from throughout Colombia will present their sounds and traditions.
  • The Jazz & Heritage Gala kicks off Jazz Fest with the celebration of Louisiana music and cuisine on April 24 at Generations Hall (310 Andrew Higgins Blvd.).

Are You Coming to Jazz Fest?

We’d love for you to stay with us! Take advantage of our specials, group rates, and best-rate guarantee for greater savings to spend on New Orleans famous cuisine and enjoy everything this magnificent city has to offer. Reserve your room today!

Also, consider booking a guided tour of the famous St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 to experience the hauntingly beautiful past of New Orleans. And, for easy, informative sightseeing, we recommend the City Sightseeing New Orleans city tour on the open-top, double-decker bus. It runs every 30 minutes through the Garden District, French Quarter, and CBD. You can hop on and off anytime!

Guide to Frenchmen Street: The Venues, Music, and More

Image courtesy of Preservation Hall on Facebook

There’s no better place for live music than the Marigny Triangle. Situated between Esplanade Avenue and Elysian Fields, this wedge-shaped neighborhood is bisected by Frenchmen Street, a pedestrian-friendly strip of music clubs, bars, restaurants, and art markets that don’t get going until after 10 p.m.

At that point, brass bands, pedestrians and food trucks combine to create a giant block party. Dance on the street corner or venture into one of these excellent music venues, listed in the order by their street addresses.

Downtown Tattoos

501 Frenchmen St.

This corner tattoo shop is the premier place to get inked in New Orleans. Its roster of talent includes heavy hitters, and the shop takes walk-ins for the ultimate souvenir — but if you’re not ready to commit to the artwork on your skin, you can hang the tattoo artists’ work on your walls when you visit the adjacent art gallery. There, tattooers who also paint on canvas sell their work.

The Maison

508 Frenchmen St.

A music club that triples as a restaurant and bar. It’s three-level, with multiple stages where you can find drag, burlesque, and live music of many genres. The menu is primarily New Orleans classics, a house burger, and sandwich platters.

Bamboula’s

514 Frenchmen St.

Here, you’ll find casual New Orleans fare like po-boys and jambalaya. The no-cover eclectic live music seven days a week is another draw.

Blue Nile

532 Frenchmen St.

You may have spotted a neon crescent moon sign of this stalwart music club hanging above the sidewalk. Blue Nile hosts a wide range of musical genres ranging from funk to brass bands. Cover price varies depending on the act, and a word to the wise: The club’s second-floor balcony is the best place to overlook the wild street party that is Frenchmen Street.

Three Muses

536 Frenchmen St.

Three Muses is one of the best dinner-and-a-show venues in the city, and there’s live music every night. It can get crowded, so you want to make a table reservation (good for 90 minutes, after which you can go to the bar). Some of the best musicians have played there, and the excellent food menu has a lot of vegetarian options.

Dat Dog

601 Frenchmen St.

Dat Dog is a colorful, affordable option if you end up partying on Frenchmen. It’s open late (till 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and till midnight the rest of the week), and has a kid menu and vegetarian options. But, basically, it’s tots, fries and dogs made with many different kinds of meat and loaded with sauces, condiments, veggies, and other goodness. Create your own or choose from a large menu of creatively named specials. There are more than 30 toppings to choose from. Though Dat Dog has two more locations, both Uptown, this one has an undisputed perk, a big balcony for all your viewing and partying pleasure.

d.b.a.

618 Frenchmen St.

Since this live music venue opened its doors in 2000, d.b.a. has hosted hundreds of live acts. The bar features a broad selection of beer and spirits, and the music plays nightly. Tin Men and John Boutte perform there regularly.

Palace Market Frenchmen

619 Frenchmen St.

This nightly art market is held in a quirky, light-strung lot, lined with vendors selling everything from handmade soap and incense to original art and clothing. It’s a good place to shop, chat and hang out when the hustle and bustle of Frenchmen get too overwhelming.

The Spotted Cat

623 Frenchmen St.

Petite, sweaty, noisy, and fun, this music club features up to three bands nightly. It draws an eclectic crowd — you’ll see everyone from college students to septuagenarian tourists out there dancing. The venue can get crowded, so if you need to get some air, step out and take a breather at the nearby art market.

Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro

626 Frenchmen St.

Snug Harbor is a sit-down ticketed music venue that is home to local and touring heavyweights of traditional and modern jazz (such as a weekly show by the Jason Marsalis Quartet). For over 30 years, Snug Harbor has provided the best in live jazz and great regional cuisine. Snug Harbor is located in three rooms of a renovated 1800s storefront — a dining room, a bar, and a music room.

Frenchmen All Day

630 Frenchmen St.

Small and quaint, Frenchmen All Day is a cafe with indoor seating, as well as sidewalk cafe seating, a full bar, coffee, and brunch fare. The menu has breakfast quiches, Cuban sandwiches, NOLA staples like crawfish etouffee and red beans and rice, and salads. Open till midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Marigny Brasserie

640 Frenchmen St.

This live music venue slash restaurant at the end of Frenchmen offers an elevated Cajun/Creole menu, hand-crafted cocktails, a good wine list, and local draft beer.

Remember, you can walk to all these venues from your hotel! Take advantage of the Hotel St. Marie specials, group rates, and best-rate guarantee for greater savings to spend on New Orleans famous French Quarter cuisine and to enjoy everything this magnificent city has to offer. Reserve your room today!