A First-Timer’s Guide to the New Orleans Jazz Fest
New Orleans Jazz Fest Photo by David Fary
There are many jazz festivals the whole world over, yet there is only one of the genre in the city that birthed it: the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which has been around for over five decades and still takes over the city during the last weekend in April, the first weekend in May, and pretty much all days in between (Thursday, April 25 – Sunday, May 5, 2024).
It is fair to say Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest are the two keystone entries of the New Orleans events calendar. Where Mardi Gras is a celebration with deep Catholic and pagan roots that is indelibly branded by the city of New Orleans, Jazz Fest is rather a celebration of New Orleans itself.
That’s the backstory on the “& Heritage” part of the description in the official Jazz Fest title: The event has become less about showcasing jazz per se, and more about showing off the city that gave us jazz.
Because New Orleans is so central to pop music, almost any act and genre you can imagine has strutted across the Jazz Fest’s on 14 stages — and yes, there are that many stages popping off at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots (1751 Gentilly Blvd.) during the 2024 Jazz Fest. As a result of this sheer scope and size, in many ways, Jazz Fest feels like too overwhelming of an event to properly tackle, especially for those who are attending for the first time.
Regarding the festival’s musical acts, there are plenty of commentators who think festival organizers have unfairly stretched the definition of what music falls under the jazz and heritage rubric. We’re not here to debate that topic, but rather point out that there is undoubtedly a wide variety of genre presence at Jazz Fest, which only adds to the looming sense of choice overload.
With all of that in mind, there are some sound tactics for making Jazz Fest more manageable. Here are some of our time-tested strategies.
Ride a Bike
While this choice isn’t going to work for everyone — some visitors simply don’t have urban cycling experience or are scared of the prospect — we can’t stress just how much biking can improve the Jazz Fest experience. Even the most diehard Jazz Fest boosters will admit parking can be a nightmare during the festival. Parking enforcement officers are on high alert — we’ve never seen the impound lot on Claiborne Avenue get quite so busy as it does during Jazz Fest.
Of course, you can pay for parking. Folks who live near the Fairgrounds will turn even the smallest plot of the backyard into an impromptu parking lot (rates vary, but around $30 per day seemed to be the going rate in the past).
There are other ways of outflanking the parking issue, including the official Jazz Fest shuttle, taxis (both cars and bicycle rickshaws), rideshare, and the streetcar. Note that if you take the streetcar, you’ll still have to walk about a half mile to the festival entrance. (Take the number 48 line that runs on Canal Street and get off at the final stop at City Park/Art Museum.)
But we really love getting to Jazz Fest on two non-motorized wheels. Bike lane infrastructure can now bring riders to the gates of Jazz Fest. If you’re staying in the French Quarter, the bike ride to the Fairgrounds covers a 10-15 minute straight shot up Esplanade Avenue.
Plus, there is extensive bicycle “parking” (overlooked by security staff) on site. While we can’t guarantee what the weather will be like during Jazz Fest weekends, in general, late April and early May form a lovely climate window in New Orleans.
In addition, being on a bicycle gives visitors a better sense of the city. You can see New Orleans at the street level without the loss of time walking might engender. There’s an intimacy to biking in the city that’s tough to replicate from a car.
Shaping Your Cube
The Jazz Fest lineup is famously scheduled into “cubes” for attendees. Devising a schedule for seeing all of your favorite acts can be a fun logistical challenge, but don’t forget that the stages of Jazz Fest are spread out over a decently large area. If you’re in the middle of the crowd at one of the main stages, it can take about 10 or 15 minutes just to extricate yourself from the center of mass.
Note that Sundays and Thursdays always feel a little bit less crowded at the racetrack, although that “little bit less” is admittedly a relative number — there are no real “light” days at Jazz Fest.
The way you assemble your cube is up to you, but here are some pointers we’ve picked up on over the years:
- Stick to your cube, but don’t do so religiously. Part of the fun of Jazz Fest is simply letting the music take you wherever it wants to go.
- Don’t ignore smaller stages. We found one of our great unexpected Jazz Fest shows at the Kids Tent. We also always find the Fais Do-Do stage to be a consistently good break in our routine — basically, you can never go wrong dancing to Cajun or zydeco music.
- Visit the Gospel Tent at least once. We’ve consistently found that even those who know next to nothing about gospel music have their spirits lifted and their musical boundaries expanded in this venue.
Cool Off
It can get hot in Jazz Fest. A few good means of beating the heat include:
- Enjoying the air conditioning in the Grandstands
- Hitting the mist tents by the Gentilly Stage and #2 food vendor area
- Sitting down and relaxing in the vicinity of the Louisiana Folklife Village
- Getting strawberry lemonade and Mango Freeze! (And of course, hydrating with water)
- Staying out of the scrum for bigger headliners
Priorities, Priorities
While the price of Jazz Fest tickets continues to climb, the fact of the matter is you can still see some grade-A headliners for a bargain rate compared to similar (or even smaller) festivals. Many locals treat Jazz Fest as a chance to see big acts on the relative cheap. On the flip side, if you live in or near the city, you can see the New Orleans musicians throughout the year at local venues, which means there’s less pressure to see them on the Fairgrounds.
If you’re coming in from out of town, you may have the opposite scenario prioritized — you can see big-name acts anywhere, but this is your best chance of seeing Louisiana music on its native soil. In addition, smaller local acts often occupy stages that are less crowded, and everyone enjoys a break from the seething masses.
With all of that said, don’t forget that during the “off days” in between the two festival weekends, many smaller and mid-sized acts will be playing gigs around town. If you miss them at the Fest, you may well catch them on Frenchmen Street.
With that said, there’s something about seeing local acts at Jazz Fest. The big-name headliners are used to huge audiences. A local Louisiana act would be playing to wow the world, and some of those sets end up being nothing short of legendary.
What to Know About 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.).
Coming to Jazz Fest This Year?
See the 2024 Jazz Fest music lineup and food offerings on the event’s website. And be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels!
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Brief History of the French Quarter
We cover a lot of local festivals and other events, as well as attractions and things to see, do, eat, and experience in the French Quarter and nearby. But, with the city’s 300-year-plus history, how did we get here? What transpired in those years, and who were the people who shaped the history of this amazing melting pot of a neighborhood? Let’s go over the complex history of the French Quarter.
Well, they don’t call this neighborhood the “old square” for nothing. The French Quarter was the original city of New Orleans, founded in 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. Rampart Street is named as such because it once marked the actual city walls (or ramparts) of New Orleans. The city centered on Place d’Armes, now known as Jackson Square, was originally built as a military parade ground where criminals were hanged in public.
The name “French Quarter” is a bit of a misnomer; New Orleans was under Spanish rule from 1762 to 1802, and it was during this period that two huge fires (in 1788 and 1794) seared away much of the original architectural facade of the Quarter.
Thus, the buildings you see today retain more of a Spanish than French sensibility, as evidenced by wraparound balconies (which create a shady, breezy median space between the street and private residences — a useful architectural trick in hot, pre-AC New Orleans) and lush courtyards painted in bright colors, which form a reflective patina that wards off the sun.
The best example of actual French colonial architecture in the Quarter is the Old Ursuline Convent, which is also the oldest building in the Mississippi River Valley (built in 1752). With that said, the streets of the French Quarter are largely named in honor of French nobility — Burgundy, Chartres, and, yes, Bourbon.
If the French Quarter marks the original layout of New Orleans, then the original inhabitants were the Creoles, people of French, Spanish, and eventually mixed French and Spanish descent. That phenomenon is eloquently realized when one considers the names of two of the main buildings on Jackson Square: the (Spanish-origin) Cabildo and the (French-origin) Presbytère.
It is also worth noting that St. Louis Cathedral, which dominates Jackson Square, is the oldest continuously operating cathedral in the USA, and a fine example of French Colonial architecture in its own right.
Although the Creoles called the French Quarter home for many decades, they began moving out as the area became more depressed and ramshackle, especially in the early 20th century. That was when city officials shut down the vice in the red-light district of Storyville.
In response, the purveyors of sin crossed Rampart Street into the Quarter, and the Creoles moved out, to be gradually replaced by Italian immigrants. Later, also came the bohemians, attracted by the area’s undeniable architectural charms, as well as the members of the LGBTQIA+ community seeking tolerance.
In 1965 the Vieux Carré Historic District was established, allowing for the preservation of the Quarter’s historic character. The 1984 World’s Fair turned the Quarter into a bustling tourism destination, which was around the same time that many residents began leaving the neighborhood.
The Quarter tends to weather hurricanes and storms pretty well. Power lines are built underground, and the neighborhood itself was built on “high ground” (well, a few feet of elevation, but that’s enough) — which keeps it (mostly) immune from flooding. Today, while the Quarter is largely an area for tourists, thousands of residents still call it home.
If you’re planning a stay in New Orleans, be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels.
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Get the Most Out of the French Quarter Fest
Photo by Zack Smith Photography. Courtesy of French Quarter Festivals, Inc.
French Quarter Fest is back, baby! And it’s its 41st anniversary, no less, with a focus on celebrating Louisiana’s Living Legends. For four days (Thursday, April 11 through Sunday, April 14, 2024), a big chunk of the French Quarter — also known as the Vieux Carré, French for the “old square” (or “old quarter”) — will be transformed into a series of festival stages, each showcasing a different brand of music either rooted in or heavily influenced by, the sounds of Louisiana. Here’s a quick look at what you need to know about French Quarter Fest 2024.
Stage Highlights
Since 2023 welcomed more than 875,000 fans over four days, this year the festival organizers are providing more space with the addition of programming in Spanish Plaza. There are also two new stages this year, the DJ Stage and the Culinary Stage, bringing the total of stages to 22 with over 300 performances scheduled this year.
Woldenberg Riverfront Park
Most of the FQ Fest’s main stages are concentrated along the waterfront of the Mississippi River in the French Quarter. In 2019, the festival also added a stage, the Pan-American Life Insurance Group Stage, on the Riverfront’s Moonwalk, right across from Jackson Square.
The French Market & The U.S. Mint
The other side of Jackson Square is also a nexus of music stages and, importantly, food! The New Orleans Jazz Museum, located in the Old U.S. Mint building on the corner of Decatur Street and Esplanade Avenue (400 Esplanade Ave.), will host a number of acts and vendors as in previous years. It’s also a good spot for cooling off should the days get too hot. The French Market features two stages, the Traditional Jazz Stage and the Dutch Alley Stage.
Royal Street
Usually, Royal Street is an unbroken string of cute antique shops and art galleries. During French Quarter Fest, expect that scene to get livened up by several smaller music stages.
Decatur Street
Notable for the Bienville Statue, Decatur Street is where you’ll find the House of Blue Voodoo Garden Stage.
Jackson Square
The “town square” of New Orleans, as it were, Jackson Square is a geographic lynchpin for the entirety of the French Quarter, so expect it to be filled with food vendor booths for the duration of the fest, and as vibrant as ever. It will also be the location of many of the French Quarter Festival’s special events, including the opening-day second line.
Bourbon Street
Bourbon Street has a reputation as a hard-partying locus of bachelor parties and wild weekend trippers, but during French Quarter Fest it showcases a few smaller musical stages, including the lovely Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta.
Lineup Highlights
The who-is-who of the local music scene is returning or joining this year. Expect beyond excellence when it comes to the French Quarter Fest music lineup. That includes Irma Thomas, Ivan Neville, Little Freddie King, George Porter Jr., Charmaine Neville, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., Kermit Ruffins, The Soul Rebels, Big Freedia, and many more who will be performing on stages stretching from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue. Check out the full music schedule on the fest’s website.
Food Vendor Highlights
As in the previous year, expect a mouthwatering melting pot of traditional New Orleans dishes such as fried shrimp or catfish, stuffed crabs, locally brewed beers, meat pies, crawfish macaroni and cheese, and hot sausage po-boys. Beyond that, there will be plenty of global flavors.
Our favorite vendors that are returning include Jacques-Imo’s Cafe, Tujague’s Restaurant, Plum Street Snoballs, 14 Parishes Jamaican Restaurant, Pat O-Brien’s, Miss Linda the Yakamein Lady, Desire Oyster Bar, Couvant, Morrow’s, Loretta’s Authentic Pralines, Addis NOLA, Cochon King BBQ, and many more.
This year, Bao Mi and Paco’s Tacos will have their culinary debut at the festival along with Miss River and Fritai Nola.
Also, if you see an orange “Eat Fit” sticker next to the food item, it means that it’s part of a special menu that focuses on lighter fare like lean proteins, vegetables, plant-based fats, and whole grains, with no white carbs and minimal added sugar. Fourteen vendors are participating in this program this year. Examples include crab, artichoke and citrus salad from Jacques-Imo’s Cafe, and sugar-free raspberry and sugar-free pink lemonade from Plum Street Snoballs.
Special Events
Every year, the festival features special events. Here are the 2024 highlights.
The French Quarter Festival Kickoff Parade and Opening Day Ceremony
The annual parade is held this year on Thursday, April 11, at 10 a.m. The parade departs from the 200 block of Bourbon Street down to St. Ann Street, where it turns and makes its way to Jackson Square for the Annual Opening Day Ceremony.
Dance Classes
The French Market Traditional Jazz Stage and the Chevron Cajun-Zydeco Showcase will feature dancing and classes in traditional Jazz, 1920s Charleston, swing, Cajun jitterbug, and zydeco. Classes are taught by professional dancers and are free and open to the public. Check out the lesson schedule on the festival’s website.
Children’s STEM Zone
On Saturday and Sunday, families are invited to take a journey of discovery at the STEM Exscavaganza: A Louisiana Scavenger Hunt.
French Quarter Fest After Dark
The festival offers nighttime programming at various local venues from 9 p.m. till midnight to keep the good times rolling after the last festival stage closes at 8 p.m.
… And more
On top of all this, the festival features installations, a choir concert at St. Louis Cathedral, the 2024 French Quarter Fest Official Poster signing, interviews, and more.
Getting Around the Fest
Getting around the Fest should be fairly easy if you’re walking or biking. Parking will be limited, so arrive early and try these lots: French Market, 500 Decatur Street, 300 North Peters Street, 211 Conti Street, The Garage at Canal Place, plus street parking within walking distance.
We do suggest that instead of driving, you use RTA buses, streetcars, rideshare services bikes, cabs, or the ferry to get to the festival. In addition to increased traffic, some streets will be closed for the duration of the festival beginning at approximately noon until 8:30 p.m. (Those who live in the area will need to have access passes from the NOPD Eighth District Station.) The streets that will be closing are Iberville, N. Rampart, Dumaine, and Decatur.
A Few Facts About French Quarter Fest and What’s New in 2024
Here are a few facts about the fest and what to expect this year:
- The Fest celebrates local music and represents every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to R&B, New Orleans funk, brass bands, folk, gospel, Latin, Zydeco, classical, cabaret, and international. It’s a medley, and a great way to sample the local music scene.
- It debuted in 1984 as a way to bring residents back to the Quarter following the World’s Fair and extensive sidewalk repairs in the French Quarter.
- The Fest employs more than 1,800 local musicians, with over 60 local restaurants participating as culinary vendors.
- The food and beverage vendors are set up in several locations throughout the French Quarter: Jackson Square, the Jazz Museum at the Mint, JAX Brewery, and Woldenberg Riverfront Park.
- You can buy the official 2024 poster at one of the four merch booths at the festival, and then online starting on April 22.
- To streamline your music experience and navigation, you can download an app on the fest’s website (either for IOS or Android).
- The live-music hours every day of the festival are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- No coolers and ice chests, please. Help keep the festival free by purchasing food and beverages at the festival.
- And yes, the fest is free unless you opt to buy a pass for a VIP experience.
If you’re planning a stay in New Orleans, be sure to check out our resource for French Quarter Hotels.
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How to Spend St. Patrick’s Day in the Quarter
Photo courtesy of Erin Rose
It shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering New Orleans’ deep Irish heritage, that the weekend of St. Patrick’s Day (Sunday, March 17, 2024) is one of the biggest parades and party times in the city (outside of the Carnival and Halloween). The city’s connection traces back to its history as a Catholic port of call that was one of the main entry points for the country. There’s an entire neighborhood called the Irish Channel, which, as the name implies, was originally settled largely by immigrants from Ireland in the early 19th century. To this day, many locals have roots on the Emerald Isle.
Thanks to this connection the weekend closest to St. Patrick’s Day is filled with parades, pub crawls, and block parties. While the biggest event, the Irish Channel parade, plus the most massive block parties, are happening Uptown, there’s plenty to see, do, and drink in the French Quarter. There some fantastic Irish pubs we recommend, many of which will be hosting their own St. Patrick’s Day parties, plus a parade that rolls through the Quarter.
Here’s how you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day — all without leaving the French Quarter.
The Parade
Downtown Irish Club Parade
Sunday, March 17, 2024, 7 p.m.
This parade rolls from the Bywater to the French Quarter, making several pit stops on its way to Bourbon Street. It begins on the corner of Burgundy and Piety streets in the Bywater, proceeds up Royal Street, across Esplanade Avenue to Decatur Street, and up Canal Street to Bourbon Street. The parade makes several stops at the various bars in the Marigny and the French Quarter on its way to Bourbon Street.
The Bars
These are all fair game during the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, whether you want a relatively quiet stopover for some Guinness and a game of pool or an epic party with live music and an Irish buffet. Several of these bars serve as the stops for the parades, so we can assure you — they’ll be partying.
The Boondock Saint
731 St. Peter St.
Tucked into a brick hideaway between Royal and Bourbon streets across from Preservation Hall, this intimate Irish pub was named after a movie that runs on the loop on the TV inside the bar (don’t worry, there’s a good jukebox too). The famously friendly bartenders serve Guinness and local beer on tap, as well as Irish car bombs. The prices are very, very good — so think of Boondock Saint as your perfect getaway from the 24/7 party happening just steps away on Bourbon St.
Erin Rose
811 Conti St.
Just a few doors away from Bourbon Street, Erin Rose is a low-key watering hole favored by the locals. On St. Patrick’s Day (or make that the weekend), you can head to Erin Rose in confidence — there’s going to be a party there. While you mingle, check the memorabilia galore and try the bar’s excellent frozen Irish coffee or a Bloody Mary (made with the house secret recipe). Of course, there’s Guinness on tap plus a selection of local brews. The bar is also home to the popular Killer Poboys (look for the takeout window in the back). Everything on the small but mighty menu is delicious.
Fahy’s Irish Pub
540 Burgundy St.
Fahy’s keeps it pretty traditional as far as Irish pubs go, with inexpensive drinks, a horseshoe-shaped bar, pool tables, darts, framed photos, and a laid-back ambiance. There are some Irish beers on tap, but you should try the bar’s specialty called Mind Eraser. It’s made with vodka and Kahlua, and it’s meant to be shared with friends by everyone sticking straws into the drink at the same time and racing to the bottom. For St. Patrick’s Day, Fahy’s has been known to put out an Irish buffet with traditional offerings like corned beef and cabbage.
Finnegan’s Easy
717 St. Peter St.
Another low-key Irish bar on the same block as the Boondock Saints, Finnegan’s Easy is long, narrow, and more crowded, but with ample capacity to handle it thanks to its spacious courtyard. You could tell it caters more to the visitors as it serves as a stop on some of the walking tours in the French Quarter. Finnegan’s features sports on TV and cheerfully serves Irish grub along with more American fare like wings. The drink menu also varies from the local beer on tap to Mai Tais and Hurricanes.
Kerry Irish Pub
331 Decatur St.
Kerry packs the house for St. Patrick’s every year with live bands performing back to back, with the doors opening as early as 8 a.m. in the years past. You may not find green beer at Kerry but you are guaranteed a proper pint of Guinness.
Molly’s Irish Pub
732 Toulouse St.
Not to be mistaken for Molly’s at the Market, this Molly’s is close to Bourbon Street geographically but might as well be miles away for its understated charm and low-key vibe. Housed in an old Creole cottage, Molly’s is all brick and dark wood. You won’t find an epic party there (although things will definitely liven up during the St. Patrick’s weekend), but if you want a bar with Guinness on tap, a pool table and a great jukebox, this local favorite is it.
Pat O’Brien’s
718 St. Peter St.
As you might have guessed from its name, this iconic French Quarter bar was founded by an Irishman. What’s more, the invention of one of New Orleans’ most famous cocktails, the Hurricane, is credited to him too. Every year on St. Patrick’s Day weekend the bar participates in the festivities with drink and food specials and live music. Also, check out the flaming fountain on the bar’s patio (it’s a water fountain with fire emerging from its center, as crazy as it sounds).
Ryan’s Irish Pub
241 Decatur St.
Just down the street from the Kerry and next to House of Blues, Ryan’s is another stop for the St. Patrick’s Day parades/pub crawls that go through the Quarter. Cozy booths, a beautiful antique bar, and plenty of local brews on tap draw a mix of local regulars and visitors.
Balcony Viewing Parties
For some traditional French Quarter-style partying, be on the lookout for balcony bashes at the bars located all up and down Bourbon Street. A balcony bash is pretty much that — you’ll pay a cover and be allowed to plant yourself on a wrought-iron balcony overlooking the street below. Since the parade that rolls in the French Quarter hits Bourbon Street, prepare for much (green) bead tossing and catching.
Are you visiting New Orleans this spring? We’d love for you to stay at one of our Valentino hotels! And if you do, 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!
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Things to Do in New Orleans This March
With March upon us, expect a good slate of early-spring activities in the Crescent City. Also, the weather is warmer — hopefully just pleasantly warmer — the kind of spring sunshine that equals t-shirts and jeans, if not shorts.
Mainly, we consider this time of year an awesome window when the Carnival wraps up (or, depending on the year, is over) and the festival season is yet to begin. This is that rare time when the city settles for a very slight breather between its biggest parties and still means there’s a ton of stuff to do. Here are the highlights.
Wednesday at the Square
Every Wednesday, March 6 – May 8, 2024
Unwind with a cold beverage on any given Wednesday at the Square, a free concert music series held in the spring in Lafayette Park (located one block off of Poydras Street, between St. Charles Avenue and Camp Street in the heart of the Central Business District) every Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. From March through May, these outdoor concerts feature a variety of jazz, rock, swam pop, brass, Latin rhythms, and more. This year’s lineup features Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Brass-A-Holics, Lost Bayou Ramblers, and more.
Bring a chair or a blanket, or head to the front of the stage to partake in some dancing. You can bring your dog, and there are vendor booths surrounding the park where you can buy food and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (no outside food or beverages, please).
Danny Barker Banjo & Guitar Festival
Wednesday-Sunday, March 6-10, 2024
The Danny Barker Banjo + Guitar Festival pays homage to New Orleanian musician, writer, instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, and lyricist Danny Barker. The three-day festival features a mixture of programming including live music performances, panel discussions and workshops, special events and outings, second lines, and more. It will be held at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Tickets are $15-$75.
New Orleans Entrepreneur Week
Monday-Saturday, March 11-16, 2024
New this year, the New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW) is partnering with the New Orleans Book Festival to produce back-to-back events. The events are not merging, but they have scheduled their conference dates to line up during the same week in March, with one crossover day of shared programming on Thursday, March 14.
NOEW kicks off three days of speeches, speaker sessions and networking events on March 11. On March 14, the entrepreneurial portion will culminate in Idea Village’s annual IDEApitch competition, which showcases growth-stage companies competing for an investment prize. NOEW is now in its 13th year and attracted roughly 2,700 people to its four-day event last March, which included a weekend musical festival (not happening this year). For this year’s keynote speakers and more info, check out the event’s website.
The New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane
Thursday-Saturday, March 14-16, 2024
The New Orleans Book Festival features both fiction and non-fiction and readings, panel discussions, symposia, and keynote speeches. It also provides an opportunity for outlets, authors and readers to interact with each other. Saturday is Family Day, so bring your kids to the Tulane campus for some fun. Last year’s notable authors and speakers on the impressive roster included Andy Borowitz, Richard Campanella, Maureen Dowd, and many more — so expect A-list greatness this year as well. And, as was noted above, this year marks the first partnership with NOEW with one day of crossover events.
St. Patrick’s Day
Sunday, March 17, 2024
It often comes as a surprise to first-time visitors to New Orleans that this city has a deep Irish heritage, which traces back to its history as a Catholic port of call that was one of the main entry points for the USA. There’s an entire neighborhood in this town called the Irish Channel, plus a plethora of fantastic pubs that eschew cheesy emerald-green Irish stereotypes for rough-hewn hospitality (Finn McCool’s and Erin Rose come to mind, plus a selection of our favorite Irish pubs in the French Quarter).
As such, there are plenty of Irish in this town, and thus, the weekend closest to St. Patrick’s Day is an important one for the city of New Orleans. Numerous parades kick off, including the massive Irish Channel parade (on Saturday, March 16, 2024), where float riders pass cabbages to the screaming crowds.
The Downtown Irish Club Parade rolls on Sunday, March 17, 2024, from the Bywater to the French Quarter, making several pit stops on its way to Bourbon Street.
How much you enjoy all of the above is linked to your tolerance for public drinking and green beer. St. Patrick’s Day in New Orleans is not quite as kid-friendly as the Carnival — you’ll still see families, but these parades are more aimed at adults.
Super Sunday
Sunday, March 17, 2024
The annual gathering of the Mardi Gras Indian tribes is perhaps the most open means of accessing this unique element of New Orleans backstreet culture. The tribes will be out in large numbers on Super Sunday, which usually falls on the third Sunday of March, but this year coincides with St. Patrick’s Day.
While the Mardi Gras Indians have their set routes and parade areas, no one event packs the tribes into one public space like Super Sunday. In this case, said public spaces are A.L. Davis Park, at the corner of Washington and LaSalle streets; and Bayou St. John in Mid-City, at the intersection of Orleans and Moss streets, on the bayou’s banks and the Orleans Street bridge. The Indian procession usually leaves the gathering spot around 1 p.m.
We can’t stress this enough: Be respectful if you go. Take pictures at a distance, and don’t get in the way of marching Indians or their friends, family and attached bands. Super Sunday has been overrun with spectators in the past years, so please do your part to enjoy this amazing cultural event responsibly.
Some background: The Mardi Gras Indians are the most vibrant, visible and conversely mysterious expressions of African-American New Orleans culture. To distill them into an extremely simplistic sentence: Mardi Gras Indians are African-American New Orleanians who dress up (or in local lingo, ”mask”) as stylized Native Americans.
They take to the streets in fantastic costumes made of beads, feathers, and sequins that cost thousands of dollars, weigh hundreds of pounds, and require hundreds of days of painstaking labor; no element of costume creation is automated.
On Mardi Gras Day, Super Sunday, St. Joseph’s Day, and a select few other special occasions, the “chiefs” and their tribes parade through the city, chanting, shouting and challenging each other to determine who is “the prettiest.”
There’s a ton more background on this fascinating subject at the Backstreet Cultural Museum in the historic Tremé neighborhood.
Tennessee Williams Literary Festival
Wednesday-Sunday, March 20-24, 2024
Writers have always been drawn to New Orleans. Few cities in America (or the world, really), can match this town for its atmosphere, sense of place, or penchant for fun and pathos (all good elements of a writing life).
The Tennessee Williams Literary Festival celebrates this city’s love affair with the written word, as well as writers’ love affair with New Orleans. Notable authors will be in attendance, hosting seminars, workshops, and lectures.
Plus, this being the Tennessee Williams Festival, there is, of course, a “Stella” shouting contest, which involves folks screaming out the iconic scene from A Streetcar Named Desire to appreciative crowds on Jackson Square. The program will also include a scholar conference, walking tours, masterclasses, theater, and more.
Note that on Friday-Sunday, March 22-24, 2024, the city will also host the Saints & Sinners Literary Festival, an alternative literary event that celebrates LGBTQ+ authors. The three-day festival will include panel discussions and a fair amount of networking opportunities between authors, editors, and publishers.
Congo Square Rhythms Festival
Saturday-Sunday, March 23-24, 2024
The musical heritage of New Orleans follows a line that can be traced all the way back to Africa, where the black diaspora begins. The music of that continent evolved here and in the Caribbean, influenced by Europe and indigenous music, into the forms and traditions that are the core of today’s New Orleans sound.
This vital legacy is celebrated in Armstrong Park, on the grounds of Congo Square, where local slaves were once permitted to practice the musical traditions of Africa and the Caribbean. Congo Square Rhythms Festival is a celebration of global and local music, and offers both amazing food and a fantastic lineup of music. The festival kickoff concert on Friday, March 22, features Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles.
Presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, the festival features Mardi Gras Indians, African dance, brass bands, soul-funk, as well as indigenous music of Honduras, and highlife from West Africa. The large art market and a Soul Food Court complete the experience.
Don’t miss one of the fest’s highlights, the Mardi Gras Indian “battle” — when the tribes gather in the center of the square, plus the festival’s largest to date assemblage of New Orleans-based African dance troupes (they typically perform on Sunday).
Crescent City Classic
Saturday, March 30, 2024
The annual Crescent City Classic is a fun local tradition. Held on the Saturday before Easter and open to both amateur and pro runners, the event is the city’s signature 10k race. (Expect some runners dressed in Easter-themed costumes.) The race starts at 8 a.m. on Champions Square and then proceeds down Esplanade Avenue to the New Orleans City Park. After the race (8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) there’s a festival at the park’s Festival Grounds, with local music and food. You can register for the race and buy festival tickets on the event’s website.
Are you visiting New Orleans this spring? We’d love for you to stay at one of our Valentino hotels! And if you do, 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!
Happy Spring!
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Where to Stay in the French Quarter in 2024
The French Quarter is the heart of New Orleans and a testament to its colorful past, where cultures, music, cuisines, and history create an irresistible tapestry that is pure magic, with a dash of ’round the clock joie de vivre. And what better way to explore this one-of-a-kind place and one of the oldest neighborhoods in the U.S. than to stay right in the middle of the action?
These five boutique hotels are located in and near the French Quarter, so you’re never far from all that the neighborhood has to offer — whether you want to dance the night away to a brass band, take a stroll to take in the breathtaking architecture, or sample every Creole dish you come across.
You can explore the streets of the French Quarter to your heart’s content, and then enjoy the welcome respite from the bustle and relax by the pool, hit a happy hour, or grab a bite in one of the hotels’ bars and restaurants, or simply enjoy the view from your room or your balcony.
Hotel St. Marie
827 Toulouse Street
Hotel St. Marie serves up a classic French Quarter atmosphere with modern amenities. Its European-style decor delivers luxurious touches like chandeliers and period paintings. The meticulously restored exterior is lined with wrought-iron balconies overlooking the action, only half a block away from Bourbon Street and a mere four blocks from Jackson Square and the St. Louis Cathedral.
While Hotel St. Marie still retains its old-world charm, the bathrooms are outfitted with walk-in showers, and other modern amenities were updated. The tropically landscaped courtyard contains a saltwater pool and patio seating.
The on-site, elegant yet low-key Vacherie Restaurant & Bar is three in one: restaurant, bar, and cafe, which are all located next to one another on the first floor. The cafe serves breakfast staples plus snacks, salads, and things like sandwiches, perfect on the go or eaten at the bar. It’s open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can also hit the full bar from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. The cafe’s menu is served nightly from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the bar.
Standout features: European-style decor with luxurious touches; outdoor pool; tropical courtyard; on-site restaurant, bar, and cafe; recently renovated; half a block away from Bourbon Street.
French Market Inn
509 Decatur Street
French Market Inn is located on a busy block of Decatur Street, just steps away from the Mississippi Riverfront and within six blocks of renowned New Orleans attractions like Jackson Square, the French Market, the Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium, Bourbon Street, and Harrah’s New Orleans Casino. The hotel’s balconies, overlooking Decatur Street, offer great views of the river and the vibrant neighborhood.
This historic hotel boasts a serene, private stone-paved courtyard with a saltwater pool, a fountain, and a beautiful tropical garden. Its antique brick facade opens onto a lobby adorned with period paintings, chandeliers, and columns, with period details throughout the building.
Since this historic property dates back to the 18th century, every guest room has its distinct character. The first property records date as far back as 1722, and it was used in the past as a bakery and a family residence. In the early 1830s, the Baroness Pontalba y Almonaster bought the bakery and the surrounding lots and turned it into an inn. In 1832, the first hauntings were recorded, and to this day the hotel is considered to be haunted.
French Market Inn had undergone renovation in 2015. The on-site PJ’s Coffee has something fresh brewing daily, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Standout features: Property dates back to the 18th century; period details throughout, including antique brick facade and beamed ceilings in the guest rooms; outdoor saltwater pool; tropical courtyard; on-site cafe; central location a short walk away from the Mississippi Riverfront and blocks away from many French Quarter attractions.
Place d’Armes Hotel
625 St. Ann Street
Place d’Armes Hotel embodies old-world charm inside and out. It occupies two restored historic townhouses dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, located on a quiet block of St. Ann Street, steps away from Jackson Square (which used to be called Place d’Armes, hence the name).
Guest rooms facing both the street and the courtyard have wrought-iron balconies, and feature exposed brick, conveying the traditional, old-world ambiance of the French Quarter. The hotel’s courtyard is particularly enchanting, showcasing a variety of tropical plants, fountains, and a saltwater pool under the magnolia trees.
Place d’Armes is a popular stop on haunted walking tours, due to the hauntings recorded there after the school burned down on the hotel’s site in the 1800s.
Standout features: Property dates back to the 18th century; central location right by Jackson Square; outdoor saltwater pool; stunning courtyard with patio seating; complimentary continental breakfast.
Prince Conti Hotel
830 Conti Street
The beautifully appointed Prince Conti Hotel sits in the heart of the New Orleans French Quarter and is just steps away from the non-stop party of Bourbon Street and the shopping and dining destinations of Canal and Royal Streets. It is housed in a historic 19th-century townhouse, which sports a carriageway and plenty of European charm.
Some of its rooms feature exposed brick and four-poster beds, and renovations were held to update the amenities and the interior’s rich colors and moldings, adding touches of opulence and the classic New Orleans charm. Despite its proximity to the 24/7 action right outside its windows, Prince Conti Hotel offers a quiet respite from it all, an oasis with an elegant yet relaxed vibe.
The on-site Cafe Conti has a casual breakfast and lunch menu from 7 a.m. to noon, with a focus on French and Creole cuisines. There you’ll find sweet and savory crepes, eggs Benedict, and local favorites like breakfast po-boy, shrimp and grits, and Croque Madame.
The Bombay Club & Martini Bistro is tucked away down the carriageway at the back of the Prince Conti Hotel. It has more than 50 specialty cocktails on the menu and although it specializes in martinis it also has an extensive selection of single malt scotches, ports, reserved bourbons, and premium cigars.
The Bombay Club is also a popular choice for the nightly local live music, including jazz and cabaret performances. The Bombay Club’s beautiful courtyard is the perfect spot to relax and unwind after a long day of sightseeing or exploring the city.
The food menu features a variety of gastropub items, New Orleans cuisine, and Indian-inspired dishes that play on the bar’s British theme. From classic pub fare like fish and chips to more exotic offerings like BBQ Sticky Ribs to charcuterie boards, there are plenty of globally inspired options. Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur, a cigar aficionado, or simply looking for a great spot to enjoy some live music and good food, The Bombay Club is not to be missed.
Standout features: Central location and proximity to Canal and Bourbon Streets; historic European charm with luxurious touches like four-poster beds; on-site cafe serves breakfast and lunch; the on-site restaurant has a full bar and live music.
The Brakeman Hotel
501 Basin Street
The Brakeman is Valentino Hotels’ latest exciting boutique hotel located in Basin St. Station, the original Norfolk Southern Railway station (circa 1904), the last remaining train station in the city. It is nestled between the historic Tremé neighborhood, the romantic French Quarter, and the stunning St. Louis Cemetery #1.
This boutique hotel has 18 guest rooms that feature furniture and finishes that evoke the elegant trappings of the romantic railroad travel era. Amenities include in-room safes, on-site parking, walk-in showers, and 24-hour concierge service. Guests of the Brakeman can also enjoy all the amenities Basin St. Station has to offer, including cultural exhibits; a gift shop; the Basin St. Cafe with grab-and-go snack, breakfast, and lunch options; and the ATM in the lobby. Basin St. Café is open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Perched atop the historic Basin St. Station, The Rooftop on Basin offers stunning views overlooking the French Quarter. The Salon and Terrace is a private event space and is not open to the public or guests of The Brakeman Hotel.
Standout features: Central location and proximity to the French Quarter and Treme; located in a historic building; on-site cafe and gift shop; stunning rooftop views.
All these hotels offer valet parking for a fee, plus complimentary WiFi access. Children age 12 and under stay for free. The pools are not open to the public (guests only, please). Another perk: When you’re a guest at any of Valentino Hotels you can access the pool at any other hotels.
We hope you enjoy staying with us at any of these historic boutique hotels!
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Nola Funk Fest 2023: Celebrating Louisiana’s Rich Musical Heritage
Are you ready for a three-day musical extravaganza that celebrates the rich heritage of Louisiana’s music scene? Look no further than the inaugural Nola Funk Fest, taking place from October 20 to October 22, 2023, at the iconic New Orleans Jazz Museum, located at 400 Esplanade Avenue right between the French Quarter and the Marigny. This festival promises to be a grand celebration of funk music and a glimpse into the future with The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience. Let’s take a closer look at what Nola Funk Fest has to offer.
The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience
Nola Funk Fest serves as the grand unveiling for The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience, an ambitious project that aims to create a 120,000-square-foot museum, set to be built across from the New Orleans Convention Center, dedicated to the preservation of Louisiana’s rich musical history. This museum, with a projected opening in 2027, will tell the captivating story of music in Louisiana, from its roots in Congo Square to the contemporary sounds of today. What sets this museum apart is its commitment to interactivity and live music performances. It’s not just about looking at artifacts; it’s about experiencing the music in a new way.
“I Found My Thrill: The Music and Artistry of Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew”
The museum’s mission is to empower and educate visitors about the rich and evolving history of Louisiana music. It seeks to showcase the profound impact of this music on American culture and the world. Nola Funk Fest provides a sneak peek into what the museum will offer, making it a must-visit event for music enthusiasts and culture aficionados.
One of the highlights of Nola Funk Fest is the exhibit titled “I Found My Thrill: The Music and Artistry of Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew.” This exhibit, opening on October 21, delves into the intricate relationship between Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew. It explores their creative processes, showcases their hit songs, and examines their place in American music history. The exhibit will run for 20 weeks, before embarking on a state-wide tour, allowing attendees to explore the musical journey of these iconic artists.
Symposiums: The Bridge Between Jazz & Blues and R&B, Rock & Roll, and Funk
Nola Funk Fest doesn’t stop at the music; it’s also a platform for learning and understanding the evolution of musical genres. The festival hosts two symposiums: one dedicated to Earl King on Saturday, October 21, and the other to Dave Bartholomew on Sunday, October 22 (both already sold out, unfortunately). These symposiums feature family members of the artists, historians, guest musicians, and the backing band led by George Porter. They provide an engaging platform for exploring the connections between Jazz, Blues, R&B, Rock & Roll, and Funk.
Live Music Lineup
The heart of Nola Funk Fest is its outstanding lineup of musical performances. With 34 of the city’s best local funk acts gracing two stages, this festival promises to be a non-stop party for music lovers. The star-studded lineup includes Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Leo Nocentelli with Experiencing The Meters, Grammy icons Irma Thomas, George Porter Jr., and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Also, look for Ivan Neville, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Bucktown All-Stars, and the Russel Batiste tribute. Additionally, students from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) and Loyola University will take the stage at the “Passing the Torch Stage,” showcasing the next generation of musical talent.
Costume Contest
For those who love to dress up and get into the festival spirit, Nola Funk Fest has a costume contest presented by Disco Warehouse. It will be held on Saturday, October 21, at 6 p.m. on the JAMNOLA stage, with cash prizes totaling $1,000 for the top three costumes. So, bring your best funk-inspired costume and join in the fun!
Tickets And Other Information
- One-day tickets: $45
- VIP one-day tickets: $135
- Three-day tickets: $100 (advance prices)
- Symposium tickets: $30 per day, $50 for both
- Student performances are free of charge (along Barracks Street, just outside the paid festival areas)
- No outside chairs, coolers and ice chests, and no food and drink
- A handful of food vendors will be on-site, including Ms. Linda Yakamein, Boucherie, Cochon King BBQ, Valerie’s Snowballs, and more
Don’t miss the chance to be a part of this incredible celebration of Louisiana’s musical heritage and to support the development of The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience museum. Early bird tickets are available on the Nola Funk Fest website. Make sure to mark your calendar for October 20-22, 2023, and get ready to groove to the rhythm of Louisiana’s soulful music at Nola Funk Fest!
For more information and ticket details, visit the official Nola Funk Fest website: https://www.nolafunkfest.com/ Follow the updates on Instagram and Facebook.
Need a hotel? To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
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New Orleans Fried Chicken Festival Is Back
Photo by Brian Chan on Unsplash
It appears New Orleans does indeed have room for more festivals, especially if it honors the beloved fried chicken. Between Popeyes and the takeover by Brothers Food Mart and the popping up of the excellent gas-station chicken counters, New Orleans has its fried chicken game on lock, and the two-day, 2023 National Fried Chicken Festival, held September 30 – October 1 at the New Orleans Lakefront, aims to also showcase as many variations as possible.
FCF 2023 will feature its largest and most diverse food lineup to date, with over 50 participating restaurants showcasing their unique spins on the iconic Southern dish for an opportunity to take home the festival’s “Best Fried Chicken” and “Best Use of Fried Chicken in a Dish Awards.” For the third year, the highly-coveted Culinary Icon Award will also be presented to a prominent chef who has made remarkable contributions to the culinary industry.
The festival’s roster of “experiences” has a beer garden, two VIP lounges, a family zone, a teacher hospitality lounge, and more. New this year is the “Food Is Culture” stage, in addition to the usual two music stages. It will feature cooking demonstrations, TED-style talks, panel discussions, and more with national celebrity chefs and culinary thought leaders.
Besides the diversity of musical acts (Big Freedia, The Soul Rebels, Kermit Ruffins, and many more), there’s also going to be a diversity of cooked chicken. While everyone is coming to the festival to partake of the South’s favorite fried treat — a meal that is, indeed, beloved around the world — don’t forget that there are some major competitions on the line. The eating and cooking contests are guaranteed to be entertaining, and a team of national food writers, bloggers and critics will be on hand as judges.
As in the previous years, the fest will have more than chicken. It promises vegan options, vegetarian options, gluten-free options, and more.
Please note that the fest doesn’t allow pets and coolers, and it’s a cashless event with no re-entry except for the VIP ticket holders. Chairs and blankets are welcome.
So, come with an appetite. This is New Orleans, and folks love their chicken. We expect to see many tourists and local friends with a wing in their hands, and a smile on their faces!
The National Fried Chicken Festival, presented by Raising Cane’s, is held on Sept. 30 – Oct. 1 at the Lakefront. Get your tickets ($15-$120) here.
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NOLAxNOLA Comes Back for Its Third Year
Did you know that October is considered Music Month in New Orleans? That’s saying something, considering New Orleans’ vibrant music ecosystem all year around. Here, our festival and music culture reflects the city’s rich history and diverse cultural heritage. And we have over 130 annual festivals to show for it. There’s a celebration of so many things, from a Creole tomato to beignets to Louisiana seafood to beer… You get the drift. Music, however, is a constant presence in the magical equation that is a New Orleans festival. And what better time of year to throw an 11-day music party than in October, when the temps are pretty much perfect and fall is finally in the air?
So, what is NOLAxNOLA exactly? Pronounced “NOLA by NOLA,” it’s a celebration of New Orleans music, venues and artists. In 2021, a coalition of New Orleans artists, venues and cultural leaders banded together to support one another and keep the music community and culture bearers strong in those difficult times. The event featured a huge and impressive case of New Orleans artists and was a success, so it came back in 2022 with even more shows and more venues participating.
In its third year, NOLAxNOLA will run from Thursday, September 28 through Sunday, October 8, 2023. The astonishing 48 venues will host over 300 shows during that time. They are both indoor and outdoor, located all over the city, and span from the dives and breweries to hotel bars, music halls, jazz clubs and iconic venues like Preservation Hall and Tipitina’s to local theaters (Civic, Joy, Orpheum, and more).
The lineup is very local and breathtakingly extensive. Think of a perfectly put roster of all of your favorite local acts, and that’s the artist list scheduled to perform at the event. That would be Big Freedia, Soul Rebels, Hot 8 Brass Band, Preservation All-Stars, Galactic, Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers, Anais St. John, Panorama Jazz Band — the list goes on and on.
NOLAxNOLA is more than music, too. The events will include comedy shows like a roast of Tipitina’s co-founder and Galactic’s drummer, Stanton Moore, DJ nights, burlesque, and jazz yoga at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. New this year, NOLAxNOLA Meet & Greets will give you a chance to meet the people behind the music industry in NOLA for a happy hour and conversation at The Howling Wolf, Chickie Wah Wah, Le Bon Temps Rouler, and a few other venues.
NOLAxNOLA was co-founded by Sig Greenbaum, Founder and CEO at Sigfest Events. He has over 20 years of experience producing global live events. For updates and to see the full lists of participating venues and artists, visit the event’s page on NewOrleans.com and follow NOLAxNOLA on Instagram.
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Suit Up for the Red Dress Run in New Orleans
All photos are courtesy of David Fary
You’d be tempted to call thousands of sprinting women and men kitted out like a Chris de Burgh single (“Lady in Red”) a drag race, but no. It’s a dress run. On the second Saturday of August — this year, that’s August 12, 2023 — the New Orleans Hash House Harriers (NOH3) are at it once again, hosting the annual New Orleans Red Dress Run.
The Event Details
Still going strong after more than two decades, the race draws in thousands of men and women aged 21 and older, who take to the French Quarter to showcase the color red in all of its glory (and let’s be honest, sometimes lack thereof).
This year, once again, the race assembles in Crescent Park around 9 a.m., with beer flowing and a DJ spinning. Late registration goes on until the start of the run (10 a.m.), which tends to finish in a crimson scrum of sweat and live music. Please note the earlier start time as the organizers are trying to get everyone moving before the serious heat descends. Admission for this event is $65. Day-of registration is cash only.
The two-mile race route is a closely guarded secret, but expect runners to jog/stumble/sprint through the Bywater and Marigny neighborhoods eventually making it into the French Quarter and back to the Crescent Park. Once the run is over at 11:30 a.m., lunch is served. The whole affair is over by 4 p.m.
Participants can pick up their event packets on the day of the event, but also on Thursday and Friday, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Deutsches Haus, 1700 Moss St. (Bayou St. John in Mid-City). Everyone needs to show ID and sign a liability waiver.
Tips for the Red Dress Run
Here are some pro tips we’ve collected over the years from repeat participants. New Orleans heat in August is no joke, so we hope you heed the advice to stay safe, hydrated, and have fun.
No one wants to be dragged down with a handbag, so consider investing in a fanny pack or a Ziploc bag “wallet” for phone cards and cash. Another option is to wear a dress that is tight up top so you can hold your phone, cash, card, and ID secure in the breast area (yes, this goes for guys too).
Just assume that it will be seriously hot, and a breathable pair of underwear is a good investment. We also recommend headbands and sweatbands that are good to wipe off moisture that’s your own and from others that are tipsy and bumping into you.
Remember, this is a long party with food, beer and music. Avoid rough sequins under the arms, because arm abrasion will rain on your parade really fast. If you are unsure, dance around the house with some bold arm movements to see if you’ve got the right stuff on top.
Some more race etiquette: Tie your shoes. The last thing you want is someone stepping on your laces and you, or them, falling. If you are going slowly, no worries, although a koozie might be a good idea as your drink will get hot, quickly.
About the Red Dress Run
The entire affair owes its existence to the remarkable efforts of the local chapter of Hash House Harriers, a club dedicated to running and drinking (many Hashers would flip those priorities). The club — a “Drinking Club with a Running Problem” — is international, and you can find a Hash/Run event in almost every country in the world. Proceeds from the event benefit different charities.
The calendar of runs is on the NOH3 website and membership is open to anyone over 21. All you need to do is show up.
Just remember, it takes more than putting on a red dress and tying off a few in the Quarter to be a part of this historic event. Don’t be a red dress rip-off — register to enjoy unlimited beer, food and music.
As mentioned above, the race route is secret, so follow the event on Facebook. For spectators looking to watch the action, the race “track” has always traversed Bourbon and Royal Street in the past, with a handful of beer stops along the route.
Need a hotel? To stay close to all the action, book a historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter at FrenchQuarter.com/hotels today!
