NEW ORLEANS — French Quarter Festival is a massively popular music and food festival that spans the historic New Orleans French Quarter which is why certain parts of the French Quarter will be off-limits to vehicle traffic.
French Quarter Festival runs Thursday, Apr 11, through to Sun, April 14.
Here is what The City of New Orleans says festival-goers need to know:
Traffic and Parking Restrictions
During French Quarter Festival weekend, festival-goers, hotel guests, French Quarter residents, business owners, and employees should be aware of the traffic rules and regulations of the City and consider taking alternative modes of transportation to the event. Attendees are encouraged to park in the Central Business District, use public transportation, rideshare services, or ride bikes.
Due to the French Quarter Festival’s crowd size, vehicular traffic will be restricted from Thursday, April 11th until Sunday, April 14th, beginning at approximately 12 pm until approximately 8:30 pm.
No on-street parking or vehicular traffic into the French Quarter will be allowed between Iberville, North Rampart, Dumaine, and Decatur streets, except for those vehicles issued permits. A full “Mardi Gras” closure will be in effect Friday, April 12th - Sunday, April 14th.
French Quarter residents, employees, and hotel guests will be allowed vehicle access, as long as it is safe to do so. These closures are implemented at NOPD's discretion.
All vehicular traffic will be blocked for on-street stages on Saturday and Sunday, located at 400 Royal and 500 Royal. Access passes to be allowed past the checkpoints will be available on Monday, April 1st at the Eighth District Station (334 Royal Street) for residents, business owners, employees, and hotel guests.
Bicycling
Biking is a fast and easy option. Blue Bike stations are spread throughout the festival grounds. “Do it yourself” bike parking is also available at more than 10 locations throughout the festival footprint. View the FQF 2024 Map to locate.
Public Transportation
New Orleans also has convenient public transportation, including the streetcar and RTA buses.
The Loyola Streetcar line conveniently has stops near several parking lots in the CBD and drops off steps away from the French Quarter. Premium Parking has thousands of spaces along O’Keefe Avenue in the Central Business District, just a block away from RTA streetcars and buses. The following are easy-access routes to downtown and the areas surrounding the French Quarter: #11 Magazine, #55 Elysian Fields, #57 Franklin, #91 Jackson/Esplanade, #2 Riverfront, #12 St. Charles, #47 Canal/Cemeteries, #48 Canal/City Park Streetcar, #49 Loyola/UPT.
- New Orleans has many cab companies servicing the area. View all the options here.
- The Canal Street Ferry is conveniently located at the foot of Canal Street and provides an easy option for those traveling to or from the West Bank.
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