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French Quarter Fest-ing with the Family This Weekend

Check out our tips for free family fun this weekend and throughout the spring and summer

By Lauren Ungar, Assistant Publisher April 13, 2023

It's Spring and Summer Festival Season in New Orleans! There are so many family-friendly things to do at each festival, and we have the 411 here for you on this weekend's French Quarter Festival happening Thursday, April 13 - Sunday, April 16

Don't forget to pack the basics for your family when heading out: 

  • hats or sunglasses 
  • sunscreen
  • water
  • appropriate footwear
  • snacks if the kids are picky
  • a picnic blanket if you want to sit, eat and listen to music
  • hand sanitizer or baby wipes
  • possibly bug spray
  • remember to use the bathroom before you leave the house!

French Quarter Festival 

This Weekend! Thursday, April 13 - Sunday, April 16

French Quarter Festival is a free local event with over 20 stages throughout the French Quarter. Families can take the day and enjoy free music, kids' activities, and fun in the sun! You'll only have to pay for the fantastic food you choose, including favorites like Plum Street Snoballs, Jacques-Imo’s Café, Tujague’s Restaurant, Dickie Brennan’s & Co., Loretta's Authentic Pralines, and more! There are public restrooms in a few areas (inside the Shops at Jax Brewery and the Shops at Canal).

Get your Stage Maps Here!

Get your Food Map Here!

French Quarter Festival's Chevron Children’s STEM Zone 

Free Family Fun at the French Quarter Festival in the Chevron Children’s STEM Zone 

Toulouse Street at the Natchez Wharf on the River,

Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15 11am to 5pm

Saturday and Sunday families are invited to Chevron’s “STEM Olympics,” to engage with fascinating activities! This fun, interactive environment is designed to foster a passion for learning by showing how science, technology, engineering, and math are the foundation for their future success. Activities will showcase the ‘STEM Olympics’ and provide a gold medal experience with hands-on learning activities created by eleven community partners. Community partners include Audubon Nature Institute, NASA Astro Camp Community Partners ProgramNaval Information Warfare Center, Ochsner Health Education Outreach, Project Lead the Way, The Water Institute, NAMI St. Tammany, STEM NOLA, Greater New Orleans STEM InitiativeCentral Creativity & LA STEM, New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, and Northshore Technical Community College.


Upcoming 2023 New Orleans Festivals

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival ($$)

Friday, April 28 - Sunday, May 7, 2023

French Market Creole Tomato Festival (Free)

Saturday, June 10 - Sunday, June 11, 2023

NOLA Zydeco Fest (Free)

Saturday, June 10, 2023

New Orleans Juneteenth Festival (Free)

Saturday, June 18 - Sunday, June 19, 2023

Fidelity Bank White Linen Night (Free to go, Prices for certain entries may vary)

Saturday, August 5, 2023

Dirty Linen Night (Free)

Saturday, August 12, 2023