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Making the Most of Jazz Fest 2024

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!

French Quarter Festival NOLA

A Walking Guide to the French Quarter Fest

french-quarter-fest
Bonerama by David Fary

You could — and probably should — spend $105 or more for a one-day ticket to Jazz Fest this spring (we’re quoting the latest at-the-gate price). But you should also consider coming to New Orleans a few weeks earlier, from Thursday, April 11, through Sunday, April 14, 2024, for the largest free music festival in the south that celebrates its 41st anniversary this year.

During French Quarter Festival, the weather is better (read: less hot); there are plenty of restaurants where you can escape the crowds and relax over a meal — and, did we mention the festival is entirely free?

These are just a few reasons why over 875,000 music fans (the 2023 number) get their groove on at French Quarter Fest, and there are 300 more reasons for you to come this year. That’s how many performances will be held on 22 stages scattered throughout the French Quarter, playing traditional jazz, zydeco, and every Louisiana music genre in between.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of four days of music spread across multiple stages, that’s totally understandable. Here’s your walking guide to the French Quarter Festival — so you can plan your day for minimum trekking and maximum music enjoyment.

2-minute walk from Hotel Place d’Armes: Jackson Square

Don’t be surprised if you can hear the St. Louis Cathedral bells ringing from the hotel lobby — that’s because you’re literally steps away from Jackson Square, which hosts the outdoor stage. Jackson Square’s palm-tree-lined park offers a shady place to dance the day away, and don’t forget to swing by the Pirates Alley Cafe while you’re at it. Pirates Alley was one of William Faulkner’s favorite hangouts — he used to live and write there.

Jackson Square is also the spot for the festival’s opening ceremony. The festival kicks off on Thursday, April 11, 2024, with a parade starting at 10 a.m. in the 200 block of Bourbon Street and making its way to Jackson Square for an opening ceremony.

3-minute walk: Bourbon Street

Bourbon Street is bustling, it’s bawdy, and no trip to New Orleans would be complete without a visit. Fortunately, several stages in the 300-700 blocks provide ample excuses to indulge in this booze-soaked thoroughfare.

5-minute walk: Royal Street

On any given day, sections of Royal Street are closed to traffic. Buskers, bands and other performers fill the streets while pedestrians browse antique shops, galleries and boutiques. But French Quarter Fest pushes Royal Street’s everyday ambiance to a new level. You’ll find several music stages nestled in the 400-700 blocks of Royal Street.

10-minute walk: Woldenburg Park

This narrow, grassy strip overlooking the Mississippi River is where you’ll find the lion’s share of the action, with musicians on four main stages pumping out the jams.

The outlier is a stage at Spanish Plaza, which is located at the southernmost end of Woldenberg Park, by The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk. It’s about a 15-minute walk to this stage, so while you’re out there, you can scoop up some bargains at retailers including Neiman Marcus Last Call and Nordstrom Rack.

12-minute walk: Old U.S. Mint

Functioning as a branch mint of the United States Mint from 1838 to 1861, this historic building now hosts a Jazz Museum. During the French Quarter Fest, you’ll find two stages there. A first-aid station, restrooms, ATM, merch shop, bike parking, and food tents round out the offerings at this oh-so-essential stop.

It’s also situated near the Decatur Street stages and is right on the edge of the French Quarter, where the funky, music-club-lined Frenchmen Street begins. After dark, head this way to keep the party going at legendary venues like The Spotted Cat, Blue Nile, and d.b.a.

What else you need to know and what’s new for 2024

New stages

Considering the ever-growing popularity of the festival, this year the festival organizers are providing two new stages, the DJ Stage and the Culinary Stage.

Music lineup

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 vendors

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.

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.

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

Don’t miss the special events at the Fest! Besides the parade and the opening ceremony, those include free dance lessons, Children’s STEM Zone, French Quarter Fest After Dark programming from 9 p.m. till midnight at various local venues, a choir concert at St. Louis Cathedral, the 2024 French Quarter Fest Official Poster signing, interviews, and more. Here’s a full list of special events.

Street closures and getting around

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 get access passes from the NOPD Eighth District Station.)

The streets that will be closing are Iberville, N. Rampart, Dumaine, and Decatur. We suggest that instead of driving, you use RTA buses, streetcars, rideshare services bikes, cabs, or the ferry to get to the festival.

The poster

You can buy the official 2024 poster at one of the four merch booths at the festival, and then online starting on April 22.

The navigation app

To streamline your music experience and navigation, you can download an app on the fest’s website (either for IOS or Android).

And, finally…

  • 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, we’ll say it again: The fest is free unless you opt to buy a pass for a VIP experience.

Planning a trip to New Orleans to attend the French Quarter Festival?

Check availability for your travel dates and book your stay online. Also, make sure to take advantage of our low weekday rates and special offers. If you find lower rates on your Place d’Armes room at the time of booking, we will match the rate! See you at the French Quarter Fest!

Top 5 Reasons to Visit New Orleans in the Fall

Fall in New Orleans is some of the best times to visit for many reasons, including these top five below.

1. The Weather Is Glorious

Fall in New Orleans is like a breath of fresh air. The dog days of summer, which last deep into September, give way to milder weather. While you probably won’t need a jacket in the daytime, evening temps can dip to the low 60s in October and the low 50s in November, so pack some light outerwear. Lagniappe: Less rain falls in the city in autumn than at any other time of year.

2. Fall Festivals Abound

In the fall, foodies chow down at the Beignet Festival and the National Fried Chicken Festival; culture mavens celebrate Art for Art’s Sake and the New Orleans Film Festival; and music fans get down at the Tremé Fall Festival. The city also celebrates German food, music, and beer during the three weekend-long Oktoberfest.

3. It’s Hauntingly Fun

Boo! Halloween isn’t just one day in New Orleans, where the veil between the living and dead is paper thin. It’s an entire season, filled with balls, costume parties, and multiple parades. Krewe of Boo, the city’s official Halloween parade, kicks off the season in mid-October with an extravaganza of family-friendly monster floats that throw scads of plush toys and candy. On October 31, join a more Bohemian street parade and block party on Decatur Street and dive into the throngs of costumed revelers on Frenchmen Street, which rages till the wee hours.

4. November Is a Thanksgiving Cornucopia

Thanksgiving is just the final course of a month’s worth of food festivals in November. Sample more than 50 varieties of New Orleans’ most iconic sandwich at the Oak Street Po-Boy Festival, and scarf your gumbo with a side of brass bands at Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival. Then don a fabulous hat and hit Thanksgiving at the Fair Grounds Race Course for the opening day races, a New Orleans see-and-be-seen tradition where you can feast on a sumptuous buffet in the clubhouse whilst betting on the ponies.

5. It’s Football Season!

New Orleanians bleed black and gold, but you don’t have to be a Saints fan to cheer your favorite teams on to glory. College sports fans converge on Thanksgiving weekend for the Bayou Classic, when longtime rivals Grambling State and Southern University clash in the Superdome.

Catch your own home team in action-packed Quarter sports bars like American Sports Saloon (1200 Decatur St.); Jimani Lounge & Restaurant (141 Chartres St.); and The Corner Oyster House (500 St. Peters St.). But be forewarned: If your team’s playing the Saints, you might be in for a little friendly roasting.

Planning a trip to New Orleans this summer? Book your reservation today with Place d’Armes Hotel! Just minutes from exciting summer festivals, events, restaurants, shops, bars, and more, the Place d’Armes is ideally located in the heart of the city, the historic French Quarter.

trumpet players New Orleans

New Orleans Summer Festivals

trumpet players New Orleans

Here’s what’s on tap for the upcoming summer months in terms of festivals and other fun events you should consider attending if you’re visiting New Orleans this summer.

Enjoy Music Like Never Before

Music has been an integral part of New Orleans history, culture and traditions. It comes as no surprise that people come from near and far to experience the unique music scene in this culturally diverse city. This summer, you will have the opportunity to hear outstanding live music at a number of local festivals.

ESSENCE Festival, taking place June 29 – July 3, 2023, over the Independence Day weekend, will be returning this year to the Caesars Superdome for the nightly concerts, plus there will be a packed schedule of free daytime events at the Convention Center, including motivational seminars, beauty and style presentations, celebrity interviews, cooking demos, and lots more.

Expect a stellar music lineup of major headliners and the best of the local talent. This year, the spotlight is on hip-hop to honor its 50th anniversary.

The traditional Sunday Gospel Celebration at the Convention Center will feature the greatest gospel hits, and ESSENCE After Dark, a series of late-night jam sessions, comedy shows, underground performances, live podcast recordings, and more, is returning once again to the Superdome.

Since ESSENCE is so much more than music, a slew of exciting conferences, exhibitions, roundtables, and other experiences is also scheduled, including a series of keynotes. The celebrated ESSENCE Eats will once again have cooking demos and a food court with vendors from all over the South.

Another music festival of note is Satchmo SummerFest (August 5-6, 2023), which started as a tribute to Louis Armstrong on his 100th birthday. The two-day festival is held at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint at the foot of Esplanade Avenue and will have music all weekend on its two outdoor, tented stages. Other events will include a Sunday morning jazz mass at the historic St. Augustine Church in Tremé, seminars and film screenings, kid’s activities, and a second-line parade on Sunday.

More Exciting New Orleans Summer Events and Festivals

Running of the Bulls brings Encierro to New Orleans on July 14-16, 2023, except the “bulls” are the Big Easy Rollergirls. San Fermin in Nueva Orleans pays annual homage to the world-famous Encierro of Pamplona, Spain, running through the CBD starting at the Sugar Mill on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Check out the schedule on the event’s website for the annual opening and closing parties happening that weekend.

If cocktails are your thing, be sure to check out Tales of the Cocktail (July 23-28, 2023), a six-day festival full of special events, tastings and seminars — all geared towards sharing ideas and techniques of cocktail-making. The theme this year is “Vitalize,” and the Spirited Dinner series will feature special cocktail and food menus at restaurants across the city. The festival’s signature annual blowout, the “best of” Spirited Awards, will be held on Thursday, July 27, 2023, followed by the always-popular after-party.

The fun doesn’t stop there, of course. The White Linen Night (Saturday, August 5, 2023), its cousin Dirty Linen Night (Saturday, August 12.2023), the Red Dress Run (also on Saturday, August 12, 2023), Southern Decadence (August 31 – September 4, 2023), and the monthlong COOLinary will all be making their way to New Orleans this August.

Finding a New Orleans Hotel Close to It All

Planning a trip to New Orleans this summer? Book your reservation today with Place d’Armes Hotel! Just minutes from exciting summer festivals, events, restaurants, shops, bars, and more, the Place d’Armes is ideally located in the heart of the city, the historic French Quarter.

5 Activities Near the Place d’Armes French Quarter Hotel

5 Activities Near the Place d’Armes French Quarter Hotel

Whether it’s a weekday or the weekend, locals and tourists with all sorts of interests seem to have no trouble finding something stimulating to sink their sightseeing teeth into. Here’s a list of some of our favorite activities in and around the French Quarter.

1. Taking a cruise on the Creole Queen

1 Poydras Street

Do you dream of a way to journey down the Mighty Mississippi River? Well, now here’s your chance. Dating back to 1983, the paddlewheeler Creole Queen is a New Orleans staple. It’s not unusual to see her rolling down the river as the water rotates beneath her powerful paddlewheel. Paying tribute to 19th-century technology and Victorian-era style, booking a cruise on this waterfront behemoth is a popular New Orleans activity.

It truly is a “floating palace” with its many private rooms, top-notch stereo system, and upgraded bathrooms. You can even reserve the deck for your very own private party — and we have to admit, there’s nothing like a swinging engagement party on board.

We aren’t talking about a small party either because this waterfront beauty has the “largest indoor capacity [of any] excursion vessel in New Orleans.” So make the most of this opportunity and see the French Quarter, the Port of New Orleans, and the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park all in a single morning or afternoon.

2. Visiting the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas

1 Canal Street

The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is set against the perfect backdrop of the Mississippi River. Before you step inside this underwater world, take in some fresh air as you watch the sunlight hit the Mississippi. The park-like setting really is the perfect place for a pre-aquarium picnic — maybe you’ll even see a steamboat or two.

Inside, the aquarium boasts a very interactive experience. You will enter the aquarium through a tunnel of underwater life as stingrays and sea turtles majestically soar above you. After that, anything is possible. Check out the bright green and rather haunting eels right after the front entrance, watch as a member of the staff feeds the fun-loving, playful penguins, or allow the rhythmic movements of the many species of jellyfish to hypnotize you.

Stop by the gift shop afterward with its cute aquatic-themed trinkets, or pay a little extra at the ticket booth for a 3-D, nature-oriented film shown on a gigantic IMAX screen next door. (Note: The Aquarium is currently closed and is set to reopen in the Summer of 2023.)

3. Strolling Jackson Square

700 Decatur Street

Jackson Square, once known in the 18th century as “Place d’Armes,” is a favorite among locals and tourists. The attraction was later named after Andrew Jackson, a war hero during the Battle of New Orleans.

Many see Jackson Square as the heart of the French Quarter, and we have to agree. In a short distance, one can explore the French Market, Cafe du Monde, and the number of bars and shops that line Decatur Street.

Jackson Square is probably most known for its open-air artist colony, which some families have been members of for many generations. Find the perfect painting to bring back home, have your caricature done, or get your palm read and discover what the future has in store for you. With many nearby restaurants, museums, and historic buildings, Jackson Square is definitely worth the trip.

4. Hitting Harrah’s Casino New Orleans

228 Poydras Street

Looking to kill a little time before that business meeting? Or perhaps you’ve had a fun day in the city already and are looking for a little late-night action? Harrah’s Casino New Orleans can provide you with the entertainment you desire. With 113 table games, 20 poker tables, and 1,873 shot machines (but, who is really counting?), Harrah’s is a go-to spot for thrill seekers eager to try their luck.

If you prefer not to gamble, there are many other opportunities for a little R&R. Stop by one of the many restaurants located inside of the casino such as The Steakhouse New Orleans, Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay, or Nina’s Creole Cottage by chef Nina Compton. If you’ve already had a great meal at one of the many restaurants downtown, perhaps it’s time for some adult refreshments at Hoodoo Cocktail Lounge or Masquerade.

5. Listening to Live Music

Jazz, funk, zydeco, blues, classical, opera — needless to say, you can find every genre in New Orleans, at any time, and on any day of the week. When it comes to live music in the city, the question is never “Where?” but rather “When?”

From Frenchmen to Bourbon Street, authentic New Orleans music engulfs every corner of the city in a constant stream of harmonious melodies. Speaking of Frenchmen Street, check out the Blue Nile, along with many other live-music venues on the block, or journey down to St. Claude Avenue, located in the Marigny neighborhood, for some amateur karaoke performances at Kajun’s Pub, which is open every night till 1 a.m.

Planning a trip to New Orleans? Check availability for your travel dates and book your stay online. Also, make sure to take advantage of our low weekday rates and special offers. If you find lower rates on your Place d’Armes room at the time of booking, we will match the rate! And you can get exclusive deals and discounts at our New Orleans hotel by signing up for our email list.

Nearby Nightlife

The French Quarter never closes! You can stay up all night enjoying the cocktails and delicious food, dance till dawn, listen to live music, or simply roam the 300-year-old streets.

For some free live music (most often a very decent brass band) plus street performances of every kind hit Jackson Square, only two blocks away from the hotel. From there, the hustle and the bustle of the neon-lit Bourbon Street is an easy walk away (grab a hurricane to go at Pat O’Brien’s while you’re at it).

If you want a historic setting along with your drink, walk down Bourbon toward Esplanade Avenue till you hit Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. If you’re heading the other way, toward Canal Street, don’t miss the beautifully appointed Bombay Club. It has live music and the largest selection of martinis in the city.

For some never-ending indoor fun, Harrah’s Casino New Orleans is full of late-night action, and we don’t just mean gambling but all of its restaurants, bars, and so on. To drink where the locals drink, try Molly’s at the Market on Decatur Street or Black Penny on N. Rampart Street.

A lot of restaurants are open past midnight in the French Quarter, but if you want to grab some food way later, Killer Poboys inside Erin Rose doles out some of the best po-boys in the city from a tiny takeout window in the back. Then you can hit the 24/7 Cafe du Monde for some beignets, or dance till dawn at Santos.

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