Well, Mardi Gras is in the rear-view now, but we have So Much More coming up here in New Orleans! The festival season is kicking off in earnest now – and one of the biggest parties starts in only a month! opens in a new windowFrench Quarter Fest is an annual FREE event held in the historic French Quarter, with stages and special events held all over the Vieux Carre. With dozens of acts set up to perform, this year will be bigger than ever!

On Thursday, April 6th, the whole big thing kicks off at 10am with the French Quarter Festival Second-Line Kickoff Parade led by New Wave Brass Band, starting in the 100 block of Bourbon Street and going to Jackson Square.

The concerts also start on Thursday. Beloved New Orleans legend Aaron Neville will headline for the very first time. Also new this year are Cedric Watson and Bijou Creole, Cole Williams Band, Cupid, Messy Cookers Jazz Band, Mo’Fess, Love Evolution, Perdido Jazz Band, T’Monde, and Valerie Sassyfrass. The stages will be filled with indigenous New Orleans music, from Jazz, to Zydeco, Hip Hop and more.

Along with the music, there will be opens in a new windowspecial events held throughout the festival, such as dance lessons, art shows, seminars on music-related subjects, a film festival, family and child-friendly sessions and talks with many of the featured artists.

Many food and drink vendors will be located throughout the festival locations. One of the ways the festival remains free is by barring personal drinks and coolers and by relying on beverage and merchandise revenues. Make sure you visit the booths and keep yourself hydrated and refreshed, as well as appareled, with the excellent vendibles available at the fest.

1896 O’Malley House still has some rooms available for French Quarter Fest! Check our online calendar to make your reservation, or call us at (504) 488 – 5896 – don’t miss your opportunity to see Aaron Neville in concert, in New Orleans!