Anticipation builds for the 2025 French Quarter Festival, scheduled for April 10-13. The coming celebration promises to transform the Quarter into a maze of melodies, with over 20 stages scattered throughout the historic district like jewels in an elaborate crown.

Are you planning your first trip to the Big Easy? Good call! To help you make the most of your inaugural visit, we've compiled a list of must-do experiences that capture the essence of our beloved city.

Originating in 1984, the festival was conceived by a group of local business owners and music enthusiasts with a simple yet ambitious goal—to showcase the rich musical heritage of New Orleans and celebrate the unique culture of the French Quarter. What began as a modest event featuring a handful of musical performances has since blossomed into one of the largest free music festivals in the South, attracting hundreds of thousands of attendees each year.