French Quarter Events

Our curated list of upcoming neighborhood happenings is updated each Tuesday, so check back often!

Photo: Danny Barker Festival, 2024, photo by Ellis Anderson for FQJ.

On the Horizon

FQJ’s favorite neighborhood events – Mardi Gras and beyond! 

     photo: French Quarter Fest 2025 by Melanie Cole

FQJ’s Weekly Don’t Miss List

Saturday, March 14, 12–5pm

Kermit Ruffins presents: Blossom Fest 2026

New Orleans Jazz Museum, 400 Esplanade Ave.

  • Join in this, the third annual Blossom Fest, which celebrates the life of the beautiful Blossom Ruffins.

    Features live music by Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers, with featured artists Roots of Music, TBC Brass Band, Jason Marsalis, Nayo Jones, Irvin Mayfield, Neisha Ruffins and more! Food and drinks!

    See https://nolajazzmuseum.org/events/2026/3/14/blossom-fest

Saturday, March 14, 1–3pm

2026 Chess Club Meeting

Historic New Orleans Collection’s Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres Street

  • From https://hnoc.org/events/chess-club-2026-1:

    HNOC Chess Club blends the game of chess with creative activities and historical research, where members learn about the rich history of chess in New Orleans from the 19th century to the present day.

    Members of Chess Club, led by youth in grades 6–12, plan HNOC’s annual Chess Fest—a community chess tournament and showcase for club members’ chess-related creative projects.

    Admission is free with registration required.

Tuesday, March 17, 2–3pm

2026 New Orleans International Guitar Festival: Yusa and Marina Albero

New Orleans Jazz Museum, 400 Esplanade Ave.

  • As part of the 2026 New Orleans Guitar Festival (noigf.org : running Sunday, 3/15–Friday, 3/20, multiple venues), New Orleans Jazz Museum hosts this special set.

    From https://nolajazzmuseum.org/events/2026/3/17/guitar-festival‍ ‍:

    Yusa, a celebrated Cuban musician known for her soulful voice and inventive blend of Cuban rhythms, jazz, and fusion, brings virtuosity on guitar and vocals.

    Marina Albero is a Barcelona-born pianist, composer, and improviser whose eclectic style weaves jazz, flamenco, and world influences into vibrant, heartfelt performance. Together they’ll offer a dynamic musical journey that reflects rich cultural fusion and improvisational dialogue, perfect for a lively afternoon in New Orleans.

Tuesday, March 17, 6:30pm

Downtown Irish Club Parade

Marigny Triangle and French Quarter

Photo: Ellis Anderson, 2024 parade

  • The Downtown Irish Club, Inc. (https://downtownirishclub.com/) has celebrated Irish heritage in New Orleans for 50 years, and has the only parade that rolls on March 17 in New Orleans. As they say, everyone is Irish for a day! Do it up!

Thursday, March 19, 10am–3pm

St. Joseph’s Altar

Historic BK House & Gardens, 1113 Chartres Street

Photo: Ellis Anderson, St. Joseph's Day 2025

  • The St. Joseph’s Day altar is a Sicilian tradition honoring abundance with edible altars full of fruits, bread sculptures, and lots of little delectables. Historic BK House constructs a beautiful one every year; for worshipers, there is a service at 9:45am Wednesday, 3/18 at St. Mary’s across the street, after which Father Zablocki will walk to BK House to bless the altar at 10am. Thursday is the public viewing of the altar.

Also: St. Augustine Church is having their St. Joseph’s Day Altar again after a few-year hiatus. Details below!

  • On Wednesday, March 18, the altar will be available to view for those attending the 5:00 PM Mass.

    General public viewing will take place on Thursday, March 19 from Noon to 6:00 PM. Our address is 1210 Gov. Nicholls Street, though the entrance to the parish hall is on Treme Street between Gov. Nicholls and Ursulines. All are welcome.

Thursday, March 19, 6pm through March 22

Two Elizas: A solo show by Jenny Mercein

Hermann-Grima House, 820 St. Louis Street

Photo courtesy Hermann-Grima + Gallier Historic Houses

  • Get Tickets HERE

    Following a sold-out run in 2024, The Hermann-Grima House is thrilled to welcome back Jenny Mercein’s TWO ELIZAS for an encore performance this March. This acclaimed solo show explores the true story of Jenny’s ancestor Eliza Mercein Barry and her landmark 1847 U.S. Supreme Court case, Barry v. Mercein, which established a woman's right to retain custody of her child. In an emotionally gripping intergenerational reflection on resilience and women's rights, Jenny mirrors her ancestor with her own trials and tribulations to motherhood. Doors at 5:30pm Show at 6:00pm. Viewer discretion is advised, 15 years of age or older is recommended.

  • Below are 50 upcoming events happening in the FQ and surrounding neighborhoods. Want even more? Click the button at the bottom.  
  • For a complete list of live music happenings in the city, check out WWOZ’s Livewire Music Calendar!

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