French Quarter Special Events

On the Horizon

Save the dates for the coming months

Krewe de Mayahuel Día de los Muertos Procession 2025 by Shawn Fink for FQJ

Don’t Miss List

FQJ faves in the weeks ahead

Nightly: 6:30–10:30pm

Storyville Museum, 1010 Conti Street

New: Storyville Museum After Dark

Photo: courtesy Storyville Museum

  • Experience the French Quarter's scandalous past after dark. Step inside the New Orleans Storyville Museum and explore the people, places, and stories behind the city’s notorious red-light district, known as Storyville.

    Your personal audio tour (included with entry) connects the museum’s exhibits into one continuous, captivating narrative as you explore recreated streets, a rebuilt brothel parlor, rare artifacts, vintage peep-show machines, and immersive multimedia displays.

    Discover how Storyville helped give birth to jazz and meet the madams, gamblers, musicians, politicians, and the women who worked in the district and defined its legacy.

    !8+ entry. Get Tickets

Tuesdays: November 3, 10, 17, 5:30–7:30pm

New Orleans Jazz Museum, 400 Esplanade

Crescendo 2026

Music Business Intensive presented by The Ella Project and the New Orleans Jazz Museum

FREE

Photo: New Orleans Jazz Museum

  • Free six-session music business intensive designed for independent musicians. Led by musician and entrepreneur Lou Hill and attorney Bri Whetstone, this workshop explores practical music business topics to help artists understand their rights, opportunities, and careers.

    All sessions are FREE. Attend one workshop or join the full series; advance RSVP is requested.

    Location: New Orleans Jazz Museum, 400 Esplanade Ave., 3rd Floor, New Orleans

    Time: 5:30–7:30 p.m.

    RSVP HERE

    MORE INFO HERE

    Presented by The Ella Project and the New Orleans Jazz Museum.

    Tuesday Sessions:

    10/13: Intellectual Property for Musicians

    10/20: Publishing & Revenue Streams

    10/27: Record Deals and Contracts

    11/3: Case Study: How a Song Breaks in 2026

    11/10: Festivals and AI

    11/17: Releasing, Pitching, and Monetizing Your Music

Monday, November 2: 3pm, procession 7pm

Start at Markey Park, 3301 Royal Street; ends St. Roch Cemetery #1, 1725 St. Roch Avenue

Krewe de Mayahuel Día de los Muertos Procession and Fiesta

Photo: 2025 Procession by Shawn Fink. See the album here!

  • Get to Markey Park early for music, food and drinks, face painting, dance shows and more, and stay for the procession to St. Roch Cemerery #1, where the march ends with the building of a monumental altar (ofrenda), accompanied by classic mariachi tunes!

Friday, November 6: 5pm – 8pm

1st Friday on Royal

Artwalk in the lower blocks of Royal Street

Art, Music, Drinks

  • On the first Friday of every month, participating locations stay open late – from 5pm to 8pm, offering a special opportunity to meet artists, view and purchase art, and enjoy wine, conversation, and even live music at select venues.

    Galleries and artist-run studios along Royal Street will showcase their latest works, making it the perfect evening to experience the vibrant creative community of the French Quarter.

    The Royal Street Arts District is home to over 40 galleries, studios, and shops celebrating local and regional artistry.

Saturday, November 7: 9:30am–7pm

Food Forum: Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres Street

Register for Food Forum

Food Fête: Tricentennial Wing, 520 Royal Street

Register for Food Fête

2026 Food Forum: Gumbo!

  • From the Historic New Orleans Collection:

    Official state dish of Louisiana, enduring metaphor for our cultural melting pot, and pure taste sensation, gumbo is a many-splendored stew. The 2026 Food Forum invites food lovers to explore the rich history and cultural significance of gumbo through a full day of conversation, storytelling, and expert insight.

    Headlined by renowned food historian Dr. Jessica B. Harris, this year’s forum will examine the dish’s origins, regional variations, and deep community connections through engaging panel discussions and interactive sessions. From heirloom rice and Gulf seafood to cast-iron pots and treasured family recipes, this forum celebrates gumbo as a living expression of Louisiana’s culinary heritage.

    The day will conclude with a festive Food Fête, where guests can continue the conversation while tasting a variety of gumbos inspired by the traditions explored during the forum.

    Food Forum: $50 per person
    Optional lunch and cooking demonstration: $45 per person (add to forum registration)
    Food Fête tasting: $35 per person (separate ticket)

    REGISTER for Food Forum

    REGISTER for Food Fête

The Long List

Dozens of curated happenings in the Quarter and beyond

  • 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!
Cover of the French Quarter Journal featuring a decorative border and the title in large purple text, with a waterway map of the Mississippi River at the bottom.

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