Who to See at French Quarter Fest 2026
French Quarter Fest, taking place from April 16 to 19, is one of New Orleans' most anticipated festivals and features a ton of great local musicians.
The festival features over 20 stages throughout the Vieux Carré, so there are plenty of opportunities to see and listen to some local Louisiana music. Check out this list of performers you should check out each day of the fest.
Thursday, April 16
Banu Gibson
NewOrleans.com Stage | 12:45-2:00 p.m.
Banu Gibson is a singer who covers music from the 1920s, '30s, and '40s. From Billy Holiday to Bessie Smith, Gibson has an amazing range. Her performance will leave listeners yearning for a vintage era of music.
Kermit Ruffins & the Barbeque Swingers
Abita Beer Stage | 2:10-3:10 p.m.
Kermit Ruffins is a jazz trumpeter and singer who often alternates between vocals and his trumpet sounds during a show. In 1992, he founded the Barbeque Swingers. Their name originates from when they would cook on stage during performances. They put on a lively show with a classic, New Orleans jazz feel.
Amanda Shaw
Willow Dispensary Stage | 5:00-6:10 p.m.
Amanda Shaw is a Cajun fiddler from Mandeville. She is known for blending traditional Cajun melodies with classic rock and country sounds. Shaw was even inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2020. A modern Cajun icon, Shaw's work speaks for itself.
Bag of Donuts
Tropical Isle Hand Grenade Stage | 6:15-7:45 p.m.
Bag of Donuts is a cover band with six men known for their extravagant makeup and costumes. They call their music "super pop," which are pop song covers that were popular in any era. A Bag of Donuts show will mix the familiarity of your favorite anthems with a performance like no other.
Friday, April 17
Ashton Hines & the Big Easy Brawlers
Tropical Isle Hand Grenade Stage | 1:50-2:50 p.m.
The Big Easy Brawlers, led by Ashton Hines, have been playing together on Frenchman Street since their high school years. They are a typical New Orleans brass band that also mixes gospel, hip hop, and jazz into their sound. Known as "a band without a genre," their performance will give you a taste of New Orleans with a new edge.
Lost Bayou Ramblers
Willow Dispensary Stage | 3:30-4:40 p.m.
The Lost Bayou Ramblers are a Cajun band from Pillete, LA. Brothers Andre and Louis Michot started the band in 1999, hoping to both honor and redefine the genre of Cajun music. The band has celebrated two Grammy wins, as well as toured with big names such as the Violent Femmes and Arcade Fire.
Brass-A-Holics
Willow Dispensary Stage | 6:40-8:00 p.m.
The Brass-A-Holics are a classic brass band with a go-go sound incorporated into their music. Go-go, originating in D.C. in the '70s, is a mix of gospel, funk, and R&B, while also incorporating electric guitar, bass, and drums. The Brass-A-Holics perform a mix of pop hits and their original music, along with an electric brass feel, giving the listeners a sonic adventure.
PJ Morton
Abita Beer Stage | 6:40-8:00 p.m.
PJ Morton is headlining the festival and has an impressive career and unique sound. While his solo career is rooted in gospel, as well as R&B, he is also a member of the critically acclaimed pop-rock band Maroon 5. A New Orleans native, Morton is also a six-time Grammy winner.
Saturday, April 18
Dawn Richard
Abita Beer Stage | 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Dawn Richard is an R&B singer based in New Orleans. Her career was started when she auditioned for MTV's Making the Band in 2004. Her performances blend pop, R&B, and electronic music, creating an exciting new sound.
Charmaine Neville
NewOrleans.com Stage | 3:50-5:00 p.m.
Charmaine Neville, the daughter of the iconic Charles Neville, is honoring her father's legacy while charting her own path. She plays an electric mix of R&B, funk, and blues. Neville and her band have played in festivals all over the world, but their sound is uniquely New Orleanian.
Flagboy Giz & The Wild Tchoupitoulas
Tropical Isle Hand Grenade Stage | 4:55-5:55 p.m.
Flagboy Giz is a prominent figure in the Black Masking Indian community, as well as a brilliant musician. He is the leader of the Wild Tchoupitoulas, as well as a rapper and producer. He is known for his rap songs about relevant social issues in New Orleans, which he performs in intricate Black Masking Indian costumes he creates himself.
Big Freedia
Jack Daniel's Stage | 6:50-8:00 p.m.
Big Freedia, known as the "Queen of Bounce," is a New Orleans-based rapper and singer. Freedia's stage presence, bursting with energy, has brought national recognition to the genre of bounce. Her performance, with fast-paced beats, vibrant style, and call and response, will have you dancing your heart out.
Sunday, April 19
Irma Thomas
Jack Daniel's Stage | 5:00-6:10 p.m.
Irma Thomas, known as the "Soul Queen of New Orleans," has a legacy that speaks for itself. Thomas is a Grammy-winning singer known for hits such as "Time Is on My Side" and "Ruler of My Heart." An icon of '60s soul, Thomas' beautiful vocals continue to touch many and solidify her as a New Orleans icon.
HaSizzle with TBC Brass Band
Abita Beer Stage | 5:00-6:20 p.m.
HaSizzle, or the "King of Bounce," is known for his unique and electrifying music that makes you want to get up and dance. With features in songs by world-famous artists such as City Girls, NBA YoungBoy, and Drake, he brings the sound of bounce to a mainstream stage. Accompanied by the To Be Continued Brass band, this show will combine the art of brass with the exhilarating beats of bounce.
Rockin' Dopsie Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters
Willow Dispensary Stage | 6:40-8:00 p.m.
Rockin' Dopsie Jr. is one of the most electrifying bandleaders in all of Louisiana. His sound is pure zydeco, and he continues the legacy set forth by his father Rockin' Dopsie. With his incredible stage presence and infectious sounds, Rockin' Dopsie Jr. will have you "screaming" with joy.
Cyril Neville
Abita Beer Stage | 6:50-8:00 p.m.
Cyril Neville is as New Orleans as red beans and beignets. He has played in iconic local bands including the Meters and the Neville Brothers. His percussion and vocals have defined the genre of funk and soul, paving the way for generations of artists who want to experiment, innovate, and inspire.
