KEY TAKEAWAYS: French Quarter Festival 2026 runs April 16–19 with more than 300 performances across 20 stages. PJ Morton headlines as organizers expand programming along the Mississippi River at Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park. The festival features 70+ local food vendors serving more th an 275 dishes from New Orleans restaurants. The French Quarter Festival 5K returns April 18, offering runners early access to festival grounds.   The nonprofit organization French Quarter Festivals Inc. has unveiled the full lineup and programming for the 2026 French Quarter Festival, highlighting an expanded music roster, dozens of local food vendors and new attractions along the Mississippi Riverfront. The annual festival will take place April 16–19 in New Orleans, featuring more than 300 performances by local musicians across 20 stages throughout the French Quarter and nearby riverfront parks. Organizers say the four-day event remains free and open to the public. Among this year’s headline performers is Grammy Award-winning New Orleans native PJ Morton, who will appear on the Abita Beer Stage at Berger Great Lawn. The festival will also debut a larger riverfront experience at Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park at Governor Nicholls Wharf, giving festivalgoers additional space for music and activities along the Mississippi River. “French Quarter Festival 2026 is an exciting year for us,” said Emily Madero, president and CEO of French Quarter Festivals Inc. “With PJ Morton coming back after 12 years, the debut of the Governor Nicholls Wharf Park and hundreds of local artists and chefs taking center stage. This year’s festival is bolder and more unmistakably New Orleans than ever.” The event will feature 302 musical performances, including 45 artists making their festival debut. Performers will span multiple genres central to the city’s music heritage, including jazz, brass band, funk, RB, Latin and zydeco. The newly expanded riverfront area will host two stages with major performances. The Jack Daniel’s Stage will include sets by Irma Thomas, Bobby Rush and Big Freedia, while the Pan-American Life Insurance Group Stage will feature artists such as Leyla McCalla and Stanton Moore. Additional headliners and notable performers scheduled throughout the weekend include The Soul Rebels, Kermit Ruffins and George Porter Jr.. Stages will also return to historic locations around the Quarter, including Jackson Square, where the NewOrleans.com Stage will host several well-known local performers. Festival organizers will kick off the celebration with a parade departing from Bourbon Street at 10 a.m. April 16 and ending at Jackson Square for the opening ceremony. The route will feature performances by groups including the Paulin Brothers Brass Band and the New Wave Brass Band. Beyond music, the festival will feature more than 70 local food vendors serving over 275 menu items. Featured dishes include crabmeat beignets from Loretta’s Authentic Pralines and fried chicken from Willie Mae’s Scotch House, which will make its festival debut. The festival will also host cooking demonstrations and interviews with local chefs at the culinary stage led by television chef Kevin Belton. Social media personality Lavelle Dunn is scheduled to host a featured segment highlighting festival food and beverages. Additional programming includes the return of the French Quarter Festival 5K Run presented by LCMC Health on April 18. Organizers say the race offers participants early access to festival grounds and a scenic route along the riverfront. While the event is free, French Quarter Festivals Inc. will offer VIP packages that provide reserved viewing areas, private bars and other amenities. Proceeds from VIP sales help support the nonprofit’s mission and fund the annual festival. The festival also announced local illustrator Anne Lipscomb as the official poster artist for the 2026 event, with merchandise and commemorative artwork available for purchase ahead of the festival. Organizers said the full performance schedule, food vendor lineup and festival details are available on the event’s official website. ...read more read less