April 7, 2025 | From City of New Orleans

City of New Orleans Announces Public Safety Preparations for French Quarter Fest, Issues Traffic and Transportation Reminders

Mayor LaToya Cantrell today was joined by the City's Unified Public Safety Command Team to announce public safety measures ahead of French Quarter Fest, which is expected to bring a large number of visitors to New Orleans. Residents are encouraged to prepare for heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic and to celebrate safely throughout the weekend.  

To view the full press conference, click here.

More than 20 stages throughout the French Quarter will include local musicians, featuring every genre from traditional jazz to brass bands and zydeco. Events associated with French Quarter Fest, kicking off with the Opening Day Parade on Thursday, April 10 at 10 a.m. and the Opening Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. in Jackson Square, will last through Sunday, April 13. More information on festival activities can be found at frenchquarterfest.org. 

The City of New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) will staff the City's Event Command Post for the duration of the festival. Representatives from participating agencies will be present throughout the festival to monitor events and coordinate public safety activities.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has forecast a 0% chance of rain for the duration of the festival. NOHSEP will continue to monitor weather conditions in partnership with the NWS throughout the weekend in case forecasts change.

"We have hosted a successful Taylor Swift concert, Super Bowl LIX and Mardi Gras," said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. "I am proud of the work of our Unified Public Safety Command Team, and the residents and visitors for adhering to our public safety messaging. We are built to host and ready to show the world that we are a welcoming, safe city and open for business."

Traffic Restrictions 

In anticipation of large crowds, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) will restrict traffic to ensure pedestrian safety. Additional intermittent street closures may be required based on crowd size.

Road closures will be in place throughout the French Quarter, prohibiting vehicle traffic in the following areas due to festival stages and events:

• Bourbon St. from Canal St. to Dumaine St. (Vehicle crossing may be allowed at St. Peter St.)

• Royal St. from Conti St. to St. Peter St.

• Decatur St. from Conti to St. Peter St.

• N. Peters St. from Conti to St. Louis St.

Exterior and interior closures will be in place in the French Quarter from Canal St. to Dumaine St. and from Decatur St. to Rampart St.

No parking will be allowed in areas closed to traffic for the duration of the event.

NOPD officers will use sound judgment when assisting motorists in closed areas. Vehicle access beyond first responders will be limited to residents, businesses and hotel guests.

French Quarter Fest Opening Day Parade

Street closures will be in effect for the French Quarter Fest Opening Day Parade on the morning of Thursday, April 10. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. in the 200 block of Bourbon St. and proceeds to Jackson Square for the annual Opening Day Ceremony at the NewOrleans.com Stage.

The parade will take the following route:

• Begin at Iberville St. and Bourbon St.

• Continue on Bourbon St. to St. Ann St.

• Turn right on St. Ann St. to Chartres St.

• Turn right on Chartres St. to Jackson Square

• End inside Jackson Square

Parking Restrictions 

No-parking zones will be enforced from Thursday, April 10, at noon through Monday, April 14, at 1 a.m. These restrictions will apply throughout the French Quarter, including:

Barracks St., Bienville St., Canal St., Chartres St., Conti St., Dauphine St. Decatur St., Elysian Fields Ave., Esplanade Ave., Iberville St., Madison St., North Front St., North Peters St., Orleans Ave., Royal St., St. Ann St., St. Louis St., St. Peter St., St. Philip St., Toulouse St., and Wilkinson Row.

Residents and visitors are urged to follow all posted signage. Parking enforcement will be active, and violations will be ticketed.

• Do not block or park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant

• Do not park within three feet of a driveway

• Do not block sidewalks or park in fire lanes

• Do not park in bike lanes

• Do not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk, intersection, or stop sign

For 24-hour parking enforcement assistance, call 504-658-8100.

Transportation Impacts 

In anticipation of increased ridership, the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) encourages riders to plan ahead and pre-purchase fares.

Download the LePass app to plan your trip, check service alerts, purchase fares and track your bus or streetcar in real time. Visit www.norta.com or call Rideline at 504-248-3900 (5 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily) for more information.

Due to heavy pedestrian and vehicle activity, residents are encouraged to avoid driving through the French Quarter unless attending festivities. Use of rideshare, public transportation or bicycles is strongly encouraged.

Safety Resources and Reminders

LCMC Health is providing first aid services across five first aid tents from Thursday, April 10 through Sunday, April 13 located at:

• Spanish Plaza

• Woldenberg Park

• Jax Brewery Lot

• Jackson Square

• New Orleans Jazz Museum

First aid volunteers are CPR- and first aid-certified. They are prepared to treat basic injuries and will coordinate emergency transport if needed.

A Touro Nursing Nest will be located in the Jax Brewery lot from Thursday, April 10 through Sunday, April 13. Introduced during Mardi Gras 2025, Nursing Nests offer breastfeeding parents a private, clean and quiet space to feed their babies away from crowds.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to remain aware in large crowds and report suspicious activity to any public safety official or by calling NOPD's non-emergency number at 504-821-2222. In case of emergency, call 911.

Details on special events are available at ready.nola.gov/events. Follow @nolaready on social media, download the NOLA Ready Public Safety App on iOS or Android, and sign up for emergency alerts by texting NOLAREADY to 77295.