French Quarter Fest 2025
The Iguanas perform at the Abita stage by the river on Saturday, photo by Scott Saltzman
April 2025Four days, four photographers and 12 dozen amazing photographs - yep, we’ve published more than 150 in this epic album that showcases the best of New Orleans and the French Quarter!
- photos by Scott Saltzman, Shawn Fink, Melanie Cole and Ellis Anderson
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This feature is underwritten in part by the Mardi Gras Museum of Costume and Culture
The board of French Quarter Festivals, Inc and VIPs lead the opening parade into Jackson Square, photo by Ellis Anderson
Black Magic Drumline in the parade. Our video clip of them has had more than 300k views! See it here. Photo by Ellis Anderson
The opening parade of French Quarter Festival 2025 in Jackson Square, photo by Ellis Anderson
The opening parade of French Quarter Festival 2025 in Jackson Square, photo by Ellis Anderson
The opening parade of French Quarter Festival 2025 in Jackson Square, photo by Ellis Anderson
The opening parade of French Quarter Festival 2025 in Jackson Square, photo by Ellis Anderson
The opening parade of French Quarter Festival 2025 in Jackson Square, photo by Ellis Anderson
The opening parade of French Quarter Festival 2025 in Jackson Square, photo by Ellis Anderson
The opening parade of French Quarter Festival 2025 in Jackson Square, photo by Ellis Anderson
Emily Madero, president and CEO of French Quarter Festivals, Inc, welcomes visitors to the opening of the 2025 festival, photo by Ellis Anderson
Kicking off the entertainment on Thursday, the Preservation Brass Band, and a crowd was ready and waiting. photo by Ellis Anderson
Kevin Lewis of Preservation Brass, photo by Ellis Anderson
Mark Broude of Preservation Brass, photo by Ellis Anderson
Irene Sage with guitarist Scott Conklin, photo by Scott Saltzman
Corey Ledet, photo by Scott Saltzman
Cole Williams, photo by Scott Saltzman
Cole Williams, photo by Scott Saltzman
Jelly Joseph, photo by Scott Saltzman
Jelly Joseph, photo by Scott Saltzman
John Boutté kick started Friday at the New Orleans.com stage on Friday, photo by Scott Saltzman
John Boutté, photo by Scott Saltzman
John Boutté, photo by Scott Saltzman
Joe Lastie’s New Orleans Sound, photo by Scott Saltzman
Crowds at the Abita Stage, photo by Scott Saltzman
At the Willow DJ stage, photo by Scott Saltzman
At the Spanish Plaza on Friday, photo by Scott Saltzman
Indys Blu, photo by Scott Saltzman
Grace Gibson, photo by Scott Saltzman
At the New Orleans Jazz Museum, photo by Scott Saltzman
Big Six Brass Band at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, photo by Scott Saltzman
Big Six Brass Band, photo by Scott Saltzman
Abita Stage on Friday, photo by Scott Saltzman
Zydeco with Keith Frank, photo by Scott Saltzman
Photo by Scott Saltzman
Photo by Scott Saltzman
Anders Osborne, with Brad Walker, photo by Scott Saltzman
Frenchy painting live, photo by Scott Saltzman
Anders Osborne, photo by Scott Saltzman
Soul Rebels, photo by Scott Saltzman
Monument to the Immigrant by Franco Alessandrini. Read more about Franco’s amazing public work in and near the French Quarter here. Photo by Scott Saltzman
Friday at Jackson Square, photo by Melanie Cole
Flow Tribe, photo by Melanie Cole
Jeffery Broussard & The Nighttime Syndicate, photo by Melanie Cole
Photo by Melanie Cole
Joe Lastie's New Orleans Sound with Gregg Stafford, photo by Melanie Cole
Photo by Melanie Cole
George Porter, Jr., photo by Melanie Cole
George Porter, Jr. and Runnin’ Pardners, photo by Melanie Cole
New Orleans renewed ties with France during the festival by celebrating the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s visit to the city. Lafayette is portrayed by renowned interpreter Mark Schneider of Colonial Williamsburg. After his speech In Jackson Square, he second-lined with the Storyville Stompers to the Cabildo for a reception with Lt Governor Billy Nungesser and guests.
Lafayette is portrayed by renowned interpreter Mark Schneider of Colonial Williamsburg. After his speech In Jackson Square, he second-lined with the Storyville Stompers to the Cabildo for a reception with Lt Governor Billy Nungesser and guests. The Cabildo opened a new Lafayette exhibit for the occasion. Photo by Ellis Anderson
At the Historic BK House stage on Sunday with the Hot Club of New Orleans, photo by Shawn Fink
At the Historic BK House stage, photo by Shawn Fink
At the Historic BK House stage on Sunday with the Hot Club of New Orleans, photo by Shawn Fink
At the Historic BK House stage on Sunday with the Hot Club of New Orleans, photo by Shawn Fink
At the French Market Traditional Jazz Stage, photo by Shawn Fink
At the French Market Traditional Jazz Stage, photo by Shawn Fink
At the French Market Traditional Jazz Stage, the Secret Six Jazz Band, photo by Shawn Fink
The Secret Six Jazz Band at the French Market Traditional Jazz Stage, photo by Shawn Fink
Bruce Sunpie Barnes, photo by Shawn Fink. Read our story about him: “New Orleans Culture Bearer - and Sharer”
Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, photo by Shawn Fink
The Lawrence Cotton Legendary Experience, Lawrence Cotton, photo by Shawn Finkhoto by Shawn Fink
The Lawrence Cotton Legendary Experience, photo by Shawn Fink
The Lawrence Cotton Legendary Experience, photo by Shawn Fink
Royal Street, photo by Shawn Fink
Royal Street, photo by Shawn Fink
Photo by Shawn Fink
Charmaine Neville, photo by Shawn Fink
Charmaine Neville, photo by Shawn Fink
Photo by Shawn Fink
New Orleans’ own Flower Girl, Terri Antholzner in Jackson Square, photo by Shawn Fink
Irma Thomas, photo by Shawn Fink
Little Freddie King, photo by Shawn Fink
Little Freddie King, photo by Shawn Fink
Little Freddie King, photo by Shawn Fink
Little Freddie King, photo by Shawn Fink
Bonerama, photo by Shawn Fink
The Storyville Stompers played for the reenactment of Lafayette’s 200th visit to New Orleans, then led a second line to the Cabildo, photo by Ellis Anderson. Click here to see our video clip of the second line on Instagram!
The New Orleans Classic Jazz Orchestra with pianist Steve Pistorius. Photo by Ellis Anderson
During the festival, many people checked out the new exhibit, “Making It Home,” at the Historic New Orleans Collection at 520 Royal Street. Photo by Ellis Anderson
At the French Market Traditional Jazz stage, photo by Ellis Anderson
At the French Market Traditional Jazz stage. Photo by Scott Saltzman
Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, at the French Market Traditional Jazz stage. Photo by Scott Saltzman
Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, at the French Market Traditional Jazz stage. Photo by Scott Saltzman
Washboard Chaz Trio, photo by Scott Saltzman
Washboard Chaz, photo by Scott Saltzman
Royal Street, photo by Scott Saltzman
Jason Mingledorf Band, photo by Scott Saltzman
The Pfister Sisters, photo by Scott Saltzman
Photo by Scott Saltzman
At the French Market Traditional Jazz stage. Photo by Scott Saltzman
At the French Market Traditional Jazz stage. Photo by Scott Saltzman
Jory Woodis, Secret Six Jazz Band, photo by Scott Saltzman
Entergy Songwriter Stage at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, Gina Leslie, photo by Scott Saltzman
Onward Brass Band, photo by Scott Saltzman
Onward Brass Band, photo by Scott Saltzman
At the Historic BK House stage, photo by Scott Saltzman
The Tin Men at the Historic BK House stage, photo by Scott Saltzman
The Tin Men at the Historic BK House stage, photo by Scott Saltzman
Louis Michot and Swamp Magic, photo by Scott Saltzman
Alice M. Harte Middle School Band "The Heartbeat of the South,” at Ernie’s Schoolhouse Stage. Photo by Scott Saltzman
Alice M. Harte Middle School Band "The Heartbeat of the South,” at Ernie’s Schoolhouse Stage. Photo by Scott Saltzman
Yusa & Mahmoud Chouki, photo by Scott Saltzman
Mahmoud Chouki, photo by Scott Saltzman
Mahmoud Chouki, photo by Scott Saltzman
Mahmoud Chouki, photo by Scott Saltzman
Ricardo Pascal playing with Yusa & Mahmoud Chouki, photo by Scott Saltzman
Yusa & Mahmoud Chouki, photo by Scott Saltzman
Lost Bayou Ramblers, photo by Scott Saltzman
Sweet Crude, photo by Scott Saltzman
Photo by Scott Saltzman
At the Willow DJ Stage, photo by Scott Saltzman
Photo by Scott Saltzman
Erica Falls, photo by Scott Saltzman
Cowboy Mouth, photo by Scott Saltzman
Fred LeBlanc of Cowboy Mouth, photo by Scott Saltzman
Cowboy Mouth crowd, photo by Scott Saltzman
Big Freedia, Queen of Bounce, photo by Scott Saltzman
Big Freedia, Queen of Bounce, photo by Scott Saltzman
Big Freedia, Queen of Bounce, photo by Scott Saltzman
Big Freedia, Queen of Bounce, photo by Scott Saltzman
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