French Quarterly

The evening of August 11, 2018 marks the 17th annual Dirty Linen Night celebration on Royal Street. For the second year in a row, the event is being presented by The Royal Street Art District, French Quarterly Magazine, and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, along with a long list of other generous sponsors. The event will once again encompass the 300–900 blocks of Royal Street. But as an extra treat this year, the shops of Wilkinson Rowe and several others along Chartres Street will be joining forces to bring an even bigger and more exciting event to the French Quarter.

People United for Armstrong Park will present their second annual Jazz in the Park Crab Festival on May 11th, 2018 from 6 to 9pm in historic Armstrong Park. The Crab Festival will feature the smooth jazz of Michael Franks and the urban contemporary rhythm and blues of the successful British band, Loose Ends. It will be held in an historical area of the park called Congo Square where enslaved Africans gathered to set up markets, sing, dance, and play music starting in the late 1700’s. We continue to celebrate the cultural heritage of New Orleans on that sacred ground.

February 2
Krewe of Cork Parade
Cheers! This walking krewe celebrates “everything wine.” About 200 members donned in wine and grape related costumes saunter through the French Quarter handing out wine centric throws to lucky recipients. kreweofcork.com

February 4
Krewe of Barkus Parade
This parade has gone to the dogs! Man’s best friend takes center stage in parade. Escorted by their human owners, dogs are dressed up in their festive costumes as they walk down the streets in the French Quarter. It’s a must see! Barkus.org

February 9

The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival returns to the historic French Quarter for its 31st annual gathering to celebrate the genius of Tennessee Williams, who once called New Orleans his “spiritual home,” joined by contemporary artists who are as honest and unflinching in their examination of the human condition as the Festival’s patron playwright. Founded in 1986 by a group of cultural enthusiasts, the Festival has grown from a small gathering of 500 to a five-day literary and multi-cultural event, which sees 11,000+ seats filled yearly.

Three generations ago, in 1941, Clem and Violet Lauga purchased a horse-drawn wagon from Aunt Sally’s Pralines, and thus began Royal Carriages. Scenic wagon rides throughout the cobblestone streets of the old French Quarter quickly evolved into entertaining narrated tours explaining the unique history and culture of New Orleans, and the small family owned business began to grow.