2024 IMPACT

The community events produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. go beyond entertainment—they are lifelines for local musicians and cornerstones of Louisiana’s unique culture. These events drive social, cultural, and economic impacts that benefit everyone in the greater New Orleans region.

FQFI is proud of the impact we have created this year for the people, culture, and economy of New Orleans - and our entire Festival Family! Thank you for being a part of our community.

Ps. We aren’t done yet! More accessible opportunities to enjoy the music and culture of Louisiana are coming up soon with the 2024 Holidays New Orleans Style concert series.

Musicians benefit from reliable employment opportunities, fair compensation, and a world-class platform to showcase their talents!

FQFI paid a minimum of $200 to every musician that we hired to perform at French Quarter Festival and Satchmo SummerFest this year.

Every performance serves to strengthen and grow our cultural identity; preserving and honoring our heritage while creating space for its continued evolution.

FQFI events are free to attend so that they are accessible to everyone, because inclusive and diverse events build community and improve quality of life.

FQFI united hundreds of thousands of people this year - from down the block and around the world. Visitors discovered the unique charm of Louisiana and often left as advocates, while locals celebrated their culture and enjoyed the transformative power of live music.

*Instances of attendance recorded over all days of FQF and SSF 2024.

What does that mean? It’s the estimated amount spent by visitors from outside of the metro area who came for the express purpose of attending FQFI events - money coming into the local economy from outside.

In fact, French Quarter Festival generated the third largest economic impact of all the city’s annual events in 2024, surpassed only by Carnival season ($891.2 million) and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival ($350 million).

FQFI produces our events using local talent and vendors, so the money spent to generate this economic impact is also staying in the local economy. And since our events are offered to the community without admission charges, everyone has the opportunity to participate.

It’s estimated that New Orleanians earned over $90 million additional dollars because of FQFI’s activities this year. This goes beyond the musicians, chefs, production workers and local vendors hired directly by FQFI; New Orleanians from taxi drivers to hospitality workers and more benefit economically from FQFI events.

It’s not just individuals who are benefiting from FQFI events; the city and state will earn over $25 million in tax revenues generated by FQFI activities this year.

Bonus: Environmental Impact!

Under the Geauxing Green program, FQFI is working to reduce the negative impacts that large events have on the environment. Since 2021 we have been working to divert waste away from landfills by developing and implementing a ground-breaking, comprehensive sustainable waste management program at our events. This year we diverted over 49,000 pounds of waste away from landfills using recycling and compost waste streams, which translates to 31% of the total festival waste produced at French Quarter Festival and Satchmo SummerFest. We also introduced use of alternative power sources for the first time this year; five golf carts were replaced with electric units, and four light towers and one whole stage were powered using solar power!

About French Quarter Festivals, Inc.

French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the Vieux Carré and the City of New Orleans through high-quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of this unique city, contribute to the economic well-being of the community, and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans. FQFI annually produces French Quarter Festival, Satchmo SummerFest, and other cultural programming.

None of this is possible without donations from our community. If you want to support New Orleans music and culture, please consider making a donation to French Quarter Festivals, Inc. today!