This weekend, Louisiana locals and visitors are facing a delicious dilemma:
Will you head to New Orleans for French Quarter Festival or roll up to Ponchatoula for the Strawberry Festival?
Both are free. Both are iconic. Both celebrate Louisiana’s deep roots—just in very different ways. And while major media outlets will give you the full lineup of performers and food vendors (we’ve linked to those below), we’re here to help you choose not just where to go, but what kind of Louisiana experience you’re looking for.
Before you hit the road, let’s take a look at where these festivals came from—and what makes each of them more than just a good time.
The Strawberry Festival: A Love Letter to Rural Louisiana
Founded in 1972 by the Ponchatoula Jaycees, the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival began as a grassroots effort to boost the local economy and celebrate the area’s beloved crop. Ponchatoula, known as the “Strawberry Capital of the World,” sits in Tangipahoa Parish—a region rich in agriculture, where multi-generational farming is still the heartbeat of the community.
The festival quickly grew into Louisiana’s largest free harvest celebration, drawing hundreds of thousands to enjoy strawberry-themed treats, fair rides, parades, and good old-fashioned fun. While you won’t find berry-picking at the festival itself, nearby farms often offer U-pick opportunities during the season.
The French Quarter Festival: A Gift to the People of New Orleans
Just over a decade later, in 1984, the French Quarter Festival was launched as a way to bring locals back to the heart of the city after years of disruption from the World’s Fair and riverfront construction. It was never intended to be a tourist draw—it was a thank you to the people of New Orleans. And that local-first spirit still defines the festival today.
With over 300 performances across 22 stages, and food from 70+ local restaurants, FQF has become the largest free music festival in the South. But make no mistake: it’s still about New Orleanians celebrating their own—our musicians, our chefs, our traditions, and our riverfront.
What’s Happening This Weekend (Starting Friday, April 11)
At the French Quarter Festival:
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Live Music: From jazz and funk to brass and bounce, catch performers like Irma Thomas, George Porter Jr., Big Freedia, and Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen.
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Culinary Stage: Cooking demos led by local legends like Chef Kevin Belton.
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Food Booths: 70+ local restaurants serving up crawfish mac, fried oysters, gumbo, beignets, and more.
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Family Fun: Kids’ activities, face painting, and performances for all ages.
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Parade: The French Quarter Fest parade opened the fest on Thursday, but you’ll still find pop-up second lines and street performers all weekend.
Full FQF schedule and food map here
At the Strawberry Festival:
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Friday: Live music, the introduction of the Strawberry King and Queen, and fairgrounds fun.
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Saturday: The big parade at 9:30 AM, carnival rides, strawberry eating contests, and wall-to-wall berry treats.
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Sunday: Gospel music, local arts & crafts, and a relaxed, community-centered close to the weekend.
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Food Highlights: Fried strawberry pies, chocolate-covered strawberries, strawberry daiquiris, shortcake, and much more—all made with local berries.
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Live Music: Regional zydeco, country, and swamp pop acts round out the stage lineup.
See the full Strawberry Fest lineup here
Which Festival Should You Choose? Ask Yourself…
We’re not here to tell you where to go—but we will help you figure out which one fits your weekend vibe best:
1. Urban Energy or Small-Town Charm?
If you want to dance along the riverfront, bounce between music stages, and experience New Orleans in full color—head to the French Quarter.
If you want a day with the family, strawberry treats, and front-porch energy, Ponchatoula is calling your name.
2. Music-Centric or Food-Focused?
Both festivals deliver on flavor, but if live music is your top priority, FQF offers unmatched variety and talent.
If your weekend goals include powdered sugar and strawberry daiquiris in the sun, Strawberry Fest has you covered.
3. Do You Want to Move or Lounge?
FQF requires comfortable shoes—you’ll be walking the Quarter all day.
At Strawberry Fest, you can post up with a lawn chair under the oaks and let the fun come to you.
4. Kids in Tow?
Both festivals are family-friendly, but Strawberry Fest has carnival rides, strawberry-themed contests, and a slower pace that’s ideal for little ones.
Our Take: It’s Not a Competition—It’s a Celebration
Louisiana is big enough to hold two major festivals in one weekend—and lucky enough to have two that represent such different aspects of our culture.
So whether you’re drawn to the music, movement, and culinary soul of New Orleans, or the sweet simplicity and pride of Ponchatoula, one thing’s for sure:
This weekend is a love letter to Louisiana.
Let us know which festival you’re attending in the comments—or tag us in your photos at either one using #TeamBerry or #TeamBrassBand.
Continue Reading: Top 10 Must-Attend New Orleans Festivals This Spring
