The annual French Quarter Festival that drew an estimated 825,000 attendees in 2019 will take place on April 16 to 19 in 2020, two weeks later than originally scheduled.

According to a French Quarter Fest announcement, the 35-year-old celebration of New Orleans music, cuisine and culture has been moved from its usual second-weekend slot in order to make room for the NCAA Women’s Final Four basketball tournament that will take place April 3 and 5 at the Smoothie King Center.

A French Quarter Fest spokesperson said that the shift to a later date would avoid “putting a strain on city services.”

+15 The 12 coolest concerts at French Quarter Fest 2019 French Quarter Fest is best because it’s free. The music and food extravaganza that takes place Thursday-Sunday (April 11-14) features someth…

The French Quarter Fest announcement points out that the event, one of New Orleans' largest free festivals, has changed weekends in the past to avoid Easter Sunday and other conflicts. In 2020 Easter takes place on April 12.

This year’s French Quarter Fest will conclude just days before the start of the 2020 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, April 23 to May 3 at the Fair Grounds race track in Gentilly. The French Quarter Fest, which takes place in Woldenberg Park, Jackson Square, The New Orleans Jazz Museum and throughout the French Quarter, reportedly provides New Orleans with an estimated $200 million economic impact.