Lively, joyful, 100 percent local and, most amazingly, free, the French Quarter Festival takes place over four days in April, when thousands of festival-goers camp out in the Quarter to enjoy local music played on 20 stages and ranging from jazz and gospel to funk and zydeco. The only cost is for food vendors operated more than 60 of the city's greatest restaurants, offering affordable prices on favorites like Muriel's crawfish crepes and Antoine's baked Alaska. The French Quarter Fest happens a few weeks before Jazz Fest, and for some music lovers, its downtown location and free entrance makes it the preferred event.