Festival Welcome Kit
Welcome to the Tennessee Williams Festival! Whether you're brand new and needing a place to start, or a returning Festival veteran looking to make your next Fest even better, you've come to the right place. Browse below to find out how to have your best festival experience and make the most of your time in New Orleans, all our ticketing options, transportation information, and our festival merchandise!
How to have your Best Fest:
(Here’s our how-to on planning your fest experience and knowing which tickets are best for you.)
What should you see at the Festival? It depends on how you finish this sentence: “I’m coming to TWFest because … ”
I'm a writer 
You’ll want to attend as many of our Writer’s Craft Sessions as possible on Thursday and Friday, plus our author conversations. Be sure to check out our literary discussion series, where you'll find your favorite writers talking about short fiction, crime writing, character building, historical fiction, and more.
Our LGBTQ+ Festival, Saints & Sinners, also includes great Writer's Craft sessions. And don’t miss the New Orleans Writing Marathon to take a bit of writing time for yourself!
I'm a reader 
You’ll want to attend as many of the literary discussions as you can fit in your schedule. Choose from a wide variety of engaging topics led by some of your favorite authors. Plus this year, we're celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Pinckley Prizes for mystery and crime writing with a whole day of panels.
Visit our Festival Book Fair on the headquarters level of the hotel to buy your books on site and get them signed.
And don’t miss our book club, Books and Beignets, which is focused this year on Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire.
I love Tennessee Williams 
You’ll definitely want to take in the annual Tennessee Williams Scholars Conference, which is not just for academics. Tennessee Williams lovers of all sorts attend the Scholars Conference, which includes lively discussions and a staged reading of newly published works. This year's Tribute Reading focuses on the playwright's one-acts and other short works.
There are also Williams literary discussions throughout the weekend, along with readings and performances.
I love theatre 
You’ll want tickets to our opening night to see underground legend, Mink Stole, accompanied by Harry Mayronne and Dr. Sick.
A full production of Orpheus Descending will be presented by the Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans, taking place in the Marquette Theatre at Loyola University New Orleans.
Multiple theatre events are taking place at The Twilight Room as part of our Last Bohemia performance series. And don't miss our Last Bohemia Soirée featuring Tim Murray Is WITCHES!
I love New Orleans 
You’ll want to attend all of our Drummer and Smoke music sessions featuring some of our favorite New Orleans bands. See the French Quarter with new eyes by joining in on our New Orleans Writing Marathon or attending any of our six walking tours. We also have panels on New Orleans architecture and new poetry from New Orleans writers.
And we have numerous New Orleans writers leading Writer's Craft sessions, literary discussions, and readings.
What about tickets? Should I buy a pass or individual tickets? Is there a way to save money on tickets?
VIP Pass - buy this if you want to go to as many events every day as you possibly can.
LitPass - buy this if you mostly want to attend our literary discussion panels, and you can buy individual tickets to anything else you’d like to see.
Lit Day Pass - buy this if you can only attend for one day and you just want to go to the literary discussion panels. This is especially good on Friday, when it also admits you to the full scholars conference.
Individual Tickets - these allow the most flexibility in your schedule, as you can create your own Fest experience.
New to the Fest? See this Festival Programming Overview for more details.
To save money on tickets:
Join Friends of Tennessee and get a 10% discount on all tickets. Memberships start as low as $50.
Volunteer and you get a day pass as a thank you!
Select student prices for our Literary Discussion Passes or email us at info@tennesseewilliams.net to inquire about a student scholarship pass.
Travel & Accommodations
We're excited to continue our partnership with the Literary Landmark Hotel Monteleone.
We have a limited block of rooms reserved, and as you know, March is a hot season for tourists in New Orleans so rooms fill up QUICKLY. We HIGHLY recommend booking your room ASAP to ensure availability.
You can cancel your reservation at no penalty as long as you cancel at least 72 hours before your arrival date.
CLICK HERE to reserve.
Visit New Orleans & Company, the city's own marketing organization and official website for the New Orleans tourism industry, at www.neworleans.com.
Make the most of your time in our fabulous city! Our friends at New Orleans & Company make it easy to travel to and navigate around our city. Visit their Travel page for trip planning tools, downloadable maps, airport information, ground transportation, and explore their Eat & Drink page to find the best dining recommendations.
Want some more New Orleans classics? Check out our New Orleans bingo card and play your way through the city!
Download a copy of our bingo card HERE.
Shop our Merch
Browse through our Festival merch for clothing and accessories that showcases your Tennessee William love! Also find merchandise for our Saints & Sinners LGBTQ+ Festival and the Last Bohemia, along with fun items for all readers and writers.
Below are just some of our favorite products:
Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us HERE or email us at info@tennesseewilliams.net with any further questions!
