In a city chock full of traditional festivals, the addition of a new one is a big deal. So it’s big news that New Orleans has been granted next season’s inaugural IndyCar Grand Prix of Louisiana. The dates have been announced for April 10-12, 2015.

The three-day festival surrounding the IndyCar will be hosted at NOLA Motorsports Park, a $60 million dollar facility in the Avondale area, featuring a 2.67-mile road course with 13 turns. The 2015 race will take place over the same weekend as the French Quarter Festival, a music and food festival that welcomes visitors to enjoy the iconic area’s food and music -- and (now) car racing.

The New Orleans Hotel Collection has been named the official hotel preferred of the NOLA Motorsports Park. Start looking into rooms now, as this two-punch weekend should book up quickly.