Lineups, ticket information, and everything else you need to know for an epic time at New Orleans Jazz Fest.
TheNew Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival — better bed as New Orleans Jazz Fest — is one of the city ’s top annualevents of the spring , marking peak fete season . celebrate the euphony , food , and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana , Jazz Fest recoil off on April 28 and take over the Fair Grounds Race Course for seven days over two consecutive weekends , take out hundreds of M of attendee each yr .
Many out - of - towner take an annual pilgrimage for the event to dive into the local food and music scene and take reward of a chance to see big - name national acts in a tingle setting . For locals , Jazz Fest is an chance to see all the best NOLA bands in one spot while junket oniconic local foods . Beyond the Fairgrounds , the festival fetch a lively atmosphere to all corners , where block parties , porch concert , and off-the-cuff street performances keep the political party vibe pulsate throughout the entire city .
From its modest beginnings in 1970 as a small just celebrating the provenance of jazz to the behemoth it is today , malarky Fest offer something for every medicine fan . On 14 degree over the course of two weekend , you’re able to enjoy wind , blue sky , Cajun , zydeco , gospel , brass dance band , R&B , hip - record hop , and other melodious style . Headliners include major local and national acts , and the Cultural Exchange Pavilion gift the music and food of a different country or region .
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
In accession to the music , Jazz Fest celebrates the food of Louisiana , with dozens of vendors dishing out top version of regional favorite . Meanwhile , the craftsmanship areas showcase artist from around the country , as well as Louisiana artisans demonstrating their skills , from weaving and woodworking to sculpture and accordion - making .
There ’s a muckle go on during this seven - day fete we look forward to every class , so here ’s everything you want to bonk about New Orleans Jazz Fest , from how to get tickets to a summation of Fest - next events to keep the party going after hour .
When is Jazz Fest?
Jazz Fest is entertain over two consecutive weekends . It kicks off on Friday , April 28 and runs through Sunday , April 30 , before picking back up again Thursday , May 4 through Sunday , May 7 . Festivities begin each solar day at 11 am and wrap up by 7 postmortem — but there are after - hours result to keep the political party going , so stay tuned .
Where is Jazz Fest?
Jazz Fest is held at the Fair Grounds Race Course on Gentilly Boulevard in Mid - City , about 10 minutes from the Gallic Quarter .
How much are Jazz Fest tickets?
Single day tickets are $ 85 in overture or $ 95 at the logic gate . A circumscribed number of weekend passes are useable at $ 245 for the first weekend ( three days ) and $ 290 for the second weekend ( four day ) . “ Locals Thursday ” is held on May 4 , and tickets are $ 50 for Louisiana residents . For an upgrade experience , Big Chief VIP , Grand Marshal VIP , and Krewe of Jazz Fest ticket offer a range of perks and start at $ 850 . Purchase ticketshere .
What is the Jazz Fest lineup?
Big name interior human action this twelvemonth let in Lizzo , Dead & Company , Ed Sheeran , and Tom Jones . The listing of local artists is eternal , but some highlights admit Irma Thomas , Jon Batiste , Galactic , Soul Rebels with Wu Tang Clan , and festival closemouthed Trombone Shorty .
So , how do you plan who to see ? Be trusted to pick up afestival mapto find all the stages plus nutrient and craft region — you’ll see favorable volunteers outside the gates hand them out . If you ’re someone who wants to see as much as possible , you ’ll want to consultthe cubes , which is Fest - speak for the daily music docket . If you just want to explore by musical genre , the stage make it easy — see jazz in the Jazz Tent , vapours in the Blues Tent , zydeco on the Zydeco Stage , and evangel in the Gospel Tent .
Puerto Rico is this yr ’s featured finish in theCultural Exchange Pavilion , and you wo n’t want to miss it . Hear the sounds of bomba , plena , salsa , and reggaeton , all while munching on authentic Borinqueña dainty .
Photo courtesy of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
What can I eat at Jazz Fest?
Lucky for you , the food card at Jazz Fest is as stellar as the music . All the Louisiana classics are correspond , from cerise attic and Sir Tim Rice and boudin to French fritter , cochon de lait po - boys , crawfish Proto-Indo European , and jambalaya . No shame in bringing a Ziploc to take home extra for afterward .
While this twelvemonth ’s Festers will mourn the absence of crawfish lucre , jama - jama , and Cuban sandwiches , all the longtime favorites will be back . Must - try on smasher let in Crawfish Monica , Vaucresson ’s Creole Sausage Po - Boy , Trout Baquet , and the Crawfish Sack , Oyster Patty , and Crawfish Beignet Trio . For sweets , top choice let in Snowballs , Roman Candy , White Chocolate Bread Pudding , and Sweet Potato Pie .
Want to dive deeper into the food of Jazz Fest ? Check out theFood Heritage Stage , where local chefs prepare and hash out some of their most famous dishes before handing out samples .
Photo by Justen Williams, courtesy of NOTMC
Which visual artists will be at Jazz Fest?
wind Fest also presents artisans and craftspeople of Louisiana , plus acclaimed artists both local and national . At the Contemporary Crafts area you ’ll detect jewelry , picture taking , handmade clothing , sculpture , pottery , and other unparalleled items to buy . Congo Square features art of the African diaspora , with both traditional and modern techniques stand for . The Louisiana Marketplace showcases regional artisans , Jehovah of everything from squeeze box to furniture to parade float to duck calls . Even if you ’re able to resist these astonishing crafts , two must - have souvenirs let in the prescribed Jazz Fest card and an official teeing ground .
What else can you do at Jazz Fest?
Amidst all the music , you might come across a second line parade or a Mardi Gras Indian progress — and even if you ’re a holidaymaker , find detached to join in . Be certain to block up in the Grandstand where you ’ll detect cultural showing and interviews with some of the Jazz Fest performers . Spend some time in the Native American Village where you’re able to see music and dance performances . Find the Ancestors area in Congo Square Village to see artistic tributes to culture - bearers who have passed .
What are some important tips to know before attending?
One big modification to note : idle words Fest will be cashless for the first prison term this year . Vendors will accept major credit rating card and digital payment methods and hard cash exchange booths will be located near vendor areas .
Hydration at Jazz Fest is important ! mill - sealed water bottles are allowed in the Fest , and refill place are available . you’re able to bring chair , blankets , and a few other things , but be mindful of what you ca n’t get . There ’s a full list of do and don’tshere .
There are many ways to get to the Fest . Streetcar and bike are smashing options , and the officialJazz Fest Shuttlecan also get you there without the focus of traffic and parking . Parking close to the Fest is in a residential neighborhood , so look out for parking confinement .
Photo by Paul Broussard, courtesy of Jazz Fest
Rain in the prognosis ? Bring a poncho or rain jacket crown . The cart track can get murky , so do n’t wear insolent floating-point operation — they wo n’t last !
What other events are going on in New Orleans during Jazz Fest?
You ’ll find gravid music around New Orleans any time of year , but the nightly lineups are even more jam-packed during Jazz Fest . club around township will be pack and slate price may be a little higher , but all the effort will be worth it as local band crush their hardest and call in national artists be given to sit around in on pocket-sized stage .
To feel a thorough summing up of everything going on after - hours , check outJazz Fest Grids . The biggest after - hour event is the annualDaze Betweenat Faubourg Brewery on May 2 and 3 . This year the event feature headliner Goose on both days , supported by local band including Tank and the Bangas , David Shaw , George Porter , Jr. , and Honey Island Swamp Band .
Other highlight of night shows during Jazz Fest includeTake Me to the River All - Starsat Joy Theater , Treme Threauxdown 7with Trombone Shorty and a long list of special guests at The Saenger , Lettuce and Tower of Powerwith the Louisiana Philharmonic at The Saenger , The Meters Experienceat Zony Mash , WWOZ ’s Piano Nightat House of Blues , and aTribute to Dr. John and Art Nevilleat the Civic .
Photo by Justen Williams, courtesy of NOTMC
Photo courtesy of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
