You can see jazz almost anywhere. Festivals are held regardless of hemisphere, such as the iconic Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the prestigious Copenhagen Festival in Denmark. But there’s only one place where jazz is more than music — it’s heritage. That’s New Orleans, jazz’s birthplace, home of Mardi Gras, the French Quarter and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. For Jazz Fest, the city puts on a show for 10 whole days. Across 12 stages, acts of a wide variety — from traditional big jazz bands to contemporary pop acts — gather to indulge in the city’s one-of-a-kind atmosphere. This year, main headliners include genre giants The Killers, Queen Latifah, Chris Stapleton, and Greta Van Fleet and The Rolling Stones (!). Plus hometown stars like Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and rapper Big Freedia.
Beyond getting to experience NOLA, one of America’s best party cities, you’ll get to see a depth and complexity of history few places can rival. Witness local artists constructing Mardi Gras sculptures at the Louisiana Folklife Village and watch basket weaving demonstrations at the Native American Village. Engage with global sounds at the Cultural Exchange Pavilion, the hallmark of the festival’s multicultural celebration. View artisan jewelry and clothing from the Congo Square and Louisiana Marketplaces. Lastly, let’s not forget Louisiana’s signature dish — gumbo. This soup full of rice, spicy sausage and vegetables is a culinary treasure. The festival will have it in spades — expect more than 70 food booths — as well as a wide variety of BBQ and crawfish, among other dishes pulling from the state’s soul-enriching Cajun and Creole traditions.
The Specs
- 460,000 attended last year’s festival.
- Tickets: the options include single-day, GA weekend passes, VIP packages, and moew. The GA 4-Day Pass starts at $290, while the GA+ 4-Day Pass starts at $499.
- VIP options include the Krewe of Jazz Fest VIP ($925), Grand Marshal VIP ($1750) and Chief VIP Pass ($1850).
- Download the festival’s app to get a better lay of the land.
- Make the most of your stay and check out our Best Things to Do list while in the Big Easy.
FAQs
Where is the festival held?
Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots, A Churchill Downs Co. 1751 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70119
Is the festival ADA accessible?
Yes, Jazz Fest makes an effort to create a comfortable experience for people of all abilities. Find more information on the Access Center and other services here.
What is the bag policy?
Bags and backpacks smaller than 17” x 12” x 10” are allowed inside the festival grounds.
What is the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation?
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit organization that owns the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (presented by Shell). The festival is a showcase of the biggest names in a variety of genres, along with local Louisiana artists.
What kind of music will I hear at Jazz Fest?
It’s 12 stages of jazz, gospel, Cajun, African, Latin, Caribbean, zydeco, blues, R&B, rock, funk, folk, and more.
What is WWOZ?
WWOZ 90.7 FM is the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage radio station.
Where is the Heritage Square located?
Heritage Square is usually near the grandstand.
When was the first Jazz Fest?
According to NewOrleans.com, the first Jazz Fest took place from in 1970 in Congo Square and the lineup included Mahalia Jackson, Duke Ellington, Fats Domino, Pete Fountain, The Preservation Hall Brass Band, among others.
Where is the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center located?
1225 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Who was George Wein?
He was an American jazz promoter, pianist, and producer He was the founder of the Newport Jazz Festival and helped found the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
What is Locals Thursday?
The first Thursday of Jazz Fest is known as Locals Thursday. The day is open to anyone, but Louisiana residents can get a discount.
Do I need to book a hotel in advance?
Given the large number of attendees, the festival has partnered with Expedia to streamline the process and connect festival goers with accommodations via the Jazz Fest Travel Hub.
What are the different stages at the fest?
NewOrleans.com lists thes stages:
- Festival Stage – Main stage
- Gentilly Stage – Secondary main stage
- Congo Square Stage – Afro-centric and World Music
- Blues Tent – Blues
- WWOZ Jazz Tent – Contemporary jazz
- Gospel Tent presented by Morris Bart – Gospel
- Kids Tent – Children’s music
- Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do Do Stage – Cajun and Zydeco
- Jazz & Heritage Stage – Mardi Gras Indians and Brass Band Performances
- Economy Hall Tent – Traditional New Orleans Jazz
- Lagniappe Stage – A mix
- AARP Rhythmpourium – A small stage (with wine bar) for jazz, blues, rock…and everything in between
- Cultural Exchange Pavilion – Performances from New Orleans Black Masking Indians
- Folklife Stage – Located in the Louisiana Folklife Village
- Food Heritage Stage – Located in the Grandstand near the Lagniappe Stage
Who’s performing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2024?
The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Chris Stapleton, Neil Young Crazy Horse, The Killers, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, Hozier, Jon Batiste, Queen Latifah, Vampire Weekend, Greta Van Fleet, Heart, Widespread Panic, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Bonnie Raitt, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Coral Reefer Band, Fantasia, The Revivalists, The Beach Boys, Big Freedia, KEM, Juvenile with Mannie Fresh, Irma Thomas, Joe Bonamassa, Steel Pulse, Cyril Neville, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Jeffrey Osborne, Rhiannon Giddens, Charles Lloyd, PJ Morton, Galactic, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Terence Blanchard, Grupo Niche, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, The Wallflowers, Béla Fleck, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Samara Joy, Allison Russell, Dumpstaphunk, The Dixie Cups, The Allman Betts Band, Stephen Marley, The Radiators, Tab Benoit, Anders Osborne, The Soul Rebels, Bomba Estéreo, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Tower of Power, The Robert Cray Band, Samantha Fish, Nickel Creek, George Porter Jr. Leo Nocentelli, Zigaboo Modeliste, Donald Harrison Jr., Patrice Rushen, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Rebirth Brass Band, Marcia Ball, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles, Kenny Barron Trio, Ronnie Lamarque, John Boutté, Nicholas Payton, Marc Broussand, Wycliffe Gordon, Original Pinettes Brass Band, Zachary Richard, Kermit Ruffins, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers, Terrance Simien, Cha Wa, James Andrews & the Crescent City Allstars, The Anointed Jackson Sisters, Original Lady Buckjumpers SA&PC, 9th Ward Black Hatchet Mardi Gras Indians, and more.
Playlists
2024 Poster
Videos