Your Guide to Planning a Trip to Jazz Fest in New Orleans

Photo Credit: nojazzfest.com

If you’re heading to New Orleans in the spring, you may want to plan around one of the city’s most iconic festivals – Jazz Fest. Despite the name, Jazz Fest isn’t just about jazz. It’s a celebration of all kinds of music from rock and blues to gospel and funk, with a mix of world-famous headliners and local legends. Add the amazing festival food and vibrant atmosphere, and you’ve got an experience you won’t want to miss.

To help you make the most of it, we’ve put together this Jazz Fest guide with everything you need to know before planning your trip.

What is Jazz Fest?

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – or simply Jazz Fest – is one of the city’s most treasured annual traditions. Since its debut in 1970, this festival has brought together incredible live music, mouthwatering Louisiana cuisine, and talented local artisans. 

While jazz is at its core, the festival celebrates a wide range of genres, including blues, gospel, rock, R&B, country, and more. With performances across multiple stages and two long weekends packed with entertainment, food, and fun, Jazz Fest is a must-experience event if you have the chance.

Jazz Fest Dates & Location

When is Jazz Fest?

Jazz Fest happens over two weekends each year – the last weekend in April and the first weekend in May – bringing an incredible week of music, culture, and celebration to New Orleans. To soak up the full Jazz Fest experience, consider booking a stay for both weekends (and the week in between, of course). Most recently, there have been festivities on Thursday through Sunday both weekends (although in years past, only one of the weekends included events on a Thursday). 

Festival hours are 11 AM – 7 PM daily.

Where is Jazz Fest?

Jazz Fest takes place at the Fair Grounds Race Course at 1751 Gentilly Boulevard, 10 minutes from the French Quarter. 

Tickets and Pricing for Jazz Fest

Tickets for Jazz Fest typically go on sale in January, as soon as the musical lineup is announced. A 4-day weekend pass starts at around $329, with payment plans available. Louisiana residents can access special discounted general admission pricing, usually around $305. Single-day tickets are released closer to the event.

For an upgraded experience, Jazz Fest offers several VIP packages ranging from  $579 to $2000+. VIP packages include a range of special perks like souvenir tickets, covered lounges with private restrooms and full-service bars, exclusive front-of-the-house viewing areas, VIP parking, and special shuttle services. VIP tickets tend to sell out quickly, so you’ll want to purchase those early if you’re interested.

Musical Lineup: Who is performing at Jazz Fest?

Jazz Fest’s musical lineup is always packed with incredible musical acts, including legendary headliners, rising stars, and local favorites.  The full lineup is typically posted in January, with a more date-specific schedule posted in late February to early March. About a month before the festival, “the cubes” – a detailed grid schedule – is available to help you plan your must-see acts.

To give you an idea of the caliber of artists, here are some of the past performers at Jazz Fest:

• Dave Matthews Band
• Pearl Jam
• Luke Combs
• Lenny Kravitz
• Patti LaBelle
• Gladys Knight
• Katy Perry
• Pitbull
• Aerosmith
• Usher
• Maroon 5
• Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Stevie Wonder
• Elvis Costello
• Snoop Dog
• Elton John
• The Who
• No Doubt
• Ed Sheeran 
• Chicago

When it’s posted, you can find the full musical lineup here. 

What to Eat at Jazz Fest 

One of the best parts of Jazz Fest is the food! With two main food areas and many other places to grab a bite throughout the Fair Grounds, you’ll have no shortage of delicious options. Whether you’re craving traditional Louisiana fare, modern classics, local seafood, vegetarian options, or kid-friendly treats, there’s something for everyone.

To give you a taste of what to expect, here are some fan-favorite food items from past festivals:

• Alligator Sausage Po-boy
• Crawfish Bread
• BBQ Chicken Sandwich
• Red Beans & Rice with Sausage
• Fried Soft Shell Crab Po-Boy
• Pheasant, Quail & Andouille Gumbo
• Boudin
• Cajun Jambalaya
• Muffuletta
• Hummus with Pita
• Shrimp Yakisoba
• Grilled Fresh Veggie Taco
• Jamaican Chicken

And of course, don’t forget dessert! Jazz Fest has plenty of sweet treats like: 

• Praline Stuffed Beignet
• Sweet Potato Pie
• Pecan Run Cake
• Strawberry Balsamic Gelato
• Bananas Foster Cheesecake
• Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce
• Gourmet Popsicles

Once the official food lineup is announced, you can check out the full list of vendors and their menus here.

Tips for the Best Jazz Fest Experience

To make the most of your time at Jazz Fest, a little prep goes a long way. To help you plan, we’ve put together some of the most common questions we get from guests about how to have the best Jazz Fest experience.

What should I wear to Jazz Fest?

It’s usually warm in New Orleans in late April and early May, with summer right around the corner. Dressing in light, breathable clothing is your best bet. Layers are good too! 

Sun protection (like sunglasses, sunscreen, or a hat) is a must, as there’s not much shade. There are a few scattered trees and some covered stages, but you’ll be mostly out in the open while enjoying the show.

Comfortable shoes are a good idea since you’ll likely be walking from stage to stage or standing (and dancing!) for long stretches. And keep an eye on the forecast – Jazz Fest happens rain or shine, so be prepared. (Umbrellas are allowed.) 

It’s also a good idea to pack rain boots as they’re an absolute must if it rains and the grounds turn to muddy slush. Even if it’s dry on the day you go, all it takes is one day of heavy rains for the Fair Grounds to stay muddy for both weekends.

What should I bring to Jazz Fest?

In addition to your sun protection (sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen), you’ll need a credit card since Jazz Fest is cashless. You can use a major credit card or debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or similar digital payment options. If you bring cash, you’ll need to exchange it at one of the on-site cash exchange booths. Without a credit card or digital payment option, you won’t be able to purchase tickets, food, drinks, crafts, or merchandise.

You can bring a few things with you to make the day more comfortable:

• Small bags, backpacks, and coolers
• Blankets, tarps, and chairs
• Sealed bottles of water and snacks
• Strollers
• Umbrellas

We recommend bringing a blanket or chair to sit on so you can enjoy Jazz Fest in comfort, as well as bottled water to stay hydrated. There are several water bottle filling stations set up around the Fair Grounds for your convenience.

Some things you’ll need to leave at home are pets, wagons, tents, and scooters. Large bags, backpacks, coolers, and chairs are also not allowed. You can check the full list of what’s allowed and not allowed here.

How do I get to Jazz Fest?

Jazz Fest takes place at the Fair Grounds at 1751 Gentilly Boulevard. There’s limited parking available (mostly for VIP pass holders or people with disabilities). 

The easiest way to get to Jazz Fest is by taking the Jazz Fest Express Shuttle. The shuttle runs continuously between four departure points and the Fair Grounds from 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM (or until the last festival-goer is gone). 

You can hop on the shuttle at:

• The French Quarter (Steamboat Natchez Dock)
• Downtown (Sheraton New Orleans Hotel)
• South Market District (Poydras at Loyola)
• City Park (Wisner Lot)

Find more Jazz Fest Express info, including tickets when they’re available, here.

Can I leave and come back?

No re-entry is allowed at Jazz Fest, so plan accordingly. The only exception to this is if you have a VIP pass or special pass of some kind. Check your pass for details!

What is at Jazz Fest besides music and food?

While the music and food are the main attractions, Jazz Fest also has incredible arts and culture to explore. You’ll find hundreds of regionally and nationally acclaimed artists and artisans in the villages and marketplaces throughout the Fair Grounds. 

• In the Congo Square African Marketplace, you’ll find a true marketplace experience with exhibits of ancient crafting techniques. 
• Contemporary Crafts in Heritage Square hosts handcrafted clothing, leather goods, musical instruments, paintings, photographs, sculptures, and jewelry. 
• The Louisiana Marketplace showcases Louisiana-inspired photographs, Creole and Acadian furniture, jewelry, and other creations representative of the state.

You’ll also find unique experiences like the Louisiana Folklife Village, Native American Village, The Grandstand, and the Expedia Cultural Exchange Pavilion, each offering an opportunity to immerse yourself in the history and culture of New Orleans.

Where to Stay For Jazz Fest in New Orleans

If you’re planning to visit New Orleans for Jazz Fest, be sure to book your stay well in advance. This is an extremely popular event that draws many visitors! If you know for sure you want to attend, it’s a good idea to book accommodations before the musical lineup is announced in January, because that’s when many people will buy tickets and book their stays. 

When choosing where to stay for Jazz Fest, it’s convenient to be near one of the Jazz Fest Express Shuttle stops for easy access to the Fair Grounds. The shuttle has pickup locations in the French Quarter, Downtown, South Market District, and City Park, so booking your stay in one of these areas will make getting to Jazz Fest a breeze. 

Many of our vacation rentals put you right in the heart of NOLA for easy festival access while also providing the perfect home base for exploring the rest of the city. Plus, with our team’s local knowledge, we’re happy to help you plan the ultimate Jazz Fest experience!