If you’ve never been to Jazz Fest, let me put it this way — half a million people descend on a city of 365,000, every single spring, just to eat crawfish Monica and watch legends play under the Louisiana sun. That’s not a music festival. That’s a religion.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival returns in 2026 for its 51st edition, running across two four-day weekends from April 23 through May 3 at the historic Fair Grounds Race Course. With Eagles, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, Lorde, and 5,000+ more artists on the bill, this year is already being called one of the most stacked lineups in the festival’s history.
New Orleans Jazz Fest 2026 — At a Glance
| Stat | Figure |
|---|---|
| Edition | 51st Annual |
| Total Festival Days | 8 days |
| Dates | April 23–26 & April 30–May 3, 2026 |
| Total Artists | 5,000+ |
| Stages | 14+ |
| Expected Attendance | ~500,000 |
| Food Booths | 70+ (record high in 2026) |
| Craft Vendors | 250+ |
| Annual Economic Impact | ~$500 million |
| Presenting Sponsor | Shell (20+ year partner, extended 5 more years in 2026) |
| Louisiana Artists on Lineup | 85% of the 600 billed acts |
| Venue | Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, New Orleans, LA |
New Orleans Jazz Fest 2026 – Dates, Location & Schedule
The festival runs across two separate four-day weekends — not consecutive days. That’s intentional. It gives New Orleans a chance to breathe, and gives you a reason to come back twice.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Weekend 1 | Thursday, April 23 – Sunday, April 26, 2026 |
| Weekend 2 | Thursday, April 30 – Sunday, May 3, 2026 |
| Daily Hours | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Venue | Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots |
| Address | 1751 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70119 |
| Distance from French Quarter | ~10 minutes by car or shuttle |
| Nearest Airport | Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) |
The Fair Grounds is New Orleans’ legendary thoroughbred horse racing track — over 145 acres of open ground that transforms each spring into one of the most immersive festival environments on earth. Dirt paths, live oaks, and the smell of boiling crawfish in every direction.
New Orleans Jazz Fest 2026 – Ticket Prices
Jazz Fest offers a range of options from bare-bones single-day admission to full VIP treatment. One hard rule across the board: Jazz Fest is 100% cashless. Bring a card, use Apple Pay or Google Pay, or hit one of the two cash-to-card kiosks on-site.
Single-Day General Admission
| Day | Advance Price | Gate Price |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday (Non-LA Resident) | $99 | $109 |
| Thursday — Locals Day (LA Resident) | $55–$65 | $75 |
| Friday | $129 | $139 |
| Saturday | $149 | $159 |
| Sunday | $129 | $139 |
| Children Ages 2–10 | $5 (gate only) | $5 (gate only) |
| Children Under 2 | Free | Free |
Locals Thursday runs on both April 23 and April 30. Louisiana residents with a valid LA billing address or ID get significantly discounted entry on both Thursdays.
Weekend Passes (4-Day General Admission)
| Pass Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Early Bird GA Weekend Pass | $399–$429 |
| Standard GA Weekend Pass | $659–$719 (price tiers as inventory drops) |
| Louisiana Resident Weekend Pass | From $319 (early bird) |
| Payment Plan Option | Starting at $49 down |
| GA+ Weekend Pass (Express Entry + Private Lounge) | $659 → $689 → $719 |
As of early April 2026, most multi-day weekend passes were sold out or on a waitlist. Some single-day tickets were still available. Check nojazzfest.com for current availability.
VIP Packages
| VIP Tier | Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Big Chief VIP | $2,099 per weekend | Covered seating at 3 main stages, air-conditioned lounge, exclusive bars, private restrooms, raised viewing stands, express entry, re-entry privileges |
| Grand Marshal VIP | $1,999 per weekend | Close-up standing room at Festival Stage, Shell Gentilly Stage & Congo Square Stage, lounge access, private restrooms |
| Krewe of Jazz Fest VIP | Weekend pricing | Covered seating at Festival Stage, private restrooms, dedicated beverage stand |
| Cabana Suites (NEW 2026) | Per day or per weekend | Festival Stage or Shell Gentilly Stage views, concierge service, phone chargers, shaded seating |
Tickets are sold through AXS.com and the official Jazz Fest site at nojazzfest.com.
2026 Lineup: Weekend-by-Weekend
More than 5,000 musicians. 14+ stages. Eight days. Here’s how the top of the bill breaks down.
Weekend 1 — April 23 to 26
| Date | Headliners | Other Notable Acts |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Apr 23 | Kings of Leon | Jon Batiste, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Cowboy Mouth |
| Friday, Apr 24 | Lorde, Jon Batiste | Nas, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, St. Vincent, Raye |
| Saturday, Apr 25 | Stevie Nicks, Tyler Childers | Alabama Shakes, Irma Thomas, Mavis Staples |
| Sunday, Apr 26 | Rod Stewart, David Byrne | The Isley Brothers, Herbie Hancock, Rhiannon Giddens |
Weekend 2 — April 30 to May 3
| Date | Headliners | Other Notable Acts |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Apr 30 | Widespread Panic | Ziggy Marley, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Teddy Swims |
| Friday, May 1 | Lainey Wilson, The Black Keys | T-Pain, Big Freedia, Lake Street Dive, Little Feat |
| Saturday, May 2 | Eagles | Alabama Shakes, The Isley Brothers, Mavis Staples |
| Sunday, May 3 | Earth Wind & Fire, Herbie Hancock | Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Tedeschi Trucks Band |
Lineup Highlights Worth Knowing
- Stevie Nicks — Jazz Fest 2026 is the only show Nicks has on her schedule for the entire year. If you want to see the Fleetwood Mac legend live in 2026, this is literally your only shot.
- Eagles — First performance outside the Las Vegas Sphere since 2024. Their Sphere residency ended in March 2026, making this one of their first traditional tour dates in years.
- Rod Stewart — Performing as part of his farewell tour. New Orleans will be one of the southern stops on what may be his final major run.
- David Byrne — On a global tour supporting his new album Who Is the Sky? Jazz Fest is among his early U.S. dates.
- Lainey Wilson — Fresh off being named 2025 CMA Entertainer of the Year. One of her highest-profile festival slots yet.
- 85% Louisiana artists — Of the 600+ billed acts, 85% are from Louisiana or the New Orleans area. The festival doesn’t just feature local artists — it’s built around them.
Jazz Fest History & Key Milestones
| Year / Milestone | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 1970 — Founded | First Jazz Fest held April 22–26 at Congo Square. Just 350 people showed up. Performers included Mahalia Jackson, Duke Ellington, and Fats Domino. |
| 1972 — Moved to Fair Grounds | Outgrew Congo Square. Relocated to the Fair Grounds Race Course, where it has been held ever since. |
| 1980s–90s — National Fame | Grew from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands. Became one of America’s premier cultural events. |
| 2006 — Post-Katrina Return | Returned after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. Became a symbol of the city’s cultural resilience and recovery. |
| 2020 & 2021 — Cancelled | The only two years Jazz Fest has not taken place in its 51-year history, both due to COVID-19. |
| 2022 — Return & Rebound | Came back strong with ~475,000 attendees and an estimated $400 million economic impact. |
| 2023 — Gold Sustainability Award | Awarded Gold Certification by the Council for Responsible Sport for environmental, social, and community impact. |
| 2025 — UNESCO Designation | New Orleans received the long-awaited UNESCO Creative City of Music designation — announced publicly at the Jazz Fest 2026 press conference. |
| 2026 — 51st Edition | Record number of food vendors and food items. Shell extends presenting sponsorship for another 5 years. |
Since 1970, more than 22,000 performers have appeared at Jazz Fest across its history.
New Orleans Jazz Fest – Attendance Statistics (Historical)
Jazz Fest doesn’t release officially certified figures, but the festival publicly announces attendance numbers each year. Here’s the full recent history:
| Year | Announced Attendance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | ~425,000 | — |
| 2018 | ~450,000 | — |
| 2019 | ~475,000 | Pre-pandemic high |
| 2020 | Cancelled | COVID-19 |
| 2021 | Cancelled | COVID-19 |
| 2022 | ~475,000 | Return year after 2-year hiatus |
| 2023 | 460,000+ | — |
| 2024 | ~500,000 | Highest publicly announced figure |
| 2025 | ~460,000 | Most recently completed festival |
| 2026 (Projected) | ~500,000 | Based on sold-out multi-day passes |
New Orleans has a population of approximately 365,000 people. Jazz Fest’s half-million visitors outnumber the entire city’s residents — every single year.
Economic Impact
Jazz Fest is the second-largest economic event in New Orleans, trailing only Mardi Gras. Its financial reach extends far beyond ticket sales.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Annual Economic Impact | ~$500 million (per city officials at 2026 press conference) |
| 2022 Verified Economic Impact | ~$400 million |
| 2025 Projected Impact | ~$350 million over the festival’s 11 days |
| Out-of-Town Visitor Share | ~50% of all attendees |
| Rank Among New Orleans Events | #2 behind Mardi Gras |
| Shell Partnership | 20+ years; extended another 5 years in 2026 |
| Local Sectors Benefited | Hotels, restaurants, bars, rideshare, retail, tour operators |
“Jazz Fest generates close to half a billion dollars of economic impact each year and welcomes half a million visitors, half of them from out of town. It’s one of the most important economic engines this city has.” — New Orleans City Council representative, 2026 Jazz Fest press conference
Stages at Jazz Fest 2026
The Fair Grounds hosts 14+ stages covering virtually every genre of music on earth.
| Stage | Genre / Focus |
|---|---|
| Festival Stage | Main headliner stage. Largest capacity. Eagles, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart. |
| Shell Gentilly Stage | Second-largest stage. New Cabana Suite viewing added in 2026. |
| Congo Square Stage | World music, African, Caribbean, Latin, and diaspora acts. |
| Acura Stage | Pop, rock, country, and mainstream acts. |
| Economy Hall Tent | Traditional New Orleans jazz, Dixieland, and swing. |
| Gospel Tent | Full day of gospel performances. One of the most beloved tents on the grounds. |
| Blues Tent | Delta blues, Chicago blues, Louisiana blues. |
| Jazz & Heritage Stage | Local and heritage Louisiana music. |
| Kids Tent | Family-friendly shows and activities throughout the day. |
| Cultural Exchange Pavilion | 2026 spotlight country: Jamaica — artisans, music, food, and Afrodisiac NOLA dishes including jerk-spiced mushrooms and oxtail. |
Food & Drink
Jazz Fest food isn’t a side attraction. For a lot of people, it is the attraction. Every single food vendor is a small, locally owned business — no chains, no franchises.
| Food Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of Food Booths | 70+ (record high for any Jazz Fest in history) |
| Vendor Type | 100% small, locally owned New Orleans businesses |
| Payment | 100% cashless — card, Apple Pay, Google Pay only |
| Cash Kiosks On-Site | 2 cash-to-card kiosks near key vending areas |
| Vegan / Vegetarian Options | Available across multiple booths |
Iconic Jazz Fest Foods You Have to Try
- Crawfish Monica — The festival’s most legendary dish. Pasta tossed with crawfish in a rich, creamy, spiced sauce. Invented specifically for Jazz Fest.
- Cochon de Lait Po’boy — Slow-roasted suckling pig stuffed into French bread. Absurdly good.
- Alligator Sausage Po’boy — Don’t knock it. People plan their entire trip around this sandwich.
- Crawfish Beignets — Savory, crispy fried dough stuffed with crawfish. The beignet you didn’t know you needed.
- Softshell Crab Po’boy — A whole deep-fried softshell crab on a French roll.
- Mango Freeze — The festival’s signature cold drink. Essential in Louisiana spring heat.
- Ya-Ka-Mein — New Orleans-style noodle soup with beef, egg, and hot sauce. The legendary hangover cure.
- Snoballs — Finely shaved ice drenched in flavored syrup. A New Orleans original.
- Cajun Jambalaya — Rice slow-cooked with sausage, shrimp, and the holy trinity of Cajun cooking.
- Boiled Crawfish — Served by the pound, cooked with Louisiana spices. Mandatory.
Getting There
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Jazz Fest Express Shuttle | Runs 10:30 AM – 7:30 PM daily. Pickup: French Quarter (Steamboat Natchez Dock), Sheraton New Orleans, Hyatt Regency, City Park. $29 round-trip per day. |
| RTA Public Bus (Jazzy Pass) | $3/day. RTA adjusts routes and schedules during Jazz Fest weekends. |
| Rideshare (Uber / Lyft) | Use designated pickup/drop-off zones outside the festival perimeter map. |
| Taxi | Stationed at Stallings Playground (Gentilly Blvd) and Walter “Wolfman” Washington Memorial Park (Esplanade Ave at Mystery St). |
| Car / Parking | Limited on-site. Street parking in surrounding neighborhoods available but fills early. |
The Jazz Fest Express Shuttle is the easiest option by far. Rideshare surge pricing near the venue during peak hours can get ugly fast.
Sustainability Stats
Jazz Fest has become a national leader in festival sustainability.
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gold Certification (2023) | Awarded by the Council for Responsible Sport — for social, environmental, economic & community impact |
| Recycling Diverted (2022) | 17.56 metric tons of recycling kept out of landfills |
| Food Waste Composted (2022) | 4.37 metric tons of food waste composted |
| Shell Recycling Reward Program | Attendees fill Shell-provided bags with recyclables and return them on-site for rewards |
| Catapult Fund | Foundation-run small business accelerator — provides training and growth resources to local entrepreneurs |
| Hurricane Melissa Relief (2026) | Cultural Exchange Pavilion highlights craft communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa in late 2025 |
10 Tips for Attending Jazz Fest 2026
- Book hotels now. New Orleans hotels sell out months in advance around both Jazz Fest weekends. Rates spike dramatically the closer you get.
- Arrive early, stay late. Gates open at 11:00 AM. Headliners don’t hit until 5:00–7:00 PM. The mid-afternoon local acts are often the best-kept secret on the grounds.
- Wear sunscreen. A lot of it. The Louisiana spring sun is brutal, and the main stage areas offer almost no shade.
- Wear closed-toe shoes. The Fair Grounds is a dirt track. After any rain, it turns into a mud pit.
- Bring a portable charger. Phone charging is only available in GA+ and VIP areas. The rest of the grounds? You’re on your own.
- Leave the cash at the hotel. Jazz Fest is 100% cashless. Two kiosks convert cash to prepaid cards if you need them.
- Take the shuttle. The Jazz Fest Express Shuttle ($29 round-trip) is smoother and cheaper than surge-priced rideshare during peak hours.
- Download “The Cubes.” The official daily stage schedule (nicknamed “The Cubes”) drops about a month before the festival. Plan your must-sees in advance or you’ll miss something.
- Kids under 2 are free. Ages 2–10 are $5 at the gate only — no advance tickets sold for children online.
- Eat everything. Seriously. Budget for food. You will regret skipping the crawfish Monica.
Quick-Reference: Jazz Fest 2026 at a Glance
| Category | Key Fact |
|---|---|
| Dates | April 23–26 & April 30–May 3, 2026 |
| Venue | Fair Grounds Race Course, 1751 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA |
| Single-Day GA (Thursday) | $99 advance / $109 gate |
| Single-Day GA (Saturday) | $149 advance / $159 gate |
| Weekend Pass (GA) | $399–$719 depending on tier |
| LA Resident Weekend Pass | From $319 |
| Big Chief VIP | $2,099 per weekend |
| Grand Marshal VIP | $1,999 per weekend |
| Children Under 2 | Free |
| Children Ages 2–10 | $5 at gate |
| Payment | Cashless only |
| Shuttle Cost | $29 round-trip |
| Total Artists | 5,000+ |
| Total Stages | 14+ |
| Economic Impact | ~$500M annually |
| Tickets | nojazzfest.com / AXS.com |
Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.