New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2027

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has been running since 1970, when it drew around 350 people to Congo Square. Today it attracts over 400,000 visitors across two weekends at the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course in the Mid-City neighbourhood, becoming one of the most celebrated music gatherings in the United States.

The music

Jazz Fest — as it is universally known — covers far more ground than its name suggests. The programme spans jazz, blues, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, R&B, rock, Latin, and folk across a dozen stages running simultaneously. The Gentilly Stage and Acura Stage host the major headliners; the Economy Hall Tent specialises in traditional New Orleans jazz; the Gospel Tent draws some of the most electric performances of the weekend. Local musicians from New Orleans and Louisiana are central to the festival’s identity alongside the headline international names.

Food and crafts

Jazz Fest is as much a food event as a music event. The on-site food fair features over 70 local vendors serving dishes tied to Louisiana culinary traditions — crawfish monica, cochon de lait po-boys, bread pudding with whiskey sauce, and soft-shell crab are festival standards. Local artisans and craftspeople fill the adjacent marketplace. Budget generously for both.

Tickets and getting there

Single-day tickets for Jazz Fest 2027 are expected to be in the range of $100-$130 (as of recent years), with weekend passes available. Book early; popular single days sell out before the event. The Fair Grounds are accessible by taxi, rideshare, or the free shuttle buses that the festival organises from key points around the city. Driving is possible but parking is limited and expensive.

When to go and where to stay

The first weekend (late April) tends to have slightly cooler weather; the second weekend (late April into May) gets warmer and more humid. Book accommodation for Jazz Fest 6-12 months in advance — the city fills completely and prices surge. The French Quarter and Marigny neighbourhoods are popular bases within a short distance of the Fair Grounds.

Read our guide to New Orleans for hotel and neighbourhood recommendations, and our tours in New Orleans page for organised experiences to combine with the festival.