THE EVENT
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell is a seven-day cultural feast taking place over two weekends at the New Orleans Fair Grounds and Race Course in which thousands of musicians, cooks and craftspeople welcome 400,000-plus visitors each year. Jazz Fest showcases unforgettable music on multiple stages, delicious Louisiana cuisine in two large food areas and crafts artisans from the region and around the world demonstrating and selling their work.
THIS YEAR
The festival is new each year as live music and the elements that make Jazz Fest special cannot be duplicated from year to year. With more than 500 bands, the line-up and the experiences are always new.
AMBIANCE
New Orleans is about celebration and participation as the audience is as much a part of the event as the musicians, cooks and craftsmen. Many of the artists presented at the festival cannot be seen around the world or around the country as over 80 percent hail from New Orleans and Louisiana. Locals and visitors alike look forward to the celebratory atmosphere as much as one specific event or performance.
RUB SHOULDERS WITH
People of all backgrounds from around the world enjoy the music and cultural experience of the event. It annually draws influential and notable celebrities from across the globe, but New Orleans can be unique as these personalities can maintain some degree of anonymity while celebrating the culture and heritage of the region.
AFTER DARK
Jazz Fest takes place from 11am to 7pm, which allows festival-goers the opportunity to experience the city in the evenings. With hundreds of music venues and over 1,000 restaurant locations, New Orleans is the star of the event after the gates close at the Fair Grounds.
STAY
New Orleans is a destination city for millions of visitors annually. The city prides itself on our ability to make our visitors feel at home with many beautiful hotels. The official host hotel of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is Sheraton New Orleans. More hotel information can be found on our website.
DINE
Over 70 different chefs at Jazz Fest provide another window into the unique culture of the region as they highlight the indigenous ingredients found across the state and off the coast that range from the familiar to the exotic. You can find a multitude of dishes utilising crawfish, shrimp, crab, beef and more in both traditional fare and new creations.
WEAR
Jazz Fest takes place in late April and early May. The springtime weather in New Orleans can range from pleasantly warm to uncomfortably hot, so you will want to dress in cool, unrestrictive clothing. There are a few shady trees scattered here and there throughout the Fair Grounds but the infield is mostly exposed to the sun; most people consider sunglasses and sunscreen to be essential, along with a wide-brimmed hat and comfortable shoes to accommodate lots of walking.
MUST DO
Some of the best parts about Jazz Fest are the unplanned moments that happen to guests throughout the event. Whether you are strolling through the Fair Grounds and run into a second-line parade or happen upon a musical set and a special guests pops on the stage to join the band, can’t-miss activities occur minute-by-minute and it is those memories that stick with people once they leave New Orleans.
