2016 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

Once again, the Crescent City hosts the most fabulous music festival in the nation! The opens in a new windowNew Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival takes place over two weekends, April 22-24 & April 28-May 1, 2016. The location is opens in a new windowThe Fair Grounds, which is easily accessible from opens in a new window1896 O’Malley House via the streetcar, so you don’t have to try to find parking on the days you attend the festival. jazz-fest-2016

If you can’t attend both weekends, you will still be able to see artists, famous and about-to-be, on any of the dates. The festival planners take great care to make sure the talent is spread equally over the entire fest. This year, some of the big acts include Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dog, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Paul Simon, Steely Dan, Bonnie Raitt, Aaron Neville and many, many more.

It’s not just all about the music, though, this is also a Heritage Festival, so you will find the Louisiana Folk Life Village and the Native American Village available to learn about the culture and history of Louisiana. The Grandstand will feature special exhibits that you can peruse in air-conditioned comfort.

Crafts are a huge part of the festival each year, consisting of three areas to shop and view – the Congo Square African Marketplace, Contemporary Crafts, and Louisiana Marketplace have an array of different types of wares for sale. You will want to bring a little extra cash to make sure you bring home a lovely remembrance of your time in our lovely city!

No event in New Orleans would be complete without food, and the Jazz & Heritage Festival is no exception. There are eight, yes, EIGHT different areas in the Fairgrounds to purchase incredible Louisiana delicacies, as well as the more traditional “fair food” items. Vegetarian options are available, as well as kid-friendly fare. In addition to the food booths, there will be the Food Heritage and Cajun Cabin stages, with cooking demonstrations by some of the best chefs and brands in our area.

Make sure to dress for the weather, which can become quite hot in the exposed fairgrounds. You’ll want that sunscreen and a hat. You can bring soft-sided coolers that are 12-pack size or smaller, so pack that water, you will need it. Click opens in a new windowHEREopens PDF file for a great list of what you can and cannot bring into the Festival.

Cost is $58 for advance adult single day tickets, $70 at the gate, $5 Child tickets (available at the gate only, ages 2-10. Purchase tickets from opens in a new windowTicketmaster.

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