An eight-day New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has been a rarity for most of the festival’s run. But soon after the success of last year’s festival, which added a day to accommodate The Rolling Stones’ takeover of the Fair Grounds, festival producer-director Quint Davis announced an expanded Jazz Fest would stay — and with it all that extra music, food and art.
Jazz Fest 2025 will settle into its new eight-day format when it returns to the Fair Grounds Thursday, April 24, through Sunday, April 27, and again Thursday, May 1, through Sunday, May 4.
The 54th edition will be a big event, with 12 music stages and tents featuring touring acts and performers from New Orleans, South Louisiana and across the world. There’s also a kids’ tent, an interview stage, parades, performances in the Folklife Village, and hundreds of food and arts vendors.
Headliners for the first four days include Lil Wayne performing with The Roots, Kacey Musgraves, Dave Matthews Band, Gladys Knight, Harry Connick Jr., John Fogerty, Goose, Babyface, Haim, Diana Krall, Burna Boy and more. And there is a vast range of genres, from gospel, blues, funk and R&B to the sounds that have defined New Orleans and South Louisiana, including traditional jazz, brass bands, zydeco and Cajun music. There also are many international bands showcasing music from their home countries.
The festival’s Cultural Exchange Pavilion this year highlights Mexican music and culture, and visiting bands play everything from mariachi music, marimba and norteño to rock and adventurous styles blending the traditional and the contemporary. There also are Mexican artists and a food booth near the pavilion serving Mexican dishes.
New in 2025, both Thursdays will be a Locals Thursday. And there are new discounts for Louisianans on single-day tickets still available. Read more about those details and the festival’s cashless policy here.
In the articles below, Gambit previews the first weekend at Jazz Fest 2025, with music picks for each day, an overview of food offerings, information about Mexican artists and more info to make the most out of your fest. And keep up with Gambit here and on our social media for daily coverage from the fest.
John Fogerty, Seun Kuti, Dee Dee Bridgewater, LeTrainiump and more musicians and bands to see opening day of Jazz Fest 2025.
Kacey Musgraves, Gladys Knight, Youssou N’Dour, Andrew Duhon and more artists to see on the first Friday at Jazz Fest 2025.
Lil Wayne with The Roots, Taj Mahal, Zar Electirk, Video Age and more musicians and bands to see the first Saturday at Jazz Fest 2025.
Davie Matthews Band, Burna Boy, HAIM, Charlie & The Tropicales, Boyfriend and more musicians and bands to see on the first Sunday at Jazz Fest 2025.
It’s always fun to try new vendors, and this year’s newbies include all-vegan vendor Sweet Soulfood Vegan Cuisine.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.nola.com ’
