TrekUnity
When
April
Attendance
~400,000 (across the run)
Admission
Ticketed
Setting
Outdoor
Jazz Fest is New Orleans distilled: two long weekends at the Fair Grounds Race Course with a dozen stages of jazz, blues, gospel, funk, and big-name headliners, plus some of the best festival food in the country — crawfish, po'boys, and cochon de lait.
It's as much a food and culture festival as a music one, and it pairs naturally with exploring the French Quarter, the music clubs of Frenchmen Street, and the city's neighborhoods between festival days.
Want to go? Turn New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
Late April into early May (two weekends)
Admission
Ticketed by day; multi-day passes available
Parking
Very limited at the Fair Grounds — rideshare, bike, or the festival shuttle from downtown is the way to go.
Nearest airport
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) — ~25 min
Typical weather
Warm, humid Louisiana spring — 70s–80s °F with a real chance of rain; bring a poncho and sun protection.
Official website
Location
New Orleans, LA
Where to stay
Hotel Peter & Paul
Boutique hotel in a restored church complex in Marigny.
The Columns
Grand St. Charles Avenue hotel on the streetcar line.
French Quarter guesthouses
Historic rooms in the heart of the action.
Where to eat & drink
Festival food booths
A destination in itself — crawfish Monica, po'boys, cochon.
Cochon
Cajun cooking landmark in the Warehouse District.
Willie Mae's Scotch House
Famous fried chicken near the Fair Grounds.
Nearby attractions
French Quarter
Historic heart of the city — Jackson Square, cafés, and courtyards.
Frenchmen Street
The locals' live-music strip in Marigny.
Streetcar on St. Charles
Ride the oak-lined avenue past the Garden District.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + French Quarter
- •Fly into MSY
- •Afternoon: French Quarter wander
- •Evening: Frenchmen Street music
2Festival day
- •Midday: shuttle to the Fair Grounds
- •Afternoon: stage-hop + festival food
- •Evening: headliner set
3Second festival day
- •Brunch uptown
- •Afternoon/evening: more Jazz Fest
4Garden District + depart
- •Morning: St. Charles streetcar
- •Lunch: Cochon
- •Head to MSY
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Take the festival shuttle or bike — driving to the Fair Grounds is a headache.
- Come hungry: the food booths are half the reason people go.
- Build in French Quarter and Frenchmen Street nights between festival days.
Frequently asked questions
When is New Orleans Jazz Fest?
It spans two weekends from late April into early May at the Fair Grounds Race Course.
Is it just jazz?
No — the lineup spans blues, gospel, funk, rock, and major pop headliners, plus a legendary food and crafts scene.
How do you get to the Fair Grounds?
Parking is scarce; take the festival shuttle from downtown, bike, or rideshare.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.