The 2025 New Orleans Jazz Fest & Heritage Festival, running from April 24 to May 4, promises to be an extraordinary celebration of music, culture, cuisine, and art. Here’s your comprehensive guide to the highlights:
Major Acts by Day
Thursday, April 24
Goose
- Hot 8 Brass Band
John Fogerty
- John Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen
Friday, April 25
Kacey Musgraves
- PJ Morton
Cheap Trick
Gladys Knight
Saturday, April 26
Lil Wayne & The Roots
- Irma Thomas
Harry Connick Jr.
- Tank and The Bangas
Babyface
- Big Freedia
Sunday, April 27
Dave Matthews Band
- Tab Benoit
HAIM
- The Soul Rebels
The Revivalists
- Cyril Neville
Thursday, May 1
Santana
- Morris Day & The Time
Cage The Elephant
- The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Anders Osborne
Better Than Ezra
Friday, May 2
Luke Combs
- Marc Broussard
Joan Jett and the Black Hearts
- Big Sam’s Funky Nation
The Wailers featuring Julian Marlay
Hurray For The Riff Raff
Saturday, May 3
Pearl Jam
Laufey
- Cowboy Mouth
Tems
Maggie Koerner
Eric Lindell
Sunday, May 4
Lenny Kravitz
- Galactic featuring Jelly Joseph
My Morning Jacket
- George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners
Patti LaBelle
Culinary Delights
Jazz Fest is renowned for its diverse and delectable food offerings. This year, over 60 vendors serve more than 200 items, showcasing the rich flavors of New Orleans and beyond.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crawfish Monica – Big River Foods
Cochon de Lait Po’ Boys – Try Walker’s BBQ
- LA Crawfish Pie – Mrs. Wheat’s Foods
Boudin Balls – Papa Ninety Catering
Fried Soft Shell Crab Poboy – The Galley Restaurant
Vegan Soul Food – Sweet Soulfood Vegan Cuisine
- Boiled Crawfish – Clesi’s Seafood Restaurant
Desserts & Frozen Treats:
Pralines – Loretta’s Authentic Pralines
- Banana’s Foster Cheesecake – Keyala’s Pralines
Snowballs – A.J.’s Sno Balls, Cee Cee’s Snoballs, Plum St. Snoballs
- Strawberry Shortcake – Judah Lea
Mango Freezes – WWOZ Community Radio
Ice Cream Sandwich Cart – Francofonte Catering
Art & Crafts
The festival’s art scene is as vibrant as its music and food. Explore handcrafted works from hundreds of artists across various venues:
Contemporary Crafts – Showcases fine art and crafts from Louisiana and beyond.
Congo Square African Marketplace – Features handmade crafts reflecting African heritage.
Louisiana Marketplace – Offers unique pieces inspired by local culture.
These markets provide a perfect opportunity to take home a piece of New Orleans’ rich artistic tradition.
Festival Tips
Arrive Early – To secure a good spot for performances and food.
Stay Hydrated – With the warm weather, it’s essential to drink plenty of water.
Wear Comfortable Footwear – You’ll be walking and dancing a lot!
- Wear a Hat – There is absolutely no shade available on the race track, so at least bring a hat.
Use the Official App – For real-time updates on performances and food vendors.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned Jazz Fest attendee, 2025 promises an unforgettable experience filled with music, food, and culture.
