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
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Goose
- Hot 8 Brass Band
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John Fogerty
- John Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen
Friday, April 25
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Kacey Musgraves
- PJ Morton
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Cheap Trick
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Gladys Knight
Saturday, April 26
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Lil Wayne & The Roots
- Irma Thomas
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Harry Connick Jr.
- Tank and The Bangas
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Babyface
- Big Freedia
Sunday, April 27
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Dave Matthews Band
- Tab Benoit
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HAIM
- The Soul Rebels
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The Revivalists
- Cyril Neville
Thursday, May 1
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Santana
- Morris Day & The Time
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Cage The Elephant
- The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
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Anders Osborne
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Better Than Ezra
Friday, May 2
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Luke Combs
- Marc Broussard
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Joan Jett and the Black Hearts
- Big Sam’s Funky Nation
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The Wailers featuring Julian Marlay
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Hurray For The Riff Raff
Saturday, May 3
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Pearl Jam
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Laufey
- Cowboy Mouth
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Tems
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Maggie Koerner
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Eric Lindell
Sunday, May 4
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Lenny Kravitz
- Galactic featuring Jelly Joseph
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Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
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My Morning Jacket
- George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners
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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:
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Crawfish Monica – Big River Foods
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Cochon de Lait Po’ Boys – Try Walker’s BBQ
- LA Crawfish Pie – Mrs. Wheat’s Foods
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Boudin Balls – Papa Ninety Catering
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Fried Soft Shell Crab Poboy – The Galley Restaurant
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Vegan Soul Food – Sweet Soulfood Vegan Cuisine
- Boiled Crawfish – Clesi’s Seafood Restaurant
Desserts & Frozen Treats:
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Pralines – Loretta’s Authentic Pralines
- Banana’s Foster Cheesecake – Keyala’s Pralines
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Snowballs – A.J.’s Sno Balls, Cee Cee’s Snoballs, Plum St. Snoballs
- Strawberry Shortcake – Judah Lea
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Mango Freezes – WWOZ Community Radio
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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:
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Contemporary Crafts – Showcases fine art and crafts from Louisiana and beyond.
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Congo Square African Marketplace – Features handmade crafts reflecting African heritage.
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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
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Arrive Early – To secure a good spot for performances and food.
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Stay Hydrated – With the warm weather, it’s essential to drink plenty of water.
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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.
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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.
