New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, more commonly known as Jazz Fest, is arguably the biggest and best festival of the year in New Orleans. Seven full days of performances from world-renowned musicians like Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Maroon 5, Snoop Dogg, Alabama Shakes, and Pitbull (to name just a few) will treat Jazz Fest 2017 patrons to a lifetime’s worth of concerts in one single festival.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival features 7 full days of music, food, crafts and more. (Photo by sailn1 via Flickr)
How To Get To Jazz Fest From Our Hotel
Although the festival isn’t as close to our hotel as, say, French Quarter Festival, it’s definitely one worth attending. New Orleans offers plenty of great transportation options for tourists, and there are a variety of ways to get to the Fairgrounds for Jazz Fest.
You can take a scenic streetcar trip up Canal Street and over to City Park, and walk to the Fairgrounds from there, or you can take the Jazz Fest Express Shuttle, which departs the French Quarter from 500 Canal Street or the Steamboat Natchez Dock (Toulouse St. at the Mississippi River). Round-trip shuttles are $20 per person and tickets can be purchased at the shuttle departure locations on the days of Jazz Festival, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Of course, you can also have our concierge arrange a taxi or request an Uber or Lyft car service via your mobile device. Keep in mind that Jazz Fest is a very busy time, so availability may be limited and prices may surge during peak hours.
What To Do & Who To See At Jazz Fest 2017
Plan to spend the full day at Jazz Fest and check out ample food vendors, crafts presentations, and, of course, music.
Be sure to make room for a little downtime. Jazz Fest can be overwhelming if you don’t work in a bit of time to refuel. Cool off with refreshing treats like the famous Mango Freeze from New Orleans radio station WWOZ and remember to drink plenty of water. Seek out a misting tent to cool off for a few minutes… you’ll be ready to enjoy the music again after a quick rest.
Jazz Fest offers three different marketplaces full of artisans from near and far. The Congo Square African Marketplace celebrates the roots of the cultures that shaped jazz and other New Orleans music. The Contemporary Crafts area offers modern paintings, photographs, sculptures, handcrafted clothing, leather goods and jewelry, while the Louisiana Marketplace showcases the very best of local art, including traditional Creole and Acadian furniture.
Jazz Fest is also famous for its delicious food and refreshing drinks. You’ll have the chance to sample New Orleans delicacies like Crawfish Bread, Cajun Jambalaya, Hot Sausage Po-Boys, Pecan Catfish Meunière, Alligator Pies, Muffulettas, Boiled Crawfish, Cajun Duck Po-Boys, Red Beans & Rice, Boudin Balls, Shrimp & Grits, Crawfish Beignets, and much more.
As for music, you’ll want to plan out your must-see acts in advance. Sometimes, you’ll have to choose between two of your favorites if they’re playing on different stages at the same time… there are just too many acts to see at this massive festival!
Prepare to spend the day dancing and enjoying live music at Jazz Fest. (Photo by alaina buzas via Flickr)
Take a look at a few of the Jazz Fest headliners each day below, or view the full list of performers here:
Friday, April 28, 2017
- Harry Connick, Jr.
- Trey Anastasio Band
- NAS with guests The Soul Rebels
- Aaron Neville
- Leon Bridges
- Kermit Ruffins & the Barbeque Swingers
Saturday, April 29, 2017
- Maroon 5
- Usher & The Roots
- Alabama Shakes
- Jonny Lang
- Jon Batiste and Stay Human
- Rebirth Brass Band
Sunday, April 30, 2017
- Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
- Lorde
- Pitbull
- Dr. John
- Elle King
Thursday, May 4, 2017
- Widespread Panic
- Darius Rucker
- Corinne Bailey Rae
- Tower of Power
- Marcia Ball
Friday, May 5, 2017
- Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds
- Earth, Wind & Fire
- Wilco
- Rhiannon Giddens
- The Revivalists
Saturday, May 6, 2017
- Stevie Wonder
- Snoop Dogg
- Meghan Trainor
- Irma Thomas
- Big Freedia
Sunday, May 7, 2017
- Kings of Leon
- Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue
- Patti LaBelle
- The Meters
- Buddy Guy
- Blues Traveler
- Preservation Hall Jazz Band
After The Fest
By the time you’re ready to leave Jazz Fest, you’ll probably be craving air conditioning. Head back to our hotel and rinse off (or take a dip in our courtyard pool), but don’t lie down just yet!
Walk just outside our doors and over to the Hotel Monteleone, our sister property, where you can enjoy their Jazzy Jam concert series inside their Carousel Bar & Lounge. You’ll hear incredible live jazz music in an intimate, elegant setting. A bar bites menu, craft cocktails, and thorough wine list are the perfect way to cap off a memorable day.
Coming to New Orleans for Jazz Fest? Book your hotel room now!