2026 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: Your Complete Guide to Lineup, Tickets, and the Best Deals

Christmas came early this year with the 2026 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival dropping its lineup far ahead of schedule. Critics and fans are already buzzing about what promises to be one of the most legendary Jazz Fest celebrations yet.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival isn’t just another music festival—it’s cultural immersion unlike anything else. Where else can you catch the Eagles one moment, then stumble upon a traditional Mardi Gras procession the next? Where else can you chow down on crawfish while legendary soul singers perform just feet away?

Whether you’re searching for 2026 Jazz Fest tickets, wondering about the New Orleans Jazz Fest lineup, or how to find the cheapest Jazz Fest passes, this guide has everything you need to plan your unforgettable pilgrimage to the Big Easy.

2026 Jazz Fest Dates & Essential Information

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2026 returns to the historic Fair Grounds Race Course for two incredible weekends:

• Weekend 1: April 23-26, 2026 (Thursday-Sunday)
• Weekend 2: April 30-May 3, 2026 (Thursday-Sunday)

Fans, get ready for over 5,000 musicians performing across 14 stages over an eight-day celebration. Jazz Fest 2026 promises a diverse lineup of jazz, blues, gospel, funk, rock, and country, country, making this festival a bucket-list destination for music lovers worldwide.

Follow the link to the New Orleans Jazz Festival passes of your choice and you’ll be directed to access our inventory from there!

New Orleans Jazz Fest 2026 Lineup: The Acts You Can’t Miss

The Eagles will make their Jazz Fest debut following their Las Vegas Sphere residency, bringing classics like “Hotel California” and “Take It Easy” to New Orleans. This marks the first time the band has performed outside the Sphere since 2024.

Stevie Nicks returns to Jazz Fest with her signature mystical rock presence. Notably, Jazz Fest is currently the only show Nicks has scheduled for 2026, making this an exceptionally rare opportunity to see the Fleetwood Mac legend.

Rod Stewart brings his farewell tour to the Crescent City, performing amid his nationwide tour through the south-central region. Expect timeless hits spanning his six-decade career.

Genre-Spanning Superstars

• David Byrne
• Lorde
• Kings of Leon
• The Black Keys
• Alabama Shakes
• St. Vincent

Country Music Stars

Lainey Wilson, fresh off being named 2025 Entertainer of the Year, leads a strong country contingent alongside Tyler Childers and Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. This country-meets-Louisiana blend showcases Jazz Fest’s increasingly diverse programming.

Soul, R&B, and Hip-Hop Legends

• Earth, Wind & Fire
• Nas
• T-Pain
• The Isley Brothers
• Teddy Swims

New Orleans Legends & Louisiana Icons

True to its roots, Jazz Fest 2026 celebrates homegrown talent with performances from:

• Jon Batiste
• Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
• Irma Thomas
• Big Freedia
• Herbie Hancock
• Mavis Staples
• Preservation Hall Jazz Band
• Rebirth Brass Band
• Galactic featuring Jelly Joseph

Special Cultural Spotlight: “One Love Jamaica”

The Cultural Exchange Pavilion will celebrate Jamaican music and culture in response to Hurricane Melissa, featuring:

• Ziggy and Stephen Marley
• Sean Paul
• Burning Spear
• Protoje
• Lila Iké
• Jesse Royal

The festival stands in solidarity with Jamaica through this cultural celebration, with a fashion pop-up boutique selling items by artists affected by natural disaster.

Jazz Fest 2026 Ticket Prices & Packages

General Admission Passes: Four-day weekend passes range from $399 to $659, with Louisiana residents receiving special discounted pricing. Payment plans are available starting at just $49 down, making it easier to budget for your Jazz Fest experience.

Locals Thursday Special: Louisiana residents can take advantage of “Locals Thursday” discounts on both April 23 and April 30, with traditional pricing around $50 per day.

For those seeking premium, VIP experiences:

• Big Chief VIP: $2,099 per weekend – includes premium covered seating at three main stages, air-conditioned hospitality lounge, exclusive bars, private restrooms, raised viewing stands, express entrance lines, and re-entry privileges
• Grand Marshal VIP: $1,999 per weekend – offers close-up standing room at the Festival Stage, Shell Gentilly Stage, and Congo Square Stage, plus access to a special lounge with snacks and private restrooms
• Krewe of Jazz Fest: $1,119 per weekend – provides access to a private raised and covered viewing area near the largest stage

Additional Add-Ons: Jazz Fest Express four-day shuttle passes cost $96, offering convenient round-trip transportation from multiple pickup locations including the French Quarter, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, and South Market District.

How to Find the Cheapest Jazz Fest Tickets on TickPick

When you’re ready to secure your spot at Jazz Fest 2026, TickPick offers the smartest way to find the best deals on festival tickets without breaking the bank.

Unlike other ticketing platforms, TickPick uses a transparent pricing model that shows you the full cost upfront with no service fees or surprise charges at checkout. What you see is what you pay—no hidden fees, no last-minute price jumps. Here are some of the reasons why fans trust TickPick for scoring the best deals on Jazz Fest tickets:

BestPrice Guarantee: TickPick guarantees the best prices on all tickets, offering 110% back if you find better prices elsewhere. You’ll never have to second-guess your purchase.

Deal Score System: Every ticket is analyzed using TickPick’s proprietary Deal Score system, rating tickets based on seat location and price. Sort by “Best Deal” to instantly find the highest-value options without doing extensive research.

Price Alerts: Follow Jazz Fest 2026 and receive real-time notifications when ticket prices drop. This feature helps you strike at the perfect moment for maximum savings.

Price Freeze Feature: Lock in a ticket price for 24-72 hours without committing to immediate purchase. If prices rise during your freeze window, you’re protected. If prices drop, you can release the freeze and re-shop—giving you total flexibility.

Interactive Seat Maps: View exact seat locations, row numbers, pricing, and seat ratings based on value and visibility before you buy. Make informed decisions about where you’ll experience the festival.

Download the TickPick App for easy access to tickets, interactive seating maps, and budget-friendly tools such as Price Freeze. Never shopped with us before? Feel free to take $10 off with the link below.

Essential Jazz Fest 2026 Survival Tips

First time attending the massive New Orleans Jazz Festival and looking for tips? Here are a few basic pointers to get you started, the essentials to attending a festival of this size.

Transportation & Parking

• Jazz Fest Express Shuttles: The most convenient option with pickup locations throughout the city and drop-off inside the festival gates
• Cabrini High School Parking: A 35-year tradition offering convenient parking on Moss Street off Esplanade for $60 (10 AM-10 PM), with proceeds supporting the school
• Rideshares: Expect surge pricing; coordinate pickups away from main gates
• Bike: Many locals bike to the Fair Grounds—just remember to bring a sturdy lock

What to Bring

• Comfortable shoes: You’ll walk miles between stages
• Sun protection: Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential
• Reusable water bottle: Stay hydrated in the Louisiana heat
• Cash: While many vendors accept cards, cash speeds up transactions
• Light rain gear: Spring weather in New Orleans can be unpredictable
• Portable phone charger: Long festival days drain batteries quickly

Stage Planning

With 14 stages and scheduling conflicts inevitable, download the Jazz Fest app and plan your must-see acts in advance. Be prepared to make tough choices—that’s part of the Jazz Fest experience!

Allow time to explore smaller stages showcasing traditional jazz, gospel, and brass bands. Some of the festival’s most memorable moments happen away from the main stages.

How to Sell New Orleans Jazz Festival Tickets

Plans changed? Need to sell your Jazz Festival passes? TickPick makes it simple to list your tickets and reach motivated buyers.

Sell Your New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fesitval Tickets on TickPick

With TickPick, you control the price of your tickets and receive payment as soon as they sell. Our transparent fee structure means you keep more of your money compared to other marketplaces.