New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is not just a music festival — it is a cultural institution. Since 1970, Jazz Fest has celebrated the music, food, crafts, and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana at the Fair Grounds Race Course. Spread across two weekends in late April and early May, Jazz Fest draws 475,000 fans with a lineup that blends jazz legends, blues icons, R&B stars, gospel choirs, and zydeco bands with major pop and rock headliners. Past performers include Stevie Wonder, The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, and Bruce Springsteen. But the food might be the real headliner. Crawfish Monica, cochon de lait po-boys, mango freeze — the festival food at Jazz Fest is legendary and locally sourced. Over 70 food vendors serve authentic Louisiana cuisine. Getting there: Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) is 20 minutes from downtown. Stay in the French Quarter or Marigny for the best post-festival nightlife. The festival grounds are accessible by bus, rideshare, or bike. Pro tip: Do not skip the Gospel Tent. Even if gospel is not your thing, the performances are transcendent. Also, the Grandstand (indoor stage) has incredible intimate shows.