What do Elton John, Hozier, Wilco, The Who, Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, No Doubt, T.I., and Ed Sheeran all have in common? Each one of them will be performing at the 46th annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. With a lineup that—to some, looks better than Coachella’s—the jazz fest gives us seven full days of music, parades, crafts and food.
The very first New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival was put on in 1970 and has since become one of the country’s best events for jazz culture, covering everything from gospel hymn to acts like No Doubt and Lady Gaga across 12 stages. Aside from the aforementioned musical stars, this year will also be seeing popular acts like Keith Urban, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lenny Kravitz, Estelle, The Taj Mahal Trio, Paloma Faith, Chicago, Jimmy Buffet and the Coral Reefer Band, John Legend, and Ryan Adams.
Not just a place for music, artisans flock to the two-weekend fest to show off and sell their wares. You can find traditional and modern artists in the Louisiana Marketplace, handmade clothing and jewelry in the Contemporary Crafts showcase, and a wide array of local and international crafts that represent the African Diaspora in the Congo Square African Marketplace.
Single day tickets for the first (April 24-26) and second weekend (April 30-May 3) cost $58 online and $70 at the gate. For a more exclusive experience, the festival offers three different VIP packages: Big Chief, Grand Marshall and Krewe of Jazz Fest. While the last two give you access to special viewing areas, the Big Chief is by far the best. Costing $1,200 for the first weekend and $1,400 for the second, the ticket will give you access to the VIP viewing stands and the Hospitality Lounge, as well as shuttle tickets to and from the event.
