The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival — one of the biggest events of the city’s highly anticipated festival season — is coming up in just a few short weeks. Spanning two weekends from April 23 to May 3, Jazz Fest features several legendary and upcoming jazz and rock ‘n’ roll artists.
This year’s festival brings some new voices to the Jazz Fest stage, as well as some rare performances you don’t want to miss.
The main festival stage will feature legendary acts this year, including the Eagles, Rod Stewart, Jon Batiste and Stevie Nicks, the lead singer of the world-famous band Fleetwood Mac.
Nicks is expected to draw big crowds to the festival with her classic songs, such as “Dreams,” “Landslide” and “Silver Springs.”
Beyond these well-known headlining acts, Lorde — a New Zealand-born pop artist with nearly 20 years of music experience — is coming to the Jazz Fest stage.
Known as the “Soul Queen of New Orleans,” Irma Thomas will hit the Jazz Fest stage after performing nearly every year since 1974. Thomas is considered the living legacy of the festival and an embodiment of Jazz Fest’s roots.
Jazz Fest continues to ground itself in local culture and tradition. New Orleans-based band and frequent Jazz Fest performers The Revivalists reflect the city’s deep musical roots as they blend elements of jazz, soul and R&B to create a modern sound.
Alongside The Revivalists, artists like Trombone Shorty and Preservation Hall Jazz Band continue to bring representation of the city’s diverse musical history, which extends from high-energy brass to classic New Orleans jazz.
Beyond the stage, Jazz Fest’s iconic festival food like crawfish bread, beignets and po-boys provides attendees with a curated local New Orleans experience.
With big names, first-time performers and several local legends, Jazz Fest 2026 will bring together a mix of sounds that reflect both the city and the wider music world.