Jazz Fest: the pinnacle of jazz in New Orleans

The festival was first held in 1970, and has gone from strength to strength ever since. It was founded by Georges Wein with the idea of promoting the culture of his city. New Orleans is blessed with its own music, its own cuisine, and unique roots in the country...

Today, it honours jazz music, but still gives pride of place to all the city's riches. The region's gastronomy is showcased at a number of stands.

On the cultural side, some of the biggest names in music took to the stage. Artists from other musical styles also regularly come to set festival-goers alight. Rock and rap legends are often on the programme (the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2022).

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival attracts almost 500,000 visitors, making it one of the biggest in the world.

To cope with the crowds, the main stages are grouped together on the Fair Grounds racecourse. The site lies between Bayou St Jean and New Orleans City Park.

Ahead of the festival, several marquees (14 in all) are erected on the racecourse site. Each tent has its own musical style, and there's something for everyone! For example, there's the Gospel Tent, the Jazz Tent, the Blues Tent...

There's even a Kids Tent for families, so the festival is open to all jazz lovers!

As well as the music, it's the festive atmosphere and the spirit of togetherness that will leave a lasting impression on festival-goers.

And let's not forget the food stalls, where local gastronomy can be savoured to the sound of jazz - a real treat! You can also buy arts and crafts, especially in the Gospel and Blues marquees.

Finally, for those who don't want to spend their money, there are even more street musicians. In fact, the whole centre of Nola is alive with the sound of music.

Brass instruments (trumpets, saxophones, trombones) make the festival resound through all the districts of Nola...

As we said earlier, one of the pleasures of this festival is the food!

You'll have a huge choice right on the premises.

There are several stands to choose from, and all the regional specialities are there. Sometimes local chefs will come and perform their signature dishes.

You can choose between jambalaya (a Louisiana speciality made from rice), red beans in sauce, crayfish cooked in different ways and even alligator...

As an added bonus, you can attend cooking classes at the Food Demonstration Stage.

The city's restaurants are packed at this time of year. If you can, book in advance whenever possible.

Hotels are fully booked well in advance. What's more, they often require a minimum stay of 4 or 5 nights.

The Jung Hotel and Residences is a good option. This 200+ room hotel is within easy reach of the festival (transfer required). Its highlights are the rooftop swimming pool and the view over the city.