The New Orleans Jazz Festival is a must-see event for music lovers. With an all-star lineup of performers, amazing food, and plenty of activities to enjoy, it's no wonder why the festival has become so popular. But is it worth the cost? In this article, we'll explore the history of the festival, what you can expect when you attend, and how to make the most of your experience. The JazzFest itself is great if you like outdoor music festivals. The music is usually amazing, with some of the best bands in New Orleans all in one place.
Before booking your flight for the JazzFest, it's best to do so before the lineup is announced. As a general rule, you'll find better fares if you're flying in the middle of the week. Since JazzFest is such an important celebration in New Orleans, even if you arrive a couple of days before the start of the weekend or leave between weekends, you'll find plenty to do in the city during the week in between. The first JAZZ Festival took place from April 22 to 26, 1970 in Congo Square with an all-star lineup that included Mahalia Jackson, Duke Ellington, Fats Domino, Pete Fountain, The Preservation Hall Brass Band, Mardi Gras Indians and many others.
Only 350 attended the inaugural event, but that would change soon. Today, Wein's original vision remains the basic premise of the festival, and JazzFest annually welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors to the historic Fair Grounds racing circuit, where it is now held. The festival is now supervised and coordinated by the Jazz& Heritage Foundation, as they continue to present local and international talents on the JazzFest platform. Tickets for the JazzFest are available for purchase on the JazzFest site a few months before the event, or at the gates on any day of the festival. You can find a variety of tickets including 3-day general admission one-day weekend passes, VIP packages and travel packages.
We recommend buying tickets in advance, as early bird discounts often apply. The Jazz-Fest cubes are grid-shaped schedules that let attendees know who will perform on what day, time and stage during the two-weekend festival. Jazz-Fest cubes announced closer to festival dates. The cubes will be available first on the official JazzFest website found here and then here on this page once they become available. JazzFest welcomes people of all levels to come out and enjoy the festival's food, music and culture. The Access Program team is dedicated to ensuring the accessibility of the festival.
The Access Center and accommodations throughout the festival are detailed on the access map. Accessible seating is available for those who need it; stop at the Access Center to get a wristband each day you attend. Wheelchairs and medical scooters are allowed at the festival to help customers with disabilities. The festival offers ASL interpretation for performances as requested. Visit the Access Center during the festival to see a daily program of performances.
Alternative formats of the festival program are available in the Access Center. Alternative formats available are Braille, large print and audio file. For more information on how to bring a bike to the JazzFest, head here and keep in mind that bike rentals will fill up quickly as the festival date approaches. Now that you know a little more about what JazzFest is, a brief history and its incredible impact on New Orleans culture, you may be wondering if it's worth attending. While there's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, there are some factors that can help you decide if it's right for you. Because New Orleans is so central to pop music, almost every act and genre you can imagine has gone through one or more of its dozen stages during JazzFest. While ticket prices have risen over time, they're still relatively affordable compared to similar festivals - especially when considering all that's included with admission. Finally, there's no denying that attending JazzFest is an unforgettable experience - one that will stay with you long after it's over.
From its incredible lineup of performers to its unique atmosphere and culture, there's something special about being part of this annual celebration. For more information on the annual Jazz& Heritage Festival, visit here. Be sure to check out our own Ultimate JazzFest Guide periodically for updates and new announcements.
