While any festival in New Orleans is an amazing festival by default… because nothing beats revelry New Orleans. There is something about the three weeks of French Quarter Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest) that brings a sense of magic to the city.
This last weekend, French Quarter Festival saw record numbers of festivalgoers from far and wide descend on the Vieux Carre for a handful of days highlighting the best of the best in New Orleans.
Today kicks off the two-weekend music and culture celebration down at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots as the gates open at Jazz Fest 2026. Each year, Jazz Fest brings in huge names in myriad genres of music from all over the world to the Big Easy, while highlighting every delicious aspect of the cuisines that make up New Orleans food culture.
For Editor’s Picks this week, we’re highlighting a few standouts for weekend one of Jazz Fest. A look at what we’re excited to hear, see and eat this weekend.
What to Hear
Thursday
Kings of Leon: If you grew up in the early 2000’s you are aware of Kings of Leon. You might need to pop some Advil before heading out to the festival, but it should be a nice nostalgic moment for Millennials.
Raye: Raye is the women of the moment right now. “Where’s My Husband” caught onto social media trends in the last year and finally gave this superior talent her flowers. Plus, who in the city doesn’t love a big jazz band moment?
Jazz Fest celebrates Jamaica: Jamaica is the Cultural Exchange Pavilion highlight this year and we are excited to see what programming they have in store for festivalgoers this year. There are many versions of this performance throughout the weekend, actually, but we wanted to highlight it the first day!
Lena Prima: Daughter of star Louis Prima, Lena is a favorite around New Orleans and is sure to dazzle as usual.
Friday
Jon Batiste: This isn’t Jon Batiste’s first homecoming, but this international star is sure to put on a fantastic show.
Big Freedia: If you’ve never seen the Queen Diva live, you can’t miss Big Freedia’s Jazz Fest set. It is always a good time, but make sure to stretch before, you’ll thank us!
The Dixie Cups: Kelly here – this one is a little personal for me. I once danced on stage with these ladies when I was a child and it has and always will be a highlight of growing up in New Orleans. A fond memory that never disappoints each year I see them. “Going to the Chapel” hits every time!
Other big names include Lorde and Sean Paul, but we might stick to the locals this Friday.
Saturday
Stevie Nicks: A Queen! Even if you think you haven’t jammed out to a song that Stevie Nicks has either written or performed, you’re wrong. She is a legend and if you have a chance to see her live, take it.
Nas: While a complete opposite side of the coin from Stevie Nicks, we should all have a little depth when it comes to our musical interests. Nas is a legend in his own right when it comes to his career. Also a can’t-miss moment.
Local sets: The Revivalists, John Boutte, Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers
Tyler Childers is the second listed artist for Saturday, but we’ll admit, we’re not super familiar with this artist.
Sunday
Rod Stewart: Hear me out! The last time I saw Rod Stewart at Jazz Fest he put on an insanely entertaining performance. Costume changes, backup dancers and, obviously, the hair. It’s something about those British rockers that just still have it no matter how… seasoned. -Kelly
David Byrne: David Byrne is an alternative pick and sure to keep things interesting.
The Isley Brothers: Add in a little soul to your Sunday. The Isley Brothers are going to bring a set that’ll want to make you stand up and, “Shout!” (See what we did there?)
Irma Thomas: Our Queen! While Stevie may be for everyone, Irma is ours. The “Soul Queen of New Orleans” is one any New Orleanian (any festivalgoer really) is not allowed to miss.
What to See
Fashion: Something about Jazz Fest brings out all kinds of outfits. AND it’s always fun to see how people style the Jazz Fest prints from the current year or year’s past. Some people wear shirts and outfits from the start of the festival. Some may call it hoarding, we call it nostalgia!
Crafts, Villages & Marketplaces: Since the beginning of the festival, artists and makers have been at the center of the celebration. It’s so fun to meet and talk with artists from all over the country and buy one-of-a-kind pieces of art to fill your home. A highlight for us is the Louisiana Marketplace. While we love supporting all artists, it’s our homegrown arts that represent and highlight our city and state that have our hearts. Standouts for this year in the Bruce Brice Art Village are my friend Terrance Osborne, Brandan “Bmike” Odums – a true culture bearer and voice for our young artists, Richard Thomas and James Michalopoulos.
Cultural Exchange Pavilion: Each year, the festival highlights a different country and culture that has always been a part of the festival in some way. This year, we are celebrating Jamaica. While Ziggy and Stephen Marley and Sean Paul are some of the artists taking the stage, the best part is to head into the tent for demonstrations, artists, as well as the food booth that will have slow-braised oxtail, rice and peas, jerk-spiced mushrooms, and crisp escovitch fish.
What to Eat
Now, the music is nice, but it’s the food that really draws people in. We wait all year for a trio from Patton’s Catering or a bowl of yakamein from Ms. Linda.
Fan-Favorites:
Crawfish Bread | Panaroma Foods
Mango Freeze | WWOZ Community Radio
Crawfish Monica | Big River Foods (Irma Thomas says she brings her own bowl for a bit of some Crawfish Monica each year!)
What We’re Excited to Try:
FOOD AREA 1
Cajun Duck Sliders | CCI Catering
Seafood Au Gratin | Ten Talents Catering
Smokey Bacon Greens | Smoke Street Catering, LLC
Cochon de Lait Poboy | Walker’s BBQ / Love At First Bite
Crawfish Sack, Oyster Patties, Shrimp Beignet (the trio) | Patton’s Caterers
Ya Ka Mein | Ms. Linda’s Catering
FOOD AREA 2
Crawfish Pie | Mrs. Wheat’s Foods
Crawfish Enchilada | Prejean’s Restaurant
Shrimp Yakisoba | Ajun Cajun
Lump Crab Beignet & Chocolate Beignet | Loretta’s Authentic Pralines
Fried Bell Pepper Bites | Cafe Dauphine
Crawfish Strudel | Caluda’s Cottage Catering
Gulf Shrimp Taco | Tempero’s Market Kitchen
Crawfish Monica | Big River Foods
CONGO SQUARE
Curry Chicken Pattie | Palmer’s Jamaican Cuisine
Poulet Fricassee | Bennachin
HERITAGE SQUARE
Banh Mi Xiu Mai | Ba Mien Vietnamese Cuisine
La Trout Dizzy | Li’l Dizzy’s Café
LOUISIANA FOLK VILLAGE
Shrimp Macque Choux & Fry Bread | United Houman Nation
