2018 New Orleans Jazz Festival

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is one of the United States’ longest running music festivals, dating back to the 1970s, with a rich history that is impossible to rival. This year the city will host its 49^thannual celebration of the Festival spanning two weekends, April 27- May 6, 2018. The festival takes place at the Fair Grounds Race Course, approximately 10 minutes from the famous French Quarter. The grounds are open each day from 11 am to 7 pm. 

With 12 stages featuring a vast and eclectic collection of all genres and thousands of the world’s most famous musicians, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is a synergetic celebration of musical achievement and American culture that draws in 400,000 visitors each year. In addition to the sheer musical genius, the festival features traditional Louisiana soul food in two large food courts, and a plethora of art for sale by local crafts artisans.

Past headliners have included internationally renowned artists such as Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Ella Fitzgerald, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Van Morrison, Lenny Kravitz, Neil Young, B.B. King, and so many more. 

This year, headliners include Aerosmith, Aretha Franklin, Sting, Jimmy Buffett, Beck, Jack White, David Byrne, Lionel Richie, Anita Baker, and Bonnie Raitt. Other notable mentions are Sting, Sturgill Simpson, Rod Stewart, Jack Johnson, Old Crow Medicine Show, Sheryl Crow, The Revivalists, Anders Osbourne, and Steve Miller Band.

The sheer amount of talent playing at one time is enough to drive attendees into a frenzy. Deciding who to see and when takes some true mental muscle. The lineup is more confusing than a fantasy football draft, and requires a printer friendly PDF if you want print out the lineup without going through a ream of paper.  

With the huge crowd attending the festival, it is important to consider travel plans and hotel accommodations in advance. The Festival’s official “host hotel” is the Sheraton New Orleans, which claims to offer the lowest hotel price for the event. Another good option for large groups is to rent a private residence through websites such as AirB&B . 

If you do attend the festival, don’t forget to pop by the world renowned Café du Monde for some beignets and chicory infused coffee! There is plenty of amazing things to do outside of the festival as well. Check out Bourbon Street, grab some Pralines at Loretta’s, and try not to get yourself into too much trouble!