New Orleans is Home for Jazz

Each year, New Orleans hosts the Jazz and Heritage Festival, bringing top jazz musicians to the coastal Louisiana city.

The 2017 edition of the festival will run April 28–30, and May 4–7. Local superstars The Meters and Jon Batiste will come home, with the former scheduled to play May 7.

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New Orleans has a rich cultural tradition and jazz music is a big part of it. Since 1970, the Jazz and Heritage Festival has brought local and international artists to town to celebrate the art form, as well as many other musical styles.

In fact, the festival is a celebration of the culture of Louisiana. The Fair Grounds Race Course comes alive over two weekends, with headliners including Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Kings of Leon.

Alongside the music there are dozens of food stands offering Cajun, Creole and other traditional New Orleans dishes, while arts and crafts from around the region will also be on show.

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The festival site is only a few minutes from downtown New Orleans and the French Quarter. There will be regular shuttle bus services to the site, and the Canal Street Streetcar will also drop you off close to the entrance.

Regular price tickets cost $65 in advance, with the price rising to $75 at the door. VIP packages are also available.

New Orleans is well served by flights from across the United States as well as international destinations such as Cancun, London and Frankfurt.