Jazz Fest 2026 Lineup Announced for New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, La (KPEL-FM) - The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2026 returns April 23 - 26 and April 30 - May 3 at the Fair Grounds Race Course, bringing another stacked lineup of global superstars, Louisiana legends, and rising talent. This year’s artist schedule spans every corner of the musical map, offering music lovers two full weekends of unforgettable performances from a wide variety of genres.

Major Headliners for 2026

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Jazz Fest continues its tradition of booking powerhouse headliners across rock, pop, country, and Americana. This year’s top-billed performers include:

The Eagles
Stevie Nicks
Rod Stewart
David Byrne
Lorde
Lainey Wilson

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These acts anchor the festival weekends with a mix of iconic hits, massive fanbases, and high-energy live shows. This should make for a wonderful homecoming for Louisiana's own Lainey Wilson who has achieved massive success in the entertainment world.

Big-Name Performers Across All Genres

Along with the primary headliners, Jazz Fest 2026 features a deep and diverse roster of national and international artists, including:

Jon Batiste
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
The Black Keys
Tyler Childers
Nas
Earth, Wind & Fire
St. Vincent
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Alabama Shakes
Herbie Hancock
Widespread Panic
T-Pain
The Isley Brothers
Raye

The lineup spans rock, jazz, soul, country, hip-hop, funk, blues, and world music, making 2026 one of the festival’s most musically varied years.

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Louisiana Artists and Cultural Staples

Jazz Fest’s identity is deeply rooted in the local scene, and the 2026 schedule highlights that tradition with a strong slate of New Orleans and Louisiana performers:

Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Dumpstaphunk
Big Freedia
Rebirth Brass Band
Cyril Neville
Irma Thomas

These artists bring the unmistakable sounds of the city, from brass bands to zydeco to New Orleans R&B, to the Fair Grounds.

Jazz Fest 2026 Festival Dates

Jazz Fest once again takes place across two extended weekends:

Weekend 1: April 23–26
Weekend 2: April 30–May 3

The festival will release daily stage schedules and set times closer to opening day, but the artist roster gives fans everything they need to begin mapping out their must-see performances.