Early Release: 2026 New Orleans Jazz Festival Lineup Announced
The much-anticipated lineup for the 2026 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival will be unveiled on December 11, 2025. This announcement arrives notably earlier than the festival’s usual mid-January reveal, potentially exciting fans ahead of the holiday season. The festival is set to take place over two weekends, from April 23 to 26 and April 30 to May 3, 2026.
Upcoming Dates and Festival Details
- Release Date: December 11, 2025
- Festival Dates:
- First Weekend: April 23-26, 2026
- Second Weekend: April 30-May 3, 2026
Notable Speculations for 2026 Lineup
With the lineup announcement approaching, speculation regarding potential performers is heating up. Past festival favorites could make a return, and fans are already eager to guess the names on the roster.
Possible Performers
- David Byrne
- Former Talking Heads frontman.
- Teased a potential appearance on April 26, 2026, after a tour stop in Houston.
- Rod Stewart
- Veteran performer at the festival.
- Scheduled to be in Arkansas on April 22 and Oklahoma on April 24, suggesting he could perform that weekend.
- Tyler Childers
- Country/bluegrass artist who previously sold out the Smoothie King Center.
- Scheduled for an April 23 performance in Dallas, possibly a lead-in to Jazz Fest.
- Bob Dylan
- Scheduled to perform in Louisiana on April 27 in Baton Rouge and April 28 in Shreveport.
- A previous Jazz Fest performer from 1993, 2003, and 2006.
Expectations for the Lineup
The 2026 Jazz Fest is likely to feature a mix of genres, reflecting its diverse musical heritage. Fans can anticipate major pop acts, classic rock celebrities, emerging rock bands, and prominent R&B and rap artists. Additionally, numerous local Louisiana musicians will enrich the festival’s lineup.
The early announcement of the lineup is expected to prompt fan enthusiasm and discussions leading up to the holiday season, potentially resulting in Jazz Fest tickets being popular gifts this year.
