The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival with performing artists The Dixie Cups, RumbaBuena, Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers, Big Freedia, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Tank & The Bangas, Omari Neville and The Fuel with Special guest Shawn Williams, The Revelers, Irma Thomas, John Boutte, James Rivers Movement, James Andrews & The Crescent City Allstars, Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band, Sunpie & The Sunspots, Los Teximaniacs, and Little Wayne & The Roots
performing at the New Orleans Fair Ground and Slots on Saturday, April 26, 2025. #jazzfest2025 #jazzfest #music #whereyatnola2025.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: Saturday, April 26th
by Kimmie Tubré
Wow, weekend one of Jazz Fest is almost over, and Saturday was definitely a perfect day for festing.
The vibes were good and the weather was warm but mild with a few breezes here and there. Our first stop was the Expedia Cultural Exchange Pavilion, this year celebrating Mexico.
And, of course, we had a list of artists to see around the festival because this year's lineup was incredible. Did someone say Lil Wayne and The Roots? Harry Connick Jr.? Babyface? Yep, all three closed out the festival with fantastic shows.
Other showstopping performers included Tank and the Bangas, Diana Krall, Irma Thomas, Big Freedia, and so many more.
Saturday was a perfect blend of legendary headliners, local favorites, and up-and-coming artists that bring that local feeling to the festival, which has become larger than ever expected. Everywhere you turned, there was a different sound pulling you in that direction.
Now let's talk about the food, because that was a whole event in itself! Crawfish Monica, fried oysters, beignets, cochon de lait po-boys (which we ate as breakfast)—every single thing we had was bursting with flavor. You have to come hungry because there's no way you can say no to those smells wafting through the festival rounds.
More than anything, though, Jazz Fest is about the vibe. That deep love for music, community, and culture that New Orleans does better than anywhere else. You can feel it in every note, every dance, every smile.
