The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival launches Thursday, setting the stage for two weeks of soulful sounds, rich traditions, and legendary local flavors.
Since its debut in 1970, the festival has grown from a heartfelt tribute to jazz and regional genres like zydeco, blues, and gospel into a global music event — but its soul remains rooted in New Orleans. This year’s lineup blends big names like Pearl Jam and Lenny Kravitz with hometown stars such as Lil Wayne, all while keeping the spotlight on Louisiana’s vibrant musical identity.
“We started out to reflect New Orleans to the world, but now it’s just as much a part of New Orleans as Mardi Gras,” said longtime producer Quint Davis.
And it’s not just the music that draws crowds — it’s the food. For many, the festival’s renowned cuisine is just as much of a headline act. Local vendors serve up a mouthwatering spread of Cajun and Creole dishes: think pheasant, quail and andouille gumbo, pecan catfish meunière, and even alligator sausage.
“The menu we feature you can’t find anywhere else,” said Michelle Nugent, the festival’s food director. “Everything is handmade and home-cooked.”
One iconic vendor is Loretta’s Pralines, now run by Robert Harrison III in honor of his late mother. Their famed praline-stuffed beignets are a decadent fusion of New Orleans’ French-influenced desserts.
“The praline beignet — my mom was a genius for this,” Harrison said. “She took two New Orleans products and mashed them together.” His team has spent weeks preparing thousands of pralines for the crowds: “It’s something that you have to love to do — my mom loved it, and we do too.”
From the sweet to the savory, and from jazz riffs to hip hop hooks, the festival offers a full-sensory celebration of everything that makes New Orleans unforgettable.
