New Orleans doesn’t just throw a festival—New Orleans is the festival. And every spring, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, also known as Jazz Fest 2025, proves it all over again. The music is sacred. The food is spiritual. And both are rooted in the deep, undeniable presence of Black culture.
This year, Jazz Fest 2025 reminds the world why Black culture and artistry is the heartbeat of this city. From electrifying sets by hip hop legends to slow-simmered stuffed artichokes, here are the acts and eats you need to prioritize.
🎤 Top 5 Black Acts at Jazz Fest 2025
1. Lil Wayne + The Roots
New Orleans royalty meets hip hop royalty. Lil Wayne’s hometown set backed by The Roots will be a cultural earthquake.
2. Janelle Monáe
A genre-bending powerhouse with a voice as sharp as her message. Expect soul, spectacle, and a statement.
3. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Always electric, always homegrown. Nobody brings the second-line energy like Shorty.
4. PJ Morton
Smooth gospel soul and impeccable musicianship. PJ’s sets are sermons and celebrations.
5. Tank and the Bangas
Colorful, poetic, and New Orleans to the core. Tank brings storytelling to life with funk, soul, and fire.
🍽️ Top 5 Dishes You Must Eat at Jazz Fest 2025
1. Fried Soft-Shell Crab Po-Boy
Crispy, fresh, and dripping with flavor. One bite and you’ll know why this sandwich has a following.
2. Cochon de Lait Po-Boy
Smoked pork with juice-soaked bread—it’s like eating the essence of South Louisiana.
3. Jama-Jama & Fried Plantains
Bennachin’s African classic never misses. The spinach, the rice, the plantains—it’s cultural continuity served hot.
4. Stuffed Artichoke
Garlicky, herby, and messy in the best way. Every leaf is worth the work.
5. BBQ Shrimp & Grits
Bold, buttery, and unforgettable. Eat it slow, then wish you’d ordered two.
15 Best Southern Food Dishes
📌 FAQ: Jazz Fest 2025 in New Orleans
Q: What are the top Black music acts at Jazz Fest 2025?
A: Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Lenny Kravitz, Babyface, Ledisi Sings Nina, Lil Wayne + The Roots, Janelle Monáe, Trombone Shorty, PJ Morton, and Tank and the Bangas.
Q: What are the best dishes to eat at Jazz Fest 2025?
A: Fried soft-shell crab po-boy, cochon de lait, jama-jama with plantains, stuffed artichoke, and BBQ shrimp & grits. Mango Freeze is always in order.
Q: When and where is Jazz Fest 2025?
A: Jazz Fest 2025 takes place from April 24 to May 4, 2025, at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans.
Q: Why is Jazz Fest important to Black culture?
A: Jazz Fest was founded to honor the roots of jazz and New Orleans music, which are deeply tied to Black history, creativity, and resilience.
Final Thoughts
Jazz Fest is a reminder that Black culture doesn’t just perform—it defines. This city’s sound and taste come from Black brilliance, Black resistance, and Black joy. So while big names might headline, it’s the deep flavor and deeper soul that make this festival unforgettable.
Pull up. Eat good. Dance hard. This is our house, and Jazz Fest is our proof.