NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation will welcome festivalgoers from near and far for the 20th anniversary celebration of the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival taking place Oct. 9-11 in New Orleans’ Lafayette Square Park. Friday’s performances run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The three-day festival presents music performances by some of the Gulf South’s best, culinary delights ranging from savory barbecue to New Orleans’ Creole traditions, uniquely crafted glassware, jewelry, clothing, and more from local artisans, and a festival experience that welcomes festivalgoers of all ages. General admission is free, and livestreaming is made available by the festival’s sole broadcast partner, Jazz & Heritage Community Radio WWOZ 90.7 FM. A limited number of VIP Passes are available for purchase. For more information, visit www.crescentcitybluesfest.com.
“The Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival is a long-standing monument of culture and community in the Crescent City. Its resilience over the last 20 years is a testament to the enduring power of music, traditions, and the spirit of the city that brings people together,” said Foundation Interim Executive Director Sarita M. Carriere. “Blues music is deeply woven into New Orleans’ cultural fabric, and as stewards of culture, we remain committed to honoring and preserving the contributions of blues for generations to come.”
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT & A SPECIAL TRIBUTE
The Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival spans every corner of Lafayette Square Park, with the festival kicking off Friday evening on the St. Charles Avenue Stage and performances across both the St. Charles Avenue and Camp Street stages on Saturday and Sunday. Among the weekend’s headliners are Grammy Award winner Ruthie Foster, acclaimed singer and guitarist Samantha Fish, and legendary musician Booker T. Jones, a multi-Grammy Award winner and recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. The festival weekend offers nonstop music with 18 performances across both stages featuring world-class talent, including George Porter Jr. & the Runnin’ Partners, Cedric Burnside, Little Freddie King, The Zac Schulze Gang, Johnny Sansone, Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience featuring Marcella Simien, and many more. The full music lineup is available at www.crescentcitybluesfest.com.
Kicking off Saturday’s lineup of performances on the St. Charles Avenue Stage is a special tribute to Scott Aiges, who passed away earlier this year. Aiges served as the Foundation’s Director of Programs, Marketing, and Communications from 2007 to 2019, and championed music, culture, and public service across New Orleans and beyond. The Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival will feature an All-Star Tribute to Scott Aiges, honoring his cherished memory and celebrated legacy. Musicians participating in the tribute are to be announced.
FOOD & ART VENDORS
In addition to the entertainment, an annual attraction of the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival is the abundance of culinary delights and works of art that festgoers can explore. Over 20 local artisans will be featured in the Arts Market, showcasing their handmade creations including portraits, ceramics, glassware, fashionable clothing, body & skin care, and everything in between. 2026 Arts Market vendors include Bayousoap Co., Ridgewalker Glass, Passion Lilie, Lasalle & Jackson™, Kina B. Handcrafted, among many others. The Food Market features 14 local culinary and pastry chefs offering delights to fill your stomach while the music fills your soul. Menu items range from southern barbecue to seafood to international cuisine to culinary traditions of the diaspora. 2026 Food Market vendors include Cochon King BBQ, Central City BBQ & Las Cruces Tex Mex, Divine Cuisine, Magasin Vietnamese Cafe, Que Pasta Nola, Keyala’s Pralines, and more. For a full list of vendors, visit www.crescentcitybluesfest.com.