Fans of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival can look forward to an early Christmas gift this year, as producers have announced the release date for the 2026 music lineup. The much-anticipated roster will be unveiled on social media on Thursday, December 11, marking a departure from the festival’s usual mid-January announcement timeframe.
The 2026 edition of Jazz Fest will span two weekends, occurring from April 23-26 and April 30-May 3. This announcement comes as a welcome surprise, as it allows fans to indulge in speculation about potential acts well before the New Year.
As the release date approaches, discussions about potential performances are already underway. Among the names circulating in fan circles is David Byrne, the former lead singer of the Talking Heads. Byrne, known for his innovative live shows, delivered a memorable performance at the 2018 festival and is currently touring, with a tour poster revealing a blurred-out date for April 26—a date many speculate could align with his return to Jazz Fest.
Another artist whose name has surfaced is Rod Stewart, who also graced the Jazz Fest stage in 2018. Stewart is scheduled to tour the southern United States in mid-April before heading to Las Vegas for additional shows. With performances lined up in Arkansas and Oklahoma just days before Jazz Fest, he could potentially return to the main stage during the festival.
Country and bluegrass star Tyler Childers, who recently sold out the Smoothie King Center, is another likely contender. With a European tour kicking off in March and a standalone performance in Dallas on April 23, he may use this show as a lead-in to his appearance at Jazz Fest.
Also on the potential bill is the legendary Bob Dylan. His current tour includes stops in Louisiana shortly after the Jazz Festival, potentially ruling him out as a headliner for the event itself. Dylan last performed at the festival in 2006 and has a storied history with Jazz Fest, including appearances in 1993 and at an evening concert in 2003.
As the 2026 festival approaches, fans can expect a wide-ranging lineup similar to recent years, which has typically featured a blend of major pop acts, classic rock legends, emerging rock bands, and prominent rappers and R&B artists. Alongside these national names, the festival will warmly showcase a plethora of Louisiana artists, contributing to the unique cultural experience that defines Jazz Fest.
With the early lineup announcement just around the corner, excitement is building, and anticipation for Jazz Fest tickets may soon fill holiday stockings.
