The Young Leadership Council (YLC) has announced the lineup for the 2026 "Wednesday at the Square" spring concert series, bringing nine weeks of free live music to Lafayette Square in downtown New Orleans. The popular outdoor event will run every Wednesday from March 11 through May 6, with performances scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. in the heart of the Central Business District.
The series is free and open to the public, and traditionally marks the start of the city's spring festival season, drawing thousands of residents and visitors to the park each week for live music, food vendors, and drinks. WWL and our sister stations Magic 101.9, B97 and Bayou 95.7 are proud to provide support.
Organizers say this year's lineup highlights the breadth of New Orleans' music scene, featuring funk, brass, zydeco, and soul performers. Headliners include local favorites such as Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers, Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, and Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet.
The full 2026 schedule includes:
March 11: Big Sam's Funky Nation with Zahria Sims Collective
March 18: Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen with Electric Ramble
March 25: Bonerama with Bon Bon Vivant
April 1: Jelly Joseph featuring Nigel Hall with Ashton Hines and The Big Easy Brawlers
April 8: Flow Tribe featuring Alfred Banks with Zita
April 15: Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet with River Eckert Band
April 22: Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers with Kings of Brass
April 29: Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers with La Tran-K Band
May 6: Brass-A-holics with Justin Garner
While the event is known for its lively crowds and dance-friendly atmosphere, it also serves as a major fundraiser for the Young Leadership Council. Proceeds from food and beverage sales help fund the organization's community projects and leadership initiatives across the New Orleans area.
The concerts take place at Lafayette Square, where attendees typically bring blankets or folding chairs and gather after work for music and socializing. Food vendors and beverage stations operate inside the park throughout the evening.
"Wednesday at the Square" has become one of New Orleans' most recognizable weekly music traditions, serving as a midweek gathering spot for locals as temperatures warm and festival season begins. With a lineup built almost entirely around Louisiana musicians, the series continues to highlight the city's homegrown sound while raising money for civic projects that benefit the community.