It's another one of those ritual days on the New Orleans liturgical calendar: The long-anticipated Jazz Fest 2026 cubes are available for the general public (as well as the particular public).
Also available: The full list of food vendors, a list so long, Quint Davis claims, "It'll freak you out."
At the New Orleans Jazz Fest 2026 press gathering at the Fairgrounds, representatives from the city council, NOPD, NOFD, Shell, Morris Bart, and many other key Jazz Fest stakeholders came together to offer remarks and break news regarding this year's festivities as they usher in the festival season.
The largest announcement came from Shell: The 20-year partner is officially locked into another 5 years as the Jazz Fest presenting sponsor.
"Jazz Fest represents the soul of New Orleans," said a Shell USA spokesman. "It may not be as big as the Super Bowl, but we do Jazz Fest every year. I think Jazz Fest wins."
JAZZ FEST INFORMATION
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FULL LIST/MAP of JAZZ FEST FOOD VENDORS
To cap off the proceedings, Quint Davis unveiled the official 2026 festival poster, which celebrates Louis Armstrong's 125th birthday. The artwork features the legendary New Orleans musician taking a ride on the iconic streetcar while blowing his trumpet.
"Along for the ride are Trombone Shorty, Jon Batiste, Benny Jones, and the late great Uncle Lionel from the Treme Brass Band," Davis explained.
New Orleans City Council President JP Morrell attended in the representation of city government.
"I bring greetings on behalf of the mayor, who could not be here today because she's in Baton Rouge trying to negotiate an extension on our FEMA grants," announced Morrell.
"After more than 50 years, (Jazz Fest) remains one of the most influential cultural festivals in the world. From Jazz and blues icons to brass bands, gospel choirs, zydeco players, Mardi Gras Indian Tribes," Morrell explained, "this year more than 600 artists will take the stage, and 85% of them are from Louisiana and the New Orleans area. This festival generates close to half a billion dollars of economic impact each year and welcomes half a million visitors, half of them from out of town... It's one of the most important economic engines this city has."
CEO of New Orleans & Co., Walt Leger, also took the stage to break the news that the city of New Orleans has finally obtained the long-awaited UNESCO designation as a creative city of music.
See the official Jazz Fest 2026 poster and hear all the breaking news on New Orleans Jazz Fest 2026
