2026 Congo Square Rhythms Festival
Congo Square was a gathering place for enslaved people during the 18th and 19th centuries to practice their ancestral African traditions and culture. The space is also seen as the birthplace of New Orleans jazz and the city's music scene as a whole.
This legacy is honored by the Congo Square Rhythm Festival, presented by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation. Taking place on March 28 and 29, this is a free festival that celebrates the music, dancing, and food New Orleans is famous for.
Performers
The 2026 Congo Square Rhythm festival will have two full days of exciting musical talent! There will be two stages: the Tremé Stage and the Congo Square Rhythm Stage. Some of the featured artists include New Breed Brass Band, Tonya Boyd-Cannon, Zigaboo Modeliste, and Big Sam's Funky Nation.
Arts Market
The festival will feature an art market that showcases dozens of local artists. Artists will be selling jewelry, clothing, photography, and more. The art market will have handmade artwork, as well as imported goods. The art market will honor the African influence that is ever-present in New Orleans with African textiles, wood sculptures, and glasswork on display. These pieces will be shown along with contemporary pieces that are an ode to the African American experience in New Orleans. The art market will blend African and Southern traditions to emulate the melting pot that is this city!
Food
The Congo Square Rhythm Festival will also honor the delicious cuisine New Orleans is known for with influence from the African diaspora. There will be New Orleans classics such as gumbo, jambalaya, and étouffée. You can also taste a bite of African culture with West African dishes such as jollof rice and Caribbean dishes such as oxtail stew.
Other Programming
In the spirit of celebrating New Orleans' culture, there will also be a Mardi Gras Indian battle! Three tribes will "battle" in Congo Square, which consists of song, dance, and costume competitions. The tribes will then come together for a united prayer. There will also be a kids' tent at the festival, where young visitors can partake in free activities from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Festival's Mission
The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation consistently gives back to the community through scholarships, fundraising, and amplifying the voices of marginalized local groups. Class Got Brass, presented by the Gia Maoine Prima Foundation, is an example of this. This is a foundation program that supports music education in local schools with an emphasis on traditional New Orleans brass band music. Middle and high school students in the city form brass bands and compete in a second line competition with celebrity judges. The prize is over $50,000 worth of instruments and music supplies for their school! This competition will take place on Saturday in Armstrong Park.
Admission Information
The Congo Square Rhythm Festival will take place at Louis Armstrong Park on Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29. There will be music from 10:45 a.m .to 7:30 p.m. both days. Entry is free for all visitors! For more information, visit jazzandheritage.org.
