Jazz Fest 2026 Friday Weekend II
by Kimmie Tubré
Despite a forecast of 100% rain, the Jazz & Heritage Festival started out calm and warm this Friday. For a few golden hours, it felt like the forecast had missed the mark. Fans roamed in, grabbed their festival favorites, and claimed patches of grass like it was any other Jazz Fest morning.
However, the forecast didn't miss this time. By midday, New Orleans did what it does best and flipped the script.
Storm clouds rolled in, and, soon, the Fair Grounds turned into a splashy, muddy playground. Still, the crowd remained, at least for a while. If anything, it seemed as if the rain added fuel to the spirit of the day. In true Jazz Fest fashion, people danced in puddles and happily soaked up the downpours.
With more severe weather looming, sets started earlier and the schedule tightened, unfortunately cutting several local acts in the process. Despite the chaos, the fest pulled off something impressive, getting all three major headliners onstage.
Fans of Lainey Wilson proved to be true diehards. Fresh off another weather-disrupted performance just weeks ago, she powered through the rain with a crowd that refused to budge.
Over at Congo Square, Ziggy Marley brought soulful energy, even slipping in a nod to his father, Bob Marley. Meanwhile, The Black Keys turned up the volume at the Gentilly Stage, delivering a gritty, high-energy set that cut right through the storm.
In the end, the weather forced an early close for the second day in a row. It wasn't the Friday anyone planned, but it became one no one will forget.
Because, at Jazz Fest, even when the skies open up, the music and magic will always find a way through.
#JazzandHeritageFestival, #JazzFest2026 #louisianaHeritage2026, #nola.
