Satchmo SummerFest 2026
Every summer, the Satchmo SummerFest celebrates Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong and his influence on New Orleans culture and music.
Memorializing the life, legacy, and music of one of the father's of jazz, the festival offers a variety of activities, food, and live music. The first weekend of every August is a calendar full of celebrating Satchmo's birthday. Each year, the festival comes back with a bang, and this year is no exception.
Get your dancing shoes on and cancel your plans; it's time to celebrate Satchmo this August 1 and 2.
Coming Back Even Bigger and Better
After major renovations at the world-class New Orleans Jazz Museum, the festival will take place in an upgraded venue, with refreshed outdoor areas and improved visitor amenities for attendees to enjoy. The event will offer a complete range of New Orleans music from traditional jazz to R&B and everything in between. Along with live performances on the main stage, there will also be more intimate piano sessions inside the museum. There will also be on-site beverage and merchandise sales.
Returning favorites such as Kermit Ruffins and John Boutté will be performing, along with new artists including Jenna McSwain and Linda Aubert. Taking place on the Satchmo Legacy Stage will be various lectures and research presentations discussing Armstrong's and jazz's impact on the Big Easy. Some presentations include Dr. Robert Mikell on Armstrong's role in popularizing jazz across six continents and Lisa La Touche on the intersection of tap dance and Armstrong's artistry.
The Jazz Mass at St. Augustine's Church's main sanctuary will also be making a return for the first time since Hurricane Ida. Taking place at one of New Orleans' most treasured landmarks, the ceremony is remembered to be one of the most meaningful parts of the weekend. After the mass, the Satchmo Parade will march through Tremé, the neighborhood where Armstrong's musical journey was born.
Come One, Come All
With free admission all weekend and no need to RSVP, anyone and everyone is welcome to stop by whenever they please.
The event is put on by the New Orleans Tourist and Cultural Foundation (NOTCF) and French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI). These are non-profit organizations focused on preserving the city's excitement and accessibility. The FQFI is well known for hosting some of New Orleans' favorite festivals and for prioritizing accessibility for all for over 40 years. The NOTCF works hard each year to promote the cultural economy in the Big Easy with various initiatives to preserve and improve economic well-being in New Orleans.
For more information, check out FQFI's website or Instagram, or call at (504) 522-5730.
If you are interested in being a part of the magic that is the Satchmo SummerFest, click here to register to volunteer at the event. For questions regarding volunteering, email volunteers@fqfi.org.
