Uncle Sam Jam 2026
For over 30 years, Jefferson Parish has celebrated Independence Day with Uncle Sam Jam in Lafreniere Park in Metairie.
This free, family-friendly event features live musical performances by both local and national artists, good food from local vendors, and concludes with a stunning fireworks show over the park grounds.
Organized by Visit Jefferson Parish, the annual event takes place every year on the 3rd of July. With a wide selection of dishes available for purchase from local food vendors, as well as a variety of music from artists of all genres, this festive and fun celebration attracts thousands of visitors from all over the area.
Some of the past musical performers on the Al Copeland Meadow Stage have included the Top Cats, Shenandoah, Cowboy Mouth, the Victory Belles, Sara Evans, Don McLean, the Mixed Nuts, Wilson Phillips, the Frontmen, Amanda Shaw, Joe Nichols, the Eli Young Band, Marc Broussard, Thompson Square, Travis Tritt, Ghost Town, the Yat Pack, and more.
Violet Peters, president and CEO of the Jefferson Convention and Visitors Bureau (AKA Visit Jefferson Parish), was asked about what Uncle Sam Jam means to the community and what can someone expect who has never attended the event before. "Uncle Sam Jam was established back in the mid-90s, and, of course, it's a celebration of our country. With this year being the 250th birthday of the United States of America, it's an extra special Uncle Sam Jam as we celebrate our great country, she said. "So one thing that you can expect if you're attending for the first time is the fireworks show. As you know, the fireworks become center stage around 9 p.m., and they have really become a tradition for the local community, so we're promoting it for our visitors to come in. This year, Uncle Sam Jam will be on a Friday, so we're definitely promoting it for visitors to come and celebrate the birthday of America on July 3rd and spend the entire holiday weekend in our destination doing things they enjoy, which includes eating like a local, going to swamp tours, NOLA Motorsports, and just enjoying the whole region throughout the holiday weekend."
Uncle Sam Jam brings in thousands of visitors to Jefferson Parish every year. While the actual number does vary every year due to the weather and lineup, Peters says that no matter the variables, when it gets closer to the fireworks show, people come in droves to see it.
Peters says that Uncle Sam Jam also brings people together from across the region for day tripping into Jefferson Parish, which helps to support their hospitality community while providing a positive economic impact to local area businesses and tourism in the parish.
Over the past 30 years, Uncle Sam Jam has grown exponentially, and, this year, they are adding a new element by incorporating a local craft vendor area, which Peters thinks will really add to the festivities. "I think people enjoy that when they go to festivals," Peters said. "They will have the opportunity to see things from vendors that are celebrating the season and celebrating a patriotic-themed festival, so I think that it will add an additional element that will be fun for the whole family."
Peter adds that Uncle Sam Jam is truly a tradition. "It's a tradition that is a staple within our community, and it's one in which we love to share with our visitors who come here and live like a local with us throughout the event. It's such a warm environment, and I don't mean temperature-wise. It's a warm environment, hospitality-wise. The hospitality is wonderful when you're attending Uncle Sam Jam. It's such an inviting event, and it's a great tradition for our local community and one to share with our visiting community. You can just feel that everybody is there to celebrate. We love our event, we love our country, and we are all friends when we are there together."
Admission into Uncle Sam Jam is always free; however, there are also V.I.P. Stars and Stripes passes that are available for purchase, which include:
• Parking inside the gates for one vehicle
• Four V.I.P. wristbands
• Premium viewing area near the stage
• Private cash bar
• Private comfort station and restrooms
Chairs and blankets are allowed inside the festival grounds; however, no outside food is permitted.
General parking passes are available for purchase for $20 and include parking inside of the park for one vehicle. There is also free parking that is available at the Shrine on Airline with a shuttle that runs to and from the Uncle Sam Jam.
The following is a list of items that are and are not allowed inside of the event:
Items Allowed:
• Collapsable soft chairs and blankets
• Cameras
• Baby blankets and strollers
• Umbrellas
• Tents (only allowed in designated areas)
Items Prohibited:
• No outside food and beverages
• No pets are allowed at the concert meadows during the festival/concert hours, except service animals with credentials
• No ice chests or coolers
• No CamelBak backpacks or hydration packs
• No skateboards, hoverboards, roller skates, or bicycles
• No glass or metal containers
• No video and audio recording equipment
• No unauthorized vending or solicitation
• No fireworks or explosives
• No kites or sky lanterns
• No drones or remote-controlled flying devices
This year's Uncle Sam Jam is scheduled for Friday, July 3, 2026, and will feature Grammy-nominated pop group Wilson Phillips, John Waite of the Babys and Bad English, local Louisiana band Bird, and Nashville-based DJ Slim McGraw as musical headliners.
