Two festivals, one weekend
Festival International and Jazz Fest are both within 90 minutes. Here's what to know.
Louisiana's best music weekend of the year is here—and Baton Rouge is 45 minutes from one and 90 from the other.
What it means: Baton Rouge sits at the center of Louisiana's cultural geography. World-class music is within an hour's drive. That doesn't happen everywhere.
The music score:
Festival International de Louisiane runs through Sunday in downtown Lafayette. The 40th anniversary edition is headlined by Stephen Marley and folk icon Rhiannon Giddens, with more than a dozen countries represented across seven stages. Free to attend.
In New Orleans, Jazz Fest is already underway at the Fair Grounds—the city's biggest event outside of Mardi Gras.
- This weekend's headliners include Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, Kings of Leon, Lorde, David Byrne, Ani DiFranco and Nas, alongside locals Jon Batiste, Irma Thomas, Big Freedia and The Revivalists.
- Louisiana residents get discounted tickets—single-day admission starts at $99.
- The fest is cashless; plan accordingly.
- The second weekend runs April 30–May 3.
See the full schedule for set times and stages.
Reality bites: Parking will be a challenge at both events, so plan and be patient.
The bottom line: Two world-class festivals. One weekend. Enjoy!
