New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, has just unveiled its featured cast for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds Race Course, scheduled from April 25 to 28 and from May 2 to 5.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the annual celebration of the unique culture and heritage of New Orleans and Louisiana, has released its special lineup for the 2024 festival, during which 17 bands and a wide variety of artisans from throughout Colombia will present their unique sounds and traditions.

According to a press statement by the organisers, the eight-day event scheduled from April 25 to 28 and May 2 to 5, draws nearly half a million fans from all over the world each year to the New Orleans Festival, where global artists alongside local talents showcase many styles of music across 14 different stages at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans.

The statement adds that iconic globally-renowned artists such as The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Chris Stapleton, Neil Young Crazy Horse and The Killers, among many more are scheduled to appear at the 2024 Jazz Fest. Colombian salsa, cumbia, champeta, vallenato, chirimia, currulao, and more will be performed as daily parades lead festival-goers to the Cultural Exchange Village, where guests can meet Indigenous and Afro-Colombian artisans demonstrating their process, purchase fine crafts, and enjoy traditional food and drinks from Colombia.

The organisers say that there are 13 stages, 70 food booths and three arts and crafts marketplaces and more than 5,000 musicians are expected to perform, as will New Orleans’ signature second line parades featuring vibrant Mardi Gras Indians and brass bands.

They add that for the first time, there will be two four-day weekends, Thursday to Sunday. In past years, Jazz Fest has consisted of a three-day opening weekend and four-day closing weekend.

The organisers add that the festival’s food options are just as curated and robust as the music. Restaurants and small businesses from across the city and state serve up Louisiana cuisine like muffuletta, beignets and jambalaya.

Some of the most popular eats include Crawfish Monica, soft-shell crab and cochon de lait po’boys, and pheasant, quail and andouille gumbo. There are also vegan and vegetarian-friendly choices as well as wine, beer and nonalcoholic refreshments like frozen cafe au laits and fresh-squeezed lemonade, the statement adds.