The Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival takes place every October and offers the best in local and traveling jazz, rhythm and blues musicians, and mouth-watering barbecue delights. This family-friendly event also loads up the city with vendors of just about every variety, from food to arts and crafts.
This is an event not to be missed for anyone on vacation in New Orleans. Whether you're in it for the eclectic mix of jazz legends and up-and-coming rock artists, or you want to taste barbecue from top chefs from all over the nation, you'll find what you want here.
Crescent City Blues and Barbecue Festival - one of the highlights of 10 Best Festivals in New Orleans (Read all about New Orleans here)
Highlights of the Crescent City Blues and Barbecue Festival
First up in the highlights of the Crescent City Blues and Barbecue Festival is the music itself. The festival hosts two stages of music and features some of the biggest names in jazz and blues. Such notable artists as Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, and Little Freddie King have graced their stages, and the music never ends.
Next up, the barbecue and arts vendors. As you walk the pathways around Jackson Square, you'll find over a dozen food vendors representing every style of barbeque imaginable. In addition, more than 200 arts and crafts vendors grace the festival, offering everything from hats to paintings, sculptures, jewelry, woodworking, leatherworking, and more.
Great to Know for the Crescent City Blues and Barbecue Festival
By and large, the festival is outdoors in New Orleans, which means it's mostly disability-friendly and navigable by people who use wheelchairs. The outdoor areas of NOLA are pet-friendly but be sure to keep your dog on a leash.
The festival is also a family-friendly event but be aware that it can get very crowded, so if you have little ones, be sure to keep a close eye on them. Also, take any reasonable precautions you would take in a large crowd. The overall atmosphere is one of a continuous party throughout the three days of the festivities.
Crescent City Blues and Barbecue Festival
Location: 701 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Phone: +1 504-658-3200
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