If you’re visiting New Orleans this April, you're doing it right - there are hundreds of shows to catch, from daytime festival sets to after-hours Jazz Fest shows that run into the wee hours of the morning. Live music is 24/7 in New Orleans, but we’ve cherry-picked a few can’t-miss shows for the month ahead.
Music Festivals in May
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Jazz Fest returns from April 24 - May 4 with performances from Pearl Jam, Luke Combs, Lenny Kravitz, Laufey, and many more! Check out our Ultimate Guide to Jazz Fest here.
Wednesday at the Square
Wednesday at the Square concludes in May with performances from Jourdan Thibodeaux et las Rôdailleurs + Bon Bon Vivant on May 7. The show is free to attend and held from 5-8 p.m.
Bayou Boogaloo
Returning to Bayou St. John May 16-18, Bayou Boogaloo is the unofficial kickoff to the summer in New Orleans. Arrive by land or by water and catch performances from Honey Island Swamp Band, Leo Nocentelli, Jelly Joseph, Big Freedia, and more. Tickets are $24.50 for single day general admission with VIP options available.
JAZZ FEST AFTER HOURS SHOWS
Dew Drop Inn
Dew Drop Nights: After Fest Series features live music from April 24 – May 4 at the Dew Drop Inn. Enjoy performances from Big Freedia, Craig Robinson, and more! See the schedule here.
Good Measure
For Good Measure: Nicholas Payton presents Phyllis Dilla ft. Sasha Masakowski and Karriem Riggins at Good Measure, located inside The Barnett, on May 2 at 9 p.m.
The Orpheum
Remi Wolf performs at The Orpheum Theatre on Sunday, May 4 at 8 p.m.
Toulouse Theatre
Toulouse Theatre has shows every night after Jazz Fest, including Stanton & Friends on May 1, Boyfriend ft. Members of The Revivalists on May 3, and much more.
Maple Leaf Bar
Enjoy lots of live music during Festin’ at the Leaf! Check here to see who’s performing and when.
Tipitina’s
17 shows, 12 days, all ending on May 4 with Dumpstaphunk! You won’t want to miss it.
Joy Theater
The Joy Theater Presents: Joy's Fest After Dark Series 2025. Crescent City Classics is an all-star jam featuring an intergenerational lineup of 16 powerhouse musicians—including members of The Meters, Dumpstaphunk, Lettuce, and more! Catch it on May 3.
MORE MUSIC THIS MAY
Cinco de Mayo Fest
Head out to Lafreniere Park in Metairie for Cinco De Mayo festival, the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in Louisiana, with performances from Mannie Fresh, Partners-N-Crime, and more! Tickets are $38 in advance and $50+ at the gate.
Tipitina’s Free Fridays
Every Friday this summer starting on May 23, head to Tipitina’s for a free concert. No tickets are needed for these concerts (ages 21+). The series kicks off with Brass-A-Holics on May 23 and continues with Gov't Majik on May 30 with more music to come each Friday through August 29.
For even more music, check out the WWOZ LiveWire Music Calendar, What to Do the Week Between Jazz Fest Weekends, and our Jazz Fest After Hours music calendar here.