Live Music this October in New Orleans

Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers

Down at Mahogany Jazz Hall, Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers take the stage on October 1. This is a NOLAxNOLA No Cover Event free show.

Erica Falls Presents a Night of Marvin Gaye

Live at Chickie Wah Wah, catch Erica Falls covering Marvin Gaye on October 2. Tickets are $35 in advance.

The Next Level Band ft. Marc Damien + Sunni Patterson

On October 3, head to Blue Nile for a NOLAxNOLA No Cover Event: The Next Level Band ft. Marc Damien + Sunni Patterson.

Havana on the Avenue Annual Cuban Pig Roast ft. Alexey Martí & Afrogumbo

On October 4, head to Columns for a special Hispanic Heritage Month event. Enjoy an afternoon of music on the porch at Columns featuring Alexey Marti & Afrogumbo as well as Havana on the Avenue Annual Cuban Pig Roast. Music is free to the public and will run alongside normal service. Make your reservation through Resy.

This is just the tip of the iceberg! For even more NOLAxNOLA shows, see here. 

Hispanic Heritage Month at the New Orleans Jazz Museum 

The New Orleans Jazz Museum  in partnership with NOLAxNOLA, celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month  with free live shows from September 15 through October 16. The concerts take place every Friday at 2 p.m. in the museum’s third-floor Performance Center. There will be a special balcony show from the courtyard on Tuesday, Oct.13, starting at 5 p.m. Performers include OVJ Collective, Alesia and Sasong, NolaGaita, and Arco Latino. All events are free and open to the public. 

Hispanic Heritage Month at the French Market 

Enjoy the Hispanic Heritage Month weekly outdoor concerts at the French Market. Visiting musicians perform on October 3 and 10 at the French Market Farmers Market from 1-2 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. 

Gentilly Fest 

Music, food, and community are all the focus of Gentilly Fest, a neighborhood festival held in Pontchartrain Park. Enjoy various vendors, plus live music, and activities for the kids on the weekend of October 9-11. This fest is free to attend. 

Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival 

This October 9-11, Crescent City Blues & BBQ Fest returns with three days of music, food, and art. Performers include Ruthie Foster, Samantha Fish, Booker T. Jones, and over a dozens of others. Let’s not forget the food—it’s equal parts music and barbecue festival! Enjoy free admission to the festival all weekend long, which takes place at Lafayette Square Park. 

Crescent City Chamber Music Festival

The Crescent City Chamber Music Festival is a community event that features seven concerts free and open to the public. From October 15-25, the concerts will take place across the city and feature artists from the Manhattan Chamber Players. See here for the full schedule of events.

NOLA Funk Fest 

Get ready to groove to the beats of the funkiest musicians in New Orleans this October 16-18. NOLA Funk Fest is a celebration of Louisiana’s rich music history. Held at Woldenberg Park, performers include Erica Falls, Neville Sons, and Brass-A-Holics as well as headliners Galactic, Allen Toussaint Tribute, and George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners! Tickets start at $32+ for single day general admission. 

Praise Fest 

Every year, Bayou St. John comes alive with Gospel music at Praise Fest. From October 16-18 enjoy three days of hand-clapping, foot-stomping, and soul-touching Gospel music and praise. The festival is free to attend.  

Tremé Fall Fest 

Returning on October 24, Tremé Fall Fest is a celebration of community with food, live music, art, and performances. Tremé is the oldest African American neighborhood in the country. This free-to-attend festival serves as a fundraiser for St. Augustine Church and various community non-profits. Performers at this year’s fest include Corey Henry & the Tremé Funktet, Wanda Rouzan & A Taste of New Orleans, plus more! 

For even more live music in New Orleans, visit the WWOZ LiveWire Music Calendar.