If New Orleanians once traced the year through tentpole music festivals, it would normally start in October with major events like the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience. As of 2022, though, Voodoo has been on indefinite hiatus — as has spring’s BUKU — and that has left a new hole in the fall calendar.
While a successor hasn’t yet swooped in to snag up the role of bringing major touring acts through City Park, there’s still plenty of music on the calendar, often in smaller packages. And that includes new fests and efforts to keep the music going.
Gretna Fest is still a massive festival filling the downtown blocks of Gretna. Its formula typically has been to combine some rock and pop legends with a mix of touring and local bands. This year, the three-day event, Oct. 6-8, is headlined by Lynryd Skynyrd, Kool & The Gang and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. The lineup also features Lukas Nelson & Power of the Real, The Temptations, Lee Brice, Ashley McBryde, Trampled by Turtles, Los Lobos, Blues Traveler, Living Color and more. A number of great New Orleans-based acts also perform, including Irma Thomas, Dumpstaphunk, The Iceman Special, Chapel Hart, Delfeayo Marsalis, Dwayne Dopsie, Water Seed, Kermit Ruffins and more.
Gambit’s guide to festivals, music, comedy, theater, dance and more in New Orleans and beyond.
October also will see a number of genre-specific festivals around the city. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s free Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival returns to Lafayette Square on Oct. 13-15 with two stages. The lineup includes Tab Benoit, Lurrie Bell, Samantha Fish, Little Freddie King, Shemekia Copeland and more. The NOLA Funk Fest on Oct. 20-22 will feature three stages at the New Orleans Jazz Museum and many of the city’s funk giants. The lineup includes a Meters tribute with Leo Nocentelli, the Krasno/Moore Project, George Porter Jr., Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Ivan Neville and more. Gentilly Fest celebrates local music on two stages at Pontchartrain Park. Treme Fall Festival highlights an array of local music on Oct. 21 at St. Augustine’s Church.
The family-friendly Que Pasa Fest on Oct. 7-8 in Metairie’s Lafreniere Park will celebrate Hispanic heritage with local and visiting musicians. L.O.C.A.L.S. Fest returns to Armstrong Park on Oct. 21 with Raw Revolution, Vegas Cola, Jamal Batiste and more. The new Dark City Fest will focus on goth and industrial music with shows Oct. 20-22 at Siberia, Hi-Ho Lounge and the AllWays Lounge & Cabaret. And Sister Nancy tops this year’s NOLA Reggae Fest on Oct. 27-29 at Congo Square along with sets by The Meditations, Tanto Metro & Devonte and more.
Tourism organization New Orleans & Co. has designated October as New Orleans Music Month and starts things off Sept. 28 through Oct. 8 with the return of NOLA X NOLA, a promotion of concerts happening at a number of venues around the city. And bookending the month is NOLA MusiCon, a new conference Oct. 24-27 focused on the New Orleans music economy.
There are many more community festivals happening this fall, and most will feature music in some way.
A handful of some of the best events happening within just a short drive from home.
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