Here’s How Mexico Is Being Celebrated at the 2025 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Art by Stephany Torres for Remezcla.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is celebrating Latin American cultures in a huge way. This year, the massive and diverse festival will take place at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, LA, from Apr. 24 to May 4. Known to spotlight a different culture from around the world with the Expedia Cultural Exchange Pavilion, Mexican heritage is getting the platform at the annual fest this year.
“New Orleans and Louisiana culture famously blends African, French, Spanish, Native American and many other influences together to create arguably the richest culture in America,” New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival’s producer/director, Quint Davis, exclusively told Remezcla about the festival. “Every year at Jazz Fest in the Expedia Cultural Exchange Pavilion we celebrate this extraordinary heritage by focusing on one of the many countries that share some of the same influences. This year we celebrate Mexico, offering Festivalgoers a great chance to experience some of the best music, art and cuisine that country has to offer.”
Part of the experience includes showcasing both emerging and well-established Mexican acts on the festival’s lineup. During the first week, Mexican talent like Lila Downs, El Dusty, Marimba Nandayapa, Los Texmaniacs, and Mixanteña de Santa Cecilia will take on the Expedia Cultural Exchange Pavilion to showcase their Latin American roots. The second week includes performances by La Santa Cecilia, La Insistencia Norteña, and Mexican Institute of Sound. Santana and Banda MS are also part of this year’s Mexican headliners, who will perform on the festival’s second weekend.
Beyond music, the festival will also feature a glimpse of Mexican culture by featuring a Mexican parade led by Matlachines Los Venados, a special Louisiana Folklife Celebrates Mexico with Mariachi Jalisco performance, and Pow Wow presentations with Calpulli Tonalequeh Aztec Dancers during selected times on both weekends. There will also be special Mexican art exhibits on the festival’s first weekend and Mexican food vendors on the second weekend.
Interested in experiencing Mexico in New Orleans? Expedia is offering a Ticket & Travel Package with discounted general admission tickets when you buy their bundle, which also includes a flight and a hotel. This option is available from now to Apr. 15 for first week attendees, and until Apr. 20 for second week attendees. For more information, check out the festival’s official partner’s website.
Additional ticket options are available now via the festival’s website.