Friday, October 16
Saturday, October 17
Sunday, October 18
Nighttime Shows
Why do nighttime shows matter?
The festival grounds are only part of the weekend. New Orleans venues program shows to coincide with NOLA Funk Fest: touring artists playing intimate club sets, local legends filling their regular rooms, and one-off collaborations you will not see again. Big theatres like the Orpheum, the Saenger and the Fillmore, local institutions like Tipitina's, Chickie Wah Wah and the Maple Leaf, and dozens of smaller rooms all book around a festival weekend.
These shows often sell out or pack the room, especially for artists who played the festival earlier that day. Knowing what is on and where gives you a real advantage.
Where can I find live music at night in New Orleans?
These neighborhoods and venues reliably book around a festival weekend. All are included in our listings by venue. Hot tip: The NOLA.Show app has a handy "Nearby" feature, so when you are out at night you can find shows within a 10 to 15 minute walk (or drive). Download for iOS or Android.
Frenchmen Street: This stretch in the Marigny has gotten more touristy over the years, but the scene is lively and the rooms are close together. Snug Harbor is the old-school intimate club for straight jazz (like a smaller Blue Note). The Blue Nile, d.b.a. and Maison all book heavily on festival weekends. It is a 15 minute walk from the riverfront.
French Quarter: Closest to the festival grounds. Preservation Hall for traditional jazz (advance tickets absolutely mandatory). Toulouse Theater and the House of Blues both book touring acts, and the House of Blues has a smaller, more intimate room in The Parish. The clubs on Bourbon Street are more tourist-oriented and we generally do not list them, although Mayfield's 208 is an exception.
Uptown: Tipitina's hosts marquee shows and is worth the trip. Maple Leaf Bar is a local institution. Le Bon Temps Roule has live music late most nights. Carrollton Station hosts good local acts, and Gasa Gasa books indie and experimental.
Marigny and Bywater: Siberia, Saturn Bar and Hi-Ho Lounge sit on the St Claude Arts Corridor and book local and touring acts. BJ's Lounge and Vaughan's Lounge feature top-shelf local acts you are unlikely to see elsewhere. Look out for smaller bars with regular live music, like Okay Bar.
Mid-City: Chickie Wah Wah brings in national acts and is a small, intimate room to see them in. The Broadside has an outdoor stage and an indoor pavilion, and books a mix of local and touring acts.
Night-by-Night Listings
Late-night shows (after midnight) are grouped with the previous evening. Updated daily.
Listings for NOLA Funk Fest 2026 nighttime shows will appear here as venues announce them. Check back soon, or browse the full calendar.
Do I need tickets for nighttime shows?
On a festival weekend, venues that are usually free will often charge a cover, and popular rooms on Frenchmen Street can have lines out the door. Arrive early for shows you care about, or buy in advance where you can. Most of our listings link to the venue so you can buy online.
Should I tip the band?
Yes. Many of these shows are at small venues where musicians depend on tips. If you are enjoying "free" music, or even if you paid a cover and are having a great time, put something in the tip jar. A lot of tip jars have Venmo QR codes now.
Stay Updated
We update our listings daily as venues announce shows. Bookmark our recently added page to see what is new, or check the main calendar filtered to your dates.
See you on the riverfront, and remember to tip the band.
Get the NOLA.Show App
Browse shows on your phone, filter by date and venue, and never miss a set. Totally free (as in beer), no ads, no account required. It's a public service from a real New Orleans music lover.
