Congo Square (OUTDOORS)
Congo Square is one of the most hallowed sites in American music history. This area, once a grassy commons behind the original city rampart (now Rampart Street), was one of several gathering places for enslaved people from Africa and their descendants. In the 1700s, under French and Spanish colonial rule, slaves were permitted to buy and sell goods on Sundays. They also played African-style musical instruments and performed dances that originated from their native homes. After New Orleans became part of the United States in the early 1800s, a city ordinance limited gatherings of slaves to this spot, and only until sunset. Still, the weekly ritual sustained a continuum of African culture in the New World, with profound implications for the future of music.
Upcoming Shows
International Arts Festival NOLA 2025 September 26th-28th!
On Sunday, September 28th, the International Arts Festival culminates in a spectacular celebration at the sacred ground where jazz was born: Congo Square in beautiful Louis Armstrong Park.
This is more than just a concert; it's a full-day, open-air festival experience that honors a legacy of resilience, rhythm, and artistic freedom. For centuries, Congo Square was a gathering place where the city's enslaved and free people of color could express their heritage through music and dance. We are proud to continue this tradition by filling this historic space with a vibrant tapestry of global and local sounds.
The festival grounds will come alive with an eclectic mix of genres, featuring Steel Pulse, Alexey Martí, Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet, Luciano, and Pieces of a Dream. Explore a diverse marketplace of art, crafts, and food vendors, and connect with people from over 20 nations in a joyful, inclusive atmosphere.
For 37 years, the International Arts Foundation has been promoting the benefits of cultural diversity and its impact on New Orleans’ unique culture. The International Arts Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by Ernest D. Kelly in 1987. The Foundation supports local community projects and economic development, and is committed to helping rebuild the City of New Orleans and revitalize the vibrant culture for which New Orleans is renowned.
The IAF utilizes traditional customs, including music, dance, song, and folklore, to further culturally enrich the community. It reflects a perfect harmony of New Orleans, Caribbean, African, South American, and European cultures. It maintains art, education, and international exchange as key components of its work.
Kick off the International Arts Festival weekend in style on Friday, Sept 26th with Big Chief Donald Harrison, Jr. Gerald Albright, and Alaine at The Fillmore. Saturday, Sept 27th, experience "International Ladies Lounge" at the Orpheum Theater with Irvin Mayfield, Estelle, and more!
Tickets start at $55.70
