Published on:
May 1st, 2026
From sound to flavor to movement, Jamaica is taking center stage Jazz Fest 2026! These are just a few highlights from the Cultural Exchange Pavilion, with reggae and dancehall rhythms next to traditional Jonkunnu masqueraders parading and the flavors of the island, including jerk mushrooms, oxtail, escovitch, a signature rum punch, and more, are felt in every corner. The pavilion features artist demonstrations with handcrafted textiles, ceramics, and basketry rooted in Jamaican tradition and resilience.
Music, food, art, and parade... this is Jamaica, alive at Jazz Fest!
Jamaica at Jazz Fest 2026
Jamaica Cultural Exchange- , Photo by Bob Gibson.
Lutan Fyah - Photo by Louis Crispino.
Jerk Mushrooms from the Cultural Exchange food booth. Photo by Bob Gibson.
Escovitch Fish from the Cultural Exchange food booth. Photo by Bob Gibson.
Papa Mali's Shantytown Underground. Photo by Bob Gibson.
Papa Mali_s Shanytown Underground w- Lynn drury-. Photo by Ira Sockowitz.
Papa Mali_s Shanytown Underground w- Lynn drury. Photo by Ira Sockowitz.
Papa Mali's Shantytown Underground hoto by Louis Crispino. (2)
Papa Mali's Shantytown Underground hoto by Louis Crispino.
Papa Mali's Shantytown Underground Photo by Louis Crispino.
ShowJam Mento Band Photo by Louis Crispino.
ShowJam Mento Band, Photo by Louis Crispino.
ShowJam Mento Band - Photo by Louis Crispino.
Protoje, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Sevana - Photo by Louis Crispino.
Sevana, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Sean Paul, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Sean Paul, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Sean Paul, Photo by Louis Crispino.
Sevana, Photo by Kristen Derr.
Sevana, Photo by Kristen Derr.
Jamaican sign artist Russian Brummond
Jazz Fest 2026 day 2 in New Orleans on April 24, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Stephen Marley- Photo by Ira Sockowitz
Stephen Marley- Photo by Ira Sockowitz (2)
Jamaica Cultural Exchange-Jazz Fest 2026,- , Photo by Bob Gibson.
Jamaica Cultural Exchange , Photo by Bob Gibson.
The Silver Lining Serenaders , Photo Kristen Derr.(3)
The Silver Lining Serenaders, Photo Kristen Derr.
Burning Spear - Photo by Kristen Derr.
Ox tails from Afrodisiac, a Jamaican restaurant in Gentilly.
Jamaican Food Booth at Jazz Fest
Rik Jam and The Island Federation Photo by Kristen Derr
Cultural Exchange. Photo by Bob Gibson.
Cultural Exchange. Photo by Bob Gibson.
Mural outside Cultural Exchange Pavilion
Cultural Excange Pavilion exterior
Kaya Jonkunnu Band and Walking Tall Jamaica during Jazz Fest 2026 second weekend (day 5) in New Orleans on April 30, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Kaya Jonkunnu Band and Walking Tall Jamaica during Jazz Fest 2026 second weekend (day 5) in New Orleans on April 30, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Kaya Jonkunnu Band and Walking Tall Jamaica during Jazz Fest 2026 second weekend (day 5) in New Orleans on April 30, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Kaya Jonkunnu Band and Walking Tall Jamaica during Jazz Fest 2026 second weekend (day 5) in New Orleans on April 30, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Kaya Jonkunnu Band and Walking Tall Jamaica during Jazz Fest 2026 second weekend (day 5) in New Orleans on April 30, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Kaya Jonkunnu Band and Walking Tall Jamaica during Jazz Fest 2026 second weekend (day 5) in New Orleans on April 30, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Kaya Jonkunnu Band and Walking Tall Jamaica during Jazz Fest 2026 second weekend (day 5) in New Orleans on April 30, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Kaya Jonkunnu Band and Walking Tall Jamaica during Jazz Fest 2026 second weekend (day 5) in New Orleans on April 30, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Kaya Jonkunnu Band and Walking Tall Jamaica during Jazz Fest 2026 second weekend (day 5) in New Orleans on April 30, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Kaya Jonkunnu Band and Walking Tall Jamaica during Jazz Fest 2026 second weekend (day 5) in New Orleans on April 30, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Kaya Jonkunnu Band and Walking Tall Jamaica during Jazz Fest 2026 second weekend (day 5) in New Orleans on April 30, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Kaya Jonkunnu Band and Walking Tall Jamaica during Jazz Fest 2026 second weekend (day 5) in New Orleans on April 30, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Kaya Jonkunnu Band and Walking Tall Jamaica during Jazz Fest 2026 second weekend (day 5) in New Orleans on April 30, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Kaya Jonkunnu Band and Walking Tall Jamaica during Jazz Fest 2026 second weekend (day 5) in New Orleans on April 30, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Kaya Jonkunnu Band and Walking Tall Jamaica during Jazz Fest 2026 second weekend (day 5) in New Orleans on April 30, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Kaya Jonkunnu Band and Walking Tall Jamaica during Jazz Fest 2026 second weekend (day 5) in New Orleans on April 30, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Kaya Jonkunnu Band and Walking Tall Jamaica during Jazz Fest 2026 second weekend (day 5) in New Orleans on April 30, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Member of the Kaya Jonkunnu Band and Walking Tall Jamaica parade dances with Finn Goodrich, 5, during Jazz Fest 2026 second weekend (day 5) in New Orleans on April 30, 2026. Photo by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee RHRphoto.com @rhrphotography
Show Jam Monto Band at Jazz Fest 2026. Photo by Louis Crispino.
Show Jam Monto Band at Jazz Fest 2026. Photo by Louis Crispino.
Show Jam Monto Band at Jazz Fest 2026. Photo by Louis Crispino.
Show Jam Monto Band at Jazz Fest 2026. Photo by Louis Crispino.
Topp Brass Plays Ska- - Photo by Ira Sockowitz.
Topp Brass Plays Ska - Photo by Ira Sockowitz.
