Live Music in New Orleans with Kids: Family-Friendly Jazz, Brunch & Festivals
Looking for live music in New Orleans with kids? Discover family-friendly jazz, street musicians, festivals, jazz brunch, Nickel-a-Dance, and outdoor performances your whole family will love.
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Traveling to New Orleans with kids often comes with one big question: can we really experience the music and still keep it family-friendly? I can say with complete confidence that the answer is yes. So many of our favorite family memories in this city are wrapped up in music—kids dancing on uneven sidewalks, listening quietly in historic rooms, or twirling on a wooden dance floor in a neighborhood most visitors never see.
New Orleans doesn’t separate music from daily life, and that’s what makes it so accessible for families. You don’t have to plan every moment around a formal concert or have an elaborate family itinerary. Instead, the music simply finds you.
A Classic New Orleans Music Experience for Families: Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall is jazz in its purest form. There’s no bar, no amplification, and no distractions—just a small historic room, wooden benches, and musicians who are quite literally legends. Many have been performing for decades, carrying the sound of New Orleans across generations. I love bringing kids here, especially for earlier performances, because it teaches them that music can be something you truly listen to. The sets are short, the environment is intimate, and the experience feels special without being overwhelming.
Street Music in the French Quarter: Jackson Square and Royal Street
If you prefer something more spontaneous, Jackson Square and Royal Street are some of the most family-friendly places to hear live music in the city. On most days, you’ll find musicians busking for a living—lively brass bands that instantly pull kids into dance mode, traditional jazz ensembles, and even classical trios. What I love most about these spots is the freedom. Kids can listen for two minutes or twenty, and no one minds if they sway, spin, wander or, as my daughter used to do, run in circles.
Nickel-A-Dance at Snug Harbor: A True Local Tradition
One of my favorite unexpected music experiences with kids is Nickel-A-Dance at Snug Harbor. This long-running tradition is exactly what it sounds like—live jazz, an open dance floor, and a cover charge that’s literally just a nickel. Kids aren’t expected to sit quietly; they’re invited to dance, spin, clap, and soak in live jazz alongside locals of all ages. It feels like old-school New Orleans in the best possible way.
Family-Friendly Music Festivals in New Orleans
New Orleans festivals are famously welcoming, and several are especially easy to enjoy with kids. French Quarter Fest is free, outdoors, and full of daytime performances that naturally draw families. Plus, they have a dedicated kids area, Chevron Children’s STEM Zone, with local community groups and fun activities. Jazz Fest also has designated kids’ areas, hands-on activities, a stage with excellent music and performances, and interactive programming. Beignet Fest is another favorite, often booking performers kids genuinely recognize, like the Imagination Movers.
Casual Live Music With Kids: NOLA Brewing Company
For a laid-back option that truly works for all ages, NOLA Brewing Company is one of our go-to spots. There’s excellent pizza, locally brewed beer for adults, arcade games for kids, and free live local music on the weekends. The space is open, welcoming, and forgiving—perfect if your kids need to move while you listen.
Intimate Jazz and Small Plates at Three Muses
When we’re looking for something quieter and more atmospheric, Three Muses feels like a step back in time. The room is intimate, the small plates are fantastic, and the music feels close and personal. This is a great fit for families with older kids who can appreciate a listening-focused environment and a slower pace.
Jazz Brunch in New Orleans: A Family Favorite
Jazz brunch is one of the easiest ways to experience live music with kids, because it naturally blends into the rhythm of a family day. Atchafalaya Restaurant offers lively but approachable jazz alongside an excellent brunch menu.
Another jazz brunch that truly stands out is the Cajun Brunch at Tigermen Den in the Bywater. Tigermen Den’s family-friendly Cajun Brunch is one of those experiences that feels like you’ve been let in on a local secret. Held on the second Sunday of each month from October through May, this late-morning gathering blends live Cajun music, homemade gumbo, and a welcoming, come-as-you-are atmosphere that works beautifully for families. The space has a warm wooden dance floor and a relaxed, neighborhood feel, and at some point during the brunch there’s a beginner Cajun two-step lesson that invites everyone—kids included—onto the floor. Whether you’re brand new to Cajun dancing or have done it before, it’s joyful, interactive, and wonderfully unpolished in the best way. For families who want something authentic and off the beaten path, this brunch in the funky Bywater neighborhood is a standout memory waiting to happen.
Outdoor Live Music at the New Orleans Jazz Museum
Another of my favorite ways to enjoy live music with kids—especially on a beautiful day—is the New Orleans Jazz Museum Balcony Courtyard Series at the Old US Mint. Performances take place outdoors, with music drifting through the French Quarter and the Mississippi River just steps away. Kids can move around and listen at their own pace, while adults still enjoy high-quality, authentic performances.
Where You Stay Makes the Experience Easier
Experiencing New Orleans music with kids isn’t about cramming your schedule—it’s about letting the culture unfold naturally. Where you stay plays a big role in that balance. Our home in New Orleans is located in the Uptown neighborhood of Milan (the best neighborhood in our opinion) which makes it easy to take the streetcar down to the French Quarter to enjoy the music, food, and culture during the day while still coming home to a peaceful place at night. Whether you’re planning a weekend in New Orleans with kids or a week long family trip, there’s a ton of music to be experienced! If you’re planning a family trip to New Orleans and want help choosing the best music experiences, neighborhoods, or events for your kids’ ages and interests, I’m always happy to help you plan a stay that feels both memorable and authentic.
