Joining other music festivals and events, New Orleans Jazz Fest is a cashless event. As a result, ticket, food, beverage, craft, and merchandise booths no longer accept cash payments.
The two-weekend music festival has been around since 1970 and is a celebration of everything that is New Orleans – live bands, Louisiana food and beer drinking – is taking only credit and debit cards this year. The 2024 New Orleans Jazz Fest dates are April 25-May 5. Among the bands and musicians playing are the Foo Fighters, Chris Stapleton, the Coral Reefer Band (minus Jimmy Buffett, of course) and the Beach Boys.
New Orleans Jazzfest Forms Accepted Payment
Here is what will be accepted at Jazzfest:
- Major Credit Cards
- Debit Cards
- Prepaid Cards
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- Samsung Pay
New Orleans Jazz Fest Cash Exchange Policy
Those who have cash can, well, cash it in at a Cash Exchange booth, which are located throughout the venue. There, people receive a pre-paid credit card. There is a $500 per-day maximum and it can be used outside the Jazz Fest grounds. Or, in other words, for drinks on Bourbon Street later that night. There are no fees associated with getting a card.
The change isn’t necessarily being cheered by some vendors, who for decades have been used to the cash transactions. They are lingering concerned about potential processing fees and – since there are often lines at many of the food booths – slows down the transaction process. Then there are the clothing, craft and non-food vendors. Traditionally, those purchases are made by negotiations and handing over a $10 or $20 bill. Still, cashless is becoming the way of the world these days, tho PubClub.com always believes in having a little cash on hand for tips and other uses that pop up along the way.
How Cashless At Jazz Fest Is (Or Isn’t) Working
The cashless system was first implemented in 2023 and many long-timers felt it was out of tune with the culture and tradition of Jazz Fest. Huge lines and crashed systems frustrated both fans and vendors. Time and experience, Jazz Fest officials hope, will heal those early wounds.
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