Preservation Hall in New Orleans: A Living Museum of Jazz
When you travel for music events, few venues offer the authentic experience of Preservation Hall in New Orleans. This legendary jazz venue has been preserving traditional New Orleans jazz since 1961. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, it’s a must visit destination for anyone planning live music getaways to America’s most musical city.
Preservation Hall isn’t just a music venue. It’s a cultural institution that keeps the spirit of traditional jazz alive. The weathered building at 726 St. Peter Street has witnessed countless performances by jazz legends. Every night, visitors experience the same intimate atmosphere that has captivated audiences for over six decades.
Quick Facts
📍Location: 726 St Peter St, New Orleans, LA 70116👥Capacity: 100-150 (standing room, intimate setting)💵Ticket Range: $25-45🅿️Parking: Street parking or nearby lots ($10-20); French Quarter location🚇Best Access: Walk from French Quarter hotels / RTA Streetcar lines📅Season: Year-round (nightly shows)⭐Known For: Traditional New Orleans jazz, historic venue since 1961, no food/drink allowed, authentic preservation of jazz heritage🔗Official Website: https://www.preservationhall.com/
Music Events at the Preservation Hall in December 2025
| Music Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Wendell Brunious and the Preservation Hall Legacy Band | December 6,27 2025 |
| Preservation All Stars | December 6, 13,20, 23,24,25, 27 2025 |
| Leroy Jones and the Preservation Jazz Masters | December 7, 28 2025 |
| Preservation All-Stars ft. Kevin Louis | December 12, 2025 |
| Preservation Brass | December 1,8,15, 22,29 2025 |
| Preservation All-Stars ft. Aurelien Barnes | December 2,9,16 2025 |
| Preservation Legacy Band ft. Will Smith | December 7, 2025 |
| Preservation All-Stars ft. Wendell Brunious | December 4,11,18 2025 |
| Preservation Legacy Band ft. Gregg Stafford | December 14,21,22,26,28, 29, 30, 31 2025 |
| Preservation All-Stars ft. Branden Lewis | December 23, 2025 |
| Preservation All-Stars ft. Mark Braud | December 3,5,10,17,19,26, 30 2025 |
| Cerole Christmas: Preservation All-stars | December 13,14,20, 21, 24 2025 |
| Swing in the New Year with Charlie Gabriel and friends! | December 31, 2025 |
For the whole list of events at Preservation Hall, visit the official website.
The History Behind the Music
Preservation Hall was founded by art dealer Larry Borenstein and tuba player Allan Jaffe. Their mission was simple: preserve the traditional jazz music that was disappearing from New Orleans. The venue opened during a time when many older jazz musicians were struggling to find places to perform.
The building itself dates back to the 1750s. It has served many purposes over the centuries. Before becoming a jazz venue, it was an art gallery, a private residence, and even a tavern. The worn wooden floors and aging walls tell stories of New Orleans’ rich musical heritage.
Allan Jaffe and his wife Sandra took over operations in the 1960s. They established the venue’s unique approach to presenting music. No amplification, no air conditioning, no bar service. Just pure, acoustic jazz in its most authentic form.
What Makes Preservation Hall Special
The Intimate Setting
- Holds only about 100 people
- No formal seating arrangements
- Cushions on the floor for early arrivals
- Standing room only for most visitors
- Musicians perform just feet away from the audience
The Music Style
- Traditional New Orleans jazz exclusively
- No modern jazz or fusion
- Acoustic instruments only
- Songs from the early 1900s through 1950s
- Emphasis on collective improvisation
The Atmosphere
- Dimly lit interior creates an intimate mood
- No talking during performances
- Audiences focused entirely on the music
- Feels like stepping back in time
- Authentic New Orleans cultural experience
Planning Your Visit in 2025
Preservation Hall operates differently than most music venues. There are no advance ticket sales for regular shows. Tickets are sold at the door starting at 5 PM each day. This first come, first served system has been in place since the beginning.
Shows typically run from 8 PM to 10 PM. There are usually three sets per night, each lasting about 45 minutes. The venue is closed on Mondays, except during special events or festivals.
During peak tourist seasons, lines can form hours before doors open. If you’re traveling for music during Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, or other major New Orleans events, arrive early. The venue fills up quickly, especially on weekends.
- 🚗 How to Get to Preservation Hall – Walking from French Quarter hotels, streetcar routes, parking options & navigation tips
- 🏨 Where to Stay Near Preservation Hall – Best French Quarter & nearby hotels by budget & location
- 🍽️ Restaurants Near Preservation Hall – Pre-show dining in the French Quarter (Cajun, Creole & more)
- 🍺 Bars Near Preservation Hall – Bourbon Street nightlife, jazz clubs & post-show drinks
- 🎭 Things to Do Near Preservation Hall – Jackson Square, French Market, riverfront & historic sites for a full French Quarter experience
Live Music Getaway Travel Tips for Preservation Hall
Best Time to Visit
If you’re trying to avoid the crazy long lines, weekday evenings are definitely your best bet since most tourists are doing other stuff during the week. Sunday shows are actually pretty special because that’s when you’re most likely to catch the actual Preservation Hall Jazz Band performing, not just one of the rotating groups. You’ll want to skip visiting during major festival times like Jazz Fest or Mardi Gras if you prefer smaller, more intimate crowds, but honestly those festival periods have their own energy that’s pretty amazing. The winter months from December through February tend to be the quietest time to visit since fewer people are traveling to New Orleans then, so you’ll have a much easier time getting in and finding a decent spot to sit or stand.
What to Expect
- Cash only admission ($20-25 in 2025)
- No photography or video recording
- No food or drinks allowed inside
- Uncomfortable seating or standing for entire show
- Air conditioning limited to small fans
Nearby Attractions
- French Quarter walking distance to restaurants
- Multiple jazz clubs within two blocks
- Historic Jackson Square across the street
- Bourbon Street nightlife just minutes away
The Musicians
Preservation Hall features rotating groups of New Orleans jazz musicians. Many are descendants of the original jazz pioneers. The venue has helped launch careers and preserve musical traditions that might otherwise be lost.
The Preservation Hall Jazz Band tours internationally. They’ve recorded numerous albums and collaborated with modern artists. However, seeing them at their home venue provides a completely different experience than any concert hall performance.
Local musicians often sit in during shows. This creates spontaneous musical moments that you won’t find anywhere else. The collective improvisation style means no two performances are exactly alike.
Combining with Other Music Venues
New Orleans offers incredible opportunities for live music getaways. You can easily visit multiple music venues in a single evening. Preservation Hall makes an excellent starting point for a night of music exploration.
Nearby Venues Worth Visiting
- The Spotted Cat on Frenchmen Street
- d.b.a. for contemporary jazz
- The Maison for traditional jazz
- Snug Harbor for modern jazz
- Palm Court Jazz Cafe for dinner shows
Walking between venues is part of the New Orleans music experience. The French Quarter and Faubourg Marigny neighborhoods are safe and well lit for evening strolls.
Festival Seasons and Special Events
Jazz Fest season (late April-early May) brings special programming to Preservation Hall. The venue often hosts after hours shows featuring festival performers. These intimate concerts provide a stark contrast to the large outdoor festival stages.
During French Quarter Festival, Preservation Hall participates in the city wide celebration. Special performances and extended hours make this an ideal time for music focused travel.
Mardi Gras season features unique programming. Traditional jazz plays an important role in carnival celebrations. The venue often showcases music specifically associated with New Orleans’ carnival traditions.
Practical Information for Preservation Hall Travelers
Getting to Preservation Hall
- Located at 726 St. Peter Street in the French Quarter
- Walking distance from most French Quarter hotels
- Streetcar accessible via St. Charles or Canal lines
- Parking available in nearby lots (expensive)
- Uber and taxi readily available
What to Bring
- Cash for admission
- Comfortable clothing (venue gets warm)
- Small cushion if you want floor seating
- Patience for potential wait times
- Open mind for traditional jazz styles
Photography Policy
- No cameras or phones during performances
- Photos allowed before and after shows
- Exterior photos welcome anytime
- Respect for performers and other guests essential
Making the Most of Your Visit
Preservation Hall works best as part of a broader New Orleans music experience. The venue represents one important piece of the city’s musical puzzle. Combine your visit with other music venues, second line parades, and live music restaurants.
The venue’s rigid format might surprise first time visitors. There’s no mixing and mingling, no dancing, no singing along. This focused approach to music presentation creates a unique concert experience that’s increasingly rare in modern entertainment.
Many visitors return night after night during their stay. Each performance offers different musicians and different song selections. The intimate setting allows you to appreciate subtle musical details that larger venues can’t provide.
Planning Your Music City Adventure
New Orleans rewards travelers who embrace its musical diversity. Preservation Hall represents the traditional foundation that supports the city’s entire musical ecosystem. Understanding this history enhances your appreciation of contemporary New Orleans music.
Build your itinerary around the venue’s schedule. Plan dinner at nearby restaurants before the show. Explore Frenchmen Street afterward for contemporary jazz. This approach maximizes your exposure to different musical styles within walking distance.
Consider staying in the French Quarter during your live music getaway. The proximity to Preservation Hall and other music venues eliminates transportation concerns. You can focus entirely on the musical experience without worrying about logistics.
What to Expect During Your Visit
Preservation Hall offers something that modern music venues can’t replicate: authenticity. The venue hasn’t changed its basic format since 1961. The acoustic setting allows you to hear jazz as it was originally performed. No electronic amplification, no sound effects, no visual distractions.
Your visit will likely be brief compared to other music venues. Most people spend about two hours total, including waiting time. However, this authentic jazz experience often becomes the highlight of an entire New Orleans music trip.
Why It’s Worth the Trip
When you travel for music events, you’re seeking experiences that connect you to the cultural heart of a destination. Preservation Hall delivers this connection in its purest form. The venue transforms tourists into witnesses to living musical history.
This small venue continues to fulfill its original mission: preserving traditional New Orleans jazz for future generations. Every ticket purchase supports this cultural preservation effort while providing you with an unforgettable musical experience that exemplifies why New Orleans remains America’s most important music city.
FAQs
The whole no advance tickets thing isn’t just some old fashioned way of doing business. It’s actually how they keep the real jazz club experience alive from back in the day. In the early 1900s, you’d just wander into a club and see whoever was playing that night. Preservation Hall keeps that spontaneous feeling going, and it also stops people from buying up tickets just to resell them at crazy prices.
What’s really cool is how the line becomes this little community before the show even starts. You end up talking to people from all over the world, swapping stories about where else you’ve been in New Orleans, getting tips on other places to check out. It feels like a neighborhood hangout more than waiting for a concert. Yeah, you might stand around for a while, but honestly that uncertainty makes finding great music feel more like an adventure.
The quiet thing is all about respecting what’s happening musically. Traditional New Orleans jazz has these amazing moments where instruments basically have conversations with each other. Like the trumpet will play a phrase and the clarinet answers back, or the piano and tuba will go back and forth. When people are chatting, you completely miss these musical dialogues that make every single show different.
Plus, that tiny old building has zero amplification, so even quiet talking can mess with the sound balance. The musicians are sitting right there next to you, close enough that they hear everything. Most of these players are seasoned pros who’ve been perfecting their craft for decades. The respectful silence is how you show appreciation for what they’re doing in a way that just clapping between songs can’t really capture.
The difference hits you immediately if you’ve never experienced purely acoustic jazz. You hear every single detail that usually gets lost in amplified shows. Every breath the trumpet player takes, fingers sliding across guitar strings, the softest brush on the drums. It’s like comparing a photo of something beautiful to actually being there and seeing it with your own eyes.
The building itself adds something special to the sound too. Those old wooden floors and weathered walls have soaked up music for decades, and somehow that history makes everything sound richer. When the musicians play really soft passages, everyone in the room naturally leans forward to catch every note. That creates this shared moment where you feel like you’re part of the music instead of just sitting there watching it happen.