The first weekend of Jazz Fest 2012 runs from April 27th - April 29th.

The second weekend of Jazz Fest 2012 runs from May 3rd - May 6th.

Stay tuned to the Jazz Fest After Dark page for concert announcements & other events taking place in between Jazz Fest weekends. Shows already announced include the (original) Meters, Dragon Smoke, Dr. Lonnie Smith, The Fray, and others.

Tickets for Jazz Fest are on sale now at Ticketmaster and the New Orleans Arena box office.

Single Day Tickets are $45 in advance through February 29th. They rise to $50 on March 1st, and will cost $65 if purchased at the Gate.

3 VIP Packages are also available: Big Chief VIP Experience, Grand Marshal VIP Pass, and Krewe of Jazz Fest VIP Pass.

Make your travel plans early for the best deals on rooms and airfare rates.

Head to Priceline to select your exact hotel or name your own price. Check recent winning hotel bids at Priceline.

Also check Expedia, Hotels.com and Travelocity for hotels, flights and car rentals.

The official 2012 Jazz & Heritage Festival poster features NOLA superstar Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews. Andrews was previously featured on the 2009 Congo Square poster. The 2012 Congo Square poster features local trumpet great Shamarr Allen.

The Jazz & Heritage Festival has released a list of Jazz Fest Performers by Date. The complete daily schedules with times & stages will be announced at a later date.

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band have been added to the 2012 Jazz Fest lineup. Springsteen will perform on Sunday, April 29th. Check out the Boss's new single, "We Take Care of Our Own." The track is from his 17th studio album 'Wrecking Ball,' due in stores on March 6th. See more Bruce Springsteen tour dates.

Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder has been added to the 2012 Jazz Fest lineup for Thursday, May 3rd. Vedder will be touring the southern U.S. in April and May in support his 2011 solo album, "Ukulele Songs." See more Eddie Vedder tour dates.

The WWOZ Brass Pass is a great way to enjoy Jazz Fest and help support local community radio station WWOZ. For a membership donation of $450 to WWOZ, you'll get a 2012 Brass Pass, which gets you into all 7 days of Jazz Fest and much more. Get the lowdown here.

Founding members of The Beach Boys will reunite for a 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2012. Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and David Marks will come together for a new studio album and a 50-date international tour to begin in April with a headlining performance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Read more.

Weekend 1 line-up includes Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, John Mayer, Al Green, The Beach Boys, Trombone Shorty, Bon Iver, Jill Scott, Iron & Wine, Janelle Monae, Pete Fountain, Yolanda Adams, Pete Fountain, Feist, Steel Pulse, Dianne Reeves, Gomez, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Poncho Sanchez, Dr. John, Givers, and Dave Koz.

Weekend 2 line-up includes The Eagles, Foo Fighters, The Neville Brothers, Zac Brown Band, Herbie Hancock, My Morning Jacket, Ne-Yo, Bunny Wailer, Bonnie Raitt, Paulina Rubio, Irma Thomas, Maze & Frankie Beverly, Florence & the Machine, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Galactic, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Levon Helm Band with special guest Mavis Staples, Steve Earle, Esperanza Spalding, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Allen Toussaint, and Ani DiFranco.

Schedule Updates: Mystikal has been added to the lineup for the second weekend of Jazz Fest. Allen Toussaint will perform at Jazz Fest on May 5th. He was previously scheduled for April 29th.

See the complete list of 2012 Jazz Fest performers here. Daily schedules with times and stages will be announced at a later date.

The 14th Annual Jazz and Heritage Gala is set for April 26, 2012, at the New Orleans Hilton Riverside Hotel. The 2012 Gala will feature music from Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews and Big Sam's Funky Nation. Tickets are $500, which includes a 7-day pass to the 2012 Jazz & Heritage Festival. Visit the Jazz and Heritage Foundation web site for tickets and additional info.

Sync Up - the Jazz & Heritage Foundation's annual entertainment industry conference - is set for April 27-28 and May 4-5, 2012 at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Featured speakers this year include Tim Westergren, Daniel Glass, Tom Windish, and Bruce Houghton.

Relive past Jazz Fests with these live DVD and CD recordings, and books on the history of the NOLA Jazz & Heritage Festival.