New Orleans Cigar Box Guitar Festival 2026 at New Orleans Jazz Museum – New Orleans, LA

Each January since 2016, some of the planet’s finest homemade instrument players and the movement’s most dedicated enthusiasts have congregated in New Orleans to participate in what has been called the World Cup of cigar box guitar events.

It’s a unique celebration of the art, music, and cultural history of homemade stringed instruments in the city where those simple devices played a role in the early development of Jazz and Blues. Covering 3 days and utilizing the world-class listening and exhibit spaces at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, the festival always presents an unsurpassed roster of CBG artists.

Instrument builders from far and wide will gather Friday and Saturday for the Builders’ Forum to compare notes and compete for prizes.

Check out the festival website for Schedule and latest news.

ONLY 100 INDIVIDUAL ALL-INCLUSIVE LIVE-AUDIENCE 3-DAY TICKETS AND ONLY 12 PATRON PACKAGES WILL BE SOLD, providing attendees with the enjoyment of a uniquely intimate and comfortable experience in the Performance Center of the New Orleans Jazz Museum. A few standing-room-only single-day tickets may be added later if space allows.

3-DAY PASS HOLDERS are entitled to:

• Seated admission to every event on the 3-day schedule

• Chances to win one of 5 cigar box guitars to be given away

• Official poster

• Refrigerator magnet

• Event laminate

The PATRON PACKAGE is for our most enthusiastic supporters, and includes two 3-DAY PASSES along with the chances, posters and magnets. Special PATRON laminates will entitle holders to reserved front-and-center seating, and they will be recognized for their support both at the event and year-round on the festival’s website.

We cordially invite you to join us in the World’s Most Musical City for the festival’s 10th Anniversary!