New Orleans Cigar Box Guitar Festival 2023

The New Orleans Cigar Box Guitar Festival is a unique celebration of the art, music, and cultural history of homemade stringed instruments in the city where those rudimentary devices played a key role in the early development of both the jazz and blues musical traditions.

Covering 4 days and utilizing the world-class listening and exhibit spaces at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, the festival always presents an unsurpassed lineup of CBG artists. Twenty professional acts will perform, and instrument builders will gather to compare notes and compete for prizes.

The final voting in the International Cigar Box Guitar Video Playoffs will be held on Thursday evening, and the winners will be announced on Saturday evening.

New Orleans blues legend Little Freddie King leads the exciting slate of 20 entertainers, which includes The Wolf Johns Band, Shane Speal, Ghalia Volt, John Nickel, Cigar Box Serenaders, Erin Coburn, Cash O’Riley, Steve Arvey, Brett Gardner, Jamie Lynn Vessels, Ben “Gitty” Baker, Amzie Adams, Beth Patterson, GoatBuskers, Ivor Simpson Kennedy, Max Valentino, Michael Cain, Too Sick Charlie, and Dar Stellabotta.

Check out the for the Schedule of Events.

ONLY 150 OF THESE ALL-INCLUSIVE LIVE-AUDIENCE TICKETS WILL BE SOLD, providing the enjoyment of an intimate and comfortable experience. The Early Bird rate will only be in effect thru November 30. A few standing-room-only single-day tickets may be added later if space allows.

An all-inclusive ticket includes the following:

• Seated admission to every event on the 4-day schedule

• Chances to win one of 4 deluxe cigar box guitars to be given away

• Official poster

• Official laminate

• Refrigerator magnet

Host or Publisher New Orleans Jazz Museum