In news that is unsettling though perhaps not entirely surprising, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival today (April 16) announced its 2020 event has been officially canceled.

The announcement comes during a week in which New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell made a statement urging organizers of large festivals to cancel amid concerns relating to the ongoing coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic, which as of today has killed more than 1,100 people in Louisiana. Organizers of Jazz Fest announced in March a postponement of the event until the Fall, similar to prior announcements made by BUKU Music + Art Project, French Quarter Festival and ESSENCE Fest — all of which have since canceled entirely.

In a statement posted to Twitter, Jazz Fest said “Jazz Fest 2020 will not occur this Fall, as previously announced.” In the statement, organizers said “It takes something truly momentous to interrupt a 50-year New Orleans tradition as special as the Festival, but we feel strongly that the most prudent course right now is to allow more time for the situation to stabilize.” See the full statement below:

Jazz Fest 2021 will take place April 22 – May 2.

The 51st annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell was scheduled to kick off on April 23, 2020. The Who, Dead & Company, Stevie Nicks, Foo Fighters, Lizzo, Lionel Richie, Wu-Tang Clan and more were scheduled to perform at the sprawling event, largely considered to be not only the pre-eminent music festival in New Orleans, but one of the most attended in the world (in 2019, Jazz Fest celebrated its 50th year with  475,000 attendees).

For more information, visit the official website for Jazz Fest 2020.