Get to buying, folks: Tickets to the 2013 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival are now on sale to the public. The music lineup for the 44th edition of the music and cultural juggernaut, to be held April 26-28 and May 2-5, will be released in January.

Advanced single-day tickets for Jazz Fest, which takes place at the Fair Grounds Race Course, are $45 through mid-to-late January, when the price gets bumped to $50. The gate price ticket will again be $65. Tickets for children ages 2-10 are $5, available at the gate only. Once again, single day tickets are on sale by specific weekend, with each ticket valid for a single day’s attendance.

All of the Festival’s VIP packages are on sale while limited supplies last. The popular Big Chief VIP Experience ticket package provides special viewing access at most of the Festival’s stages; the Grand Marshal VIP Pass allows for up-close access at the three major stages; and the Krewe of Jazz Fest VIP Pass entitles patrons to special covered seating at the Acura Stage audience area. Layaway is available for each of the VIP packages.

Jazz Fest also offers full-service travel packages, which include hotel accommodations, travel to and from the event grounds and tickets, along with the option for Festival VIP packages.

Tickets are available at www.nojazzfest.com and www.ticketmaster.com, at all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling (800) 745-3000. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Jazz Fest ticket office located at the New Orleans Arena Box Office. All general admission Jazz Fest tickets are subject to additional service fees and handling charges.

In related news, the 15th Annual Jazz & Heritage Foundation Gala will be held April 25, 2013 at the New Orleans Hilton Riverside Hotel. The evening of music, food and fun directly supports the Don Jamison Heritage School of Music, a free music instruction program that reaches more than 85 students each week. This year’s theme is “Glass House Reunion,” and will feature Kermit Ruffins, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Grammy Award winners The Rebirth Brass Band.  Tickets are $500.00 and include access passes to all seven days of Jazz Fest. Tickets are available online or by calling 504-558-6100.

Last year’s Festival drew more than 450,000 people from around the world to celebrate the unique culture and heritage of New Orleans and the region.