National Fried Chicken Festival 2026

🪩 About National Fried Chicken Festival 2026

The National Fried Chicken Festival presented by Raising Cane’s celebrates its 10th anniversary October 2–4, 2026, with its biggest entertainment lineup yet. The three-day New Orleans Lakefront festival brings together food, music, and New Orleans culture with national touring artists, Louisiana favorites, more than 40 restaurants, VIP experiences, and three stages of live entertainment.

For the first time, the festival is bringing major electronic dance music artists into the mix, with internationally renowned DJs Dillon Francis and A-Trak joining a lineup that includes Nelly, 2 Chainz, Ying Yang Twins, Keri Hilson, Webbie, Big Freedia + LPO, and more.

Saturday night brings Dillon Francis to the Lakefront. Known for moving between moombahton, house, trap, hip-hop, and festival-ready electronic music, Francis has performed on major stages around the world, including Coachella, Tomorrowland, Ultra, EDC, and Lollapalooza.

On Sunday, turntablist and dance music icon A-Trak takes over. The former DMC World DJ Champion, Fool’s Gold Records founder, and one-half of Duck Sauce brings his signature blend of house, hip-hop, disco, and turntablism to the festival’s closing day.

Come hungry. Stay for the dance floor.

When is National Fried Chicken Festival 2026?

National Fried Chicken Festival 2026 takes place on Friday, October 2, 2026, starting at 3:00 PM and going ’til 9:00 MM. The festival continues on Saturday, October 3, 2026, starting at 11:00 AM and going ’til 9:00 PM. The festival finishes on Sunday, October 4, 2026, starting at 11:00 AM and going ’til 9:00 PM. 

Where is National Fried Chicken Festival 2026?

Hosted at the New Orleans Lakefront along Lakeshore Drive at Franklin Avenue, behind the UNO Lakefront Arena (6801 Franklin Ave, New Orleans, LA 70122). The outdoor festival grounds bring the celebration to the waterfront with three entertainment stages, food vendors, bars, VIP experiences, and plenty of room to explore throughout the weekend.

How much are tickets?

• • Weekend GA (Tier 3): $115.70

  • Weekend Beer Garden (Tier 3): $212.65

  • Weekend VIP (Tier 3): $420.08

  • Weekend – Accompanied Minor VIP (Tier 3): $92.03

  • Friday – GA Single Day (Tier 2): $21.00

  • Friday – Beer Garden Single Day (Tier 3): $77.37

  • Friday – VIP Single Day (Tier 3): $126.97

  • Friday – Accompanied Minor Single Day VIP (Tier 3): $37.92

  • Saturday – GA Single Day (Tier 3): $70.61

  • Saturday – Beer Garden Single Day (Tier 3): $128.11

  • Saturday – VIP Single Day (Tier 3): $228.44

  • Saturday – Accompanied Minor Single Day VIP (Tier 3): $54.83

  • Sunday – GA Single Day (Tier 3): $70.61

  • Sunday – Beer Garden Single Day (Tier 3): $128.11

  • Sunday – VIP Single Day (Tier 3): $228.44

  • Sunday – Accompanied Minor Single Day VIP (Tier 3): $54.83

Who’s performing?

The 2026 lineup includes:

• Nelly
• 2 Chainz
• Dillon Francis
• Ying Yang Twins
• A-Trak
• Keri Hilson
• Webbie
• Big Freedia + LPO

and many more!

🎧 EDM Headliners

Saturday, October 3 — Dillon Francis

Sunday, October 4 — A-Trak

Stages & Experiences

Three stages of live entertainment bring together national, regional, and local artists across hip-hop, EDM, R&B, bounce, and Louisiana sounds. The weekend also features more than 40 restaurants, five VIP experiences, family-friendly programming, waterfront views, local vendors, and the return of the FCF 5K Run/Walk.

The 2026 festival marks 10 years of National Fried Chicken Festival and one of its biggest steps yet into New Orleans’ electronic music scene.

Photo Credit: 📸: @friedchickenfestival

Distance from Key Landmarks

Republic NOLA: 9.1 mi | The Rabbit Hole: 8.2 mi | Santos: 5.5 mi | Poor Boys: 5.6 mi